A Trip to Logan

For Olivia's first home schooling field trip, I decided to take her on a day trip to Logan, where I went to college (Utah State).  We had a great day together and came home closer than we were when we left, which was the primary purpose of the trip.

We went to First Dam, ate a picnic of Subway sandwiches, then fed the ducks there and played with the soccer ball.

Olivia slept the whole way home, clutching the souvenir we bought at a consignment shop on our way out of town.  We also stopped at an awesome antique shop that was SO much fun (except for trying to keep Avery from touching things!).

Little Avery was all tuckered out by the end of the day and slept the whole way home too.

 One of the things we went to see: fall leaves changing colors in Sardine canyon:

 Our first stop was the Logan temple.  I love this temple because it looks like a castle.  It's a pity I've never been inside this one!

We couldn't leave Logan without eating some famous Aggie ice cream!  I almost forgot to take a picture of that stop, so it was taken right before we got in the car. I also stopped at all 4 of the apartments I lived in in Logan and took a picture of each one, but I'll spare you the boredom of going through those - for now, at least. 

We had a lot of fun together and it was good for her to feel like she got something special that the other kids didn't get.  Olivia tends to feel like she doesn't get enough attention and sometimes acts out to make sure she gets some.  Much of the reason I'm home schooling her this year is so that she will have enough time with me and so that we can strengthen our relationship.   

Misc. October Pictures

Miss Viva and Baby Avery:

Avery getting a haircut from Grandma Miller (thanks, Mom!)

Avery loves his big sister to help him get ready for bed.

Just cute

In the leaves...

 

 

Olivia and Ashlie helped my dad make green tomato jam.

But I Don't Even Own a Denim Jumper

 

In September I was released from my calling as Camp Director and called to be the First Counselor in the Primary presidency.  I was really sad and a little bit insulted when I was released because they told me I would be Camp Director for 2 years.  It made me feel like they weren't happy with the job I had done, but I'm pretty much over that now and am so happy to be in the Primary presidency!  I LOVE the Primary kids and I think this calling is going to be a good fit for me.  I love how hilarious Primary-age (3-11) kids are.  They say the darndest things! 

The others in our presidency are all people I love, which makes being in a presidency so much easier!  AND, I got the best compliment the first week I did Sharing Time: someone told me I was a 'natural teacher'!  I've never gotten a compliment like that before! Anyway, I'm happy to be serving where I am needed.
Note: Although I don't know this for sure, the picture at the top of this post has to be the work of Paul Mann, who is a member of our ward.  I found it on Sugardoodle, where they just referenced the Friend issue it was taken from. My girls and I recognize those in the painting as Megan Murri, Crystal Hadlock and Grant Peterson, all members of our ward.

I've Missed You!

I have missed blogging.  I think about it all the time, but there is just too much to do in life that I neglect my blog from time to time.  And when something has to go, blogging is one of the first things I stop doing.  But, if you're seeing this, it means you haven't completely given up on me!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween was hectic, as usual, but everyone finally made it into their costumes and out into the rain to collect candy from neighbors. When we went out it was a massive downpour and we all got soaked.  Just proves how much we like candy! 

Here are our Halloween 2010 pictures. The first one is from the ward Halloween party and the second one is from Halloween night (taken indoors due to inclement weather).

  

Olivia: SURGEON, Ashlie: BELLATRIX LESTRAUNGE (from Harry Potter), Alex: BATMAN, Avery: Pirate.

 

Olivia: SURGEON, Ashlie: BELLATRIX LESTRAUNGE (from Harry Potter), Alex: MISSIONARY, Avery: LION.  We revised our costumes for Halloween night because Avery would be too cold in his pirate costume and Alex's costume was lost (I later found it, where I'd put it so I'd be sure not to lose it!).

I took the kids out for a while, then Rob traded me places and I went home and made hot cocoa and cleaned up the mess from the hectic day.  Rob brought Avery back and they all got some hot cocoa, then went out for more.