warm weather work

When the boys got home from school it was 71 degrees. After they had a snack I put them to work before it got dark. They weren't too thrilled about it. Carson stacked branches and cleaned out the garden while Mason trimmed back a couple flower beds. All the beds looked so much better.

With the freeze we just had these plants died so why not clean them out now instead of spring? I agree now it better.

Then I caught this beautiful sunset. 

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We have smart neighbors putting up their Christmas lights while the weather is still mild. Last year we put our lights up around Thanksgiving before the bitter cold set in.

boys doing their duty

I know it's frowned upon to take pictures in the chapel but I've never seen Mason help prepare the sacrament before. I'm so proud of him. I can't believe he's had the Priesthood for 2 1/2 years. Now he's the Teachers Quorum President and he takes it very seriously.

Later tonight was Priesthood Preview for Carson. Again...I can't believe how old my boys are getting. They are both so kind. I love them so much!

our week

Monday we had beautiful weather in Chicagoland! As you can tell the leaves are off my favorite fall tree. That's ok, it's been a great fall.

Tuesday was Election Day. I'm so glad I voted early. It wasn't nearly as stressful. Carson voted at school though. I stayed up till 11 waiting for the results. I think Brian stayed up till after 12. As soon as we woke up in the morning Carson wanted to know who won. We turned on the news and watched it as we got ready for our day. We were surprised...Trump won... I didn't vote for him but I was extremely grateful that at least it wasn't Hillary. Many people are not happy with the results. There have been protesting in many large cities all week.

Wednesday our Yukon got new wheels! It was a forced change. All the salt in the winter slowly eroded away the chrome wheels and caused the tires to lose air. These aren't chrome so they should last the rest of our lifetime with the Yukon. Not much good comes from the winter around here. Just the snow is good. 

Over the 3 years we have lived here I've been invited to bunco maybe a half a dozen times. Thursday I attended and won a prize. I've won something all but once. These dishtowels were my recent prize. I love everything about them; red, holiday themed, free!

Friday morning sunrise...

Most of the trees have lost their leaves but I have a few shrubs hanging on to their color.

I sure love the pile of leaves we now have. The kids haven't had time to play in the leaves but I got the dogs out in them. I was shocked at deep the leaves were. 

I don't think I'll ever get used to the geese around here in the fall and winter. 

I remembered the flag for Veterans Day. I don't always but I try. So grateful for the men and women that serve our country keeping us save, past and present.

Tonight I snapped this picture on my way home from running errands. It's a little blurry I know, but I still like it. I attended a baby shower for my secretary this afternoon then went to a handful of stores. I was gone longer than I planned, that's happened almost everyday this week. 

Mason hang out at a friends house tonight. Friday or Saturday's he tries to do that. He's got some great friends. Brian got the truck moved into the garage today. Last night was our first freeze. Perfect timing! CJ chose our movie for tonight, "Maze Runner". He's just finished the book and has started the second one in the series. He loves to read!!

Tomorrow will be busy as well. Church at 1 then I have a pre-conference meeting at 4 then Preisthood Preview at 6:30. I guess my sleeping in will by my restful part of my Sabbath.

Fall for days

Another beautiful day on Friday. I love all the red shrubs and trees everywhere. Especially in our yard.

Saturday I made this pumpkin pull apart bread. It was yummy! I think I ate half the loaf before anyone knew it was finished. Don't tell anyone... It had a cream cheese icing, I think next time I'll double the icing to dip the slices in.

Bailee colored her hair Thursday. It turned out great! She looks amazing!! I don't think anyone will confuse us anymore. Makes me a little sad. 

Today was another amazing day. 67 degrees on the way home from church! I really do want fall to last forever. It's been a beautiful season and a bonus having mild weather. As I've been watching the forecast there's a good chance for our first freeze to be Saturday night. I better keep watching and pick the rest of the tomatoes. It's been wonderful to still be getting home grown tomatoes.  

I'm surprised with the amount of leaves that have fallen in a few short days. I do love the leaves on the ground though. I need to get the boys, and dogs, out to play in the leave before it gets cold.

It has been wonderful to watch video clips on Facebook about the Cubs winning the World Series. I'm surprised how choked up I get. The feeling around Chicago has been amazing. It's like we are in a bubble and that's all we think about. It's great to see everyone wearing Cubs gear. I hope the feeling lasts awhile longer. At least to get us past the election. ;)

World champs!!

Can you believe this!! Let me start at the beginning on Wednesday. 

It was a rather dreary wet day. I decided to go vote before work and I was eager for game 7.

I voted at a cute small community center in Campton Hills Township. It was quiet and fast and easy. I'm so glad voting is over for me. I'm not looking forward to who might win. The two main parties that are running are a joke if you ask me. 

Game 7 started at 7. After I dropped the boys off at church I searched on AM radio to find the game. I've never done that before.  The game started with a bang with the Cubs first hitter hitting a homerun! 

When the boys got home they sat and watched the game. Carson was hopeful to get to stay up and watch. We let him. At one point the Cubs stole a base and I thought Carson was going to be sick that he would get out. It went into overtime then there was a rain delay. Carson was nervous he would have to go to bed. It was getting late but the delay didn't last long. Mason finally sat and watched the 10th inning with us.

When the Cubs got their last out and the score was 8-7 Cubs, I was surprised with my emotions. This has been an amazing ride.

Today has been quiet and beautiful! I'm basking in the the win. 

Happy, happy, happy, happy 21st birthday!!!!

This girl turned 21 today! I think it's been a great day for her. Last week I sent her a package with her charger for her toothbrush plus candy plus a sweater and gloves for her birthday. I'm sure she thought that was it. I had talked with her friend, Cara, when she was here this past summer to pick up this apron for Bailee. When Bailee was in Canada visiting her friends family Bailee admired this apron but didn't buy it. So I gave it to her for her birthday. She was shocked!!

Then I had Brenda deliver a couple items to her while she was at work. Again Bailee was shocked! I gave her some fry pans and food storage containers. She needed them and loved it! 

I facetimed with Bailee before she went to devotional. She sounded good and happy. Her plan was to sit with McKenna during the devotional. Being how she sent me a few pictures of her and McKenna playing in leaves I'd dare say they sat with each other then hung out a bit. 

Then Bailee sent me this picture of a baby's blanket she made and finished in a few days time. Her friend, Brooke, is due in a couple weeks. Bailee even put the baby's name on it, Emma Scout. So cute!! Bailee did great!

I'm so grateful for all the people that helped me make sure Bailee had a great day. I miss her so much and wanted this day to be special, her first birthday away from family. I love you Bailee!! Keep being the amazing, kind, fun loving, wonderful person you are. Happy, happy birthday!!

Halloween fun

Karlee and Bailee sent me these pictures this morning. They both look great! Karlee is a mouse and Bailee has a spider bun.

I can't decide if I like the leaves on the tree or on the grass more. 

Ready and waiting for the parade to begin. CJ is with Marta in the picture above. 

The boys went trick or treating with friends. Fischer, Mason and Brian above. CJ and Hayden below.

The boys on the ends are too goofy looking for these teenagers. They were going for scary and cool. 

They look cool with candles too!

Karlee and Miranda headed out to a church trunk or treat.

Bailee had her neighbor draw the web. WE all had a fun day! Now it's time for bed.