Peyton is here!

On Monday morning I became an aunt-again. I have a new adorable niece! I can't wait to spoil her. The kids and I got to visit her at the hospital yesterday and we took several pictures. Morgan asked me if we could keep her-I told her Matt and Mindy wouldn't like that. She also asked if we could get out our baby toys so Peyton would have something to play with. Morgan loved that everything was so tiny-especially her toes. Poor Koby had to stay back since he has a cold-the doctor did say he could visit her but only if he wore gloves and a mask and did not hold the baby. I should have taken a picture of him too! Oh well.
Peyton is so beautiful and tiny. Matt and Mindy are so cute with her-I think Matt will be the very protective father. Congrats to you both!

Shhhh don't tell

I have a confession. I am frugal-AKA-thrifty, penny pincher, tight-wad, CHEAP! Honestly I didn't really have much of a choice, this trait was thrust upon me by life. While I was putting myself through college, I was a single parent (not just physically but also financially), worked part time and somehow we made it with grants, scholarships and student loans. WOW-somehow I really went way off base there.

So anyway, I am one of those crazy women who actually love to go shopping on "black Friday". On Thanksgiving morning before Steve heads out to play football I make him get me a newspaper. I pore over the ads, make lists and begin the strategy. I have to basically map out my day and figure out which store takes the number one priority. And then on the big crazy day, I wake up between 3:30-4:30 depending on when the sales I want begin. Often my mom, aunt, and sister go with me, which makes things easier as we can split up and help each other on different sides of the store-kind of like a zone defense. Sometimes I get pushed or bumped by carts, sometimes there are rude people who butt in line or snatch things from right underneath you and sometimes what I most wanted is sold out by the time I get my chance. I often end up with sore feet-but at the end of the day I feel like Santa with a trunk full of gifts. I am going this year-rain or shine or freezing temperatures and I do it because I love to get a great deal. And maybe because of the excitement of the hunt. I would much rather be out shopping the day after Thanksgiving rather than the week before Christmas-that is what I think is crazy!

Anyway, I came across a website that other "money-smart" people might be interested in. www.blackfriday.info - Good luck to all of you that dare to be adventurous enough to wake up early and find a great deal!

Dance recital

Last night we got to watch Morgan's dance recital. She was so cute but also kind of sad because class was over for awhile-no worries-I will sign her up again in January. I have to apologize for the quality of my posting-the pictures turned out dark-we were in a small room, with bad lighting, a wall of windows and a wall of mirrors. It has nothing to do with the photographer!=)Steve used our camcorder so if you really want to see the whole thing you can come on over.(I can't convert it-we aren't that high tech-we bought the camcorder 5 years ago!) After the first few pictures turned out bad I used my camera to video so you get a glimpse of the last few seconds. Which is sideways by the way and I can't figure out how to fix that.
Don't you think Koby looks so happy to be there? Really though he gave Morgan plenty of suggestions before the show. I think the look of boredom is really just to show off his total coolness! By the way Morgan got to keep the boa and she wears it quite frequently. Tara next time we come to visit we will bring the video for you to see-since you share a love of dance with Morgan.

My cuties

These are my cute kids on Sunday morning. Koby and Morgan usually get up around eight, put on a church video and get some breakfast-Steve and I often sleep in until 9ish. I know the kids totally spoil us! Don't you just love Morgan's hair?




I took the photos below after we got dressed and ready for church. Steve didn't feel too good but he tried to smile for me anyway-what a sweetheart! In the picture where Morgan is alone does't she look like she is in pain? Sorry that the pics are a little blurry-not sure what the problem is.

Halloween pics

What a thought!

One of my favorite talks during the last LDS general conference was by Joseph B. Wirthlin called 'Come What May, and Love It'. I think it really meant a lot to me because as a family we have had a difficult year and I often found myself thinking that life is just too hard. Anyway I read the talk today online and it really helped me so I want to share a few of his quotes.

*The next time you’re tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead. It will extend your life and make the lives of all those around you more enjoyable. (the story of his daughter's blind date really had me laughing!)

*Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others.

*The simple secret is this: put your trust in the Lord, do your best, then leave the rest to Him.

Wow! I think this talk was meant just for me.