Amy's 19th

We celebrated Amy's (gulp) 19th birthday in Orem this week. We had a great time shopping, going to dinner, attending the celtic folk band "Kirkmount" 's concert, and eating pie and opening presents.



No, I'm not kidding. This is really how excited Amy was, waiting for the concert to start!



Amy with her birthday pumpkin pie.



Sam and Amy "bustin' some moves" before karate class.



We visited cousins while there. Amy is holding Manda and Ivan's baby, Asher.



Mindy, Amy, Allyson, Sydney, Maddie, Stephanie, and Jessica in Sean and Stephanie's backyard.

Pumpkins!

I told Grandpa Jeff I'd be "right up" to bed, but then I read Ally's blog and realized I should post some pictures of their pumpkins we carved last night. I haven't quite figured out my new camera so the pictures aren't as good as they should be, but you can get the idea...



"Tyler" carved a dragon, then stamped a star and a Mickey.



Ally designed her own original Jack-o-Lantern face...



Julie's pumpkin has vampire teeth...



And Maddie's kitty is definitely not done justice in this blurry photo...

Dad's took a little longer. Photo later...

All pretty cool, huh? Happy Halloween!

Talented Gal

My niece, Sarah, has highly entertaining children and posts a "quote of the week" from one of the three on her blog. We got to see their family for a few minutes while visiting in Utah last weekend...and I'M going to steal her quote this week! (I'm sure there will be plenty more...I hope she doesn't mind.)

Sarah was doing 4-year-old Ben's Spiderman make-up for a party they were supposed to attend in half an hour. She was just whipping it out and I said, "Wow, Ben. Your mom is SO talented."
Ben's answer- "Yeah! ...AND she's good at...DOIN' STUFF!"



I think I'll have to agree...Not only did she make a great Spiderman costume...


She created a pretty groovy Fred, Velma, and Scooby Doo and an "amazthing glittery Thea Therpent!" What a fun family!

Happy Anniversary!

We've been gone all weekend, so I'm late in wishing David and Loretta a happy 12th anniversary. I am so proud of all their accomplishments and growth in those twelve years. I'm so glad to have Loretta and the girls in our family. It certainly wouldn't be the same without them. I love you guys! Happy anniversary!

A New Start

Maddie and Julie had their first junior high school orchestra concert last night. We were all prepared for squeaky violins as all the students in Julie's group have only been playing for seven weeks. To our surprise and delight, the beginning orchestra sounded great! They played four songs in unison, and they were wonderful! Maddie's intermediate group played well too and had a fun time with their last number, "Dragon Slayer." They borrowed some percussionists from the band and made their song sound really dramatic with gongs. I thought they sounded almost as good as the advanced group!

The principal wouldn't let the orchestra teacher, Mr. Schultheis, put this quote on the programs for the concert, as it mentioned God. But I really like it, so I'm posting it here:

"Bach gave us God's Word,
Mozart gave us God's laughter,
Beethoven gave us God's fire,
God gave us music that we might pray without words."
**Quote from outside an old opera house***

I never appreciated classical music until Amy joined orchestra. Now I love it! I'm so glad Maddie and Julie decided on orchestra for their sixth grade elective. I feel like I'm starting a great adventure all over again!

I am a Witch - Well, no Surprise There, Right?

You Are a Witch (or Warlock)

You are deviously brilliant and a perfect manipulator. You somehow always end up getting what you want - without anyone knowing you're working behind the scenes. Crafty and cunning, you can work your way out of any jam. And it's easy for you to get people to do what you want, whether you're working for good or evil. Your greatest power: Mind control Your greatest weakness: Making people your puppets You play well with: Ghosts

What Kind of Monster Are You?

Who Needs Toys?

It's not like Gramma Linda and Grampa Jeff don't have the coolest toys ever at their house. It's not like Gramma Linda can go to Walmart or Babies 'R' Us without finding some new fun thing for the babies to play with. It's not like the toy bins are not constantly filled with the latest and greatest of play things. No, it's not that. It's just...who needs them when there's an empty box around to play with???


Tyler, kicking back...


Little cousins can fit in together...


...till one of them gets a better idea!


Every time Maddie said, "Tyler, look at me and smile," this is what she got...


Even a "big girl" can have fun in an empty box. Ally-looking comfy...