Pilgrim Preston

This pilgrim must be storing turkey in his cheeks, fer sure.

FHE Chronicles: The Thankful Pig

This is how we counted our blessings this year for Thanksgiving.

During a Family Home Evening night, I presented the Thankful Pig. We talked about how just like counting the money we put in piggy banks, we can also count our blessings.

We left Ms. Thanks (it must be a girl since it's pink) out all week and the kids snuck little grateful messages--even Gavin with his colorful and abundant little scraps of paper.

The Monday night before Thanksgiving, we went around and read the thankful notes we found in piggy. There were notes from, "I am thankful for the baby in my belly." to " horses, books, food" to "I am thankful for Star Wars."

We'll see her again next year.

School Talent Show

Paige sang a lovely rendition of Annie's "Tomorrow", and, boy, I wish I knew how to download a video...I should know how to do that. In the meantime, her darling sun-in-the-eyes poses will have to do.

So proud of our brave girl.

Much more brave than I was at 9.

Fer sure.

Paige's Purple Pirates

Volleyball, Season 4...

...and it is getting more fun each season to watch her skeeeelz.

The Pumpkin Patch and Farm

On Hallow's Eve, this is what we did:

Then we went home to carve pumpkins (no pictures) and during the lighting ceremony (no pictures) on our front porch

Preston's cute little bare foot was stung by a scorpion.

(no pictures)

So, basically, we rang in Halloween with a bang.

Halloween week

Preston's Preschool Party

Trevor's School Parade and Class Party

And Paige went to a rockin' Halloween Party

Gifts

One good gift*
is how it began.
A marriage to
a goodly man.

1, 2, 3,
and then came 4,
And on it's way is
5--One more!

Good gifts from God--
too much to bear.
Partaking daily of
my fair share.

A busy life
can overload.
And keep our thoughts
on the rugged road.

But moments, still
and precious, come
to tell us to slow
our pace down some.

To watch these gifts
and stare awhile.
Stare at them!
Stop to smile.

For gifts are given
from Him above
when we take pause
to see his love.

*Moroni 10:18

Sometimes I write things that rhyme--or don't. Like this, this, this, this and this.

The team called the Goblin-ators

**Post Edit*** The Goblinators made 3 goals!!!

One of which was made by our Trevor.

Oh, and it was the one game that I missed which was not awesome.

*************

Last time Steve coached Trevor and Preston's team they came up with the name, the T-Rex-Cardinals...They have a good time with the team-name-thing.

This season, the boys (and dad) are having a great time kickin' the ball around and running really fast. Our team has not yet scored any goals, but have assisted many other teams in making some of their first points ever!

Our boys are very self-less like that.

Though his good looks are sometimes distracting on the field, Steve is awesome and is super talented at coaching young kiddos.

Go Green Goblinators!!!

Goals are overrated!!!

You make red faces and grass stains look good!!!

Righteous Bandz

Our son is kinda into the whole Silly Band thing. We seriously never even bought any, and then he just started coming home with them and trading them....soon, I gave in and bought a pack so that he could choose to continue to earn money (a dime) or a band for his chores.

Well, I just found out that a friend from high school has created these new LDS themed bands. Check them out! There are temple, CTR, LDS, shield shapes and more. Click below for the link:

Righteous Bandz!

Stocking Stuffers, anyone?

Of power and preston.

Steve and I were in the front of the van talking about some proposition or another when Preston heard the word, "government" in our conversation. The following is our banter:

Preston: Do we have a government anyway?

Daddy: Yes--

Preston: Well, what's his name?

Daddy: Oh, well, the government is made up of a bunch of people who work together--

Preston: But, what's his naaame?

(Amused glances and smirks exchanged between parents.)

Daddy: Well, there's the Legislative, the Executive--

Preston: Ughhh...

Daddy: The government has power to--

Preston: Power? Like a Laser Power or sumpin?

Daddy: No, no...

Preston: Does the government cut people with the power?

(Umm...)

Mommy: Well, there's a President who is in charge of the government. His name is President Obama.

Preston: President Oomana?

Mommy: No, O-Ba-Ma.

Preston: (singing) Obanaaa, Oomaana, Ukuunaaa.....

I wish they could stay children forever and ever.

Paige's Piano Recital

Paige had her 2nd piano recital last week. She has been playing for about 3 years now and is doing so well and is so fun to listen to. She has the best teacher who is patient and encouraging. For this recital, Paige played two memorized pieces: The Entertainer and The Night of the Tarantela.

It was a packed house and we enjoyed a nice little concert by all of the students.

~~~~~~~~~~

What I've Learned About Paige:

She is a great pianist.
She excels when she can be independent of her mother.
Meaning, I do not help her with her piano practice or theory lessons.
Meaning, she has chosen to motivate herself and we are all happier for it.
Meaning, it is not good when two controlling musicians butt heads.

Ahem.

Preston's 5th Birthday!! Hooray!!

We had two celebrations: one on the actual birthday with our little family and one party with friends that weekend. The theme:

PIRATES!

His big brother made him a sweet Star Wars card:

To Preston. You are a real Star Wars character. You are cool and you are awesome. From Trevor


"Pin the Parrot on the Pirate"
So close, Preston!
(I know this looks wierd, but our 3rd car garage opens up to the backyard.)

Everyone drawing their best pirate!




Trust me--you want to give this boy a gift, because his reactions and gratitude are priceless.



Matey Cupcakes (Fruit-roll ups for the scarf)

A conversation last week, also known as Why We Adore Preston:

Preston: Mom, I wish I was a moose.

Me: A moose? Why's that?

Preston: Uh, because then on Halloween, I could hang my trick-or-treat bag on my antlers!" (followed by raised arms and an implied, "Duh!")

So creative, joyful, lively, delightful, grateful and happy! We love you, Preston!

The holy science of water droplets

It's always this way, isn't it?

Rain first.

Then the sun.

Rain: we can't see much when it's a' poundin'.

Sun: is when we see the beauty of all that rain.

Rain first.

Then the Son.

Blurry Bliss