O Great Pumpkin

For school this week we took the girls to Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch. If you read people mag last week this is where Marcia Cross took her girls. No, we didn't choose it for that reason. It was the closest for what we wanted. It was great, but quite the drive. Who knew driving down Sunset in the middle of the day on a Wed. would be a bad idea? The girls had so much fun and we got some great pumpkins for a pretty good deal. When we first got there we took pictures of the girls in this fiberglass pumpkin. The loved to play in it but were not thrilled to have to hold still to take the picture. These rocking horses were all over, we figured why put them there if you can't take a picture on them, amazingly enough we weren't asked to take the girls down they really were there for pictures. Aubree loved the wagons that were everywhere, she just wanted to ride in one, so I took her picture in this one and then had to get another one that had a handle so I could push the stroller with one had and pull the wagon with the other. SUPER MOM to the rescue. Hayley was great until she decided she was hungry and was not about to put up with all this picture taking that was cutting into meal time. We bought our pumpkins ( we will show you them when they are done), and then I went to feed Hayley. They had this great bounce house in the shape of a pumpkin so I got tickets for Aubree to jump while I feed Hayley. We got all the way to the bouncer and Aubree was not about to go inside without me, so she waited very patiently while I fed Hayley, but by the time we were done Aubree just looked at me and said," I need to go home and take a nap now, I'm to tired to jump" . Oh well, all in all we had a great trip to the pumpkin patch even if it was 96 degrees outside.

P.s. who put those girls in long sleeves and long pants? Let's just say it was colder at home.

FGN

FGN= Family Game Night. We love to play card games. Here Eli has chosen to teach our nephew a very wholesome game, BS. It was hilarious, who knew some of his siblings are excellent liars. There were so many people we decided to play with 2 decks, which meant there were 8 of each card. Lets just say eventually some us had all 8 of some cards.

We are family!

These are Eli's siblings as of 2008. Isn't life funny that the older brothers are the shorter brothers?

Swing Low

The other day while we were at Eli's parents house Grandpa put Hayley in the swing and she loved it. She was so chill, which is interesting because Aubree HATED swinging until she was much older. We finally had to take her out of the swing because she was falling asleep. So sweet.

Tagged

This is a fun little tag. You take the 4th picture form the 4th folder so here it is:

This was Eli's 26th birthday, he obviously got a guitar.

Now I tag, Necia show me what you got girl.

Water, Water everywhere

This is Aubree's new favorite thing to do. She stands on her stool in front of the sink filled with water and plays with her princesses. The princesses have to get their hair washed which they cry about and then sometimes they have to get rescued by the car. If the princesses aren't behaving then she plays tea party. It is the cutest thing, I need to get it on video so that we have the dialogue. She will do this for a half hour or longer. When she is all done she reverts to her OCD ways and needs to get new clothes asap as to not be wet. She is so creative, I don't know why I think she needs so many toys because apparently a few toys and some water goes a long way.

Put your shoulder to the wheel

Knock Doors? Check
Make phone calls? Check
Farmers Market booth? Check
Stand on the corner with sign? Check
Let's see what else could be do to help with prop 8?


Eli's dad is a zip code coordinator for prop 8, this means that he is in charge of coordinating volunteers to do all the different assignments. Some of the assignments are finishing up while others are just beginning. This week they started to stand on the corner of busy intersections in the city and hold YES ON 8 signs. While we were visiting Saturday, he needed a couple of more people to fill a time slot. We jumped at the idea, during a broadcast from General Authorities they asked us all to donate 4 hours a week and Eli hadn't hit our 4 hours. I have to tell you it was quite enjoyable. Grandma kept the girls so it was 2 hours in beautiful weather with the man I love. I was very impressed by how many people were in favor of it. We only have 11 people either yell something at us or give us a thumbs down. We did have one man yell at us while he was making a very slow moving right hand turn but after ther farmer's market we could handle anything. Funnaly enough we also kept track of who was talking on there cell phones and it was 4. Aparently there were other coalition members on another corner and a young man was harassed by a group of people that came and got out to do so. I feel so bad, I wish they would have stopped by our corner because after the farmers market we could take anything. The advisary sure is letting himself known.
(I have a picure but it's on Eli's phone so when he gets home I will add it)

On my Honor I will do my best.....

This week end was a big week end for our family. Eli's youngest brother received the highest award in the Scouting program the Eagle. We are so proud of him. Eli has three brothers and one brother-in-law, all have received their Eagle. For this wonderful occation Eli's older brother Karl and his son flew into town from Missiouri. As part of the award ceremony Kaleb gave out mentor pins, he gave one to each sibling. They were all very surprised and touched by this. When your receive your Eagle it is customary to send letters to different people of stature to let them know. ie the President, the YM genereal presidency. These people were all thrilled for Kaleb but the best was the President of SNAPPLE who makes Dr. Pepper. He was very happy for Kaleb and told him to get a Dr. Pepper on him, then he send some coupons for free Soda. Part way through the girls got restless so we ended up playing in the nursery and that's always a good time. The night was great and it was really fun to be only missing 3 members of the family, that's pretty good for us.

Karl (oldest), Luke (4th child), Eli 2nd child), Kaleb (5th, baby), Tina(3rd child)
CONGRATS AGAIN UNCLE KIWI

One of our favorite things

One of our favorite things is to attend Disney Movies at The El Capitan in Hollywood. On Friday the movie was: We were running late due to traffic, what else is new in LA? We got to the theater just in time to see the organist going into the floor. (He plays before every show and then he goes in to the floor). When the curtain opened there were only two chairs, usually there is 3or4. We looked at each other and were a little disipointed until our guest artist came out it was Danny Elfman. Truthfully when they said his name I didn't know who he was then they ran a bio clip of the music he has composed and the shows he has produced he really has been around the block. As the discussion was closing so they could show the movie, the MC told us he had a surprise for us. Aparently this year Disney had reprised Nightmare before Christmas's music by having well known bands remake the songs and for our listening enjoyment Ann Lee from Evanscence was going to sing. Eli and I like some of her music so it was really neat. The movie was in 3D which is always a kick. The girls were pretty good for the sitter, our friends(thanks again) All in All one of the coolest nights at the El Capitan thus far.

Spooktacular

Being so close to Disneyland we like to go and Aubree loves it. This year we decided to take her trick or treating at Disneyland. They do it Thursday-Sunday through the month of Oct. We went on Thursday. It was so much fun, they close California Adventure at 5pm and then re-open it to tickets holders until 10:30. As you walk in they gave us all trick or treat bags, yes even adults got candy. There were some lines but all in all we had fun, we would defiantly go again maybe just when the girls were older.

Aubree is going to be a Butterfly Princess this year, she picked the costume herself. Here she is waiting outside the White Rabbits house inside Disneyland. We went there first.

Hayley enjoyed her time. She did what ever she wanted; sucked on her Ladybug costume, played with toys, and took a nap.

Kiss the Girl

The other night while Eli was holding Hayley she decided that she wanted to give him a little kiss. She would put her hands on his face, lean in andGive him a big wet kiss. When she was done she would pull away and then start all over again. She did this for about 5 minutes. I guess she is turning into a daddy's girl too.

My little book worms

On Monday mornings it is all I can do to entertain Aubree before dance class. This day was no different, however I didn't entertain her Hayley did. I was trying to get ready so I put Hayley in the Bumbo with her book. Aubree decided that if Hayley was reading then she would too. Aubree was so cute she would "read" to Hayley and when Hayley would coo back Aubree would say that Hayley was "reading" to her. So sweet.

I scream, You scream we all scream for ICE CREAM

A couple of weeks ago we went to have Sunday dinner at Eli's parents house. After dinner grandma pulled out these personal sized Ben and Jerry's ice creams. They were perfect, we all were SUPPOSED to have a couple bits of each kind so that everyone could have some. Well, we all did really well at sharing, all of us but Aubree. She was not going to have it, no one else was going to get HER chocolate ice cream.

I found my camera

Here are some photo's from when my parents were here. The girls love to spend time with papa on there own turf. hint hint..

Here are some photo's from when my parents were here. The girls love to spend time with papa on there own turf. hint hint..

You've had a birthday shout Hurray!

Today we celebrate someone very special to us. She has always been there for me and she is someone I am proud to call my own. She is someone who I look up to socially, physically, and spiritually. She is always setting an example and pushing me to be a better person. She is always up for a good time and definitely adds to any situation. She is my best friend, she is my mom.

Happy Birthday Gran! We love you and want you to know how much you mean to us.
We can't wait to see you at Christmas!

What is the definition of tolerance?

Dictonary.com says tolerance is:
a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one's own; freedom from bigotry.

I wonder why those who feel differently about Prop 8 feel like we are being intolerant by just seeming to exist, but they shout and feel it necessary to tell us we should be ashamed of ourselves for our beliefs.

For example let me set the seen of last Thursday. Every week we have a farmer's market. It is wonderful, for our family it is a weekly tradition filled with entertainment and good food. Last week was a whole other story. We have been asked by our local Prop 8 committee to man a booth at the farmers market. As we knew this would be no easy task we asked Grandma to watch the girls so we wouldn't need to worry about them with a sitter. After Grandma left with the girls to go the park, Eli and I gathered our things and said a prayer. As Eli and I walked like lambs to the slaughter we talked about all the possible things we would be asked and how we would be received. Let me tell you our worse case scenario would have been a dream. I have never felt so much hate. One woman picked up her 8 year old and asked us why we didn't validate her children. We were asked a lot about why we were doing this, why we were trying to take away their marriages. Eli and I quickly learned that, "because the Prophet of the Lord has asked for our support on this" was not a good enough answer, at least for them. We fell back on why this would effect us personally. We would explain that we didn't agree with judges legislating from the bench and that we believed that morality should be taught in the home. We had some facts about schools in Massachusetts, facts that we didn't agree with. i.e. do I really want my daughters going to a school assembly on how to decipher whether or not you are gay? I don't think so.

In a finale act of tolerance by the prop 8 no side:
The man standing next to Eli with the sign had been eying us all night. Eli and I had noticed him but just figured he was on our side and was just nervous about who might see him. Guess we were wrong. He came up to me and asked me for some more information, I gave him the web site address, he thanked me and walked away. Well he walked away but not for long. When he came back he had this really professional sign that read: Yes on 8 Breeds Hate. Hey at least it rhymes. Eli and I would like to point out to the man at least in a heterosexual relationship we can breed.

The farmers market booth is very important it lets the no side know we are there and we aren't going down without a fight. It is very scary to go and know that for the next couple of hours you will be verbally and even a little emotionaly abused. So we plead for all of you that live in the area to come to the farmers market, help us show the no side that we do have numbers. Help us show them that there are those that truly care. Please, it is always nice to see a friendly face. We thank those of you who came last week and hope to see more of you this week.

VOTE YES ON 8!

VOTE YES ON PROP 8

On November 4th we as the state of California are voting on Proposition 8. Prop 8 if passed will make it a constitutional amendment that marriage only be between a man and woman. We have been asked by the prophet to do everything we can, financially and physically to get this passed. I have such a great testimony of following the Prophet partly as my family is blessed in doing so, but also in watching people I love and care for do the same. I am eternally thankful for my eternal marriage and hold it on the highest pedestal. I am amazed at how scary I thought it would be to go door to door and talk to people about this, but doing so with the spirit we have been presently surprised that mostly people have been very nice.

I find myself very frustrated with the need for prop 8 because in 8 years ago Californians voted on this same thing and it passed by 61%. Then this year 4 Supreme Court Judges for California out of San Francisco decided to legislate from the bench. They decided that it was OK for marriage to be for everyone not just men and woman. I personally have no begrudging feelings towards those that have different life style choices; I do however have a problem with judges legislating from the bench.

Don't get me wrong, I DO very strongly believe that marriage is to be between a man and woman. I also feel very strongly in following the Prophet and know that he is the Lords mouthpiece here on the earth. So I ask for your YES vote as well as your prayers in getting prop 8 Passed.

From the mouths of babes...

Occasionally we go and pick Eli up from work. Mostly we do this to get out of the house but sometimes we do it before we all need to be somewhere. Last week we went and picked him up so that I could make my step class on time. We were in the turning lane behind a few cars, it was taking forever and we missed the light 2 times because there was so much traffic. As the light turned green we had a turn arrow multiple cars went turned before us, I thought this was it we were finally going to get to turn. As the light changed from a green arrow to a green light the car infront of me didn't even attampt to enter the intercetion then it happened the light turned yellow and then red. Stuck again. Hello, left turn YIELD on green, I was so frustrated that I said outloud, " oh, come on dude". Little did I know those words would come to haunt me. Yesterday as we drove to pick Eli up every single red light we hit Aubree would say, "come on dude". Then after 4-5 times at one light she said to me, "mom it didn't work, the light won't change." That's right Aubree now thinks that this is how to change the light. I am just glad it was something harmless, you never know what the little ears will pick up. Right Brett? BEEP BEEP.

I'm gonna wash the dirt right out of my hair,

I'm gonna wash the, oh wait it's lotion! While I was doing laundry today Aubree found some lotion; she asked me if she could put some on lotion on her legs. I told her thaw would be fun and went to change to laundry over, when I got back this is what I found. She had it everywhere, in her hair, on her shoes, her arms, and of course her legs. She thought if a little lotion on her legs was good then a lot of lotion every where was great. My fault, I totally take responsibility for it. I cleaned up the mess and washed the lotion out of her hair, guess maybe this time I deserve to lose a cotton ball.

O where, O where has my camera gone

There is a very good reason for the lag on posting recently, I have forgotten where I put my camera. I think I had it on Saturday, but I can't remember so I will have to put some good effort into finding it. I do however have our digital camera so if anything great happens I will post it and then go back to past when I find the camera.