Girl's Night

Brooklynn and I had been planning on getting a manicure together, but with the entire family sick with head colds we never made it. So instead, I brought home some press-on nails. The girls were so excited. First we soaked their nails, then cleaned and filed them. Then we applied the 'fake nails'. The girls were in heaven!

Brooklynn's Manicure

Malia's choice

Showing off her nails

Enjoying the feminine side

Posing for a picture

Of course, Malia's nails lasted for 20 minutes. She had two sets applied. She was having too much fun tapping her nails, scratching the dog, etc. Brooklynn also had fun, but decided that the nails get in the way of her practicing her flute and her typing. So, after a few days she took them off. She is going to try again when she is 12. It was fun while it lasted!!

"The Greatest Generation"

A tribute to some of our country's veterans- here are a few words from Tom Brokaw:

“These men and women came of age in the Great Depression, when economic despair hovered over the land like a plague. They had watched their parents lose their businesses, their farms, their jobs, their hopes. They had learned to accept a future that played out one day at a time. Then, just as there was a glimmer of economic recovery, war exploded across Europe and Asia. … This generation was summoned to the parade ground and told to train for war. They left their ranches … , their jobs on the main street … , they gave up their place on the assembly lines … and in the ranks of Wall Street, they quit school or went from cap and gown directly into uniform. …
“They faced great odds and a late start, but they did not protest. At a time in their lives when their days and nights should have been filled with innocent adventure, love, and the lessons of the workaday world, they were fighting, often hand to hand, in the most primitive conditions possible. … They were in the air every day, in skies filled with terror, and they went to sea on hostile waters far removed from the shores of their homeland. …
“When the war was over, the men and women who had been involved … joined in joyous and short-lived celebrations, then immediately began the task of rebuilding their lives and the world they wanted. They were mature beyond their years, tempered by what they had been through, disciplined by their … training and sacrifices. They married in record numbers and gave birth to another … generation. … They stayed true to their values of personal responsibility, duty, honor, and faith.”

Tom Brokaw, The Greatest Generation (1998), xix–xx.

Silver Lake

Mark took the day off of work and we spent it at Silver Lake. We were a few weeks late to see all the fall foliage, but we had a great time!

Racing on the boardwalk

Some scenery

Mark and me

Our Naturalist

Cool picture of the aspens

Quiet time discovering

Malia walked almost the entire way around the lake! What a big girl!!

Posing at a lookout point

Packing the food and water. Thanks Jeffrey!

More Horses

Brooklynn has thoroughly enjoyed her horseriding lessons!

"Look Mom! No hands!" This was a big deal to be able to stay balanced while the horses walked. Great job Brooklynn!!

Henry's Baby Blessing

The beginning of October, we were able to go to my cousin's baby blessing. It was great to see everyone, and to be able to play afterwards!

The girls playing in the fort outside.

Little Henry. He's got such a pleasantly sweet personality. Don't you just want to grab this cute little cheeks?

James

The boys building lego inventions.

Arrow of Light

Mark is the new 'Cub Master'. He put together a really great Arrow of Light Ceremony for two boys who earned the award and are moving on to be 11 year old scouts. He had candles of different colors to represent different scout qualities. He also had a bridge for the boys to cross over that symbolized their journey from cub scouts to boy scouts. Oh, and refreshements were fantastic!! Doughnuts. Yummo!

This is a picture of Jeffrey receiving some belt loops and pins from Chad.

A New Favorite Quote

"Great power can come from memorizing scriptures. To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change."
~Elder Richard G. Scott, October 2011

Chuck E. Cheese

Chuck E. Cheese is just around the corner from Mark's work. Malia is always asking, "When are we going to Chuck E. Cheese?" It's not one of mine or Mark's favorite places, so we usually just tell her, "Maybe later." Here is the day we caved and took her to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch.

The elation of finally going to Chuck E. Cheese. (She's so easy to please!)

Malia's favorites were the rides

Jeffrey perferred the games.

Counting tickets

Jeffrey loved this game because when you won, you could get lots of tickets.

Choosing prizes

Conference Weekend

Last April for conference weekend, I made 5 jars with words on them. Each jar was filled with candies. When the kids heard the word (faith, gospel, prayer, etc.) they got a piece of candy. The only problem was that after the first session, they felt sick from eating too much candy.

This weekend, I made folders for the kids. Brooklynn's was a sticker book of the apostles and prophet. So fun to put together. I used my trusty Xyron sticker maker to make the stickers she needed then put them in a little baggie. This kept her busy for a long time.

For Malia and Jeffrey I put together a Bingo card and a treat card from Sugardoodle.net. and stuck them onto a file folder. That seemed to keep their attention for a while. I just had them use the cards for talks I felt were important.

Scripture Study Ideas

I discovered the red headed hostess website a few months ago. I've started a scripture journal . I've downloaded some of her quote collection and have added some of my own from my study of last April's General Conference.

When the notebooks were on sale before school started, I got each of my kids a 'scripture journal'. So far they just have the 'Alma Maps' in theirs. We're still on the first map, and everyday Malia will retell the story that we've covered so far.
There are 3 maps:

• Map 1


• Map 2


• Map 3

I just love her scripture study ideas! She has even come up with Book of Mormon paper dolls you can make. The girls and I are making a set.

My other little idea I got from my neighbor friend. She is having her kids learn the scripture mastery scriptures using music. She sent me this link with the Seminary Scripture Mastery Songs. So far, we've memorized 3 songs. D&C 82:10 is a favorite around here!

Quote of the Day

Last week when my night class was over, my friend had made some chocolate zucchini bread with chocolate chips. Ummmmmmmm. It was so moist and fantastic. I searched the internet and found a recipe similar to the one she used.

(I borrowed this picture off the internet)

I thought it turned out pretty good. Then Jeffrey said, "This tastes pretty good, even though it looks like poop!"

Horse Riding Lessons

Brooklynn is taking horse riding lessons this semester and LOVING it! While she is at the ranch, Malia wanders around interacting with the dogs, horses, and goats. Jeffrey usually plays cards with a few kids who have a sister in Brooklynn's class.

First, the kids go and get their horses from the pasture. Then they get them groomed, saddled, and finally ride. At the end of their class, the kids have a half-hour lecture about horse care, anatomy, saddle care, etc.

Brooklynn bringing her horse to the arena.

Malia trying to stay out of Micheal's way. He's a goat that acts like a dog. He'll follow you around and lean into you so you can pet him.

Oops, Malia got a little too close to this 3 week old miniature horse!

Brooklynn saddling her horse with her instructor.

This horse is soooooooo cute and little!

Mamma and baby

Brooklynn with her class.

"Micheal" ruined Jeffrey and his friends' game of Uno.