Wouldn’t it be awesome…

if when you sent your kids to time out, you could lock them up like this:

I’d even be really nice and throw marshmallows at them instead of rotten fruit.

A Chilly Garage Sale

Last Friday on Veterans Day, we held a little garage sale to get rid a few things.  It was quite chilly out there.  So rather than going with the normal way of staying warm – coat, hat, scarf, gloves – Mandy came up with her own way.  That’s my Mandy girl.  She RARELY does things in the normal way.

Halloween Day

Every year, the elementary school does a costume parade on Halloween.  And this year was no different!  They try to encourage the kids to dress up as a character from a book.

In Dallin’s 3rd grade class, he had to do his very first book report this past month.  He chose to read “Swiss Family Robinson”.  We also watched the movie.  Which by the way, the movie was completely Disneyfied.  In there book there wasn’t even a single pirate!!!!

Anyway, Dallin wanted to dress up as a character from his book.  He really loved the adventures that the donkey named Grizzle had in the book, so he decided to dress up as a donkey.  Which was just great, because you know it’s so VERY easy to find a donkey costume.  Needless to say, we worked together and made a very simple one.  He had to explain to everyone what he was, but hey, it was the best I could do.

All of Mandy’s class came to school dressed in their pajamas.

They were all being characters from the book “The Napping House”.  Which if you haven’t read it, you should.  It’s one our favorites!  Mandy’s teacher is so much fun!

We were also happy to see cowgirl Chloe that day in the parade:

That evening, the kids got all dressed up again for Trick or Treating.  Dallin decided to wear his donkey costume rather than his pirate one.  Mandy FINALLY decided she would put on her leopardess costume.  Layton decided that since Dallin wasn’t a pirate, that he didn’t want to be one either, so he went as Spiderman.  My children.  Sometimes they are just a little nutty.

Oddly enough, this was actually their very first time going trick or treating.  In the past, since we go to trunk or treat at the church, I’ve been able to convince them to stay at home and just hand out candy.  But not this year.  I guess they wanted more candy!

And more candy they got.  Lots and lots and lots of candy.

Looking Stinky

This year for Mandy’s birthday we are having a baking party.  Earlier this year my cousin/friend Becky did one for her daughter and it was SO CUTE, so I decided to steal her idea completely and do one for Mandy.

To make the invitations, I set up a little baking photo shoot for Mandy.  To get ready for it, I told her to go put on a black shirt so that it would match the apron.  She went to look for one in her drawer and came back to inform me that all her black shirts were in the dirty clothes.

So being the kind of mother that I am, I told her to go dig one out of the dirty clothes.  Then Mandy just gives me this look like I’m nuts and said, “What? Do you want me to look stinky in my pictures?”

So what’s your opinion?  Do you think she looks stinky in these pictures?

Crazy Hair

We made a trip to Walgreens the day after Halloween.  Can you guess what the kids found on sale for half price?

The Next General Authority

Many of you have probably already heard, but last night my father-in-law, who I am happy to call Dad, was called to be the second counselor in the Stake Presidency at church.  (for those not familiar with our church, the Stake Presidency oversees a group of wards(or what some people might refer to as a congregation) that meet at the LDS churches in this area)

The family members that live around here locally were able to join him for this special occasion.

We are really excited for him and know that while this is a huge responsibility, Dad is going to do an amazing job!!

Just as soon as Dad was set apart (which is a special blessing given by the laying of hands, just as the apostles did so long ago), Layton jumped off my lap and headed up to the front of the room.  I thought he was going to give Grandpa a hug, but nope – he hopped right up in the chair ready to receive a special blessing too.

President Berry reached down and patted him the head and said “Son, I don’t think this is the kind of ‘laying on of hands’ you really need.”

Ah President Berry, so in tune with the spirit, he pegged Layton just right.

But who knows, maybe one day I will see Layton sitting in a chair like that.  Maybe he’ll even be a General Authority one day.

P.S. Thanks Mom for letting me use your pictures!!

Jacksonville Area Women’s Conference 2011

October 22 we held the first ever FREE Jacksonville Area Women’s Conference. It was quite an exciting day!  And took a lot of preparation.  We had a great time putting together all the little goodie bags for all of the participants.

And by great time, what I really mean is LONG time.  It took forever to get all those bags put together!

On the morning of the conference, all the women showed up at our cute little registration desk,

and received a bag plus one of these adorable name tags.  They really are adorable aren’t they?  And if you don’t think so, please don’t tell me because I spent a ridiculous amount of time on them!

After registering, everyone attend their classes.  Subjects included interior design, gardening, hair/skin care, identity theft, estate planning, financial organization, genealogy, organizing your home, being frugal, yoga, healthy eating, and many others.

I know I personally learned, or was reminded of, some really great tips in the classes that I attended.  Here are a jumbled few from the classes I went to:

1. When organizing an area, plan manageable blocks of time for all the different steps of the process.

2.  Decide on what organizing containers you want to use only after you have completely gone through the purging step and have gotten rid of everything that is no longer “relevant” to your current life situation. 

3.  If you haven’t needed to use it in the last 6 months, you probably don’t need it.

4.  Go through all your bills every 6 months to see what can be reduced or eliminated.

5.  Try using homemade cleaners to save money – like vinegar and baking soda.

6.  Get a timer for the water heater or turn it off when not in use.

7.  Do a freezer meal swap party! (I’ve already started planning this one!!!!)

8.  Use the 30-day purchase rule – keep a list of items that you “want” to purchase and leave it on the list for at least 30 days before making the purchase.  You’ll be surprised at what you might find you don’t really “need” after all.

9.  E-mail companies of products that you like and tell them how much you enjoy their product.  Sometimes they will e-mail back coupons in return!

10.  Design your home to suit your personal style – don’t let anyone else dictate your style for you!  Just because you see something you like in someone else’s home doesn’t mean that it would be perfect for your home.

After all the great classes, we headed over to the church building for a nice lunch

And then settled in to enjoy the musical presentations and speakers.

Then we came to our last speaker, Meg Johnson.  She was amazing.

Everyone fell in love with her.  She shared her story of overcoming her hardships.  We all laughed and cried, and laughed and cried a little more.  She truly is an inspiration.

She even has a CD available where you can listen to her inspiring words.  I HIGHLY recommend it.

I am now one her biggest fans!

Trunk-or-Treat

At trunk or treat there was lots of smelling of feet, getting something good to eat, and luckily everyone cared so they didn’t have to pull down anyone’s underwear.

There were lots of scary trunks to treat from,

but we’re thinking that this poor guy didn’t get his fair share of candy.

I swear we feed him….

Organizing some of my pictures this morning, I discovered this one that I hadn’t posted.  This was taken at the Jarvis Family reunion this year.  Layton discovered the joy of jumping off the diving board and became a lean mean jumping machine.  Lean being the most descriptive word here.  I promise, he really does eat.  Lots actually.  In fact last night, he probably took in enough calories from all the candy to last him a week.  He especially loved the Kit-Kats just in case you were wondering.