Piano Recital(s)

Tori just started taking piano lessons a couple of months ago. She is so excited. She gets frustrated really easily, but she is working really hard. They had a Christmas recital, but Nana and Papa were going to be out of town, so they got a private performance.

(Her nervous bow was kind of adorable!)

Tori had told Miss Ellie at her lesson that week that she was nervous, and even though she had her piece memorized, she wanted to bring her book just in case. She also wanted Miss Ellie to sit on the bench with her while she played. We were in the car, getting ready to go, and she told me that she didn't need her book. I was a little nervous, but tried to trust her. We left the book home. I worried and worried. When we got to the recital she told Miss Ellie that she could sit alone on the bench...what? She was making me so nervous for her! Well, as you can tell from the video, I was the only one that was worried. She ROCKED it! I am SO proud of you T! You are so wonderful!

Tori with Miss Ellie

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was a little different. Thanks to some not so fun health issues this year, I got to be a much bigger part of Thanksgiving prep! I was a little nervous since I have never prepared most of the Whitmill traditional Thanksgiving dishes. I have to say--I was pleasantly surprised. Mandi and I worked hard, and it didn't seem like that big of a deal (keep in mind the fact that he ONE thing we weren't in charge of was the BIRD!).

I think everything turned out all right, and somehow my family members kept themselves entertained while I was busy...

Grammy and Grampy

We always have a ton of fun when Grammy and Grampy and Uncle Sam visit, and this trip was no exception. They took the kids and I to Dinosaur Ridge. I have to say--I was painfully unimpressed when we first arrived, but after our bus tour I was much happier that we had gone! The kids had a blast, and I think the adults enjoyed ourselves too.
LOVE this picture--apparently you can taste a difference between rock and fossil...I wouldn't know, but Grammy would!

After Dinosaur Ridge we decorated "Haunted Houses," made candy corn cupcakes,

and carved pumpkins.

Halloween

This year was the first year we have not had a theme for our costumes. The kids picked them out right after Halloween last year, so...well, let's just say that some of them weren't my favorites. Luckily, the kids were still in love with what they had chosen. Tori was a witch, Lizzie was a vampire princess, and Owen was a dinosaur rider (well, according to him he was a dinosaur, but really he was the rider and just wore the dino..). We got to do boo at the zoo, and of course we had to feed the lorikeets while we were there.

We also got to do the tri-ward trunk or treat! (Nik, you got some pics for me?)

Then, because we missed the AWESOME neighborhood haunted house, Grampy and Daddy helped the kids to make their own haunted house. It was pretty impressive...complete with scary soundtrack (weird noises Liz made).


Oh, and did I mention that Tom and I went to Halloween party too? This was the first year we really got into it. We were quite the vampire couple. I loved that there were some people that didn't recognize me because of the short dark hair. Not great pictures, but I'll post them anyway, just for proof!

Super Saturday

Ang and I got to learn how to make a couple of different kinds of flowers to teach at Super Saturday this year. We had a great time learning and making a million bows for ourselves and our girls. Hopefully the ladies that made them with us had fun too! Between the singed flowers and the felt flowers, close to 150 flowers were made...yup, we're pretty much experts now.
Lots of materials, lots of ladies, and lots of fun! I LOVE Super Saturday!

Slacker

Ok, so I just looked at my blog and realized that not only has it been nearly 2 months since I blogged, but I am on target to get about 1/3 to 1/2 as many posts this year as I did last year. What's with the change? Well, between starting my own preschool just over a year ago and coming up on the one year mark as primary president (being in charge of all the children in my congregation) it has been a crazy year. My crafting has come to a screeching halt, along with my blogging, but I am trying to find that happy medium. I love crafting, but right now my priorities have to be my family, my church calling, and my preschool. I have at least opened up blog posts so now I just have to fill them with writing and pictures. I promise they are coming. For those of you in the immediate area, I am even having another 10 for $10 for the first time in a year (if you are interested let me know). For the rest of you, stay tuned. I WILL post this weekend!

Race for the Cure 2010!

This year TEAM AUDREY was a little more prepared for the race...a very little. It was really fun that people recognized us from the posters though! How weird to have your face on walls all over the city! Once again, an amazing experience! We are so blessed to have our survivor to give hope to others and to remind ourselves how much we have to be grateful for! ROCKIN' the PINK!

BYU vs AFA

Ok, so the game itself was completely pathetic, and a total disappointment, but the tailgating was fun! We had a huge group, and even though we missed Mom and Dad, the four sisters, their families, and their miscellaneous in laws, had a great time. I definitely prefer the September game to the November game...short sleeved shirts and sunscreen=more fun than hats, gloves, mittens and parkas!