Tough Guy

Sometimes I feel like I've accomplished something that day when I tuck Enoch into bed at night. Just keeping this kid alive is work! He is so naturally curious, independent and brave. He just goes and does. He's a smart kid, but his curiosity usually wins over safety. He possesses a lot of common sense for a 4-year-old, but he still just has to know what is going on, how things work and how they can be made better. Jeez, do you think he has a bit of his dad in him?! Some nights I tell Greg, "You're the reason he's this way, you stay home and keep him alive!"
Last night, we were out delivering cookies for our Halloween Phantom and Enoch tripped over Greg's foot and took a header into the cement. I know, this could happen to any kid, but Enoch just has so many cuts, bruises, scraps that I never take pictures of them because they are just so common. I though I should finally document how many band-aids we really go through! Poor little guy - his lip was so fat he could hardly talk! He's took it like a seasoned pro; getting his cuts washed and bandaged with minimal crying.


I'm really surprised that we haven't had more stitches and broken bones with Enoch. For how active he is, he really does have great coordination and a lot of common sense. I love his curiosity and energy. Life is never dull with Enoch around!

Kate's wardrobe update

I have spent so much time lately sewing new clothes for Kate. So I know this is tacky, but I'm posting pictures of them (mainly because Kate looks so cute in them). This is the new outfit she wore to church today. I made the shirt with elastic thread - my new best friend! It's amazing. I'm not sure if it is a new product or just new to me, but it is great. Try it out! I also love the headband. Kate still doesn't have enough hair for pigtails and I'm tired of her wearing the newborn nylon headbands, so I made a headband to match her outfit. Greg laughed, of course, but she actually left it in better than the nylon headbands. This is one of Kate's favorite skirts because it is so twirly.


Stay tuned for more outfits!

Our Sparkly Trooper

HOORAY!!! for our Trooper. It turned over 100,000 miles today. I made Greg take the camera to get a picture; corny, I know. At least we didn't drive around the neighborhood and throw candy out of the car like my family did when our station wagon reached 100,000 miles. Ah, memories.

In our family, we pretty much drive our cars until we can't drive them anymore. We have only had four cars in our married years (15 years): the Probe, Saturn, Trooper and Odyssey. Mainly because we are cheap and we hate car shopping. However, Greg is determined to get a natural gas truck, so send any good deals our way!
The Trooper has been a great car for us. Greg loves driving it, even if it is a sparkly girl car!

Christmas Books

I know it's early, but I'm determined to get my Christmas shopping done by Thanksgiving. I'm wanting to get some fun books for the kids. Please let me know the favorites in your family. I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

Cold Canyon

As I promised Enoch, we went to the canyon this morning. The drive up was very pretty. Most of the leaves hadn't changed yet or were dead from the snow and frost, but the ones that had changed were gorgeous; lots of reds and yellows. We parked up at the cabin and got out to walk around a bit. Enoch and Kate were immediately cold. You know, the first real cold of the winter season each year when you forget how cold is really can get. It was cold. There was snow on the ground. Enoch was excited about that; he has been asking about snow for three weeks now.


We picked a few leaves and put them in their Conference bags and then they were ready to go. No lingering, no looking - they were cold. We packed up and headed home.


As we were driving home, Enoch said, "Mom the leaves are so beautiful. Just like Kate. She is so beautiful." Such a sweet boy!

Yummy Frost

Bright and early this morning, Enoch wanted to play in the backyard. I told him it to wait because it was very cold and there was still frost on the grass. He ran to the window and said, "Where, where, where?". I told him the frost was all over the grass. "Are you sure?", he asked me. "I'm looking, and I don't see any frosting on the grass." He was a bit disappointed that there was no frosting, but very interested to learn about frost.
Enoch is going through his weather phase. We read weather books every night, listen to weather reports and constantly talk about the water cycle and snow. Enoch can't wait for it to snow. Today we are going to the canyon because Enoch is nervous that "the weaves (that is how he says it) will disappear before we can see them".

Conference Weekend

We had a wonderful Conference weekend. Our activities included:

Saturday Breakfast
Gavin and I started out early (6:30am) for our donut run to Lehi Bakery. We hand-picked donuts for the family and were home before the other kids were awake. Enoch was very excited to have fresh donuts for breakfast. Kate, of course, just picked off the sprinkles and chocolate icing.


Conference Bags
I spent last weekend putting together some fun Conference activities and sturdy bags to hold them. I made the boy's bags from Gavin's holey jeans and Kate's bag from some left over fabric I had. The kids loved them. All weekend long Enoch kept saying, "Thanks Mom for my bag; I love it!". Each bag contained colored pencils, stickers, apostle flashcards and Friend magazine coloring books for Enoch and Kate and a Conference workbook for Gavin. I was amazed at how well it kept the kids entertained. I will put them away until next Conference and then refill them with new activities.


Pumpkin Party
We celebrated the end of the neighborhood garden with the traditional pumpkin party. Each child was able to pick a pumpkin from the patch. The adults had fun visiting. The garden was great this year and although we are sad to see it die, Greg is really tired of picking green beans!


Geography Lessons
We spread our large, laminated world map out and each time a location was mentioned by a speaker, the kids raced to the map and put on of their stickers on that place. They really enjoyed finding the new Temple sites.


Family Home Evening Lesson
The Monday before Conference we had a special FHE lesson about Conference. We read from the book of Mosiah during the reign of King Benjamin while we sat in our small indoor tent. We talked about how the people gathered together and then listened to King Benjamin from their tents. We paid special attention to Mosiah 2:9:
And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.
We challenged our family to listen with both their ears and their hearts. During Conference, we moved our tent downstairs and the kids and Greg had fun sitting in their while watching.


Listening to Conference
Of course, the highlight of the weekend was actually listening to Conference. It was fantastic! As I mentioned, the kids did remarkably well. Gavin listened to all four sessions and filled out his extensive workbook. I was so proud of him. At dinner on Sunday, we discussed our favorite talks and I was amazed at what he remembered and learned.
I know we probably shouldn't have favorite talks, but I will always remember Elder Holland's talk as one of the most powerful I have ever heard. It will be a talk that will be quoted often and I am so thankful that I could listen to it (with my ears and my heart)!

Some things our family learned and will try to do:
1. Bear our testimonies, say, 'I love you", and be consistent. (Elder Bednar)
2. Teach our children how to feel and listen to the Spirit. (Elder Scott)
3. Ask our family each day at dinner what good deed they did that day. (President Monson)

What a great weekend. I know our family benefited from watching Conference. The Spirit was in our home and we are so blessed to be taught by our wonderful leaders.