He's Back!

Jaken was leery about the Man in Red at first. He sat on his lap but would not lean into him or even look at him. When the sucker was produced, he became more of a fan. Caleb was happy to sit on Santa's lap (my dad) and share his one-item list. Santa spoke with many accents, I lost track at six! It proves he is real because he knows so many languages.

Everyday Appreciation

We spent another week-end at a cabin in Bear Lake with my family, and I read a thought- provoking book by Richard Carlson entitled: DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF, and I really liked this thought...Everyday, Tell at Least One Person Something You Like, Admire or Appreciate about Them.

How often do you remember to tell people how much you like, admire, or appreciate them? For many people, it's not often enough. In fact, when I ask people how often they receive heartfelt compliments from others, I hear answers like "I can't remember the last time I received a compliment." "Hardly ever, " and "I never receive them."

There are several reasons why we don't vocally let others know about our positive feelings toward them. I've heard excuses like, "They don't need to hear me say that--they already know," and "I do admire her, but I'm too embarrassed to say anything." But when you ask the would-be recipient if he or she enjoys being given genuine compliments and positive feed-back, the answer nine times out of ten is, "I love it." Whether your reason for not giving compliments on a regular basis is not knowing what to say, embarrassment, feeling that other people should know their strengths and don't need to be told, it's time for a change.

Telling someone something that you like, admire, or appreciate about them is a "random act of kindness." It takes almost no effort and it pays enormous dividends. Many people spend their entire lifetimes wishing that other people would acknowledge them. They feel this especially about their parents, spouses, children, and friends. But even compliments from strangers feel good if they are genuine. Letting someone know how you feel about them also feels good for the person offering the compliment. It's a gesture of loving kindness. It means that your thoughts are geared toward what's right with someone. And when your thoughts are geared in a positive direction, your feelings are peaceful.

Farewell To Fall Party

My parents hold an annual Farewell to Fall party each October. First we help them get their yard ready for winter. With all my mom's perennial flowers, this is time consuming work. Everyone pitches in, down to the 3 years olds. My Aunt Carol, and my cousins, usually join in on the fun.
A pumpkin carving contest is held and the winner gets a night at a Marriott Hotel of their choice. We carved the Dracula pumpkin and my sister did the 3 little pigs. The judges declared a tie, so both of us got a room! Caleb and Jaken did an entry of a black bat and won a prize for their age category.

A trick-or- treating is held, where we ALL dress in costume and the kids knock on each door on the property; house, barn, cottage, playhouse, bunkhouse, Ft. Liberty...making the rounds twice.

Lunch is served, around a roaring fire. These hot dog "mummies" were a hit with all ages.

My Aunt Carol organized kiddie games, which were Caleb's favorite part of the whole day. We all took home pumpkins from the garden.

H. Potter Party

My parent's friend invited our family to his fabulous Halloween party . He owns an old church, with the accompanying pastor's house, in downtown Ogden. The 300 guests hardly bumped into each other. It was a Harry Potter theme and we saw some incredible costumes. Lindsey went as Hermione Granger, Ryan went as Hot Rod and Emma was a Bumble Bee. Cody was a pirate, I was a scarecrow, and the boys were transformers. Dad was a monster and Mom wore the costume from her childhood....a paper sack over her head........SAD!

The kids loved riding on the little train on the sidewalks in front of the church. We ate soups and donuts and played games in the basement with the little kids; cake-walk, fish pond, magic potions, golf, beanbags, spook alley and more.

After the party we spent the night in Liberty so the boys could help Dad cut down 4 poplar trees the next morning. It snowed just as they were finishing up.

Almost Christmas

the boys. had so. much fun. at gardner village. and cornbelly's.

they loved being with their cousins. aunts. and annie.

really. it was almost as fun. as christmas. really.

you should go.

Little Man

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Train Trek

Five years old is the magic age to get to go on the train to Salt Lake with my mom. She brought treats and a new toy for the journey, but they were hardly noticed because of the excitement of the train itself. Getting to walk from car-to-car to go to the bathroom was such an added bonus.
Once at the Gateway, they went to the Kid's Museum and Caleb enjoyed all the stations, especially helping Annie at the "grocery store." He played in the fountain, without getting wet, received a Star Wars sticker book for the ride home, and got to eat at McDonalds. Jaken is counting down the days!