A Violin First

This year Grace began violin with her elementary school orchestra and just had her first performance.
We had a little drama because she broke her string the day before the performance and then asked me to fix it. Uhm. I know nothing abut the violin. But luckily the violin store was able to fix it, although the sales lady kept saying, "Are you sure you don't want to string it yourself? It's really easy." And then proceeded to struggle putting it on for about 15 minutes. Needless to say, she showed me how. And I think I can now show Grace how to do it...maybe.


And then we celebrated with quesadillas and guacamole at Los Hermanos. And so sorry to Grandma's and Grandpa's who found out mid-route to the concert, that the concert had already begun, and they had missed their little violinist...My fault I'm sure...so sorry!

Adam's Genes on Display

So this is Grandma Jane Petty...my children's Great Grandma...93 years old (Adam's Grandma on his mothers side). Wow. She's even been on the Jay Leno show, and she was hilarious. Check out this link to find out more about her dancing group Jean's Golden Girls. My girls think every Grandma can do the splits.

Over the River and Through the Woods...

So...we ventured out for Thanksgiving, like most people, this past week. And we drove over the freeway and through Salt Lake to Adam's Moms house we went. A whole hour long drive...and it was quite lovely, listening to The Polar Express sound track. I must say, it put us in quite a festive mood.That is until we came to the song "Hot Chocolate!" As it turns out, Caliente Chocolate is Lucy's favorite song. Everytime it ended she'd say, "Uh-oh." And then, "Gen (Again)." And my favorite, a very fervent..."PEEEZ." How could I resist? It turns out, I couldn't. So I think we created the record for how many times one can listen to that song in a row...I think at least 30. Maybe more...Anyone for some hot chocolate? Peeez?

There's no place like home...

So it's true...In-N-Out has come to Utah! Horray...and last night, in the privacy of my own home I ate the most delectable cheeseburger(grilled onions-animal style). Seriously...it was heaven. And Adam only had to wait 20 minutes in the drive through!

Okay. It was 11:45 pm, but still....only 20 minutes. And I guess we're not alone because when I called my sister to gloat she said, "So what. I've already eaten there twice (and once was at 9:45 in the morning!) One might say we have a little In-N-Out problem in our family. Oh well.

Can I just say YIPEEE! And I vow to only have one cheeseburger a month...hmm. We'll see how long that law stays effective.

How to not get a ticket...I think

So today I was unwillingly detained on the freeway by an only-doing-his-job-policeman. And I must admit, I was quite surprised when he turned on his lights. I got worried, just for a moment.

But then I checked these things:
1. seat belt on (check)
2. driving only 70mph in a 65 (check)
3. little baby Lu strapped into her 5 point safety car seat (check).

Conclusion: There was no way Mr. Policeman was REALLY pulling me over. Right?
Mr. Policeman probably really liked my cute hat and just wanted to chat...

So, I stopped anyway, since it's the law and all.

And I unrolled my window, and turned down my "How Great Thou Art" music, really, I am not fibbing. I was actually listening to a very lovely acapella rendition of the hymns...
And Mr. PM said, "Can I see your licence and registration."
Me (adjusting my very attractive hat): "Uhm yes. What's the problem?" (Really, WHAT could be the problem?)
Mr. PM: "Your registration is expired."
Me: "What? No. Not possible. I just registered it in August. Right? Didn't I? I swear I did..." (Now I go through every possible thing in my glove box.) And might I add, WHERE do all the non-essential things in my glove box come from? Papers, receipts, tithing envelopes, photos, homework that never got turned in, Dramamine, a binky...but registration? No. Heavens no. Not there.
Mr. PM: (He can tell this is going to take a while) "When you find your registration just wave it out the window."
Me: "I swear I have it..." (Lucy throws her binky at me). And so I call AW and he says, "Like I know..." and then he talks to some guy in his office about deadlines in India and says, "He'll just give you a ticket and then when you find your registration..." And then he starts talking about India again...so not helpful.

Mr. PM comes back, and he's smiling...you know that smile, like, "I love my job. I love writing tickets. Tra-la-la. I'm so happy to be me."
And I say, "I can't find it. Just give me a ticket."

And then something miraculous happens.

Like the reverse psychology thing I always try with my children (but it never works)...

I guess Mr. Policeman hasn't heard of reverse psychology...and he didn't like being told what to do because he said, "I'm not going to give you a ticket."

Me: (What? Really?) Stunned silence.
Mr. PM: "But just make sure you get your registration...blah. blah. blah." And I forget the rest, because I was so happy NOT to have a ticket.

Seriously. That is the first ticket I have ever NOT gotten in my whole life. From now on I'm telling everyone to "PLEASE give me a ticket. Pretty please. A ticket is just what I need."

And by the way, tonight I'm goint to say to AW..."Please DON'T do the dishes. Pretty please..." Maybe two's a charm.

And, where is my registration?

A Tribute to Our Grandpa Joe

We lost our dear Papa Joe this past Sunday due to complications from a stroke he had on Halloween night.
And now we navigate knowing how to comfort one another and especially our children who now have experienced one of life's great heartbreaks---saying goodbye to someone you love. But we are comforted by our knowledge of Heavenly Father's plan of happiness, and of hope, and of eternal families.



Thank you Grandpa for:
1. Twinkly eyes.
2. A ready laugh and smile.
3. M&Ms at every moment.
4. The CLAW.
5. A HUGE bunch of keys jingling in your pocket.
6. Big bear hugs that make you lose your breath.
7. Your love of God and Jesus Christ.
8. Honoring and loving the Prophet Joseph Smith.
9. Your example of hardwork, continual work, and happy work.
10. Golf trips with Adam and Spencer.
11. Christmas's with scavenger hunts that left us in giggles.
12. And soo much more...

Thank you for teaching us how to love and be loved. We'll see you again before we know it.

Adam's Birthday Adventure...a few weeks ago

We went away for 24 hours for Adam's birthday and this is one of the places we went. Isn't it beautiful? These colors don't last long in Utah...and as we speak they have faded into yellow, then grey.

Hallows Eve

So I had a great plan for the Halloween Candy we gave at the door.
1. Buy candy that I didn't absolutly love, so I wouldn't eat it all before Halloween.
2. And so I bought these.
3. But now...
4. We have leftovers. And I'm really wishing I would've bought chocolate cause I really don't want to eat this (and I don't think anyone else does either!)

Scary creatures.



Grace as Ahsoka Tano (anyone into Star Wars The Clone Wars? Well. She is).



And of course, what is Halloween without a Surfing Pumpkin? Obviously at our house, it's a must. Adam worked quite hard on this puppy...

Grandma's Halloween Box

Yes, this is a very attractive close-up of Spencer's Puketacular Pumpkin (he has informed me that Halloween night, fake vomit will be coming out of this pumpkin's mouth)

But the real news is the package behind the pumpkin!
Sophie had been waiting for days for the annual beloved "Grandma Box". She scoured the porch everyday after school for anything that resembled a box from Grandma.
Then it FINALLY came. And the wait was worth it.
For some odd reason Grandma felt that a few cookies would not be enough...each child had at least a dozen for themselves. Wow. Can we say spoiled little cookie monsters at my house?<
a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVwZrmVf6Qxz2jPGF7MMBOfNxEGXvdX0v8bfYUhx6u6OGS8UsYBwPI09gIVY-SutrtaeKKLouZ1uXu9oHWbeIL4nM5cKHXE20zKzEHKaSR9ZyKp7FnIRshvjZbV0fttDn5Y4Tpjd-Fss9/s1600-h/DSC04916.JPG">a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIcDG-Odjtjoh3pB8tQTv7kCDlhhdlTig0K-TLYWCHwYA3duAYcTTDT3CUL4qH0omnS_HpgYD4YkmzyRtcd-BJ7NCBCpiAGKItGFHM8KIbDqPQq7tXGOWyigFShwVOLHOfbvtmcux4WJX/s1600-h/DSC04918.JPG">
Thanks Grandma! We love you. (and yes, I know I've got some weird stuff in this post, but I can't figure out how to get it out. Sorry. :))

Carving Up a Little Halloween

We had a little Carving Chaos...but the good news was Grace didn't dry heave the entire time like last year.
And Maceys has a great deal on pumpkins...9 cents a pound! Wow.








And PS...I just ate an entire Snickers Bar...yes, the WHOLE thing, because they were always my favorite. But now...I think I might throw-up. That was a whole lotta Snickers and not so appetizing right now. When will I learn?