IT'S VOODOO TIME....

BUT BEFORE YOU GO STICKING PINS WHERE THEY DON'T BELONG...Let me tell you my favorite voodoo personal story. As many of you know, for years I was a "Ballet Mom."
I would watch through the glass window as my little Melissa would take hours upon hours of classical ballet lessons. As she got older, the competition got more intense. So many little girls turning into young ladies, and all wanting to be professional ballerinas. Auditions were gut wrenching; and I am talking about the "ballet stage mothers (myself included, I was probably the worse) waiting in the wings while my young daughter tried out for numerous placement opportunities. Who says VOODOO doesn't work? When Melissa was about 13 she was auditioning for a major dance role in an upcoming ballet. We knew it was down to two girls; Melissa and - well, let's call her Jessica. The night before the big audition, Melissa and I visited the University of Utah Book Store and ran across a voodoo doll and a book on voodoo. We looked at each other, laughed and paid the cashier for the doll with pins. We went home and sat on the family room floor and took turns sticking the pins into the right ankle of the doll while repeating a chant on Jessica's behalf. I can't remember the exact words we used, but it wasn't pretty! The next day I shoved my way between anxious parents at the window and watched as the girls did their warm up exercises to prepare for the final auditions. I noticed right off that Jessica wasn't in warmup class. (could it be?) I inquired amongst the mothers as to Jessica's absence and one unsuspecting mother blurted out that Jessica wouldn't be to class as she had broken her ankle. Wow! It worked! I did feel bad for about oh, almost a minute. However, Melissa sure looked beautiful in that lead ballet role.
Melissa went on to becoming a soloist with Nevada Ballet Theatre for seven years.

HARD WORK and some VOODOO Never Hurt Anyone...

Some fun photos from performing in DRACULA with Nevada Ballet Theatre

SCENTSCY PARTY at SHARI'S HOUSE....

Thanks so much to Shari for hosting a SCENTSY PARTY in her beautiful home last night.
I haven't laughed so hard since ... oh...let's see, probably 1988. I had forgotten what great friends the Hofhines were and how much fun we use to have together. I just love Shari and Sue. Oh, the party turned out great also. I am loving this SCENTSY STUFF. Thanks again Shari and Sue. Can't wait to go to the movies next week with you guys.

I MISS MY HUSBAND....

Today was Sunday, and even though I had a housefull of my kids and grandkids, I was just a little down. Paul has been traveling SO MUCH with work lately. He always puts me and the family first. I love him so much, and I miss him. I can't let myself think about it too much or I will loose it and start to cry. I broke down at lunch the other day with my son Zach and I am having a hard time holding it together now, but the only one to see me have a melt down is MOSES and CASH. The kids have all gone home, Aaron is down stairs, and the house is quiet. Paul left last Sunday afternoon after being home for less than 16 hours from the previous week. He returned this morning at 11:20 and was home long enough to repack his bags and was headed back to the airport 45 minutes later. When Aaron asked him why he had to go out every week he replied..."I have to provide for my family." On nights like tonight I wonder if it is all worth it. I just wish things were different, and we had some sort of a normal life... TOGETHER!

AUDREY'S IN THE KITCHEN AGAIN....

Well, Audrey has outdone herself yet again. Saturday afternoon we went to the Farmer's Market at Murray Park. Audrey wanted to get some fresh tomatos, peppers, onions, and cilantro and make her "TO DIE FOR" salsa. While we were there, she informs me that she wanted to get some fresh peaches and make a "HOMEMADE from SCRATCH" PEACH PIE. Considering the fact that Audrey has never made a homemade pie, and I always struggled with mine, I had my doubts. I should have know better. Both the Salsa and the Pie was delicious. Great job Audrey.... you out did youself yet again. Thanks for all you do for this family. We love you!

A TRIP TO THE HALLOWEEN COSTUME STORE

Aunt Audrey trying on masks for the little ones...

Lydia Checking Out The Scary Masks

A trip to the Halloween Costume store left Lydia a little unsure about things. However, she was such a good sport. I love this photo of her looking at Aunt Audrey trying on a scary mask.

Lydia Felt Safer in the Group...

It's always safer in numbers...Aunt Audrey is the one in the middle with the mask on.

Adrienne Checking Out a Costume....Say What?

My Favorite ...

Evelyn & Lydia found these darling old fashioned hats. They look so cute in them. No tears here!

AARON JOINS IN THE FUN....

After our trip to the scary Halloween Mask Store, we went home and Aaron had returned from work (he has been working overtime so Trynity can go to a fantastic pre-school). We had told him about our fun time trying on masks and he felt like he wanted to scare someone, so he grabbed the "head" that we found blowing down our street last October and he stuck it in the sun roof and off we went to Zach and Kelly's house. You should have seen the people pointing, staring and honking at us. He got such a kick out of it. I love to hear Aaron laugh, it's the best!

First SKUNKS...Now BADGERS.....what's next?

For those of you who don't know what this creature is....IT'S A BADGER! I hear they are very mean and can rip you to shreds (quote from my sweet husband).

"DON'T OPEN THE DOOR, NANA'S IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD"

"Don't open the door, Nana's in the neighborhood," was Zach's exact quote to his kids when he saw me drive by his house two nights ago, just after dark. It's that time of year again, where we delight in frightening the grandkids and whoever else will scream the loudest (i.e., Jesi Taylor). I met up with a guy who owns a taxidermy shop and he gave me this fun creature as he was about to put it in the garbage can. He was curious as to why I wanted it. I told him it would come in handy at this time of year. The twins and I first drove to Zach's house to scare his kids; which we didn't get a very good response because they were on alert. Then off to Jesi Taylor's house where Kristy was over visiting. That was a classic! Thanks Jesi for being such a good sport, even though we scared you almost silly.
Oh, I also sent Paul a photo on my camera phone (he is in New York) and told him that I found this creature eating out of the skunk's bowl and what the heck was it. His response.... "We are in serious trouble. You have GOT to stop feeding these animals. That is a badger, and it will rip you to shreds." He's so cute to worry about me, isn't he?"

HE'S HARMLESS....

Mikayla wanted to pose with the frightful beast!

GET WELL LuLu...

You know how us moms just hate it when our children get sick...well, I still do! Melissa is trying to go to school full time and hold down an "almost full time" job too. On top of all that she is dealing with in Mesa...she is sick to boot. Suffering from a cold and bad throat. Keep her in your prayers. It's tuff to be sick and away from home too. We love you LuLu...get better!

IS THERE SOMETHING ON MY FACE?

Our cute little Zeke.

TRYN wanted to Come with Her Daddy...

On Saturday night, Jasmin called and said she was in Ogden area and wanted to know if we wanted to drive up and have dinner with Tryn; so Aaron, Heather and I drove to up and had dinner with Jasmin, Tryn and Jasmin's new baby. After dinner, Tryn didn't want to go home with her mom and wanted to come to her Daddy's house instead. Jasmin has been so great to encourage a relationship between Trynity and her Dad. So, Trynity came home with us and spent Saturday night and Sunday day, until Jasmin came to get her. She loves her cousins and loved riding in the Jeep with them. It was great watching the family enjoy her company, especially Aaron.

LIKE DADDY...LIKE DAUGHTER...

Aaron so was excited when Trynity took to playing on the XBOX ... He had me come running with the camera so I could snap her photo of her playing with the pink controller he bought for her when she comes to visit. She actually did pretty good!

TOMATOS for MELISSA

Wish you were here LuLu to enjoy these yummy little tomatos from your dad's garden.
I know you would love them; so I posted this photo just for you.
Enjoy!

THEY SURE ARE HIRING THEM YOUNG at MEMORIAL ESTATES....

Saturday night I had to take a 5 hour shift of duty at the Utah State Fair Exhibit Booth for my work. Heather and her family came to the Fair and stopped by the booth to say hello. Zeke immediately wanted to take my place behind the booth. No problem, as I had been sitting there for three hours and was getting sick of it. After a few minutes...Zeke felt the same way I did....

"BUY or ELSE!"... Sales can be frustrating!

HI AUNT LULU...I LOVE MY NEW OUTFIT FROM ASU

While Aaron, Heather and myself were visiting Melissa a few weeks back, we purchased a cute little outfit for Zeke and one for Kingston. Since Melissa is going to Mortuary Science School in Arizona, we thought the boys would like cute in ASU official clothing. We miss you Aunt LuLu

A SAD DAY IN A BEAUTIFUL GRANDAUGHTERS LIFE...

This morning Heather and I went shopping and when I returned home, Paul and his brother Eugene were cutting down the old Flowering Pear Tree in the yard. Even though I knew it was dying and couldn't be saved, I was hanging onto it for as long as I could. My beautiful grandaughter MIKAYLA just about lives in that tree. Everytime I would walk out of my front door and see that tree, I would think about Mikayla. Sorry sweetie....

Mikayla thought that if she refused to move out of the Tree, Grandpa would not cut it down.

FUN OVER!

CHILDREN ARE SO RESOURCEFUL....

Only minutes after the Pear Tree was cut down, Mikayla moved onto the QUAKING ASPEN TREE severl feet away. She scampered up that big tree like a squirrel protecting his nuts (that sounds funny, doesn't it)....
Anyway...this tree is much bigger, so I am ALOT MORE NERVOUS...!Perhaps I forgot to mention that Mikayla once fell out of the Pear Tree and the ambulance was called for an emergency visit to the hospital. Grandpa...where is the saw!

ISN'T THIS A CUTE FAMILY PORTRAIT?

Don't you agree, that this is one cute family?

MY LITTLE GIRL GOES BACK TO SCHOOL...

STARTING KINDERARTEN AT GRANT ELEMENTARY (NOTICE THE BOYS ALREADY CHECKING HER OUT)

GRADUATING FROM RIVERVIEW JUNIOR HIGH
Melissa has spent the last seven years of her life living a dream. She has been dancing with NEVADA BALLET THEATRE out of Las Vegas. Even though I hated to see her quit dancing, I am so proud of her for taking this important step in her life to go back to school and then enter MORTUARY SCIENCE SCHOOL. She has now completed two weeks of school and I can't wait for her phone calls each night to tell me how her day has gone in the classroom. It takes a unique and special person to endure the life of a professional ballerina, and an even more unique and special person to become a mortician. We love our LuLu....

MAKING THE DECISION TO RETURN TO SCHOOL

MOSES and friend RELAXING IN THE SUN....

My cats are so silly sometimes... Here is a photo of MOSES sitting in the kid's little leather chair with a dolly. He barely fits in the chair, but he was sure enjoying relaxing in the sunshine.

OUT SMARTED BY THE SKUNKS

Paul isn't happy about the SKUNKS (well I guess he never was). So...he tells me I need to STOP FEEDING THEM... He told me I could put out one bowl of cat food each morning for the "OUTDOOR KITTY" and that I COULD NOT put out anymore food during the day, especially at night. Since skunks sleep all day and only come out at night they wouldn't have access to anymore food and hopefully leave the backyard permanently. Well, I have been following orders, and for the past three nights I went to bed each night without any food on the back porch. I kept checking... NO SKUNKS...This is good, right? Well this morning at 11:00 am... I found this guy eating the cat food.
SO MUCH FOR ONLY COMING OUT AT NIGHT. Although he did look pretty tired. He almost fell asleep in the dish..

CASH LOVES NANCY GRACE..

Cash Monkey loves to watch NANCY GRACE every night. When she comes on the TV ... He gets excited and jumps on the the wall mounted flat screen TV...It is quite the balancing act..WE LOVE NANCY GRACE!

HI AUNT LULU..."I'm getting Big"

New Photos of Baby Kingston...

NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT?

NO HAIR...NO BINKY!

Well...what can I say? Probably alot of things that would get me in trouble! So, I guess I will keep my mouth shut (those of you who know me, probably know that is IMPOSSIBLE)...Anyway...
congrats to our little guy Zeke for now being two weeks 'BINKY FREE'...! Oh, and as you might notice...Zeke had his head shaved by his daddy Sunday afternoon. Well, that's all I can say on that subject!