Happy Halloween!

Halloween is such a fun holiday for me! When I was little my parents always made each holiday so memorable and exciting, a tradition I have tried to pass down to my children. I am so happy our neighborhood still embraces old-fashioned "trick-or-treating" so my kids won't grow up thinking "trunk-or-treat" is how it is done. It is so much fun dressing up under your costume so you won't get cold, trudging from house to house collecting goodies, hoping for good ones! I remember getting all excited when we got a full-sized candy bar instead of the little fun-sized ones! Trick-or-treating was hard work and a lot of sacrifice but so worth it. It was so much fun after, trading candy with my brothers and sisters. They always wanted to trade with me because I never liked chocolate growing up, I always went for the Sweetarts.

This year we had everyone down to our house for Halloween and "trick-or-treating." Troy and I made soup for everyone, with my mom bringing breadsticks and stuff to make Carmel Apple Cider for everyone afterward to warm their little tummies! Jenn and Nate made homemade sugar cookies in the shape of pumpkins and Rick and Karen brought pumpkin pie for the adults. It was so much fun getting the kids ready to go, they were all so excited! We piled them in wagons with blankets and Troy, Chelsey and the others took off with the kids. My mom, Kasey and I stayed behind to pass out candy. We had so many trick-or-treaters that we actually gave out all of the candy we had! It was so fun to see the cute costumes and the adorable children. It was such a gorgeous night and the moon was hanging huge in the sky! All in all, it was an amazing night! The "witching hour" is over and we have a whole year until we can celebrate "all hollows eve" once again!

Max and Grandma

Max, not "loving" his costume!

Grandma helping Bella with her costume.

The group getting ready to go!

Claire Bo Peep & Bella Sleeping Beauty!

Kasey & Chelsey, a cute 50's couple!

(Nice job on the skirt if I do say so myself!)

Sydney, the "Pink Lady" & Max the Lion!

Mommy's witch pumpkin

Max the lion stretching his back!

Cute Lion and Charlie Brown!

Off we go! See our wagon Sugarbabe?

Fall Leaves!

A couple of weeks ago Sydney and I took the babies on a drive up the canyon to see the fall leaves. Troy had football to watch, so we packed drinks and snacks and took off! We drove up Parley's Canyon and stopped at the Park City outlets (of course) to do a little shopping.

We then drove up Main Street in Park City...there was so much going on. It seemed like everyone had the same idea as we did! There was a little Farmers Market on Main Street, bustling with people buying fruits, vegetables and art! This is Park City remember!

After we went to Park City we drove up to Heber City and grabbed something to eat, then we went over to the Homestead which is one of my favorite places! We needed to stretch our bones and have a potty break. The kids had fun running around and smelling the flowers. It was such a great day! I seriously love this time of year!

A Day at the Zoo!

This morning Sydney, Bella, Max and I all took off early and went to the zoo. It was an absolutely gorgeous fall day here in Utah at about 67 degrees so we took advantage and spent it at the zoo. The little ones love animals and were especially excited to see the new baby elephant "Zuri" that was born this summer. I always enjoy spending time with my kids and today was no exception. Sydney is always game for any adventure I may come up with, she is my little buddy! We always have so much fun together! The babies are so full of wonder! It is so exciting to see things through their eyes! Bella was a little disappointed because she didn't get to see the lions. I tried to explain to her that the lion at the Hogle Zoo wasn't there anymore. I can't remember if it got sent somewhere else or if it died. I think it died but nonetheless, she was sad! I think she was talking about the lion we saw at the Wild Animal Park last year in San Diego.

Anyway, we all had a fabulous day! The leaves up Immigration Canyon were beautiful and just spending time with my children is always a pleasure!

Bella looking at the monkeys

Max just wanted to get out and run!

The zebras are Sydney's favorite animal.

Sydney and Max on the Carousel, on a zebra no less!

A momma and baby monkey, can you see his sweet face?

A black bear waking up from his nap!

The star of the show...Zuri! She was absolutely adorable...the kids loved her!

A Day at the Zoo cont...

This "little" elephant was so adorable! We all were captivated by her!

Anniversary Weekend!

We were on the 17th floor of the Little America Hotel.

You could see every star!

An anniversary kiss under the stars!

Urban dwelling! This is the life!

They came in and turned down the bed, gave us robes, fluffed pillows, and gave us chocolates!

Beautiful bathroom!

My true love and I!

Troy and I had a fabulous anniversary weekend to celebrate our 11th anniversary! Chelsey and Kasey came over and watched the kids overnight so Troy and I took off downtown and stayed at the Little America Hotel. This place is amazing if you have never stayed there. Talk about being pampered! We had such a great time just spending the day together. We went to our favorite place to eat, the Porcupine Grill for Oktoberfest. It is such a fun place and the food is amazing. Then we went downtown and hung out at the Gateway and went to a movie "Couples Retreat," which was so funny and thought provoking. I think every couple should see it, it really makes you think.

I had so much fun with you Troy, you are truly my best friend and I can't think of anyone I would rather be with than you! You are the light of my life! Happy Anniversary...'til next year!

To My Daughters...

"Chelsey" means safe harbor. You are protected from storms and currents, you weather the storms of life with grace & beauty.

You were named "Sydney Michelle" because every woman that I have ever known named Sydney had strength of character and Michelle means "who resembles God."

You and your father.

To my beautiful daughters:

I know you are going through a difficult time right now. We have no control over anyone but ourselves and sometimes this is a hard pill to swallow. You are surrounded by people who love you, seek out those people. They are the ones who will get you through your heartache over your dad. People have their free agency to do whatever they choose and unfortunately sometimes other people's choices take away your free agency and limit your options. Remember my favorite quote:

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."--Eleanor Roosevelt

You can choose your own path, don't ever let anyone else dictate who you are or where you are going. Don't ever forget how much I love you both. You are everything to me and I would do anything for you, I am always here.

With love,

Mom

"The closest to being in control we will ever be is in that moment that we realize we're not." --Brian Kessler

Eleven Years and Still in Love!

Who would have thought 13 years ago, two people from very different worlds would date, fall in love, get married, and have a family of seven! We have weathered many storms, some a light drizzle to a torrential hurricane but we have always made it through no matter what the odds. Sometimes we have aquired scars and war-wounds, but always together. We have stayed true to our marriage against all odds, but isn't that the promise we make when we say our vows, to love each other in sickness and health...till the end of this life?

"We are told that people stay in love because of chemistry, or because they remain intrigued with each other, because of many kindnesses, because of luck. But part of it has got to be forgiveness and gratefulness." - Ellen Goodman

It seems as though so many people give up too easily these days, afraid of the committment a marriage can be! Marriage is one of the hardest relationships we will ever be part of. We are constantly tested by finances, parenting differences, and other people giving us advise about how to cope with the person that is supposed to be our best friend and confidant. There have been three people in the last two weeks who I am aware of that are ending their marriages. The most common thread in all these instances is that one of the two "just isn't happy." What a copout! Happiness comes from within. If you are looking to someone else to make you happy, you will never be happy. I always tell my kids "if you take your happiness at the expense of someone else, you will never be happy." I have learned this valuable lesson from watching other people try to walk out of one relationship and into another. Rarely does this work! I feel very blessed to be married to someone who isn't a quitter. Troy and I are both muddling through this life, dealing with whatever is thrown at us, but we are doing it together...and I wouldn't have it any other way! I love you with all my heart, my love. I am so much more committed to you today than I was the first day I met you, we have grown this love! I love you Troy, forever and always!

"There is no difficulty that enough love will not conquer, no disease that enough love will not heal, no door that enough love will not bridge, no wall that enough love will not throw down, no sin that enough love will not redeem... It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble, how hopeless the outlook, how muddled the tangle, how great the mistake. A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all. If only you could love enough, you could be the happiest and most powerful being in the world... ~Emmet Fox

Picking Tomatoes

Saturday night, Troy and the babies and I were outside just enjoying the fall weather. Bella and Max kept running over to our vegetable garden, picking tomatoes. They picked red ones and green ones so Troy told them "only pick red ones." So they proceeded to pick tomatoes, running back and forth. They were so cute, as I watched them it took me back to my childhood, doing chores around the house and in the yard. My parents started giving us chores at a very young age which is probably why we all have such a strong work ethic. I remember my mother always telling us "many hands make light work" which is something I have told my own children. I think these days we want to be able to hand our children everything without making them work for it, which in my opinion is a mistake. As a child, we had to earn at least half of everything we got, i.e., bikes, skateboards, etc. I have always appreciated that instilled virtue of hard work, it has never hurt me and it made me appreciate the things I had much more. It made me a strong person, so for that I am glad.

"Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile." --William Cullen Bryant

Fall is a special feeling to me it means time for harvesting, canning, and baking. I remember as a child waking up to my mother canning peaches, apricots, pears and cherries. I remember homemade jam on whole wheat bread, ground in our own wheat grinder and baked in the oven. This is just a small part of what fall is to me...it is cozy moments spent with family and friends. Troy always says he loves this time of year, lots and lots of homemade treats!

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all." --Stanley Horowitz