Give Thanks at all Times...

Ok...so I realize that Halloween is not a holiday that most think anything about giving Thank You's, but if you know me, you know that is so a holiday I love!! When I came across these cute free Halloween Printables at Cap Creations I had to do something with them. So I made mini jar candles for the boys to take to their teachers. I love how they turned out!

for the Love of cupcakes...

cute Free Halloween Printable at http://www.capcreations.blogspot.com/

I had to get these cute boxes at Hobby Lobby when I saw they held three cupcakes. I love cupcakes...Hint that would be a reason I am in a weight loss challenge :) I was going to make them for a little Halloween Thank You for the boys teachers but I came up with something super cute for that project and thought well I have a few friends that would enjoy a cupcake surprise.

Dragons & Pumpkin Pizza...

Last night we took the boys downtown to Spook Night. They have been so excitied to be

able to wear their costums. They are dragons off the new movie "How To Train Your Dragon"

Today the kids and I made Pumpkin Pizza's for lunch. They turned out so cute, I think the boys and I will need to make them tonight for supper.

A Sweet Day with Family...

Sunday was Haedyn's dedication. It was a wonderful service and was truly a blessing to be able to attend her special day. I enjoyed being able to see family and spend time with them all. It was great being able to see my grandpa and give him a big hug. It is a blessing to have such a large family and to be able to get together.

Tylor, Lindsey and baby Haedyn during the dedication

My Eternal Family

Fun Filled Fall Day...

We started off last night to North Platte to go on the Scout Haunted Hike...and it began to poor rain and lighting. When we finally found the camp where the Hike was neither Julie or I felt that it would be any fun or safe. So we had to tell the kids that it just was not going to happen, they were sad of course but a treat would heal all!

So today we just decided to head out to Kearney to see what we could do fun with the kids to make up for the tough night before...we first stopped at the Apple Orchard, it was so wonderful. Each kid got to get a bag and go pick apples from the trees, there were so many types of apples, so big and beautiful. They filled their bags as full as they possibly could.

Gwen, Trevor, Julie, Tara, Riley and Chandler

Chandler and Tara

Riley and Chandler picking apples

14 lbs. of apples

We then went to the Children's Museum after a little stop at Hobby Lobby.

Riley Man

Chandler on the Rock Wall

Chandler and Trevor play in the grocery store

After the Children's Museum we went out for Pizza and then headed home.

We stopped outside of Elm Creek at the Cinderella's Pumpkin Patch. It was a small

patch but it made the kids so happy. Julie and I made mother's of the year~four very happy kids!

It has been a long time since we have taken the kids somewhere together, it was

much needed friend time for all of us!! We are so lucky to have such wonderful friends

in our lifes...we are truly blessed.

Trevor, Ry, Chandler and Tara out in the pumpkin patch

Trevor, Riley and Chandler (with his baby pumpkin)

Thank you for a FUN FILLED FALL DAY!!

Mummy's Treats...

Today this mommy made treats for the boy's Halloween Parties. I made 43 of these cute mummy candy bars. Also today I made Pumpkin Bars for Chandlers class for the letter P. I was a busy little mummy today!!

Flaming Gorge Utah

this was the view just a little hike from the cabin

my sweet boys

on our hike on the foot trail to the bottom of the gorge

on our hike along the river

this is the cabins we stayed in We went on vacation to Flaming Gorge Utah...it was so pretty with the golden aspens and beautiful landscape. We went camping for a few days and then on into Salt Lake City to visit temple square. I can say it was one of the best vacations I have ever been on. So beautiful and so relaxing it really made me stop and enjoy the amazing beauty that the Lord has given us. It was a much needed trip to not have any worries of what needed to be done but

to just enjoy everything around me.

A Spook-tacular Day...

Crafting my day away...

Today I made three more American Doll Quilts with PURE by Sweetwater...it is just so soft and

cute! Ava has a little bitty baby Boy named John John and he needed a quilt like the others.

So we could not leave him out. Ava helped me yesturday get the fabic cut and she layed them

all out how she wanted them. (I love how she is growing for a love of fabic)

So I have been wanting to make some of this rosette pins you see everywhere but never have done anything but think about getting them made. Today I decided I would just try one to see with just some scraps of binding I had left over from my "Happy Jack" wall hanging. I think it turned out pretty cute. I have some practice to do and of course need to go get some silk fabric to work with. I am really happy with this one and you will probley even see me wear it! I have loved the vintage look for the last few seasons and I think these pins have just the right touch.

Roughing It...

This week Chandler has wanted to pitch the tent and camp...I used this as a great tool to help Chandler with his mood when he came home from school.

(he has been SO grumpy the last few weeks) He worked hard all week on his attitude.

So the boys are roughing it tonight and camping in the Living Room :)

Chandler and Riley enjoying a little Phineas and Ferb

while camping this evening

Enjoying Life...

Over the weekend daddy went on a camping trip with a few of his high school friends, they use to get together and go on a trip at least once a year but of course as we each have began our lives and families, time is harder to find. We were so happy they where able to get together this year for their trip and it gave the boys and I some time together with so little on our "to do list". Sat we went out for lunch with friends and then both boys got to go play a few hours in the evening with friends as I went and helped Becky out at Bella.

Sunday was Riley's last football game and what a fun game to watch. I have been so proud of him and the great new things he has learned and goals he set.

I started a camera class through the collage, it is for SLR cameras and I am really excitied to learn more about my camera. I have always loved taking photos and had a great love for photography but I am telling you the digital world is so big and I just feel lost sometimes...but want and want to know more. This is a picture I had to take in my class as we were learning more about White Balance.
I am sure you will see more of my learnings as the month goes on...

Monday Chandler's class began learning the letter "A" so for snack he took

APPLE DIPPERS from McDonalds

Can you guess what I have been doing in my spare time???????

You guessed it...I am HOOKED I am loving machine quilting!

This is my "Happy Jack" wall hanging I made to go over the TV in my

living room. He makes me smile and if I say so myself is SO CUTE :)

My Calling...

I have known from a very young age that I enjoyed children...I always wanted to be a mommy!! I had a very special Aunt that was a big part of my life and as a child and young woman I knew I wanted to be just like her. She was always doing something for her kids or involved in whatever they were doing at that point in their life. I still look up to her in every way and pray that I can be as wonderful as she. I do believe children are my calling and I am so thankful that Heavenly Father has given me two wonderful boys, but I am also so blessed to have 8 other children that are just as much mine. I get to help teach them and watch them grow into the amazing kids they are.

This week Chandler's class has been working on the letter "T" so I made a Treasure Chest cake for snack today. It turned out so cute!! I also sent a treasure for each child to take home with them. I love the wonderful things Chandler's teacher is doing for his class and if I can help out by adding a little fun to the learning I am always up for that challange.

This week I have taught Avery how to sew with a sewing machine...she is hooked-that is all she wants to do. (I understand the feeling) We made her this super cute American Girl Doll Quilt and then this morning we made her this pillow sham and little pillow.

Gran said that we could use her little sewing machine she had bought for the grandkids to sew on and I think we may have to use it so Avery can get scraps and just sew whatever she wishes.