Mr. Bones

I can't forget about my Luke. This month was his big 5 birthday! He's now officially a whole entire hand old and proud of it. Happy Birthday little man!

His world at 5 revolves around: Rockets, paper airplanes, trains, movies, cartoons, playin' in the sandbox, Star Wars, tagging along with Dad or Grandpas, dinosaurs, pirates, making big pillow piles to jump into, learning to write his ABC's, cooking with mom, Transformers (he calls Jeremy's big work truck "Optimus Prime"), being read to (especially when it's about space and planets or Curious George). He loves all kinds of foods, but most of all he loves his fruits, veggies, and great big cheese burgers. He's a smart little thing and helps mom remember lots of stuff...like usually where she miss placed her brain.:) He still loves taking things apart and putting them back together again, changing batteries in things, and loves to just figure out how things work. He's a very helpful big brother...sometimes tooo helpful to a very "I can do it myself" little Avie. It's so cute to listen to him try to explain things to her. We love him so much and are so proud of how much he is learning and growing. He will always be our sweet little Mr. Bones.

These are a few pictures of Luke's dream party at the very cool Pirate Island! Thanks Captain Rice King:) and Domma Barkers.

Give Thanks

With Thanksgiving just around the corner it's hard not to feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for all the blessing we enjoy. No matter how crazy or difficult your life may be right this moment....STOP....close your eyes and take a deep breath. You can't help by smile as you think of all the people, all the little things, all the ways your life is good, happy, sweet, wonderful, or meaningful. The list is long. Here are just a few things I thought I'd share.

I am thankful for the Gospel. My family. My kids, their hugs and kisses, their sweet little prayers, Ava's "giggle gut" laugh, and Luke's cute little way of seriously explaining things to me. I'm even thankful for our crazy dogs and cat.

I'm thankful to grow a garden. For the sound of Jeremy walking in the back door when he's home from work. Seeing how much my kids love their Grandparents and Great Grandparents and cousins and Aunts and Uncles...and living so close to most of them. (Thanks for all the spoiling, sleepover sleeping?, coloring, trips to the zoo, tractor riding, just spending time, rocket launching, jeep riding, fishing, book reading, trampoline jumping, swimming, swinging, loving, all of it! We love you.)

I'm thankful for two sets of parents who love us and would do anything for us. My warm cozy little home with all it's comforts and luxuries :). Pumpkin pie. Enjoying the beautiful fall leaves and the changing seasons. Baking (now that I have a new oven.:)) Living right against the beautiful mountains. Going for long drives. Hot chocolate. Salt and vinegar chips (my new favorite) and a good movie. And the list goes on and on.....

Probably boring to read mine, but try it for yourself if you haven't already. It makes you feel so good. Love you all. Have a wonderfully grateful Thanksgiving.

XOXOX's from home!

My Mom flies in tonight to be with us all for Thanksgiving! We're so excited!!! Darn it that Papa John can't leave yet because of work, but he will be here for sure for Christmas. We love and miss you Papa John!!! See you in a couple more weeks! Until then enjoy a picture and some XOXOXO's from us all.

(Love this picture: A great day, complete with Papa John, cousins, and totally cool rockets!)

Just Cute.

I am loving this sweet and simple little black dress.
Thought it would be cute on Ava.
It's times like this that I really wished I sewed.

"Shake and Bake Baby!!!"

One sweet $300 duel fuel stove + one awesome hubby, one amazing electrician friend, and one very helpful Rice King working all day on a Saturday to install it =

One very happy girl!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new stove!!! Who knew that something as simple as being able to bake Sunday morning muffins in a fourth of the time it took to cook them before in my old dying oven could make a family sooo happy! Plus it's so pretty! Did I mention how much I love my new stove!!!!

(Gotta love Luke in nothin' but his big boys, dress shirt and tie. :))

Hope you all had an "out of this galaxy" Halloween!

Love,

Darth Vader (Luke) Chewbacca (Fred) Princess Leia (Ava)

You've gotta try them!

They're oh so yummy and oh so EASY! My wonderful mother-in-law LuAnn showed us how to make these semi-homemade donuts and now there is no stopping the frying frenzy!

Step 1. Grab a can of Grands refrigerator biscuits

Step 2. Punch out a donut hole from each biscuit

Step 3. Deep fry in pan of peanut oil until golden brown (if you use peanut oil your house won't smell so greasy)

Step 4. Remove from oil and roll donut in a bowl of sugar (you can also try powdered sugar, sugar/cinnamon, or you can glaze them or frost them)

Step 5. Enjoy on a cold and crisp November evening with a cup of cider or hot chocowak (as Ava calls it) mmmmm.