Happy Thanksgiving

Mom hosted a small group of Thanksgiving feasters this year -- 27. We all ate happily, except Maddie. Shocker. She just wanted to eat toothpaste, as always. Austin's turkey was so moist and delicious. My favorites were: spinach salad, fresh fruit salad, money-bread rolls, and pecan pie. Oh, I forgot to mention the sweet potatoes, turkey, and fresh cranberry sauce.

The evening hours were spent playing "Pass Phrase" and "Things." I loved it when Austin laughed so hard that tears rolled down his cheeks. I also loved the cousins playing so nicely together which resulted in many happy children.

Although we were apart of a large group, many members of our family were not together,
and I missed them.

12 kids 9 and under

This week we've had a crazy fun time! 12 children, ages ranging from 9 to 1, have made our world magical (we, mom and I, were only responsible for 9). Thursday we headed to the BYU museum, three more children were added to our numbers. Our outing was quite rewarding; the museum was a perfect place for a large group to have individual adventures.

Daddy Daughter Dance

Meg and Emily, our "Faith in God" girls, went to a disco daddy-daughter dance. Both girls loved the fun evening. (Jim filled in for my dad, he's in the Philippines.)

October's Reading List

Last month I read the more fabulous books. I recommend each of these: the first two are lovely kiddy lit filled with sweet romance, the third is one is which I've wanted to read forever because my mom always cries during the movie (which I've never seen), the fourth is simply the next in a series, as is the fifth.

The Sisters of Bamayre by Levine
The Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) by Rick Riordian
Stalk Lake City a Rhea Jensen Novel

My favorite off this list is the Hale novel -- packed with unexpected twists and sweet romance.

Of all the books I've ever read or will ever read, besides the scriptures, now I'm reading The History of Joseph Smith by his mother, Lucy Mack. What a treasure this book is. I've always wanted an insight into the familial relationships that existed in the Smith home. This book has it all. My testimony of the reality of Joseph Smith's first vision and his sacrifices in ushering the fullness of the dispensation of times has greatly increased. I also feel that studying the life of the Prophet will enhance my holiday spirit, because his birthday is just before Christmas, and I often remember him, but I will honor him even more fervently this year.

P.S. I read all these boos while cruising. Cruises = lots of time to read.

Happy Halloween

Sheesh! My posts are few and far between these days. I have no idea why. Here is a post of Halloween.
Maddie, a pretty kitty.

Maisie, a purple-people-eater.

Nick, a dragon.

Andy, as Dracula.

Meg, a zebra.


Mark, an illegal alien.

Eastern Carribean Cruise

Last week Austin and I vacationed to islands in the Carribean.
First we drove the children to Nelsons' house, who cared for our babies perfectly. Thank you to them for making this possible.
Then we headed to Seattle. We spent a wonderful evening with Diane -- pictures at Alkai Beach, shopping, dinner and a movie. Simply a perfect pleasure spending time with her. We then took the red-eye from Seattle to Miami.
Seattle sky line.

Maimi sky line.

We cruised on the Norwegian Pearl (picture from Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas).

The Pearl had a bowling alley.

It also had a rock wall.

Austin climbed the most advanced route in 28 seconds.

We spent many hours on deck reading. One day we read 6 hours, without being interrupted! (Reading list in another post.)

Every night we spent hours eating. We learned that the average cruiser gains two pounds per day -- Austin didn't gain a pound, even though he finished off my cuisine every night. One night he took my food before I was finished, but we were at a group table so I couldn't say anything. I gave him an earful afterward........

We were asked several times if we were on our honeymoon. The questioner was shocked at our response -- ten years and five kids.


We stopped in the Dominican Republic, we took a taxi to some waterfalls.

Of course Austin climbed the falls, just like the natives, and jumped in. Next time I'll try it......

We then headed to St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., we spent about 5 hours snorkeling and relaxing on the beach. Ahhh.

Then on to Tortola, B.V.I, we snorkeled once again. Austin found and broke open this coconut. We had Smugglers Cove to ourselves for the entire morning. We also rented a scooter and spent six hours exploring the island.


Every two years a perfect span of time to truly vacay. Austin and I spent much of our time laughing and relaxing. I heart cruising; I heart Austin most of all.

Primo Weekend

Although it is Thursday, the beginning of another weekend, I couldn't help but create a post about last weekend.

Friday Austin and I spent nine hours hiking Lone Peak. We gained 5000 feet in elevation while hiking through the breath-taking national forest. What a treat to recreate with Austin. (Sweet Cherie watched the younger children.) The truth is that we could barely move throughout the rest of the weekend.




Saturday and Sunday was General Conference. Good thing Austin and I watched from home, we couldn't have walked to church after our hike. Grandma's family room was filled with notebooks, food, and bodies. We did feel the spirit as we listened the our leaders speak.



Saturday night my parents headed to Park City for their annual retreat. We headed up there for a cool swim. Although the children froze, that had a grand time.






Sunday afternoon cute Aunt Shelly stopped by. She brought gifts for all five children, and they loved the time they shared on the trampoline with her.



Quite often Jim receives anonymous gifts from girls. Usually a love note is attached, but this time, just fresh doughnuts. Because Jim, Mark, and Emily and I were the only ones awake, we ate 2+ each and finished off the box. Keep 'em coming girls, doughnuts always complete a perfect weekend.

Classic Mishap

This morning I asked Austin to take the sheets off our bed and wash them. I was on my way out the door to volunteer in Meg's class, so I didn't have five minutes to do it myself. Also on my way out the door, I couldn't find my phone, so he called it, but we heard nothing. I walked out the door without my phone.
Upon returning home from Meg's class, he was waiting for me, and Maisie exclaimed, "We found your phone. Daddy washed it!"
My phone still powers on, but the screen is foggy. I'm so glad it was my phone that was ruined, because he's had scores of business calls today......And I'm glad he is the one who made the washing mistake.
Perhaps next month I'll get a new phone.