OCTOBER

WOW!! Where has the time gone? Life is flying at such a speedy pace that I just can't keep up. It's all I can do to make sure were at least fully clothed when we leave our house in the morning. With work, my calling, yearbook & our crazy life in general - things are NUTS!!! I'm completely impressed I had an hour to do this today. So, if anyone out there is still checking this - let's start off slow....

I am an anal person. No secret! For my sanity, I must go back to October & work in chronological order. Even though we've had some pretty life changing events occur that deserve immediate attention. In the past I would start posting when I had a bunch cued up to automatically post for a week. Today, however, I have one & only one. At least it's a start & we'll see where we go from here. ;)

I'm starting with October. This was a month full of some craziness. We started a babysitting coop & love it! I took some pictures the first week we had a turn & had to share. (I hope no one is nervous that I posting pictures of their kid. Probably should have asked first. Oh well - sorry! The kids are all so cute. We actually were short one the first time, so there's only two here. Oh & I had to add the picture of Nui because it makes me laugh every time I see it. It's blurry, but how often do you catch a picture of a dog with it's eyes closed? I thought it was funny!

Next, we had a crazy storm with a micro burst in our area. The stake RS Pres called me & asked if everyone in our ward was ok after the storm & I thought that was odd. It was just some rain. Sure it was a lot of rain, but nothing major. I had no idea what had happened 1/4 mile from my home! We went to Target by our house & found light poles down Southern that were completely destroyed! The pictures don't do it justice. It was crazy! One of them is cracked twice. Weird!! Our bishop is still harassing me for meals because he had some branches fall into his pool. Guess I better get on that. I'm a slacker of a Pres!

October was also a miracle month! Little Eli was born to Jack & Alli! What a blessing he is to them & a cutie at that! It's crazy to look at these photos because he already looks nothing like this. He has the best dimples & the cutest grin. They grow so fast!

Now we'll see how long it will be before I can post again. I counted roughly 17 posts to catch up. Halloween will be next. At least my yearbook deadline is only 3 weeks away!! Actually, that's terrible because I have a lot to do! On the other hand, it's wonderful because I'll be done!! Wish me lots of luck!

JOSH & JILL

I'm not sure how I missed this post in the scheme of things, but hey! Better late than never right? And it's not in chronological order - oh well!! Anyhoo, here's the story...

The beginning of August I went on a little trip to Colorado with my Dad & Mignon. It was a blast! My sister-in-law Jill got married & we were excited to go support her. It started with me being asked to create their invite. This one was the funnest one yet because she wanted it really girly with lots of fun things. Including birds! It was way fun for me to create & luckily they quite liked it. (At least, they told me they did & sent them out.) Here's the invite...
We flew up to Denver on Thursday the 5th & then drove down to Colorado Springs. Friday we spent the day just kind of hanging out, getting to know Josh & his family. {His mom is mine & Mignon's new best friend, by the way.} We took Elliot swimming at their hotel & then prepared for the "rehearsal dinner" that night. We went to an Italian restaurant & again just enjoyed the evening!

On Saturday we headed to the church building to set up for the wedding & reception. Mignon & I were sent to wash table clothes at a local laundromat. I'm sure you can imagine the fun that was. On a Saturday no less. ;) All in all the ceremony & reception turned out lovely. We have a little bit of a joke in the family about how my Dad will find someone he knows {even if in a round-a-bout way} no matter where he goes. Well, he even found someone at the reception. Didn't know him personally persay, but he went to Arcadia & they knew some common people. Hilarious! Can't take that man anywhere!
After the reception my parents & I took Elliot home & watched him so that Jill & Josh could have a little honeymoon. Unfortunately for them, it was only one night. I got a crash course on bolusing Elliot. I even woke up in the middle of the night to check his sugar while he was asleep & bolused him. He didn't even wake up. {Bolusing is telling his pump how much insulin he needs.} I was quite proud of myself that I could wake up to do so. I was so worried about it though that I didn't get much sleep. I just wanted him to be safe. Apparently, I bolused him too much because his sugar dropped later that day. He was ok, but I felt bad! We took Elliot to church & then came home to visit some more with Josh's family.

Later that day we drove back up to Denver to help take Josh's family to the airport. We stopped at a restaurant called Craves that has become Josh & Jill's favorite place to eat. It was very delicious hamburgers & we had a ball watching a guy make beautiful shakes. Seriously, they were works of art the way he presented them & they looked yummy!! We were too stuffed to try one. After we dropped off Josh's family we said bye to everyone. Even Josh, Jill & Elliot. We then headed to a hotel for the night in Denver. There was an amazing rainbow in the sky as we pulled into our hotel. The best picture of the trip came from this evening....
We were laughing at ourselves! All of us snuggled in a bed with our snacks. {Don't worry - there was 2 beds.} The next day we went to the movies & saw Salt. Then it was time to head to the airport & head home. It was such a fun trip & I loved being able to have a little trip with my parents by myself. Not to mention getting a chance to spend some time with Elliot, Jill & Josh. It was a great weekend. And I need to give my Dad & Mignon a HUGE thank you again for the funnest trip!! I love you guys!

RJ's FAREWELL

Today was our nephew RJ's farewell. I'm still trying to wrap my head around that one. Especially since he was only 5 when Erik & I started dating!! I can't believe he's that old & going on a mission. He's been called to serve in the Guixaquil, Ecuador Mission. He's been ready to go for a LONG time now. He was hoping to have his call before he graduated in May, but due some circumstances (Hmm, hmm... his papers being lost in the Stake President's office for a bit) it's been a little longer. I can't remember the last time I've seen a young man so ready & worthy for this calling. He's an amazing kid! An awesome example of how everyone should be! Here's Erik with RJ. RJ calls Erik Uncle Rico.

His talk was wonderful. All the kids, cousins sang "I Believe in Christ". Kylie & Jadyn didn't hesitate. They were ecstatic to do so. It was beautiful to watch all of the kids sing. My brother-in-law Ron spoke as well & did a good job. But, what took the cake was something I've never seen before. The closing song was "Called to Serve". A real tear-jerker in itself at a farewell right? Well, all (& I mean ALL) the priesthood holders were asked to come up to the front to sing. What an AWESOME sight to see all of the men, young & old, in the audience stand up at the front & sing that amazing song!! Then, I saw my friend Sarah's dad standing behind RJ (he was RJ's Young Men's President in his previous ward) singing & lost it. I miss that man so much & his daughter even more! There really are no words to describe how beautiful that was. What a tremendous idea for a farewell. Supposably it has become a tradition in that ward.

At the "Open House" Edwin (my friend Sarah's dad) serenaded RJ. It was great! Again - I miss this man! He had served his mission in Ecuador & came to tell some stories. No one tells stories like Edwin. Here's a picture of me with Edwin & Sarah's youngest sister Ashley. Ashley was born at the end of our Junior year in High School. She was only 3 when Sarah was killed. Ashley was also the flower girl at our wedding when she was 4 since Sarah couldn't be a bridesmaid.

In watching all that this family has done in preparation for RJ I have found myself a little sad. I'm quite jealous that I don't have a boy to send out & have that experience with. I've told Ron & Nikki numerous times that I will have to live vicariously through their boys. Lucky for me, I also have many boys to live vicariously through on my side of the family. So, I'll be covered. As sad as it makes me - I can't help but be extremely excited as well. I can't wait to hear his stories & all about his adventures! I can't think of a young man that was more prepared than RJ. He will be an amazing missionary! We're so proud of him & the choices he's made.

St. George

Last weekend I had the priviledge of tagging along for a quick trip to St. George. When I say quick - I'm not exaggerating. We left early Saturday morning & came home on Sunday! It was crazy, but lots of fun. Mimi was driving with her friend Kathy that had been visiting in AZ back up to St. George. It was perfect timing because Steele & Amy had just had their baby, so she was able to go see little Max Steele Hallows! It was also my mom's birthday on Sunday. Which was my main reason for going. Although I was pretty excited to see my newest nephew (& he's pretty dang cute!!) it was nice to surprise my mom!


Here's Kathy, Mimi & I with our matching head wraps.....
I have a friend that makes these cute headwraps & they were a hit on our drive up. Check out my friends blog HERE.


When we arrived into town I called my Stepdad Alan to let him know I was their. He came into town to pick me up. He told my Mom he had to go into town to pick up a present for her birthday. They had had a long day & she told him not to worry about anything. He just told her to trust him & that she wouldn't want to take this present back.


We then made the journey (all of 15 minutes) up to their home in Dammeron Valley. When we walked in the door Alan announced that he was home as I hid behind the wall of the dining room table. My Mom walked right past me & then I jumped out at her. She jumped about 20 feet & then started balling. It was great!! Totally had her surprised & it was wonderful to spend some time with her on her birthday!

Sunday morning came & it was time to leave already. I said my good-byes as Mimi picked me up @ my Mom's. We then went back into town so I could meet little Max Steele.....


My niece Abi is one of the most hilarious kids you will ever meet! She was telling me all kinds of things. She asked me if I knew where her baby ate from? Well? Upon my not answering she informed me that he ate from his Mommy's tummy! What a nut! The best story is this one though..... (try & read this with the thought of a little girl with a high pitched voice saying these to me & OVERLY animated)



Abi: Did you know I came out of my Mommy's tummy once?
Me: Yes.
Abi: When I came out of my Mommy's tummy, I came out her throat!
Me: How did you do that?
Abi: I jumped!



I just about died!! Where did that come from? She's so funny. There's just no way to describe her & how funny she is. You just have to meet this little one to fully understand.

Then, we headed out to drive home....already. We came home in Steele's Pilot with Steele. He was heading back to AZ to finish some work on their house. Here's Robin & Steele jammed in the back seat...

We had a fun little adventure in between Mesquite & the Valley of Fire area with this turtle....

First, we heard a weird noise & saw items flying out the back of the car. We got out of the car & saw that the turtle was open & Steele had a bag of stuff that had flown out. We scoured the side of the highway for shoes, gloves & other misc stuff. Dodging speeding cars trying to get stuff out of the middle of the highway with Mimi just about having a heart attack watching us. Steele ahd some tape in his car, so he taped the turtle shut.



Second, we had a car drive up next to us pointing up & then Robin caught a glimpse of the turtle in their windows wide open. (This is within 5 minutes of our last incident.) We stopped again & tried to figure a better way to secure it since the tape snapped. Steele went scouring the side of the highway for rope while Robin & I put together 2 luggage straps & wrapped it around the turtle. Finally, we got Steele back in the car & were off again.

Then, (5 minutes or so later) we heard a noise & the strap was flapping in the back window of the car. The hinges had broken off the turtle & it was not staying together AT ALL! At this point we loaded all of its contents into the car & took the turtle off. We then looked for a hiding spot for Steele to stash it....

He stashed it & we were off. We made it home safely & all was well! Apparantly, Steele, drove by this spot on his way back home to St. George & found the turtle still their. He was able to take it back home to his in-laws! Fun times were had by all & we now find ourselves with a few more inside jokes like.....

"That trip was not real. That did not happen. And, no, they really had a girl!"

FIRSTS

This post is late in so many ways!! And contains two very non-related topics, but here it is....

Last weekend was the first time I was able to meet my newest nephew! Little Memphis D Hallows was born on July 29th weighing in at 8 lbs 5 oz. Congrats to Rennie - oh & Luke :) - on the newest addition to their darling family!

I was waiting on pins & needles for this little guy to show up. And he was just as cute as expected. As his mom would say, "He's a little Dude!" And he is! Here's a pic of Kylie holding him...

As stated above his name is Memphis. I've told his mom for months that his middle name needs to be Raines. But, she didn't go for it. I, however, will still be calling him Memphis Raines! :) (It's the name of Nicholas Cage's character in Gone in Sixty Seconds & is one of my favorite movies!)

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We had another first just a few days later. For the first time EVER I allowed my girls to make cookies all by themselves. Sure, it was no bake cookies, but still a test of my patience since I'm a control freak. I really did nothing but stand in the background & make sure they were measuring correctly & not burning themselves on the stove top.

Here's the final product...

They did so well!! They were just divine & didn't last long! My girls are obsessed with cooking lately (thanks to the Food Network shows we watch). They're always wanting to cook & I figured this would be something easy to start with. We'll see what they can graduate to later on. For now, this was great!

RJ GRADUATION

Our nephew RJ graduated from Queen Creek High School on May 28th. We still can't believe he's that old. Look at what a stud he is...

Erik & I talk all the time about how impressed we are with him. He's such an awesome kid! When he was 15 about to turn 16 he had longer hair. His Bishop requested he cut his hair before he turned 16 & started blessing the sacrament. He didn't even think twice & cut his hair. How many kids do you know at this age that are fans on Facebook of Joseph Smith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Jesus Christ & Thomas S. Monson? Not to mention that he's cute, athletic as all get out & just a very well rounded kid. We had fun watching him play football earlier in the year. Next is his mission & we're anxiously awaiting his call. We can't wait to find out where he will be going! Here he is with his family. This is Erik's brother Ron & his wife Nikki. The kids are RJ, Kaija, Kevin, Derek & Ciara. WE LOVE THIS FAMILY!!!