yea the chili cookoff is over

Well last night we finally finished everything including the dinner for the chili cook off. If was a total success, grandpa worried too much, and made me crazy. But after several weeks of preparation, we finally pulled it off. Plenty of food, and lots of great support from the ward, over 160 in attendance. Our ward is great to pitch in and clean up. They replaced our wood gym floor to the tune of 6000 dollars, and we got to launch its first use with chili, we were all a little nervous. Now we can rest for a week till we start on the Christmas breakfast. Becki and Brandon bought a van, and now they can haul more football players. The football team played tonight and they actually made a touch down. Thats their second for the season. Pretty good for a team that only has three players to move in and out, on both defense and offense. Russell is the top scorer in his league for goals, in soccer. I did my day at the scrapbook expo. I really had a great time. Kim reynolds and her friends joined us later, and we had a great time. Dad has been hunting and he is still hunting.

Free Sunday with the family

Today was free sunday, because we had regional conference, comprising of 135 stakes, Elder Uchdorf, Elder Packer and Elder Jensen spoke to us. The message was really great and I really enjoyed it. To top off the day the family came over and we ate and the boys played football not really with keeping of the sabbath. But once a month the cousins are all here and so its a good thing for them to do together, besides sometimes all the boys can get noisy in the house. The church is still true.
Talked to Kaitlyn (in Wyo. to school) and while I had some help with this blogging thing, decided to add some pictures. Burts kids play soccer, McNeil,Kaleb,Colton play football and and the rest of us do our thing. Kristopher is in drama, so here are some pictures

first week of school

this is our first week, back to school and all we are doing is testing. The kids are so cute and some of them don't understand me, so they just grin and say si.
we have tested over 40 and can only keep 28. It is really hard, because you really want to keep them all. Well real school starts on Tuesday and then I'll be exhausted before the day is over. Burton and Heather just got back from Hawaii, the kids stayed with us and we had a great time, at least I did. Colton, Kaleb and McNeil are all playing on the same YNFL football team and they play every Saturday. Burts kids are all soccer whizes and play all the time. Kristopher is in Acapella at the Jr. High and is one of two eighth graders in the choir. Kaitlyln leaves Sunday for Rock Springs, to college and the rest are all going to school and getting smarter.

the trial of the boat

well the third time is not the charm. We took the boat out the first time and it took on lots of water, so back home we went. The second time, we had a great time and as we were heading into shore, something went pop and then we were pulled in my the harbor patrol. Well today, after getting a new prop, we were out and then pop and whoosh and we were done, managed to limp into shore and then we were headed home. Next time we will be able to have all the fun we can stand, hope to have all the bugs out. All them a story to tell and we will laugh about in the future. Last week we had Burts kids while they were in Hawaii and still had them today. Brads kids were also here at the same time. It was great fun, but I surely can fill my age. Carolyn is having a scope on her knee tomorrow and so the kids are at different aunts until burt gets home on Thurs. It has been fun to have Hunter, he usually doesn't like me so much, but we have become great friends. Well school starts next week and it will be exciting.

Yesterday was a good day, it was Mavis bday and so we talked. Life goes on and even though we have hard things to get through we manage.
Becki, Kristopher, McNeil, Brenda and I went in search of treasure. We went to Fairview, Ut. in search of Family history. We were at the Museum looking for a building that is in a picture that we have and finally found another picture hanging in the museum with the same building. But apparently the building no longer exists. But there was a researcher there who is going to see if he can find the info on the picture and the names of the gentleman in it. Lets just pray he can find something. Thus the treasure hunt. We had a great time and museum had many things to look at, including a dinosaur. Well today is another day, and much to be done.

purpose of my blog

I realize blogs are suppose to allow you to let it all hang out, but is it possible that some people let too much hang out. I think I want my blog to pass on info about my family and the joys and trials that come in life without losing my perspective of who I am.
Well today would have been my Brendas 42nd birthday and yes I still miss her, but alot of things have happened in my life to help me get through the times like this. One of them is my husband who is very special to me and all my new kids and grandkids. When you have these things and a belief that there is life after death it makes it all okay.

Had a lazy day, but fun some of the kids came over and swam and we ate. Melisas family joined us and it was good to see them. Dad cooked the dogs and we ate salads and etc. It was nice to have a time to remember our pioneer heritage and to celebrate the families we have because of that heritage. Its great to be in Utah, we still are safe in our little world and enjoying it.