for mom and sister

On Saturday I got to spend some time with these two. I loved every minute of it. I think there was a time warp in Cafe Rio, I had no idea how much time really past while in there. (feeling extra thankful to my awesome husband who watched the kids pretty much all day)

I love that I can laugh with them, talk about anything with them, get advice from them (and if there's ever anyone to get advice from, it's them. they are so honest, sincere, and loving)  I'm so happy that I can claim them.

Love these two so much, but I am also so blessed with some incredible sister-in-laws. Love them just as much.

And...isn't my mom so beautiful?! And doesn't my sister look just like her! Lucky.

for school teachers

We just had parent teacher conferences this week. I'm not sure why I get nervous to go, but I do. This week I left feeling pretty proud of each of the boys, and all for different reasons. School didn't come easy to me, and I see that in some of our boys too. However, they have worked hard and each have had some great successes in their own way. Which makes me so happy for them.  I also left feeling so happy that they each have teachers that love and care for them and want what is best for them. I feel so grateful that they are this way because our boys are in their care for a majority of the day. 

One of the feathers for our turkey said that we are grateful for teachers and so we wrote each of their teachers a thank you card last night and made them cookies. The boys left this morning with a little more excitement to go to school and see their teachers. 

I just had to snap photos of their cards since we will never see them again.

This year Corbin is in a class where he has two teachers and they trade off who teaches every other day.

I just love how Taylor drew his teacher (and those beautiful pearls). (and the monkey and turkey)

And Levi's little turkey...I just died.

for modern medicine

Today we took Rudger in for an ECG. When Rudger fell down the stairs last month we took him in to get x-rays, the doctor there found a slight heart murmur in him and told us to have his doctor check it on his next appointment. Today was that day. The doctor is not worried, but still wants it checked. We should find out in a couple of day.

I feel everything will be just fine, but it made me ponder today how grateful I feel to live in a day when these problems can be checked. I know in the end whatever happens in this life is Heavenly Father's will. But I also know that Heavenly Father provided modern technology and medicine to help us out while we are living on this earth. 

for sense of humor

The other day Corbin and his friend were begging me to print out a picture of a two-headed cow. I thought that was weird but finally agreed to do it. I didn't realize what they were up to until they came up, trying to hold back their laughing, and told me to go look on the street sign across the street.  Totally took me by surprise. (those two kids ran off before I could get a picture of them with the sign)

I come from a family with hilarious sense of humors. Justin makes me laugh everyday. And our boys are following in those same foot steps. I need to laugh, I love to laugh, and I get to laugh all the time. 

to remember gratitude

The more I see things the more it is on my mind. My hope is that I can really notice those things I love and appreciate them even more. This month we have put several things throughout our home to remind us to think more about our blessings. 

Remember this turkey? (scroll down the post to see his name) I laughed when I pulled it out again this year. But the boys love finding the feathers each day to add to this turkey.

After dinner we write what we are thankful for that day.

We are hoping to have this jar full by the time thanksgiving comes.

For the next couple of weeks I want to also share some of those simple blessings right here. Care to join? 

last scenes from halloween

We got some before pics of our pumpkins. Then we carved them and they were pretty awesome. But, I forgot to get pictures of them. A few days after Halloween I thought we better get pictures, but they were totally moldy by then. So straight into the garbage they went. Too bad. 

We grew our own pumpkins this year. We will definitely continue to do this. Next year we want to grow white pumpkins.

Rudger wanted nothing to do with getting pictures taken with his cute little pumpkin. This is where he was instead.

Halloween day we headed to Brigham to visit an awesome witch. Trick or treated to a couple favorite homes there. Came home and started dinner. Our new baby cousin came over and went trick or treating with us. We all decided to go together because the weather was quite pleasant. When we got home we watched 'Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein', while the boys quietly drifted off into a candy coma. 

Favorite picture of the night.

It's been a fun month, but I'm ready for something better. Seriously is the best time of year!

packer halloween party with lots of pictures

We look forward to this party every year. Makes me so happy to see the boys creating bonds with their cousins, and even more so with their grandparents.  

We have the traditional dry ice root-beer, donut eyeballs, Halloween-fun lunch, teasing from Grandpa, and decorating sugar cookies. This year we threw in donut eating contest and an impromptu leaf fight. Seriously epic. Grandma rocked it and got every grand kid there good. (except the babies of course)

Best picture of the day. 

After that epic leaf fight

Poor Cami is probably still cleaning up those leaves that got scattered everywhere. Everywhere. Thanks so much for hosting! 

Can't wait for next year!