1st Halloween in Tennessee

Well, Halloween was a success! We had a great time, and the kids got a TON of candy! Ellie was a little Dutch girl, she looked so cute in the same costume I wore as a little girl. Paul was General Grievous from Star Wars. We made his costume together and had a great time. We used 2 old sweatshirts, and I decorated the one, and he helped me color it in, then he sewed the arms on himself! Kyle was Darth Vader. The temperature was great. Was a fun night:)

Fall In Tennessee

Well, if you don't like the weather in Idaho or Utah, move to Tennessee. The weather is beautiful. Fall is actually a season! As opposed to going straight from burning hot to freezing cold in Utah. Or in Idaho from where I never felt like we ever had a summer, and then it is snowing. It's like Idaho skips Fall entirely every year. Each year I lived there it when it would start snowing I would look out my front window watching the snow. I would think, "Wait, we haven't even had summer yet! It hasn't even gotten warm here! My tomatoes are FINALLY going to start growing!" But it's too late. Winter has come. And Darren and I always have an insane urge to stock up on some sort of heating supplement, because if the power goes out in the winter- you will die! And I'm not even joking. The school policy is that they don't let the kids out of school unless it is -20 ! Yea, you heard me right -20! When I was a kid my dad would tell us you could not go outside when it was that cold or your EYEBALLS WOULD FREEZE and fall right out of your head!!! One thing I learned is to never smile or open your mouth when it is that cold out. If you part your lips the cold freezes your teeth and you get an instant brain freeze. And of coarse, you always have to make sure your nose is clean, because the instant you breeze in through your nose, (remember you can not breath through your mouth) Everything in your nose crystallizes. At least I know in 9 months Spring will come. Spring in Idaho consists of 2 weeks of mud and freezing wind. Next comes summer which is 2 1/2 months of some mud and a cold wind.
BUT NOT IN TENNESSEE!! The weather here is beautiful! Fall has lasted almost 6 weeks of beautiful warm/cool days with just a slight chill in the air. Beautiful fall leaves everywhere. I love the Fall here, can't wait to see what winter is like!

Family Pictures Fall 2010

Thanks to our good friends Aaron and Katie we got these WONDERFUL family pictures taken in our yard for free! It doesn't get any better than that! We took pictures, the weather was beautiful, the kids were good, the company was good, the husband was even good! Leaves were falling, and it was beautiful. After we had hamburgers and visited- it was a beautiful evening and I am so happy to have some beautiful family pictures!

Dollywood Here We Come!

Paul thinks Dolly Parton must be the richest person on Earth. Someone in the ward gave us free tickets to Dollywood and we took our kids on Monday. Marilyn was there and we had a blast. Paul went on the big roller coaster rides with Darren. I can not believe Paul went on 3 big ones with him! He is getting so big it is crazy! I went on 1 big coaster with him and my neck was kinked for the next 3 days. Kyle's favorite ride was the ducks that go round and round. Anyways, here are some picts.

Soccer

So, we just got back from soccer tonight. Which, to be honest I got suckered into coaching. I was so excited to sign my kids up. I had dreams of sitting on the sidelines reading my magazines, relaxing, enjoying the beautiful fall weather. Not so. I am up, running after balls, getting kids attention, blowing my whistle, trying to keep subbing fair, loosing my voice, etc. I come home exhausted and without a voice. Tonight Paul scored a goal, Ellie scored 5! and Kyle scored 1 too. It is so fun to see my kids personality's come out as they play. Ellie is awesome at defense. Paul is in really good shape. In fact yesterday all the 3rd graders ran a mile and Paul came in 1st! He got 10 min and 13 seconds. He said his cousin Grace came in 2nd behind him. And Kyle gets soooo mad if the other team scores a goal. It is super fun. Even if I am exhausted.

Lonely at night

So, Darren works the night shift as a nurse. Someone asked me the other day if I get lonely at night. Hmmm. Not really. I love my time alone at nights. Sleeping by myself does get sad though. In fact, Darren was home the other night and took a picture of how lonely I am at night when he is usually at work.

Dinning Room- Painted

Ok, mom- here you go :) It is night - so it doesn't look as good as during the day. But you get the idea. I also would like to buy some curtain rods for the window. But, here it is for now.