HAPPY HALLOWEEEEEEEN

{ photo by trent}

Instead of donuts I made up special treat bags for my scouts & called it good.

We had a TON of trick or treaters! We watched the peanut, I mean Buzz Lightyear while my sister's family went to Lagoon. Jack & I played two rounds of our new favorite game (with The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown in the background) I let him win, then he went Zach's house- he went home tonight. Hailey went to a party tonight & last night & took friends in the car- gasp! She's home safe now, so we can sleep. Trent is over the top full of sugar & happy because someone was giving out little cans of rootbeer- the ultimate treat. Chloe is still at a party but coming home--- what a fun night.

what a week!

After leaving this cutie pie at the airport- I boarded a plane for Utah.

Just a minute or two after buckling in & leaning back in relaxation mode... I'm a nervous flyer... the flight attendant told us we were going to be delayed 2 hours. The thought of sitting there almost made me start to panic, luckily they let us off- feewwww. So after some gift shop lookin' around & lunch I read a bit & it was back on the plane. Luckily my connecting flight was also late so after running through the Minneapolis airport, taking the shuttle to the second stop, & seeing they were just starting to board- I hustled into the bathroom & then made it onto the plane.

It's a good thing I made it on-

I didn't want to miss this guy & all my scouts at the pinewood derby!

It seemed like every time I called home- the boys were working on the car. Even though it didn't place it was a good experience & I think everyone had a blast.

Even the dads could make cars or bring their old ones to race after the scouts.

Brett's old cars were meticulously taken off the wall of the office where they hang in their shadow box & raced up just as good as new! He's from a serious scouting family.

The next morning

the halloween parade

Oh how I love the halloween parade!

The whole school dresses up, faculty & all & parade through the school. Parents & grandparents come- it's crowded & fun. It's one of my favorite things & makes me feel like I live in a small town where family matters. I love how so many people come, but it's not a big contest to see who can spend the most time/money on the fanciest costume. I hate that. I of course love the parade, Trent just tolerates it-that is-now he tolerates it. Years past the trauma of the crowds & dressing up (he hates dressing up in anything but a tacky store bought costume) put him over the edge. Just two years ago I had to take him home after.
I tried to get him to let me paint his face or dress up as something cool like a cowboy for the parade & save the store bought costume for trick or treating- nah. Oh well. It's okay, I'm just glad he plays along now. I just want him to have fun!

My town has totally turned fall & winter is on our heels.

It snowed a bit while I was away. Leaves are all around & there is a chill in the air.

It feels good to be home.

It's been forever since I really posted- a long, heartfelt post. I have so many emotions & so much is going on- all good. I am blessed. But- real life is in full force & I've gotta catch up. Wednesday my flight was an hour late, but just in time for the pinewood derby (pictures coming) I had to leave just a bit early- I was so tired. Thursday morning was- the elementary school Halloween parade, breakfast with the blogger mom's, doctor's appointment to finish up jack's mission medical papers- then lab work, followed by running to the DMV to get hailey's driver's license (she passed the testing at school but this was the first day she could get it) Holy CRap -ballet driving (brett was at a meeting) so trent & I hung out in the library for an hour. Today- No School- so it's laundry, scrubbing floors, cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming for all of us (well not before a movie & laying around in our pj's for a while)- oh what a tole things take when mom's gone!
Tomorrow of course, is the big day- Halloween!!! and maybe donuts... I'm thinking this tradition is not for grandma's?

but-
jack may be back tomorrow night
charlie doesn't have jaundice (there was just slight concern)
no one here has the swine flu ---- yet---- our whole neighborhood has had it!
brett is going in late to work
and
only 21 days until the missionary comes home- can you believe this?
21 days
i guess it just goes to show-
life happens, whether you choose to participate or not.
Two years seemed so impossibly long when this all started, frankly- at times it has been. But- two years are going to pass whether you accomplish your dreams & grow & live- anyway. I'm so glad he did just that. I couldn't help but tell jack he doesn't have to go if he doesn't want to (I know he wants to- but then who knows what's going on in that red head) he had a lot to say about that that I won't go into- smarty pants.
So- I will be back to posting- maybe even today...!
I hope
I love this blog- I love looking back- I love to see how much we have all changed. I love the reminder that ya- things are good even when I wonder.

time's up

How do you leave a face like this?
With a kiss & in full confidence that his parents are going to do a Great Job!
I go home in the morning
sigh

it's true....

My Grandpa really is the BEST...

especially since he bought my Grandma a new camera

just before I was born.

We've been playing together with it

All day!

look who's home

Can You BElieve How Cute This Little Angel Is?

he's coming home today!

Charlie's stay at the hospital is nearly over.

He is coming home today!

I am hoping to blog the whole event, of course!

In the mean time- things seem to be going well at home. Wende & Taylor threw Hailey a surprise party last night- (how great is that?!)- brett subbed cub scouts for me & has been keeping up with trent & his homework- chloe has sold 52? tickets to the nutcracker & is turning them in today- and they are all hiking our mountain this morning- jack is over the top thrilled that BYU is playing a home game (go cougars!) & is the ESPN game of the week!!! I've been trying to see him on T.V. all morning & I think I may have caught a glimpse? He is having the time of his life & I'm sure he is screaming like a maniac, I mean college student.

What a GREAT day!

he's here....

What an amazing couple of days this has been...

before

and after-
Introducing my beautiful new grandson...
Charlie

Mother, father, baby & Grandma are all doing fabulous!!

hailey's sweet sixteen

I can't believe I am writing this post... but it's true- Hailey is

sixteen today!!!

She was born a in one of my favorite months, in the same hospital & town I was born in. We lived in WA at the time. I was delighted- as was megan- to have another little girl. (megan had been praying for a sister for years.

Because of my trip out East- we celebrated the big day the night before I left. The whole family & her best friend Tiffany went to dinner at her favorite restaurant- the Mandarin.

Even Jack was there- love that new haircut jack-

All of my kids & Brett have a major love of Chinese food- major. I myself like Chinese, but I'm a tex-mex girl all the way.

Trent was having a hard time- so I let him have the camera for a bit & this is what he came up with. Okay- there were some other random shots, but don't tell him, I deleted them.

Jack got into the act & decided to try out the new camera.

He likes it.

We couldn't resist & told our waitress it was Hailey's birthday celebration.

They sang & brought her dessert after our meal.

We went home & opened presents-

Her big present was just that- too big to wrap.

Most of you don't know- I haven't written about it- that Hailey is an amazing guitar player & song writer. She has been guitarless since jack took his to college. She plays the ukulele & she is unbelievable. She has written loads of songs & she & tiff sing together.

Seriously- I haven't written or recorded any of her songs because they are so great -I'm not being prejudice- and I am afraid they will get stolen.

After the baby, the missionary, Christmas... we are going to look into trying to get her published.

this is a long time coming

-Hailey & a guitar-

but it hasn't slowed her down one bit.

she is an amazing musician all around.

16 things- or more- I love about Hailey

1. She is so pretty.

2. She is so FUNNY.

3. She makes friends easily & is very loyal to her best friend Tiffany.

4. Her favorite color is Green.

5. She is very helpful & kind to her parents.

6. She is her own person with her own style & not afraid to be just that.

7. She plays the piano like you wouldn't believe. Right now besides Debussy she is working on some Gershwin- I love Gershwin.

8. She is taking the driver's test on MOnday-- AAAAAAH!!!!

9. she is a great driver- I can't wait to have her run errands for me.

10. She is a good student.

11. She is a Fabulous sister!

12. Her REal best friend- is Chloe.

13. She shares my middle name- Jane.

14. She gets my jokes.

15. She loves movies & Lost & Trauma & the Office & Ace of Cakes.

16. She doesn't like a lot of attention....

so if you see her today or have her phone number- call- text - leave a message- she will... love it.

I made it

So I got on an airplane today.

and took a flight to Houston.

I'm not sure which Houston airport I was in, but it's the one that is remodeling their "train" system. I walked to the opposite end of terminal A, went outside & got on a shuttle bus to terminal B.

Houston of course, makes me think of my college roommate Marji- one of my very favorite people- she lives here and Holly the marathon bird- one of my very favorite bloggers... I would just love to sit & visit with them both. I wish I had more time.

The whole time I was thinking- I can't believe I sent Hailey & Chloe off on an airplane in July to come out here!? I'm so glad they didn't fly through Houston. I mean- I was just a little lost. I stopped & asked someone how to get to terminal B-- he replied but had a thick accent & I didn't get a word of it. So- I headed on & followed the signs. Funny, that was only one of two accents I heard today. My luck to ask the one guy with an accent? It was cool though. It reminds me of my mother's side of the family- she is from Oklahoma- if you didn't know.

It took me a while to find my gate, eat a quick lunch (I was starving) & hop on the connecting flight to Megan's town. I wish she lived closer. I'm not complaining- I'm so glad they are happy where they are & Tony has a great job, etc. I'm just sayin'- it will be hard to leave them.

I opted for lunch at McDonald's- I was in a major hurry & let's face it- I had never heard of most of the food options & wanted to play it safe. One thing about mickey d's... you know exactly what you're gonna get. It's all the same- almost.

Did you know that in Texas a Big & Tasty Burger is called an All American Burger?
Also, in Texas at McDonald's you can order Sweet Tea!
I've NEver seen Sweet Tea on a menu before that I can remember. There is no sweet tea out west folks.
Brian says that in Chile they have avocado on all the hamburgers- crazy huh!?


So, I'm here.
Trent sent me an email tonight:
MOM MISS MISS MISS YOU TRENT PS I AM SAD
He called & was laughing within minutes, then begging for the new transformer movie which came out today & is PG-13 & not only violent but full of sexual innuendo... no thank you! He insists that he would not watch the "body parts" ? I'm not sure where he got that or what that is supposed to mean? I told him weeks ago- he is relentless in the begging department, remember our cell phone issues?- not to be mad at me, be mad at the movie makers for taking an innocent kid subject & ruining it with inappropriate themes for kids. It makes me so mad, seriously.

then I said- go ask your dad.
In fact... you can talk to your dad about it all night.
Sorry babe, I hope you get some sleep.