Witches Night Out!!

Witches Night Out at Gardner Village is one of our favorite things to do as a family. It is the biggest costume party I have ever seen! It actually isn't until October 24th and 25th, but last year when we went it was wall to wall people!  We wanted to avoid the crowd this year so we went a week early with Jenn, Nate and Logan.  Gardner Village has events all month long so no matter when you go, there are so many things going on. Almost everyone dresses up like witches. We were going to dress the kids up, but we ordered Bella's costume on line and it won't be here till this week. Bummer! Max was in awe of everything going on around him. He just kicked back and watched everybody. He is so dang cute!! It is so much fun there, they have music piped all over the village. Chelsey and Sydney were dancing in the street with a bunch of other people. They love any opportunity to just let their hair down and have fun! We ran into our friend Suzzi who owns a photo booth, she takes it to different events and parties. She let the girls take some pictures, let were so cute!! They thought it was tons of fun! We are going to have her come and do Chelsey's and Kasey's wedding. Check out what she does on her website at www.smilenowphotobooths@yahoo.com. We finished off the night with a visit to Sweet Afton's Candy Shop. Bella was in heaven! Troy let her pick out a few of her favorite treats. He regretted it later when she was bouncing off the walls with a sugar high! What a fun night we had!!

Happy Birthday, Grandpa! (Play music "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts)

The first time I met Mike was the day before Troy and I got married. I was a complete wreck, trying to pull our wedding together and I don't know why, but I chose to work the day before so I was tired and stressed. I had also had some "family issues" that added to the chaos. Needless to say I was a basket case. This, combined with the fact that I was meeting his family for the first time, I really wanted to run! We walked up to the door of his hotel room and knocked, I felt like I was going to pass out. Mike opened the door and walked over to me, grabbed me and gave me the biggest hug and said, "I am so happy to meet you, sweetheart!" At once I loved this man! He has always made me feel like such an important part of his family. Chelsey and Sydney have always called him Grandpa, they feel as though they are his grandchildren. He always shows them so much love, they love him back with all their hearts!

The last time we got off the plane, I couldn't believe my eyes when Bella went right to Grandpa, no hesitation! I think he reminds her of Troy. He is so wonderful with all the kids, they all love spending time with him. After Bella was born, he and Patty flew out and surprised us with a visit. Mike has been out here to see us several times, once for Troy's baptism and even was part of the surprise for Troy's 40th surprise birthday party (what a riot!)

Going to California to see Grandpa and Grandma is always such a treat, Grandpa always goes out of his way to make our visits so much fun! He always has something fabulous planned. The first year we were married the girls and I flew out so they could meet Troy's family. Mike took us all to Disneyland (which he hates), Sea World with everyone else in the family, we had so much fun dining with Shamu! Those were fun times, but we have fun with him even if it's just going to the Spectrum to shop. He hates shopping but he gives the kids "walkin' around money" and shops till they drop! Everything is always about the kids, sometimes I think he is just a kid at heart!


Dad, we just want to tell you how much we love and appreciate you for everything you do and everything you are. We wish we were closer so we could give you a big birthday hug and kiss on your special day. Just know that on October 17th, we will be celebrating your life here in Utah. Our birthday wish for you is good health, a long life, filled with much love and happiness! We love you! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!



Congratulations Heidi and Eddy!




"Life is a journey, and love is what makes that journey worthwhile." --Unknown

Wishing we could be there on your wedding day! We would be there if we could, but sometimes life gets in the way. Just know that we love you and wish you all the happiness life can bring! Till we see you again, give yourselves a hug and kiss from the Utah Fishers. Congratulations, we love you both!

Troy and Lisa - 10 Year Anniversary!!! (Play "It's Your Love" by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill)

"Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale."  - Anonymous

I gave up on fairy tales a long time ago.  There never is a "happily ever after."  Love and marriage is hard work with ups and downs, successes and disappointment.  I heard once, "you don't fall in love, you grow it."  This is a truth that I have learned over years of experience. 

 Troy, when you and I were married 10 years ago, I thought you were the cutest man I had ever known.  You could make me laugh and I just loved being with you, no matter what we were doing.  You were my hope of a "happily ever after."  I remember when you asked me to marry you, I was so excited but so scared.  I had been hurt more than anyone should ever have to experience.  It was a beautiful August night, you took my hands in yours and said, "I want to spend the rest of my life making you as happy as I possibly can."  As I looked into your eyes, I believed in what you were telling me,  I still do.  I know you want more than anything to make my life wonderful.  Life hasn't been easy for us, we struggle in so many ways, but we are so blessed.  We have such a wonderful family!  We have created two of the most precious children together Bella and Max, what a joy they are to us.  These are things that money can't buy.  Money can't make me smile like Max can.  Possessions don't throw their arms around you and tell you they love you like Bella can.  We have so much!  Troy, you have kept your promise to me and you continue to "make me as happy as you possibly can" every day.   I love you more than you will ever know.  Happy Anniversary!!!    

"To laugh often and love much... to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to give one's self... this is to have succeeded." 

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fall Days

This weekend the weather changed. It rained all day Saturday, continued Sunday morning but Sunday afternoon the sun came out. There was a chill in the air and it finally felt like Fall is here! Fall is my most favorite time of the year. Utah falls are some of the most spectacular I have ever seen. There is something in the air, I can't explain it. It is a feel, a smell, the mountains...something. Fall usually starts when football starts.  Troy and I both miss watching Parker play football!  We loved wearing our "Silverwolves" sweatshirts, taking our camp chairs, blankets, and hot chocolate all in preparation to watch Parker play.  We are happy we have Maximus "the Tank" Fisher to continue the tradition of football in our family.

My kids can always tell when it is fall because I bake! Troy and the kids love this time of year for that very reason. I don't always have time to cook so when I do, they love it! I love it when the weather is cold and dreary, it gives me a chance to spend the day with my family. The older kids stay home and "hang out" with us. I love this! We just hung out with our family all weekend, it was so awesome!  I am so much like my Dad in this respect. I remember my Dad telling me I couldn't go out with my friends when I was a teenager. I would ask him "why?" He would respond "because I just want you home." I never really understood this until I became a parent. Sometimes we as parents, just want our children around us. It makes us feel safe and complete. When my older kids are out, I feel as though something is missing. It is a weird parent thing I guess. Mother Hen needs her chicks tucked safely under her wing, watching movies and eating homemade cookies!

Tagged again!!

I have been tagged again by my friend Kristy.  I am sorry it has taken me so long to respond but I am a fragmented, working mother!  Here I go:

*Two names I go by:  Troy calls me "Lil' Lisa" and Tammy at work calls me "Lala."

*Two things I am wearing right now:  Exercise pants and a sweat jacket (it is chilly outside and I refuse to turn on the heat just yet).

*Two things I want in my life right now:  More financial stability (this economy is the pits!) and a much needed mini-vacation to the Homestead (a long weekend would be good, I don't have any vacation days left due to maternity leave).

*Two things I did last night:  Made homemade tomato soup and biscuits and homemade oatmeal cookies for dinner, and played with my babies before they went to sleep (this is my favorite thing to do every night).

*Two things I ate today:  Homemade oatmeal cookie and pico de gallo and chips.

*Two of my favorite drinks:  Diet coke and WATER!

*Five people I am tagging:  Jenn Dastrup, Lindsey Barfuss, Karen Derr, Kelly Dyches, and Jenn Kay.  YOU HAVE BEEN TAGGED!

"If I could, I would walk through the night, gently gathering up all the most beautiful dreams in the world one by one, I would tuck them into a basket woven from star beams, until the basket overflowed.  Then I would tiptoe to your house & spill them out whispering...these are for one who deserves only beautiful things."   --Unknown

Decorating for Halloween!

Halloween is one of our favorite times of the year.  We all love to decorate the house with scary stuff!  This time of year we love to snuggle on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and watch scary movies, not the slasher kind of movies but the fun ones.  Our favorites are Hocus Pocus, Practical Magic, the Disney version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Summer Magic, Watcher in the Woods, and my personal favorite The Changling.  Thanks to Cathy for finding me this movie and surprising me with it for my birthday a few years ago.  This movie always freaks me out, even though there isn't any blood or guts (I personally hate that kind of movie).  I love a good psychological thriller!  We have been introducing Bella to Halloween this year, last year she was too little.  We have to be careful, she has already been scared by the big, fake spider we hang outside our door on a web.  I don't want her to be traumatized, so we are sticking with the more tame movies when she is around.  I am working on costumes for trick or treat this year.  I'm thinking Bella will be a witch and Max will be a skunk.  Don't worry, I will take lots of pictures!  I am so excited!  They are going to be so cute!

Birthday Shoutout for October!

Happy Birthday to all our favorites born in October:

Jennifer Kay (sister) - October 1st

Megan Derr (niece) - October 3rd

Kris Derr (sister-in-law) - October 12th

Mike Fisher (Dad) - October 17th

Nathan Kay (brother-in-law) - October 25th

Whitney Whitlock (friend) - October 26th

Happy Halloween!!   

Tagged!!!!

My sister Jenn has tagged me and asked me to share 3 of my quirks and 3 of Troy's quirks with all of our "blog buddies."  Here I go:

Lisa

1.  I hate "static-cling."  I think this stems from my youth, doing folding before the invention of Downey and Bounce.

2.  I love my side of the bed and I won't share it with anyone, including Bella or Troy who are always trying to take it!

3.  I love my pillow, I take it everywhere with me!  I take it anywhere I have ever been in the world!  Bella, again is always positioning to confiscate it from me.  She has not been successful!

Troy 

1.  One word, FOOTBALL!  He eats, sleeps, drinks football.  We have a deal though, he gets to watch football, uninterrupted and he has to do all the laundry.  Fair trade, don't you think?

2.  He hates to discipline the kids.  He is always the "good cop" to my "bad cop."  If I say no to the kids, they ask him.

3.  He showers about 3 times a day.  He hates to be dirty or sweaty.  He mows the lawn, he showers, if its hot and he sweats, he showers, etc.  At least I always have a clean smelling husband, he never stinks!

So there you have it, a glimpse into the life of Troy and Lisa.  I would like to extend this tag to my friends Tammy, Lindsey Christensen, and Laurie Davies.  Sorry guys, I had to do it!  I can't wait to see what your quirks are!