Yep, it's Halloween!

This is it! My last year as a mother with kids in elementary school at Halloween time! YAY!! And I only say that because there were NO other mothers in the ENTIRE 6th grade at Oquirrh Elementary who were willing to plan the stupid Halloween party! I have done the deed every year for at least 1 of my kids classes, and sometimes both! This year however, I had to plan the whole party for not just Shawna's class but the entire 6th grade! CRAZY! Anyway, it was actually fun! We bobbed for apples, played relay races and ate doughnuts and drank root beer! If anyone reading this ever needs game ideas and such just call me, I'm happy to share!

Shawna decided for Halloween she wanted to go "Goth". Her friends all loved her outfit and think she needs to dye her hair like this always! It's very very BLACK! I've made it clear that she won't be dying her hair and this is the last time she'll wear heavy makeup. Hope my stern words work!

Annie decided she wanted to go in her PJ's as if she just woke up. She wanted me to put a horrible slash across her neck so it looked like someone tried to chop her head off but I had to draw the line somewhere. She then wanted me to put bruises all over her face like she'd been beaten up and again I wouldn't do it. Don't get me wrong, I'm fine with the blood and gore of Halloween with the appropriate costume, but not with PJ's so instead she carried around her babydoll and now looks like an old worn out mommy!

In the past my girls have gone as Winnie the Pooh and Tiger, Snow White and the Old Hag, Hershey's Kisses, Unicorns, Bunnies, Dalmations, Kitty Cats, Spiders, An Oompah Loompah (from the old movie with orange faces and green hair!), Mad Scientist, A Witch, and I'm sure I've missed a few. I keep all my old costumes so in future years keep me in mind!! Now I'm going to make my house SCARY for all those little trick or treaters! HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

Annie

Annie is in her first year of Middle School!

That one sentence scares me to death!! It's so exciting to see what a beautiful young lady she's turning into, and yet it's so scary to send her out in the real world everyday with all those juvenille delinquents! HAHA!

Seriously though, I'm so proud of the smart young lady she's turned out to be! She's so kind to everyone and she loves the diversity in people. She knows who she is and doesn't let others tempt her in things she knows she shouldn't do, but at the same time she doesn't judge others. It's truly amazing to see how people are drawn to her. She has such a bright personality. She's so smart! She loves to read, and while she hates math she still strives to do her best (not to mention she's in the top math in her grade and the top of her class!)

She's a wonderful daughter and a loving sister and I'm glad she's a part of our family! WE LOVE YOU ANNIE!!

J and Kiersti I accept the 4th tag!!

J and Kiersti have a tag on their blog, it's the fourth tag. You go to your pictures, open the 4th folder and upload the 4th picture there. Here it is...

This is a picture of me with one of my favorite Hoge cousins, Mandy! It reminds me of how blessed I am to have the In Law family that I have. My mother-in-law is one of my best friends and she came from the most amazing family! They might not get together often (because there are sooooo many of them spread all over the place!) but when they do it's like they've always been right there! I just love them so much! And Mandy gives the most WONDERFUL Massages! I love you Hoge Family! Thank you for making me one of you!

Now I tag anyone who wants to do this! It's fun!

Recipe Blog

Ok, the new recipe blog is ezrecipes4u.blogspot.com check it out!!

Farwell Recipe Blog

I'll be changing my recipe blog. The blog people sent me an email saying they thought it was a spam blog but obviously it wasn't and because I couldn't figure out how to request a review I've decided to delete it and try again. Look for my new and improved recipe blog soon!

Lake Powell Pics!

Annie decided she was going to turn brain dead and become a teenager on this trip! She gave attitude to go with her new brain deadiness but I think she's growing out of it quickly!

(I hope so anyway! I like my sweet girl not this bratty teenage stuff!)

Sisters having fun in the water!

Our Fabulous camping spot in Face Canyon!

While this looks like the end, it actually winds around up ahead and keeps going for a long time! This is another spot where the water is really deep and the canyon walls are way above our heads! It freaked me out, especially when Darrell and I actually high centered the wave runner in a spot like this and I thought I'd have to try and swim for it! Luckily we did get loose and neither of us took a swim in here!

Eddie and Riley on the wave runner. We took rides through the canyon, at some points the water is hundreds of feet deep, the canyon walls rise hundreds of feet above and there's barely enough room to squeeze the wave runners through! It's completely amazing and so breathtakingly beautiful the words and pictures don't really describe it!

Crevassing in Face Canyon, everyone went except me, Lana and Annie. Even the dogs tried to join in but there were some spots they couldn't climb to so they stayed behind and whined like big babies! We even heard them back at camp!

More crevassing!

Shawna the fisherman (and the dogs wishing they were!)

Darrell driving the house boat to Face Canyon, we were hurrying to get to our spot before dark since it's pretty dangerous to be on the lake when you can't see!

Amanda and Shawna on the wave runner in Navajo Canyon, yes they're wearing sweatshirts because it was a little chilly that morning! But by the afternoon we peeled off our extra layers and really enjoyed the water fun!

Darrell and Eddie trying to figure out where the "stairs" and arches are in Navajo Canyon. We never did find what we were looking for, but the ride was nice and the scenery GORGEOUS!

I was tagged...

Kiersti tagged me to post 6 querky things about myself so here it goes...

1. I hate feet, I hate the look of feet, I hate it when anyone's feet are close to me and I especially hate when they touch me! I really hate it when they're bare because that usually means I can smell them and I really really hate that!

2. Darrell thinks it's querky (and gross) that I kiss my family on the lips. I kiss Annie and Shawna, Lolo, Mya and Brock on the lips. I kiss my mom and dad, grandparents, sister (although it might be weird to kiss my bro on the lips, i don't recall the last time we kissed) but I kiss everyone on the lips, it's just natural for me. They're just little pecks but Darrell says "Kissing on the lips is for Lovers" and he thinks it's querky that I kiss everyone on the lips.

3. Becky Warner thinks my thumbs are querky because they look like big toes, so I guess I'd agree.

4. I ruthlessly tease, to the point that people might even cry, but only those I really really love. And if I've made someone cry by teasing them mercilessly I always feel bad, but I still do it because in some sick way it's funny.

5. I never thought it was querky, until Kiersti mentioned it (and I'm not as OCD as she is), but I will only wash my towels and rags after I've done a load of rugs. I certainly would NEVER wash any clothes right after a load of rugs, only towels and rags!

6. I envy my kids and Darrell their IPODS. It's silly really, I can use theirs anytime I want but I really want my own and I refuse to buy it for myself so I just go on being envious of theirs.

I'm sure whoever reads this can think of tons more querky things about me and I'd love to hear them so feel free to share!

Also, I tag Becky, Susan, and anyone else who might read this that has a blog!

Give me a break, I was on vacation for a week!!

Mat and Kiersti, I tried to update my blog last night with fun Lake Powell pics but couldn't get them looking right so I'll try to get more on there today sometime. I guess I deserve it since I harrassed you!

Also, if anyone knows how to request a review of your blog let me know. My recipe blog has been marked as possible "SPAM" and not the kind you fry up and eat! I got an email from the blog people and they said to request a review or they'll delete my blog w/in 20 days (that was about a week ago) so if anyone can figure it out let me know! If not I might just delete that blog and start over!

Thanks! Look soon for Lake Powell highlights!!

YUMMY FOOD!

I've thought about starting a blog where I can post recipies or my friends and family can too! It's a great way to share some yummy food recipies and if you want to join in just email me your recipies and I'll add them on! Check it out! ouryummyrecipies.blogspot.com