HI all

Hey guys. Love ya, Gramps

Brrr...Did you guys email us your weather it's so cold today! I think it's time for coats and gloves so I guess that means shopping-we threw out all the coats at the end of winter last year-they were looking a little scruffy! Obeta has been in Florida all week enjoying the 92 degree weather-sucker. He was there last week as well so it's been a very busy few weeks for us. We'll be so glad when he comes tomorrow night. I took school off on Tuesday so I'd have two days with the kids this week-it was nice to spend time with them and to breathe from school. Back to the hospital today and tomorrow for my 7 hour shifts.

The kiddos are trying to decide what they want to be for Halloween-I hate spending money on costumes that are worn once. I always encourage them to wear one from last year but it rarely goes over well. Any ideas? What are the boys being? Kaobe wants to be Jason as in Jason with a chainsaw and mask! EWWW! He's doing great in school so far he got an A on his first math test-which we are very happy with! His band teacher asks him to help the other students in class because he played trombone last year. I hope he'll stick with it-he still loves to play piano and practices a lot during the week but unfortunately his piano teacher has fallen between the cracks for the next few months!

Ada is becoming pre teen-she is a little stinker with attitude. She is driving me crazy-if she gets her way she is perfect if not watch out for the witch. I'm not looking forward to puberty with her! We've taken up ping pong which she is actually pretty good at, we've been having fun! We just use our dining table and put something up for the net. Indy and Leiah play. Play. Play. Play. Stuffies(we've taken over scoutie's word), pollies, babies, playdough, house etc.... They are so good to entertain themselves. Makes my life easier and gives me time to study! They have been watching Eloise and Madeline and are loving them. It's a nice break from Dora and Tom and Jerry!

So we are surviving it. I wasn't sure how I was going to cope this fall-but we are doing it somehow. This semester is the toughest so far and has been the most challenging. I'm just hoping I'm retaining enough to not kill someone (honestly). I can't wait for Thanksgiving and Christmas and already have out the music! Love you guys-have fun when you get together! Amanda

Hair Apointment!

Hallie took this picture when Jen was up for Super Saturday and thinks it's the funniest!

Freezing cold!

Hey Fam,

We are doing all we can just to keep warm here. It did make it up to 29 degrees this afternoon finally, but we were in the lower 20's all day yesterday, the roads are frozen and we finally started the fireplace back up!

We stayed in for most of the weekend just because it was too cold to go out, but Phuc and I made it to see Couples Retreat on Saturday. It's a funny one, if you want a good laugh. Other than that, there's not much news. Jacie's been attached to her stuffed kitty, named Rosalina (Hallie picked the name and still tries to steal it from J), Devin got to start cub scouts on Tuesday and was so excited. He and Ty always have my Ipod, playing games so I can never use it. Ty has just been busy teasing us, and that reminds me of a funny story for you.

On Sat we were eating at Panera Bread and Phuc dared Ty to eat a whole bowl of just salad greens for a buck. Always one for easy money, Ty quickly started stuffing in lettuce. There were a lot of greens in that bowl and after a few minutes I joked with him that he was going to pooh green. He then demanded at least $2 for eating so much, we laughed and said a deal is a deal. So Tyson in his ever cunning way said, "Oh yeah, well I'm going to go in your bathroom and I'm NOT going to use air refreshener!"

Anyway, he had us laughing for awhile. Hallie has been busy with school and playing with her good friend, Autumn. She is exhausted at the end of the day and she falls asleeep immediately. Phuc is off tomorrow, or I guess today for Columbus Day and I have just been trying to keep up. My sleep schedule is all whacked up again and I'm trying to get in to see an endocrinologist for my thyroid. I still don't think my dosage is right, but it gives me a chance to update our blog! I'm working on posting some pics on my blog so check it out if you get a chance. Love ya, Jess

Hey kids

Thanks Laws for coming out and having dinner. I enjoyed our conversation and appreciate your advice. How are the rest of you doing? Dad is cold in Wisconsin and it's getting a wee bit too chilly here for me. I had a fun one person bonfire last night and got all of my cornstalks, branches etc. burned-it was the perfect evening to accomplish that task. The only drawback was when I turned on the water, I got a knob turned wrong and I got soaked-and I admit I did cuss at that one. So glad Super Saturday is over and hope to never do another one. I love working in the relief society, but I don't like those hectic craft days.
It was fun to talk to the kids tonight, I missed Jessica's family, so I will try them Monday. I have the day off and I'm very excited to finish a book and hang out. The canning is done and I only have 3/4 of a bucket of apples to dry-they are yummy.
So, what food do you want for Thanksgiving and who's coming for sure...of course you're all invited. We need a family jet and a condo for holidays so we can all get together. Ahhh-sweet dream. Have a great week and keep in touch, I love the calls and emails and letters. Love and hugs, mom

Happy Fall!!!!!! Or should I say winter?

Hi everyone! Just thought I would say hi. Were just hanging out trying to stay warm. It's getting really chilly in Erie tonight. We went to the homecoming parade this afternoon and the kids got enough candy to cancel Halloween. The boys have a friend over for a sleepover and are playing why Cody, Hero and I are snuggled up on the bed watching TV.

Surf and Scout are doing great. They are both being clones for Halloween. Surf told me a few weeks ago that he thinks he can get the whole cul de sac to be clones. Sure enough, all the boys have their clone costumes and Surf thinks it's so cool that he is the one who instigated it all. I decided to not mention that to the other Mom's.

Cody is keeping busy with work and HOA and School Board duties. He is putting the finishing touches on his drive line software he wrote for the school. I don't know what he'll do when that is finished. He's having a good time finishing it up. Everyone at the school is so happy about it and they keep thanking him. We were walking down the hall the other day and one of the teachers called him a "hero". It was sooo embarrassing. I can't be seen with him at the school any more:0).

Today I got to book a trip to San Fran to visit Krys in November. I'm so excited. Were going to have a nice quiet girls weekend. The boys and I are also going to Utah for Thanksgiving and we are sooooo excited! I can't wait for pumpkin pie and New Moon! I've been trying to enjoy all the peace and quiet this past month and get some projects done before I start school in Jan. I guess thats all folks!

I can't wait to see Mom, Dad, Clar, and Nate in a few weeks!

I love you and miss you all!

Love,

Jen

Hi family

It's Thursday night already, where does the time go? Dad had a whole 12 hours home-8 spent sleeping. We did get a date in at Beehive Grill and he helped me pick up my grain order. Man I miss the guy. This week had been nuts, my computer at work crashed and we lost everything-so I'm starting over with files and I will make sue we back up things. I've about reached my canning burnout-we got so many apples last week, I've been drying them each day, also herbs. Friday I hope to get most of the apples done and also make red pepper jelly and defrost the big freezer. We had a fun witch party at work-I have to say I love to dress up and party!! The fort was torn down and the boys rebuilt a bigger better one. I'm glad they enjoy using the field. Work is as busy as always and super Sat. will be over this week-yeah. Would all of you please email aunt Becky your addresses-she's sending out info. for family parties next year.
I love the notes, pictures on this blog and phone calls from the kids....thanks for keeping in touch.
Hugs to all, mom