Giving Thanks

 I'm thankful that we were able to find a good deal on this Jetta - and it gets great gas mileage!

 I'm grateful that we were able to find someone to purchase this truck.  I know Dave will miss it, but we won't miss the $80 fill ups

 I am grateful that we were able to attend the "turkey trot" performance.  Tina's in the orchestra.

 And Braden sang the "turkey trot song" composed by his first grade class

 I'm grateful for MOPS (mothers of preschoolers), a group that I attend twice a month to make crafts, socialize, and learn with.  Here's some photo blocks we made.  I'm also so grateful for such wonderful kids.  They really enrich my life more than I ever could have imagined.


I'm just sick because I downloaded some pictures and now I can't find them, but they are of my parents, and brother and sister who visited us for Thanksgiving.  I am so grateful that they were able to come and celebrate the holiday with us.  It was so nice to see them.  It made me want to move back to UT so bad.  I guess if I locate the pictures I can post them later...

This year we made a grateful box and (tried) to write something we are grateful for every day. 
Dave: Bargains

Mel: 1. Good friends - they help me survive, vent, teach, listen, serve and love.  I couldn't make it without them.  I constantly hope that I am as good a friend to everyone who is a friend to me. 2. Prayer - I love knowing I can have a path of communication to God.  It's always available any place, time, situation.  I am grateful to know that God listens and answers our prayers according to our faith.  I need to work on my faith:) 3. My family - they love me no matter what.  I feel so blessed with great examples to follow and wonderful teachable children.  And it is all possible with a loving, hard-working amazing husband.  I love the support group feel it brings.  This brings me the greatest joy on earth. 4. Choices - It's nice to know we have control over certain things in our life, like our attitude, our reactions, forks int he road, whether to go fast or slow, what words to say or actions to take.

Tina: I am grateful for food, my family, the world, heaven, all the members of all churches, and the world.  I am also grateful for my friend, these things mean a lot to me. I am grateful for the sun, the moon, the stars, the sunsets, the mountains, also, the sky and clouds and snow, rain, hail, and the night sky.

Braden: dad come home, day to night, my house, his friends, Orlando, eating dinner together

Brooklyn: Daddy coming home, coloring, playing with Cole,

Cole: going to work with Dad, ball-balls, eyes, and other doodles.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving too!!

Halloween Fun

Cole was Aaron's Lucky Dog

Tina was a candy corn - I used this tutorial for a pillowcase dress with a table cloth:)  Brooklyn was Cinderella - recycled costume from Tina and Braden was a zombie complete with a spiderweb.

Dave as usual as Fred Flinstone - I was a party pooper because I spent all my time doing the kids costumes.

Trunk or Treat

The school dress up parade

Braden gave a wonderful presentation on what he wanted to be when he grew up - an inventor...everyone wanted his "fun machine." He already has many customers!!

Today it snowed!!  Too bad some kids are sick, but I had to try out this pattern for some cute newsboy hats for the kids.  I had to join this site, but it's free and I'm excited to have access to some fun patterns.

The girls had to show us their snow dog and snow baby.  Aren't they cute?

Court is in session

I just attended municipal court for my very first speeding ticket, and I'm glad it's over.  I had to wait 3 months for going 21 miles over the speed limit.  I understand that was a little reckless.  I genuinely thought it was a 35 zone.  They reduced my speed to 34 and I was lucky I didn't have more than a $100 fine. 
The interesting thing was the observations I made there.  There were several underage drinkers, one protestor, a few attorneys and the guy preparing us before the judge came in.  I thought it was interesting that it was all together.  I don't know if it helps people be more contrite with public humiliation, but the preparer seemed very fair.  All I can say after that experience is that I'm glad I don't drink.  It seems like there are so many bad things that accompany alcohol.  And the way my life goes, I'd probably get drunk everyday if I could...
And I learned that if you talk on your cell phone while driving, you are 4 times more likely to get in an accident, so "when I turn my engine on, I'm turning my phone off."