Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween! Harrison Blvd (street by our apartment) had the coolest decorations and there were soooo many kids out tonight. It looked like a scene from a movie. Cops come and help with the traffic as well as hand out blinking reflectors for the kids costumes. Very neat stuff. The street is almost a mile long and there are some big big houses on it. They all decorated for Halloween and then that night----tons of people come out to trick or treat. I have never seen that many people out on a Halloween night in my life. It was awesome.

These pumpkin pictures are from one of the houses. They have a pumpkin carving party each year and this year, they had 50 pumpkins! I bet they have to bring them in at night, so the stupid kids don't trash them.

Hope your Halloween was great! Toby was in class, just like he was last year. I am looking forward to next year cuz we'll have a little kid to dress up! Yea!

Halloween with the fam

I went to Tory and Elizabeth's house to help pass out candy with Michelle. She was Disney's Nemo. Pretty cute too! I took some photos of her in her costume and then one of the family.

It was a fun night, eating candy and seeing all the kids in their cute costumes.

Concert was SO FUN!

The concert was SOOOOOOO awesome! I knew every song and James Taylor sounded just like he does on a Cd. It was such a fun night. At intermission, I was able to go backstage and meet him. I felt like a little girl! I was nervous and didn't know what to say. He was very polite and friendly and even a little bit shy! We were able to take a photo with him and he signed my CD cover for my Mom and Dad. I told him that they went to his concert when they were 18 and then they got to go again Monday night in Spokane and he laughed and said it was a good thing he had my family as fans. I told him my whole family liked his music.
I can't even say which songs were my favorite! I called Mom on his song, "You Got a Friend." That song always reminds me of her. I also loved "Sweet Baby James." He wrote that song for his nephew who is named after him. "Fire and Rain," "Copperline," "How Sweet it is," and "Country Road" were just a few of the songs he sang.
He sang 4 encores! After the concert was over, people just keep cheering and yelling and he came back 4 different times. I had such a wonderful night! It was a great concert!


This is what he signed for Mom and Dad. Hope you like it!

The photos were hard to get because the stage was so dark. These are the only ones that weren't too out of focus. (we weren't allowed to have cameras.....I didn't use my flash so I wouldn't get caught!)



This was my backstage pass. He even signed it for me. I love James Taylor!

This is his song, "Handy Man." It's a little shaky, but at you least you get the idea of the concert. It was wonderful!

This song is "You got a Friend." It's one of my favorites! Enjoy!

JAMES TAYLOR

I am SOOOOOOOOO excited! I am going to James Taylor's concert tonight. YEA!!!! Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE LOVE LOVE James Taylor. I grew up listening to his music, and he is one of my all time favorite music artists. When I'm sad, I listen to him. When I'm happy, I listen to him. I have all of his songs memorized and they make me so happy. I swear Mom listened to him when I was in the womb---that's probably why I love him so much.

And the best part???? I get to meet him!!!! Some of Toby's friends from work have the inside connection. Paige (I took pictures of her twins), well her aunt is James Taylor's nanny!!! So, they had an extra back stage ticket--and she gave it to me! So stoked to meet him.

I'm sure I'll post tonight with pictures hopefully!!! Yea!

ps-Thanks to Toby for taking me. It was his idea to celebrate the new babe with taking me to the concert. I think it's a great idea! I love you, Toby!

Dodgeball Tournament

Oh the fun things Toby gets to do with the Cath Lab. On Saturday, he participated in a Dodgeball Tournament for the Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho. What craziness! It was so funny to see adults getting hit by the balls. They all acted like little kids. The Cath lab didn't do so hot---they won 4 games out of lots. Still, it was great to see the hospital supporting the Epilepsy Foundation and having fun all at the same time.

The pictures below give a small glimpse of what the day was like. On one game, Toby was the last one standing and the other team (of course) pegged him with as many balls as they could. He got hit in the stomach and fell to the floor. It was quite funny!

PS-A small, small, small part of me wanted to play....then I remembered that getting hit in the stomach probably wouldn't be the best thing for the babe, and getting hit in the chest wouldn't be the best thing for me! Oh well--there's always next year.

Photo Shoot with the Alvey Family

I took the Alvey's family photos and they turned out pretty good. They have a 4 week old son, named Hunter. He did really good despite being outside for the photo shoot. It was fun to be back taking photos, I haven't done it for a few weeks. Enjoy and click here to see more!

ha ha ha

Ever feel like you've been stepped on?

2:35 am

2:35am every stinking morning, is when I wake up to go to the bathroom. I am soooo tired of doing this! I try to fall back asleep, but no, my bladder says "Get up now!" Hmph..... Then I get into bed and most of the time, I can't fall back asleep. This does not make me a happy camper.

Mostly every night, Toby will ask, "You okay?" I'll reply "no" and then he will ask how come.....Like I even have to answer that! He's a silly kid. I'm hoping this will go away in a few weeks. I know it will come back in the third trimester, but I'm almost to the second one. I just want ONE good nights rest before the bambino comes!!!

Ward Web Administrator

I'm the Ward Web Administrator along as being a Relief Society Teacher in our Singles ward. So, I have been busy taking photos and fixing addresses and what not for the ward. It's not that bad of a calling, it's pretty easy to capture what is going on in the ward because I love to take photos! We created a website (on myfamily.com) for the ward, and I post the photos and events on it. It's pretty nice to be able to get on and see what's happening in the ward.

We are enjoying the ward more. It's fun to see Toby on the stand. I am finally sitting by people instead of by myself! Being pregnant in the ward isn't that bad either. Some call the baby the "ward's baby." Don't know if we'll still be in the ward when the baby's born, but it's nice to know we are cared about!

Last weekend, we had a ward campout at a place that the Chruch owns, called Pine Top. They have girls/scouts camp and ward campouts among other things up there. It's by Idaho City. We were doing some service projects and got to stay the night for free. We played games and talked well into the night, then the next day we started on the ice-skating rink and a new roof. Here are the photos capturing our hard work.

The group that came. We had a pretty good turnout. We played indoor football and lots of games.

We were working on the skate rink-I convinced everyone to go and get on the hay bales for photos. Toby digging a hole for the new post. He helped build part of a new roof.

Laying the outskirts for the ice-skating rink. We will go back up in January to go ice-skating.

For FHE on Monday, we carved pumpkins. It's fun to go to a large FHE, especially since Toby is in class every Monday night. Here are our lovely creations.
pumpkin eating pumpkin

scary Asian man

Bishop's pumpkin

1/4 of the way done!

I am 10 weeks along now-that means I am 1/4 of the way done! Yea! Only 30 more weeks! That's such a long time, isn't it!?!? Being pregnant isn't so bad, most of the time. Hopefully it will get better and not much worse!

I was researching on the Internet about Pregnancy Brain (because I swear I have it) and here is what I found:

"Pregnancy brain is a condition that affects expectant mothers, usually during the first and third trimesters. Sometimes known as placenta brain or baby brain drain, the condition is usually characterized by short-term memory loss or forgetfulness. Some medical experts say that pregnancy brain is a myth, but evidence shows that many women have experienced this condition."

I knew I had it! Here are two recent examples......

1. I was shopping at Costco and had about $10 worth of coupons. I get to the checkout with coupons in hand and FORGET to give them to the lady. They were IN MY HAND!!! I didn't realize what I did until I was walking out. Then I turned around, went back and explained my situation. Luckily, they redeemed the coupons and I got my money back.

2. Just last week I was doing laundry and while in the kitchen I kept hearing this "thump thump" noise. I walk into the laundry room to see what the noise was and when I opened the washer---NO CLOTHES were in it! I was washing nothing. A whole stinking load of soap and water with no laundry in it. The noise was coming from my Downy ball that was being thrashed from side to side.

Hmmmmmmmmm..........Should I be worried?!?!?

Our Halloween Costumes

Comments????? :)

A visit to Spokane

I had a great week at home. Dad was out hunting (which he got an elk!) and Toby was left home to do homework. We had a lot of fun shopping and talking and just hanging out. I love to visit my family and Toby and I get to go home for Thanksgiving. That should be a lot of fun.

Steelers

Can we just say that the Steelers rock?!?!? They played soooo good on Sunday. The Seahawks haven't had a shutout since 2000. They should be getting used to losing to the Steelers by now.....

Just What's A Cleveland Brown? Poem By Kretz

A Bengal is a tiger

And a fast plane is a Jet.

A Cowboy comes from Texas

And a Raider's tough I'll bet.

A Viking's from the frigid north.

Seahawks live near the sea.

All are names of football teams,

Just like they ought to be.

But there's one name that makes no sense

It causes me to frown

Can anyone enlighten me?

Just what's a Cleveland Brown?!

I don't know if it is true,

But I think I've heard a theory;

That Cleveland named its team

After the color of Lake Erie.

Brown does not describe

A big and strong athletic man.

It's what's inside the diaper of a baby Steelers fan.

The guy who named this football team

Must be the Cleveland clown

Who else would think to call a football warrior a Brown!!

If I'd been born in Cleveland

And there my life was spent,

I'd find another team to cheer

From pure embarrassment.

I myself, have always loved

The Steelers Black and Gold.

I did when I was very young,

And I will when I am old.

But why's this name an adjective

When it should be a noun?

Can anybody tell me

What the hell's a Cleveland Brown?!

There's nothing like a Pittsburgh Steelers fan!!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Mom, Happy Birthday to you!

Mom is one of the coolest people I know. I am so glad that she is my Mom! We have the best times when we are together. I have learned so much from her and if I turn out to be half the person she is--I'll be in good shape! Here are just a few reasons why she's the bestest:

She always there when I need her. Even if it's just to complain about something. We talk on the phone almost everyday. Grandpa makes fun of us-he says he has never seen anything like us!
We also text each other-that's a lot of fun too.


She loves to visit me and Toby, no matter where we live! She came to Florida, Vegas, and Boise. It's always fun to have Mom visit. Here we are down at the Strip going shopping and out to eat.

Mom's not afraid to have fun or be silly! She makes me laugh. Love the glasses Mom!

She's a football fan, and not just any football fan--- a Steelers fan! Mom loves sports and always supports us kids when we play. When the Steelers were playing in the Super Bowl against the Seahawks, some neighbors posted an "Enemies Among Us" newspaper article on the the garage door. Yet, when the Steelers won--they still came over to eat cake!

Most of all-Mom you're such a fun person and I love you! Happy Birthday!

"I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education which I have received from my mother" George Washington

"All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel Mother" Abraham Lincoln

We're Back in Business!

Toby and I (well mostly Toby) fixed the car this weekend! For those of you who don't know what happened, click here to read the story. The insurance company deemed our Corsica a total loss and wanted to give us $1300 for it. We said, that's it????? We know that it's an old car, but it was not a total loss before the stupid kid hit us. Plus, we don't want to have to buy a new car until Toby is finished with school. We asked them if we could keep the car and fix it ourselves. They let us do that and gave us $1260 for it. Wahoo! We had to switch the title and and register it as a salvaged car. Oh well-that's okay. We'll end up in the positive with a little bit of extra cash! (ya-pay off those grad loans)
So off we went to the Salvage Yard to find a new door. We were able to get a gray one that had red interior. Not what we wanted but we decided that we could sand off the gray paint and then paint it white! Toby also pulled off the red interior and switched it with the blue one. Pretty smart husband huh?!? We also had to switch the side view mirrors. Luckily we were able to get that as well. We only spent $160.00 on the door and window.

As well as a new door, we needed a new windshield. That wasn't too big of a deal, it was going to cost us $180.oo. They came and fixed it and then on Saturday, Toby went to work. Here are the photos of us fixing our car. We felt a little white trashish, working out in the apartment parking lot-but hey--who wants to buy a new car when this one works just fine? It just needed a little TLC. We ended up spending roughly $400 to fix the car. What a great deal! Enjoy the photos!

What do you celebrate?

I participated in the St. Luke's Women's Celebration 5K on Saturday. It was such a blast! It is the biggest women's race in the nation and we have thousands of women participate each year. I was amazed at just how many women and children there were! There were different brackets to sign up for. You could either compete for medals or just for fun. I signed up for the "just for fun" section because I don't like running or competing! I wanted to just walk it. I went with a couple girls and we had a lot of fun. It was cold and it ended up raining on us, but we still did pretty good.

The race celebrates women's health and the money from the race goes to research for different woman's health issues. It was a very uplifting day-it was all about what do we celebrate in our lives? As I was walking, I thought of all the things I celebrate.

Here are just a few:

My Religion-I celebrate the knowledge that I have of the restored gospel.

My Family-All of them! They have always been my greatest supporters.

My Health-I take for granted how healthy I am.

Living in America-We are so blessed to live in a free country.

Deitzel Twins

I got to take some photos of Paige's twins. She works with Toby in the Cath Lab. Treston and Taylor are 8 weeks old. It was more difficult than I thought trying to get them to both look at me. It was a fun shoot! Click here to see more photos.

Time Out for Women

Mom came to visit this weekend for Time out For Women. It was so, so, so fun. We were able to listen to presenters who gave great talks. Mary Ellen Edmunds was the host. She is hilarious! She would make jokes and end up cracking herself up! She has served numerous missions for the Church around the world. It was fun to listen to her stories. The presenters were--Jane Clayson Johnson (she wrote, I am Mother), Stephen E. Robinson (he wrote Beliveving Christ), Chris Stewart (he is a world-record-setting Air Force pilot and also an author) and Sheri Dew who has written many books and is the CEO of Deseret Book. There were over 3000 women who came to this conference. That's a lot of women!
We also went shopping and out to eat. It was so fun to be with Mom. Even though it was just a weekend trip, it was still nice to have her here. I love to hang out with her. We always have the best talks and do such fun things. I wish I lived by my family! Good thing we have phones, e-mail and planes!
Thanks for coming Mom!

John comes to visit

Uncle John had a softball tournament this past weekend here in Boise and we got to see him. He took us out to dinner (thanks, it was yummy!) to The Outback. Can't beat steaks! Then on Saturday, we went to his softball games. There was a chance for Toby to play, but he was too sick. Toby loves softball, so he was really bummed that he didn't get to play. John's team has this rule that if you get the third out when up to bat, you have to wear a skirt! They don't do it during every game, but luckily they did it when we were there! The won both of their games and they are a really good team. We got to sit in the dugout and cheer them on. Here are a few photos from the game. Enjoy seeing John in a skirt!

rainy, cloudy and 63 degrees

Well, summer seems to be over here in Boise. Sad huh!

We just got back from a trip to Spokane. Mom found out about "dings" on Southwest which I had never heard of, and we flew up there for pretty cheap. It was a lot of fun. We went out to dinner, shopped, watched movies and rode bikes on the Centennial Trail. We also got to listen to the Spokane Symphony when they had the concert in the park behind my house. They did a fantastic job! I loved listening to them and they played the theme from Pirates and Jurrasic Park. We stayed up late and talked and had fires in the back yard and watched for stars. It was so nice to be home with the family. We miss them already!

Now we are back home and the weather is glum. Wish it was still hot and sunny! I need another vacation.