Well Hello Blog!

I know, I know. It's been 10 months since I've posted. Blah Blah Blah. Well I'm back, ok?! :)

It's the 1st day of school! Our kids are getting so big and so old, where does the time go?

 Our Nate is 12 and started (GULP) Jr. High this year, 7th grade. He's a good 2-3 inches taller than me now, but don't you worry I can still keep him in line. I did raise my 3 "little" brothers who were all taller than me. Nate actually started school yesterday, that's why he's in a different shirt for the group shot. He LOVES being at Jr. High away from all of the little kids.

 Trevor is 10 and starting 5th grade. He has a fabulous teacher this year, Mrs. Sachs, and being our social butterfly is so happy to be surrounded with all of his friends again.

Miss Madison striking a pose here is SO excited to be a 1st grader this year! She loves to learn and shares her brothers' love of reading. Mrs. Liles is her teacher, and she was so happy to see most of her friends were in her class again, especially her "best friend Connor".

Our little fashionista picked out the fabric and pattern for her first day of school outfit for me to make, and I think it turned out pretty dang cute!

It's so strange here at home. So quiet. Too quiet. I'm kind of lost. I could clean house or do laundry but that's no fun. I had better enjoy the peace now because soon enough I'll be working in the classrooms, doing the PTA thing, and longing for a quiet minute to myself.

Shelby London Stooksbury's Blessing Day

Look at this precious baby girl! Today we attended the blessing of my childhood friend Jeanette's beautiful baby girl Shelby. It was a special day shared with friends and family.

All of the Little granddaughters were blessed in this gorgeous dress. Grandma and Grandpa Little couldn't be here for the blessing because they are currently serving a mission in London, so I took lots of pictures for them!

To get Jack and Brian to smile I bribed them with M&M's that I had in my purse. Worked like a charm!

The members of the family that we could round up. Unfortunately we missed Phil's dad and sister, and some cousins. They all left too quick! In this picture: Randy & Ursula Little, Jeanette, Shelby, Jack, Phil, & Brian Stooksbury, Easton, Jace, Melinda, & Dane Shank.

Jeanette and Shelby

The proud parents Phil and Jeanette

Aunt Ursula made this beautiful quilt for Shelby.

Daddy and his girl. :)

Halloween

Miss Madison the Ring Master/Lion tamer with her whip.

Trevor the faceless ghoul

Madison with her ferocious lion!

Grams and Grandpa Skip Casida found this costume for Belle so that she could be Maddie's lion. She's thrilled to be in it, as you can clearly see!

Maddie is cracking up because Belle is rolling around in the grass trying to get the costume off.

Nate helped build and then work in our friend Frank Rodriguez's haunted house. This was his costume for that. They did a great job the haunted house was awesome!

Pumpkin Carving, Take 2

We were popular this year and got invited to a second pumpkin carving get together at Aunt Kamryn's place. :)

Grams (Peggy), Trevor, Todd, and Grandpa Skip (Scott)

Nate and Aunt Ashley

Daddy and Maddie

Grandpa Skip (Scott) and Aunt Kamryn

Future brother-in-law Scott working away on the monster pumpkin that he and Kamryn grew.

So awesome! I love it!

The final products and Tank keeping watch.

Pumpkin Carving at the Shanks

While the women slaved in the kitchen over dinner and pumpkin carving....

(I'm loving that Super Model hair flip Melinda! )

The men were working hard as well doing...well..."man things" I suppose.
Dane and Easton

Jack and Phil

But in the end, we had a bunch of awesome looking pumpkins to go along with these awesome looking kids! Evan, Jack, Brian, Jace

Nate and Trevor

Jack, Brian, Jace, and Nate

Brian and Trevor

Jace and Nate

Madison fell asleep after dinner so she missed out on the photo ops. We love hanging out with the Shank and Stooksbury families, and always have a blast together. Thank you for letting us share in this fabulous night!

School Halloween Parade

 Maddie, our Ring Master

 Trevor, the Faceless Ghoul (or something like that)

 Nate, The Roman Soldier

Madison and her teacher Mrs. Opfer

Maddie's Quilt

After about a year in the making, Nana finished Madison's bed quilt. Maddie was SO excited and loved it!

Madison and Great Nana with her hand-quilted bedspread made by Nana.

It's beautiful! Thank you Nana! Love you!