THANK YOU!

There's nothing like being the recipient of amazing service to put things into perspective. I had hernia surgery on the 10th. Not fun, but necessary. I walked like a little old granny...bent over and very slow! I am getting faster but I won't be running any marathons anytime soon. And it will be 6 weeks before I can lift anything over 15 lbs. (which includes Dylan!)

So...how do the kiddos get fed and the clothes get washed and the house get clean and Dylan babysat???? That 's where wonderful family and friends and ward members come in. My ward scheduled meals that have been delicious. My family (especially Mom and Dad) have spent hours doing laundry, cleaning my house, watching Dylan, driving kids places, picking up prescriptions, etc. They are the most unselfish people I know. I have great friends as well that have helped watch Dylan, brought groceries, etc. And friends that have come and watched movies with me and just hung out with me so I don't go crazy just sitting here.

I much prefer being the one who is bringing in the meal, or babysitting kiddos, or cleaning someone's house for them. But I am grateful for those who have done those things for me. It is humbling, and definitely a reminder of how the little services we render mean so much to those on the receiving end in their time of need. I am truly blessed. Thank you!

HALLOWEEN!!!

The Jones' Halloween party! We missed you Angel, Dorea, Rhonda, and Kristi!

We had a great time trying to find just the right pumpkin at the patch. But every pumpkin was HUGE! We bought the smallest one and I still had to have Michael and Rachael carry it. I can't wait until after the surgery and I can lift things again...I hate being on the injured reserve!

All the cousins (minus the Jamesons in Utah) at Grammy and Papa's Halloween party. They love this tradition because parents are NOT invited. After the pictures are taken they love to shove us out the door...and we love to go out to dinner together with NO KIDS!!

My friend Alene and I went out on Halloween night and had a great time (despite the lame party!) She looked amazing! "Lucy, I'm home!"

NICOLE'S BAPTISM!

What a wonderful day!!! Nicole got baptized on Saturday by Papa (my dad). We are so grateful that he could perform this ordinance for her. Gary and Velyn and Emily and Vili and Jesse and Grandma and Grandpa Frandsen came from Utah. And Alan and Carolyn came from Texas. All of my siblings were there but Ryan and Linsey(we miss you guys!!) We also had great friends and ward members that came to support Nicole in her decision to be baptized. So many people love Nicole!!! :)

It was a special treat to be baptized with her friend Sammy Johnson. He was our next door neighbor and is one of Nicole's best friends. We were so happy to share this great day with the Johnson family, they are dear friends!

CHOCOLATE PARTY!

Nicole is addicted to chocolate! She comes by it honestly...her Mom's addicted to chocolate too. It is a special bond we share! For her 8th birthday party she wanted to have a chocolate party. She wanted to have the chocolate fountain and all the yummy stuff that goes with it-strawberries, bananas, pineapple, marshmallows, and graham crackers. They had a great time smothering everything in chocolate! Their faces were covered with the proof!

A NEW COUSIN!!!!!

We are so excited about our new cousin! My sister-in-law and her husband have been waiting 9 years to become parents and they just adopted a beautiful baby boy. We are so excited for them, they will be wonderful parents! Check out her blog (Lisa and Anthony) for pictures of sweet little Lawerance!

SCOTT ROCKS!!!!!

My youngest brother Scott is in a band called White Mammoth. They are really good (of course I'm not prejudiced at all!) They are really fun to listen to and we love to watch Scotty rock out. He is an amazingly talented musician...he plays the guitar and piano, and sings and writes music too. White Mammoth played on Saturday at Tempe Marketplace and it was the first time that my kids were able to see Uncle Scotty play. They thought he was cool before but now they think he is "the bomb!" We're proud of you Scott...you rock!

TOOL BELT DIVAS!!!

Tanisha threw a great birthday party for a friend in our ward. The theme was, "Tool Belt Divas." She went all out...decorations, hats, fondant cake, etc. We felt very "manly" as we tried to identify tools and build things. My friend Alene and I were partners in the birdhouse building contest and we won! (I had some major aggression to get out that night!) We won a Diva tool belt, pink safety goggles, a pink hammer and gloves and a screwdriver. We all had a blast! Thanks girls!