Halloween is about. . . .

It seems like the older the kids get the less I have to do with them for Halloween.  This year was a very different year for me.  Cody asked if he could have a party with his friends so I knew I would be home chaperoning his party and I farmed the rest of the kids out to friends.  This is the first year in about 18 that I did not take the kids trick-or-treating and stayed home to answer the door.  (Usually Doug does that).  All the kids went four different ways, and all had a great time. 

Mady went with her friends to a party in Toquerville.  They all dressed up as the "Dougs'" in Doug's coveralls.  They thought they were SO funny!!!  They giggled and giggled about it.

 This is Mady, Chelsi Cahoon, Mercy Something, and Alyssa Bohne all dressed up as Doug, and Doug and their other brother Doug, and Larry.  (Alyssa's coveralls didn't have a name on them.)

This is Mady, Rachel Nielson and Chelsi ready to go to the party.  No one recognized Rachel until she smiled and then they thought she was her Mom, Britta.  What a great costume!!! 

Dalyon went trick -or-treating with his friend Dallas.  He dressed up in his Karate outfit, but Dallas wasn't ready to go when we got there.  They went all over Dallas' neighborhood begging candy and having fun together. 

Cami went as a farm girl with her friend Jessica Perry.  Jessica lives in a neighborhood call Roberts Ranch and they close the street off and have a big Halloween spook alley/trick-or-treat/party with all the neighbors.  Most of the town drop their kids off at one end of the neighborhood and let them go for the night.  Jessica's Mom took the girls to other neighborhoods that night because they get better candy if they do.  Funny.  They had a really great time. 

We didn't get any pictures of Cody and his friends but had a good time at home with them.  He had Carsen Bjelland, Summer Stratton, Hollie Isom, and a few other friends over for a small party.  I think everyone had a great time, and definitely their sugar fix. 

The gifts of Music

It is that time of year when each of the orchestra's our kids are in have their annual fall concerts.  This year I enjoyed three.

  Dalyon is in the beginning orchestra in the intermediate school and he plays the cello.  It is a lot harder to play than he thought but I think he is getting the hand of it.  His concert was on Thursday October 25.

Dalyon was very nervous for his first concert but I think enjoyed it anyway.  He seems timid right now with his playing and I hope he gains confidence and keeps practicing.  I know he will enjoy it as he gets better.

Cody is in the Middle School and he and Mady have the same teacher for their orchestra's,  Mrs. Thorton teaches both the Middle and High School orchestras so they have the same concert night.  My mom and dad came and we ended up sitting on the wrong side of the auditorium so I had to strain for a picture of him.  It was a Halloween concert so all of the kids dressed up, and Cody went as a cowboy (how did you guess that?).   He is a strong player and Mrs. Thorton always complements him on his playing. 

Mady also played that night in the High School orchestra and symphony.  She really enjoys playing also, however I couldn't get a picture of her in her costume because she was on the other side of the stage.  I guess I'm not very good at guessing where the kids are going to sit ha ha, but I will do better from now on. 

Cami also performed for the fall festival on the 27th of October at the first annual Halloween festival held in St. George at the town square.  It was a fun festival with magicians and lots of costumes, food, and games.  The performers before her group were belly dancers and she was funny because she couldn't watch, saying they were too immodest.  She did a great job dancing and smiling and having fun.

We are proud of all our kids and I'm especially grateful that they are interested in music and performing, even if it on a small scale. 

Taking a Little Time Out

Every couple of years a few friends and I get together and take a little Time Out.  Deseret Book Company puts on a production called Time Out For Women where they have several authors speak and LDS musical artists perform in uplifting and spiritually edifying ways.  In the past we have gone to Las Vegas when the tour was there, but this year we decided to try Richfield, Utah for a quieter, less traffic place to enjoy ourselves.  The idea turned out to be fabulous, and very very fun! 

We stayed at the Hampton Inn in Richfield and there were three to a room.  I went with Bobette Green, Maria Hall, Shelly Beutler, Joyce Swyers, and my Mom.  Bobette drove because she knows Richfield, her in laws live there and she visits often.  We traveled together on Friday afternoon, getting there early enough to check into our hotel and grab a bite to eat at the Wingers next door.

It seems the ride wasn't as stimulating as we had hoped.  Shelly got the coveted seat in the back, and the others were out, until I mentioned putting something up Maria's nose and she magically came awake. 

 Dinner at Wingers.  I love the "self portraits" (when you take the picture of yourself with your own camera).  They seem to always give you a double chin. 

Cute picture of Maria and Joyce trying to hide behind their menus.  Being silly is a part of the fun!

 Our seats were up in the balcony and it was great seats for us!  With the big screens we could see the speakers and performer up close and still enjoy everything. 

It is amazing how, in a room as large as this, with this many people there and all the disruptions that the spirit can be so strong and witness to you of truth. 

Jenny Oaks Baker, an exceptional violinist performed for us on Friday night.  Shelly and I got our pictures takes with her and Shelly got a CD autographed for her daughter Sadie, who is also an exceptional violinist.  Her music is beautiful. We also heard from Sheri Dew and  Virginia Hinkley Pierce.

Sleep was very late in coming for us that night.  When you let a group of women get away together without any kids of husbands, we tend to let our hair down and get silly, which is what happened that night.  Someone brought ice cream, bowls and spoons and dropped them off at Maria's room and told her to take some and pass it to the next room, so we did!  We also had treats we had picked up at Wal-Mart that night and we talked and laughed until well after midnight.  Such fun memories!!
 

 On our way into the convention Saturday morning they handed out their famous bags.  Every year they give those who attend on Saturday a fabulous bag, and this year was no exception.  Don't we all look happy and like we are having a good time? 

We had a great day with lots of great information and perspective changes.  We listened to the music of Mercy River and heard presentations from authors like DeAnn Flynn, Michael Wilcox, Wendy Ulrich, and Emily Freeman.  After the convention we took another photo opportunity on a rock outside of the convention center.  The weather was a perfect fall day, and the leaves were changing, adding to the beauty of the weekend. 

Not in any hurry to get home, we took a few moments to look around Richfield and eat at the famous Pufferbellys Mexican restaurant.  Our cute little waiter got in the picture with us, and a bunch of others before that .  Funny guy.  We had a really nice time together and I love to look over my notes and remember what I learned, hopefully to apply the ideas into my life.  I look forward to going again in a couple of years!!