Happy Birthday to Laura!

Happy Birthday Laura! Maybe I should say belated... Laura is my second daughter-in-law. She was the last to join our family, marrying Dirk after Jon and Emma married.

My earliest remembrance of Laura is when she came to spend the night at our house for Easter Eve. In those days we woke up early to go to Sunbird for a Sunrise Easter Devotional. It is cold, but beautiful. She didn't complain, and was fun to be with.

Laura is the mother of two beautiful girls. She is creative and loves to entertain. She makes beautiful cards and is very thoughtful. She sends cards to not only her friends, but Dirk's friends as well. She has hosted several events at her home.

She does embroidery work, and painting. She fills her home with individualized decor, celebrating their love for one another and subtly displaying her talents.

I think one of Laura's best talents is her blog. She has one super blog. I enjoy reading it and seeing the girls grow up. There is a difference between being an oma and a mother. As Oma you're not right there to watch the grandchildren with all their wonderful and funny little things they do. Her blog makes it fun to be part of the girls' lives.

Laura has started a little part time job. We wish her well in her new endeavor.

Happy Birthday, Laura!

Happy Birthday to Mom!

Today is Mom's birthday.

When she turned 80 I made some decade sheets for her.

Since then she has added more grandchildren

and great-grandchildren.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Wow!! Is this for real?

How long has it been since we have seen prices at this rate?

Keith filled up the toyauto this morning, what a pleasant surprise.

Filling in the Waterline

Since child labor worked so well last week...

(Actually Emma asked us to watch the older two

while she and Jon attended to some chores and Xanthisa.)

we decided to call the troops to work detail again.

Cirrus found a wonderful umbrella and took a stroll.

Next item was picking currants off the bush,

and then stemming them.

We didn't get much stemming accomplished,

and Crimsel ate almost everyone he stemmed.

While we were doing chores Opa went on a errand

and came back with a mini-ex.

The kids had A-one viewing seats.

Cirrus took some pictures: here I am making sure the water spigot

is going to be okay after removing the board as Opa filled in the hole.

Then Opa gave each one their own ride.

I realize it is a little lengthy, but thought the kids would like to see themselves on the mini-ex.

While Opa took the mini-ex back the kids went on a hunt in the yard and found some apples to pick. When Opa returned we went to get bread at Great Harvest. The kids were given day old Witch's fingers. We fed some birds while we ate our slices of bread and cookies, and then went home.

Trunk-or-Treat

Jon and Emma's ward have soup and rolls,

story telling, and then "Trunk-or-Treat".

The Fireman and the Princess eating soup.

Is the Fireman a modern day knight?

Emma and Xanthisa.What every Oma likes best...

holding baby.

Trunk-or-Treating. Candy bags fill up fast this way.Xanthisa the "Lady Bug". More areas are doing trunk-or-treating.

We had only one trick-or-treator yesterday,

and I missed them while I looked for our candy.

I guess Keith has plenty of candy now.

Matthew the Missionary

We were blesssed with the opportunity to have Matthew stay at our home before he enytered the MTC on Wednesday. Keith took him to eat at Chuck-a-rama on Monday. Tuesday he hung out at Beehive and then we ate at Judy's Thai Place. Emma, Jon and the three kids came. Matt and Keith watched Mr. Ballif's boys while we presented to parents at the Math Literacy night. Hooray for "missionary service". Wednesday it was up early, go the temple, travel to the Missionary Mall, and then to the MTC. We enjoyed having Matthew stay at our home.

Entertainment

Here is some of the entertainment by Cirrus and Crimsel. I was able to lighten up the video. Enjoy :)