Christmas Tree Decorating

I've never put up our Christmas tree this early before. I think I'm just wanting to get the holidays over with. They're no fun during deployments! McKaylie had the holiday spirit, though. And Noah, too. He even put a shirt on for the pictures! Myshel was sort of in the mood. She did decorate . . . what she could reach from her "seat" Vance was very helpful, but his excitement fizzled out early. Image that from a 15 year old boy! My camera wasn't taking great pictures, which was very disappointing. We used our artificial tree this year. I didn't want to have to worry about getting a real tree. ----the tree looks small, though----but then we don't have a whole lot of extra room for it either. Maybe it will help get rid of my "bah-humbugs", anyway! Hope so!

Like Father, Like Son

Vance made some awesome chili the other night! He also made a not so awesome mess! He gets that from his father!

Monday the nurse told Vance that he is 5 ' 10 1/2". That makes him officially half an inch taller than his dad.

When Vance is in the another room and he's talking to someone, I sometimes do a double take. He sounds so much like Chad now.

Myshel's 18th Birthday

It's hard to believe she's 18 now. Time has gone by so fast! I had to make her one more little girl cake. hee hee Myshel and I went to see the new Harry Potter movie, too.

Turkey Bread

Last year for Christmas we made Santa Bread. Noah had the idea to make Turkey Bread for Thanksgiving. So, Myshel took on the task and I think she did a great job!

I Love Maine's Fall Colors!

The pictures never do them justice, but here's some of my favorites this year.

Random Phone Pictures . . . .

These are the last pictures taken on my phone.......Shows just how random I really am, I think!

Here's Myshel, showing the cute little apple we got from the high school students after we helped with their fundraiser. (which reminds me ........ where did the kids put the rest of those apples????) Vance, working away on his school laptop, truth be told, he's probably more likely playing a game on it than doing work! A quick shot on my daily walk. Another quick shot from my walk. Noah's handiwork---boy is mom's phone fun! I look deep in thought, though, don't I. I was probably watching TV. Vanilla--There's more pictures on my phone than there probably should be of her, but she's so darn cute!

My week in a nutshell . . .

Wow, it's so easy to get behind . . . ok, a super quick update of last week . . .
I've been to the dentist twice in the last week for a tooth that wasn't even bothering me to begin with and I have another appointment for it next week.

I've been to the doctor's office 3 different times with Vance for a check-up, blood-work and follow up.

I've been to the vet with Nutmeg. She has Lyme disease . . . from a tick that bit her last spring! I knew I was justified in hating ticks. And she has a yeast infection in her ear. . .

I've been visiting teaching to 7 of the 8 sisters on my list. (To be completely fair, some we just drop goodies off to--they won't let us in to talk)

I've been at the school 3 different times volunteering, once for 3 1/2 hours.

I've been to my doctor once.

Had lunch with Anna---that's was great!

The kid's church activities on Wednesday.

Taken Myshel to and from school twice and to and from work . . . I don't know, I lost count.

The kids had a four day weekend.

Vance had a scout jamboree camp out. (and froze!)

I did 800 loads of laundry (I swear it felt like that many)

And I found out that our ward isn't doing a trunk-or-treat this year . . . the year that Halloween falls on Sunday!!!! What to do now??? Is it fair to skip Halloween altogether?

I'm sure I left things out, but I think that I got the main things in there.

My new stove . . . .

It's really a basic, no frills model, but I don't care! The maintenance man brought me a new stove and now he's my new best friend! I had to bake in it last night, just to check it out and I found out the oven's bigger than my last one! WhoooHooo! (It's sad when a new stove--that really isn't exactly yours get you excited)