Our Craft Bazaar was a great success!

This week has been a very busy one but OH, SO MUCH FUN! About five weeks ago, a friend of mine, Jeanna, and myself decided to make & sell crafts at a craft bazaar. Unfortunately, we could not get into any bazaars. We were twelvth on one waiting list and third or something like that on another one. So we said, what the heck, lets decorate my garage like a winter wonderland and have our own. We had so many people wanting to join us that in the end, we had to turn several away because of lack of space. Here are just a few photos of our day.







We did have so much fun but when the night was over, I was dead tired. This is just a quick post but I hope everyone has a great week. Thanks to all who made our first annual craft bazaar a huge success. I am not sure if that means that it is a tradition or what. Maybe. It is hard to say right now.

"What an Adventure"

As Graci says, "We are going on an adventure," and boy did we. Thursday morning, Torrey, the girls, two kittens, and myself started out on a big adventure. Taylor, Torrey's nephew, and Lyndsie were getting married and the Family dinner was Thursday night, which was so good. Dutch oven chicken and pork with this killer BBQ sauce. So good!!! Shellie, Torrey's sister had put together the cutest video of both of them. Friday morning we went to the Idaho Falls Temple for Taylor and Lydsie's Sealing Ceremony which was so awesome. Each time we attend a wedding in Idaho Falls, it takes me back to that most memorable day Torrey and I were married there 17 years ago. What a beautiful day it was. There was a slight chill in the air but the warmth of the sun felt so, so good. Here are a few pictures of the good looking couple of the day.
We then went back to Torrey's parents house and packed up our things and met my family at my little brothers new restaraunt that he and his wife Heather, just bought. The food was so, so, good!!! We visited for a bit with my parents, Heidi, and her kids, and with Rhett, and Heather.
Heather loaded us up with chips and salsa for our next adventure. We were headed to the Green River Football State Championship game against Gillette. They had beat us by one point in the regular season so the game was at Gillette. The two boys had stayed at home and did not make the trip to Idaho with us because Riley had to ride the bus Friday morning with the football team and Layton had two basketball games on Saturday but really could not afford to miss school. Layton's games were eventually canceled as some of us parents called the Athletic Director and begged so that we could all go to the championship game and cheer on our Wolves. The sad thing is though, they will probably not be made up. We all eventually met up in Gillette. Layton rode down and stayed the night with his friend, Zach Huber and his Family. Anyway, back to our road trip. With two days full of driving ahead of us. Our goal was to make it to Cody, Wy. on Friday and we were making good time. I hadn't been to Jackson for so long by way of the pass going through Driggs and Victor so that was so pretty coming through the pass. Here is a picture of the Grand Teton Mountains that I grew up with in my back yard anyway, we got about 30 miles into the park when we discovered the road was closed so we lost about 1 hour of traveling time so we looked at the map and decided to travel to Riverton that night and get a good nights sleep and then leave Riverton by 8:00 a.m. so we could get to Gillette by kickoff time of 1:00 p.m. With twenty minutes to spare, just enough time to take a quick potty break and go throughthe drive in at Wendy's we made it just in time. Talk about a heart breaker of a game but it is pretty awesome that Green River even made it to the State Championship game. Gillette has over 2500 students and we have about 750-800. Those boys made some critical mistakes but played their guts out and it was a game right up until the last 2 seconds of the game. A few pictures of Riley. He was bummed that he never did get in the game but he is already determined to start next year and they just might have another State Champion team. This first picture is of the team praying that Colter's field goal to win the game is good. That prayer was not answered in that way that day as they lost by two points.


The ride home back to Green River was long. Another 7 hours. We made it home at about 11:00 p.m. Torrey was conducting Sunday morning and they put in a whole new Primary Pres. My new calling is the CTR 8 Primary teacher. Hannah is way excited because that is her Primary class. It is finally a relief having a calling after being released from Stake Girls Camp Director because I was just a little frightened as to what they might call me to. I am excited. I love to be in Primary and I never feel My Saviors love for me stronger than in Primary.
This week is filled with craft, crafts, and more crafts with pictures to follow.

Babysitting, 2 trips to SLC, Halloween, & Basketball. What more can you fit in a week. Plenty, because we did just that...

Monday was an eventful day as I started watching a brand new baby. "Lila" What a sweet little girl. I had been talking to my friend and she was telling me all of the mortifying things that has happened to her over the last few years that she has watched kids and I was thinking, "What in the world am I getting myself into." but on the other hand I was also thinking, it is only one day! I can handle anything for one day a week. Then she came to the house. Crying for the first thirty minutes or so because I just wasn't holding her right, or feeding her her bottle right. I felt like it had been forever since I had held a baby and then I was really thinking, "What in the world am I doing?" I finally was able to get her to calm down enough to eat and then burp, and then it seemed like everything was alright. She looked up at Graci and I and grinned and we knew that we could handle this. She is a sweet little baby and we can't wait to have her again on Monday.

The middle of the week was filled with the girls basketball games, piano lessons, haircuts, Achievement Days, Basketball and Football practices, and Books and Magazines, and not to forget the dang paper route. Thursday, Torrey, Graci, and I traveled to Salt Lake which I had a Dr. Appointment. It is always a relief when I am finished. I always pray that this is not going to be the day that changes my life Forever. I am so grateful that everything was good. Torrey and I started reflecting back on just how blessed that we have been with Good Health and five Healthy Pregnancies and now Five Ever Growing Children. We are so Grateful for them and the blessings that they are in our lives. We finished some shopping for my craft bazaar in November.


Friday was filled with Haunting and Ghostly Activities. This is a picture of the mummies I made for Hannah's class, made out of Twinkies. (I know, not the healthies but we were going for "Haunting, not healthy" Hannah thought that they were awesome! At least I scored one with her. That is what is important right? Here are some pictures of our Lawyer, Pirate, and Little Princess.


HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
After the TRUNK OR TREAT, we went to the wolves first playoff game. Riley had been picked to be on the playoff Varsity team so that was exciting. He worked those side lines well. Go RILEY!! Hopefully he will be able to get into the game for a few plays at least but if not, we are so proud of you and your football season. You did put your heart into it and played very well.

Saturday morning was filled with Layton's Basketball games. The season is underway. I am so excited! I love to watch basketball.
Layton had his work cut out for him all day. Both Lander and Riverton had very tall boys but he did pretty good using his body to keep them out. We will get them next time. It was still fun to watch.
After a day filled with Basketball and Torrey working, we all jumped in the car and headed back to Utah for my Niece, Ashley and her new husband Jaime Snyder's open house. They were married in Hawaii in August. It was fun to see them and to meet Jaime and his Family. Most of my Family was there and it was good to see them. It has definately been awhile. We were able to finally make it home at about 2:00 in the morning.
Needless to say, Church came very early this morning but what an awesome day. Riley was ordained a priest today and was given an awesome blessing by his Dad. I am so proud of him and the good kid that he is. Thank You Torrey for being the great husband and Father that you are. Your boys definately have an awesome example to look up to and follow. I sure do Love you and appreciate all that you do for me and our Family.

My 6 quirky quirks about Me!

Jeanna, I thought we were more alike but after you revealed your 6 quirks, I realized that we do have differences.




1. Grocery Shopping, I am totally opposite. I have to start on the non foods side of the store and then finish with my produce on top of my cart. I am a freak when it come to grocery shopping. I have to go down every isle in the store and everything is organized in the cart and then when I put my groceries on the conveyor belt, they are all organized there also. My breads together, my toiletries, my dairy, my frozens. Uhm! No wonder I always cause a line to start behind me when I am checking out... I then ask for my most special bagger which bags my groceries just right, carries them out for me, puts them in the car, and then I get that extra icing on the cake. A big ole kiss! I do love to grocery shop. Now don't any of you start asking for my special bagger.


2. I work best under pressure. My house can be totally organized and clean and then if I have a project that has a deadline, I will wait and wait and wait but always have it on my mind and then BAM! I create it but it turns my house into total chaos. My husband has learned to just leave me alone during this time and he knows that it is his turn to cook dinner... I have tried to work on this one.


3. I have got this big quirk with towels. In college, I watched a video that showed how many germs and bacteria live on our towels. That, for one reason or another, has always stuck with me. Needless to say, I can only use a towel once. So you can see why I don't mind if my kids throw there towel on the floor because I will put a batch of towels in the wash everyday. It is a good thing that I do like to wash, fold, and put away towels. which I quess could be a quirk in and of itself...

4. I am petrified of MICE or anything that moves very quickly. There is nothing that freaks me out more than this. I can't even put a picture of the little creature on this post. My children know my week spot and play tricks on me. They have been known to get dryer lint out of the dryer or anything that is furry and throw it at my feet just to watch me scream and jump to get away from it. They laugh and think this is so so funny. If you ever use this information against me, I am not sure what will happen, but don't try to find out.

5. I have this thing with dirty socks left on the floor. Whats worse though, they are stinky boy socks. If my boys want to get a rise out of me, this is one way to get it. I have no idea why they cannot just take them off and put them in the hamper which is not to far away but no, I find them shoved under, in, around, and on the coach. DRIVES ME CRAZY!!!

I know that I have a ton of weird habits but I cannot think of them. I am posting my five and I will update my sixth when it comes to me. Thank Jeanna for the tag. It makes you really stop and think about yourself.

Sweet Sixteen! Happy Birthday Riley

This is why I was afraid to start a blog! I knew one of these times, it would take me forever to update it, and it has! Anyway lots of exciting things!! I have a driver now! It started out on Wednesday, Riley's sixteenth birthday. I can't believe that my first baby turned sixteen. It was just yesterday that I remember bringing him home from the hospital. He was such a joy in our lives and continues to be everyday with his fun personality and his cute smile. He never sieses to amaze me. Wednesday, Graci and I took Riley to lunch and then after everyone had gotten home from school, work, football practice, basketball game, and whatever else we had that night, we had a party! Jeanna, I copied your treasure hunt idea and oh yea, the sixteen kisses. It started out by giving Riley a bouguet of sixteen bubble gum blow suckers which are one of his favorites and that sent him to his room where I had worked all morning on trying to get it clean with fresh sheets and washed clothes, the whole works. What a chore. I also mad him some new plagues for his room. "Whatever you are, Be a good one." Abraham Lincoln, The six B's from Gordon B Hinckley, and then a new one from the Gen. Young Women's Pres. from Gen. Con. "With the Strength of the Lord, I can do hard things." I fixed these up around his room and it looked awesome. On his bed was a box filled with sixteen gatorades which led him to his #1 love, which starts in November. "The Basketball Hoop" and there he found a new pair of basketball shoes which he had ordered but I was so excited that they had came in the mail that day. He was way excited about that. His third clue was that he had to give his Taxi driver sixteen kisses for all of the many ride I have given him, taking him to school, picking him up for lunch, picking up from practice, and where ever else I ran him. This I will truely miss but it will sure free up alot of my time. I had his fourth clue which led him to Torrey's old Ford Taurus which Torrey worked very hard getting all cleaned up and detailed for him and had taken it down to the mechanics and had gotten the heater working for him for this winter. Exciting times! Then we went to dinner with two of his friends, Tanner Johnson and Tippy to Micasita's and then Torrey took all the boys to the Football Movie in Rock Springs. Thursday, Torrey took Riley to Rock Springs to get his Driver's license. He was very nervous because he had to drive with the DMV lady. He said that he was very nervous and shaky but that he only missed one thing and that was leaving his blinker on after merging. He is official!! Way to go Riley! Don't forget to take your Mom out to Lunch every now and then. We love you and can't wait to see what awesome things you accomplish this next year.

"Out of the mouth of my children!"

Kid tag... Questions to ask the kids & see what their response is
Kid Tag- What my kids have to say!!

1.What does mom always say to you?
Riley: She tells me that she loves me
Layton: Stop arguing!
Hattie: Pick up your room.
Hannah: Clean your room!
Graci: Put your boots outside (I think this was the last thing I asked her to do)

2. What makes mom happy?
Riley: Crafts
Layton: A clean house
Hattie: When the house is clean.
Hannah: When we clean the house.
Graci: Music

3. What makes mom sad?
Riley: Movies
Layton: When we fight
Hattie: When we don't pick up after ourselves.
Hannah: When someone dies
Graci: Hurt your eye (I just had surgery on my eye)


4. How does mom make you laugh?
Riley: When she tries to be funny!
Layton: When she is constanly yelling. (Obviously my kids don't take me serious)
Hattie: When you says something funny
Hannah: When you talk funny
Graci: makes funny faces

5. How old is mom?
Riley: 38
Layton: 38
Hattie: 37
Hannah: 40 (No way, not yet!)
Graci: 2 (holding up two fingers)

6. How tall is mom?
Riley: 5'6"
Layton: 5'7"
Hattie: 5'7"
Hannah: 450 inches
Graci: This tall (holding her hand up to my head while I am sitting)

7. What does mom like to do?
Riley: Crafts
Layton: Mess with her blog and Coach Basketball
Hattie: Crafts
Hannah: Taking pictures
Graci: Play with toys

8. What is mom's job?
Riley: Books, Magazines, and Taxi
Layton: To clean
Hattie: Books and Magazines
Hannah: Clean House
Graci: Do the dishwasher

9. What is mom's favorite food?
Riley: Baked potatoes
Layton: MiCasita's
Hattie: Everything (This is true!)
Hannah: Subway Chicken Sandwhich that you always get
Graci: Sandwhiches

10. How do you know your mom loves you?
Riley: She runs me everywhere.
Layton: She tells me that she does and she comes to all of my games.
Hattie: She takes me where I need to go.
Hannah: You tell me so
Graci: Gives me hugs!!!

Wow! What an eye opener. Alot of this is so true.

Grandpa & Grandma are coming!!! Yeah!Priesthood session of conference

No School on Friday!! Hooray! It started out on Friday by doing my magazines at Smith's. I ran right home to finish my cleaning because Torrey's parents were coming. While I was down on my hands and knees, playing Cinderella, scrubbing around my bar, I received a phone call from my good friend Jeanna. They were headed to the park with burgers from 'Old McDonald's" as Graci refers to it, and wanted to know if we wanted to join them. Heck yes! Anything to get me out of house cleaning. It was a beautiful day and the kids enjoyed themselves as well as I did. When we got back, Grandpa, Grandma and cousin Bailey were there. It was so much fun to have them. Grandma was a good sport and sat through four football games while on her visit to Wyoming. The weekend was filled with yes, football, a rainy trip to Lander and then beautiful weather to watch the game, the best pizza I had tasted in a long time at Tony's pizza, swimming with cousin Bailey, an awesome two days of General Conference and on Monday Morning, the kids all sluffed school and Grandpa and Grandma took us all out to breakfast. What a great way to end an awesome party. Thank You Veldon and Arlene for the fun time. We love having you.
Attatched is a picture of the guys heading off to the Priesthood Session of General Conference Saturday night and an awesome picture of Layton after he played so good on Saturday.