Happy bday to me

This day started out great! I woke up to this text from Bailee. I've often done the same thing for my family on their birthday. It was fun to read. She's so sweet!

46 things about mom on her birthday:

1.has an amazing laugh

2.makes the best food

3.teaches us that a fresh batch of cookies makes everything better

4.has a great right hook ;)

5.reigning champ of slugbug

6.is never wrong

7.even when she's wrong, she always ends up being right

8.hates mean names

9.knows her kids are different 

10.she loves them differently because of it 

11.makes the best food(because it needs to be said more than once)

12.loves snowmen

13.has a love/hate relationship with her tomato and cucumber garden

14. Has green eyes that get really dark when she's angry

15. Doesn't stay angry for very long

16. Has 5 awesome kids who would be lost without her

17. Loves being a grandma

18. Is the busiest woman I've ever known

19. Stands up for her siblings 

20. Loves her siblings

21.has a testimony of the gospel

22.shows her kids everyday what it means to strive to be Christlike 

23.a wonderful shoulder to cry on

24. Loves to run

25. Loves to tell people that the girl that people think is her twin is actually one of 5 kids

26. Doesn't look a day over 26

27. Excellent advice giver

28. Fun to talk to when your in the grocery store/anywhere 

29. Will make cookies anytime/any day

30.taught the importance of the temple

31. The BEST MOM

32. Makes the most amazing food( last time I promise)

33. Has a favorite road that she loves to drive down, fast or slow,

34.cant do math for the life of her

35.excellent stylist

36. Excellent client ;)

37.incredible sense of humor

38. Lets us blame things on her when we don't have an excuse

39. Best FHE enforcer ever!

40. Very silly when she's tired

41. Likes to listen to book recording when she's driving

42.loves her husband

43. Skinnier than her 21 year old daughter 

44. And loves it

45. Wonderful

46. Deserves more than the holiday that is her birthday ;)

I love you mom!!

Carson gave me multiple hugs this morning wanting to make sure I have a great day. 

I sat on the stairs as I watched for the bus with him. He things he's too big to have his mom wait with him. Little does he know I'm watching him. ;)

 

Since it's starting to feel like fall outside I put up fall/Halloween decorations before work. While at work Carson had told his classmates that it was my birthday and they all wished me a happy birthday. We ended up having indoor recess due to the rain and while in his class his whole class sang to me. They are fun kids! 

I talked with Karlee a couple of times, wishing me a happy birthday. She was a little concerned about tests today. I talked with her again tonight and her Book of Mormon midterm didn't go over well. She got a 67. She has one more midterm tomorrow. I hope it goes better. 

Yesterday I wasn't ready to let go of summer and I made these super yummy cookies. It's a peanut butter cookie, so soft, with a marshmallow then a fudge icing. So good!! I had one today and it tasted as good as when they were fresh last night. 

biggest fan

CJ finished the entire Harry Potter series in 21 days!! I'm thinking he's the biggest fan out there for an 11 year old. I'm so glad he knows what he loves. I sure love him!

5K photos

 I received an email about our photos at the 5K.

 I loved all of them but chose only a few.

 I love how Carson is looking straight at the camera.

 This is the last turn to the finish line.

 Carson's arm pump says it all! Yeah! It's over!!

good day

Mason stayed after school three times this week for Tech Crew. He's loving it. He went to an East football game with Fischer tonight.

Carson went to Friday Live with friends. Friends are the best!

Bailee is all moved in, met her roommates and even did a little grocery shopping while we chatted. 

Karlee was able to use her umbrella today. Finally!! We had a fun visit while she was walking across campus. It didn't start out as FaceTime until my cheek initiated it. ;)

I spent the evening with my best friend, going to a movie. It's been a good day. 

Cross over for CJ

This is our last pack meeting...EVER!! I'm excited this is it. I'm pleased at how well our boys did in the Cub Scout program. They enjoyed every bit of it. So did I.

CJ earned his Webelos, Arrow of Light, and Religion Knot tonight. Yay!! I'm so very proud of him!

I loved their campfire. Brother Merservy is talking to the boys about the Arrow of Light. About CJ earning his Arrow of Light. We all gave him a "round of applause". 

You're awesome CJ!! Keep working hard!

Bailee went home...

Bailee had an early flight this morning. We were up at 4:30 to get her to the airport. Carson had to come with us since Brian and Mason left at 5:30 for seminary. It was so early!

As I pulled into the driveway I snapped a picture of the sunrise. It was beautiful! Within 30 minutes a major storm hit. I'm so grateful Carson's bus stop was moved to across the street. I'm able to watch him catch the bus from the comfort of my home. ;) As he was waiting for the bus it was only sprinkling. 

McKinzie sent this to me today. I want to love on this boy! Look at those cheeks! I'm trying to scheme a way for me to see them next month. I might have it figured out. 

After Bailee got her car from Aunt Diane, and all her belongings from Waynette, she went down to Provo to see Karlee for a bit. I don't think she stayed long though. I hope they had fun together. I hope they try and see each other over these next few months. I won't be seeing either of these girls until Christmas. That makes me a little sad.

Before Bailee left she made these yummy pumpkin cupcakes. Luckily I had her half the recipe so I'm not the only one eating 20 cupcakes! There's only 6 left. I think I can handle that many.

Bailee made it to her home in Rexburg by 8:30. Such a long day for her. She doesn't have a job here anymore, she transferred to a Barnes and Noble in IF. When she comes here it will only be for a visit. I know this is what's next for her but I'm going to miss her.

Sunday

I didn't attend church with my family today. I had a ward conference to be at. Brian sent this picture to me before they left for church. This boy was so excited to wear his new sweater. It was 80 degrees today but he wasn't about to not wear it.

After the conference I had planned on going home and starting dinner for the family. Brian texted me that Mason was going to be set apart after church. So I headed to the Geneva building instead. He was called as the new Teacher's quorum president. He was nervous and a little excited when he was asked. This will be good for him. Planning activities and attending meetings and growing as a leader.

We ate dinner outside again. I'm loving this weather! Only a couple more days and Bailee heads back to Idaho. It will be strange having only boys home. Even more strange not having an extra driver. She will be missed.

family 5K

Today has been a great day! We woke up early, they didn't like that part, to run a 5K. It was a 50 minute drive to Keller Farms in Oswego. Last night Bailee decided we needed matching shirts. She found these at Walmart for $5. Perfect!

Here's the start of the race. I quickly took a selfie with our crew.

Our chip times were:

Alison: 29:50.4, 5th of 296 40-49 yr old women
Bailee:  37:14.7, 11th of 430 20-29 yr old women
Mason:  41:26.5, 10th of 40 10-19 yr old men
Carson:  44:28.3, 14th of 40 10-19 yr old men

There were 1885 participants. Brian decided last minute to walk the 5K so he didn't have a chip to time him.

Our selfie after the race! Then someone offered to take our picture. I loved running with them! Even though we didn't really run together I enjoyed being together for this race. I loved running through the corn fields too!

The boys loved climbing on these...forts afterwards.

Mason could have stayed with this horse all day.

We then spent time in the corn maze. They had three different mazes/maps. Mason was great at navigating.

The sun was too bright at times. The corn fields seem endless.

When we arrived home we did chores. Brian washed his truck. Man he has a nice truck! Bailee went to work and Mason went to a Stake Youth Fireside. We played a few hands of hand and foot and enjoyed tacos on the deck for dinner. Such a beautiful day!

McKinzie sent this picture to me yesterday. They had found a notebook in their desk at home and Adam quickly claimed it. I love what he wrote on the cover, Warning do not scribble scrabble in this book. He's such a smartie!! We sure miss them all!

I then snagged this picture off Facebook today. Here's Miranda, Cassidy, Karlee and Sydney. All former St. Charles Ward girls. I'm sure they'll have a blast tonight at BYU's first home football game of the season. I love them all and miss Karlee the most!