Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Reading Time

I realized over the last few weeks that reading time with Em has been sorely lacking. We have started again to make it a nightly ritual. Last night we read a couple of Mercer Mayer books. Her favorite is "Just Going to the Dentist", only because I do crazy voices and made up dialog for the frog and spider.  Tonight I had the frog afraid for his life and the spider trying to egg everybody on to scare the frog even more.

She laughed so hard she fell of the bed. 
Yes, mom is still cool.



Tuesday, November 29, 2011

What is she up to...?


Can't you just see the wheels turning...

Favorite Fall Photos Part 2

I had a photography lesson and guided tour of Alpine with Von and Howard in late October.  Here are my best shots.

 Blue Mountains

Howard in Yellow Trees
 
 Me. Phone shot :)

 Morning Light

 A Quiet Place

 Blue Sky

 Blue Creek

 Reflections

Within the Branches

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

The Target Pants

This past Saturday Em and I went to Target for a few groceries. We wandered through the girls clothing section and I bought her a cute pair of black pants with a black and white striped skirt attached (that actually went to her knees). It was cute. She liked it, I liked it, it was on sale, so we bought it.

Fast forward Monday morning to the 8 year old who threw a fit because she hated the pants on. 

"Too tight, too weird, I look funny" 
"You look adorable"
"I don't want to look adorable!"  
"Why did we buy them in the first place?" 
"Because I wanted to go to the toy section so I said I liked them"
 Instant punishment for that comment. 
"Guess what? You get to wear them, go get your coat on" (Wailing, gnashing of teeth)

Monday evening. Picked her up at her aunts. The cute pants had been ripped through the knee and the skirt had been cut with scissors.  




Seriously? Oh, she's in trouble.
She had to write me a letter of apology. 
 
 She wasn't happy. She had to pay me $10 out of her money and then she had to write down her own punishment if she did it again. And on top of that I made her help me clean the basement.


(Heart felt letter of apology...sure)

My favorite part was the grounding for 400 years.

I can't believe she cut up those pants.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Waiting for the dentist

Believe it or not, this is one of Em's favorite places.

They both look older to me today.
I have this weird nostaglic feeling. Not sure if I like it.


Thursday, November 17, 2011

Yesterday's Sunset

"My beloved friend President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives..." 

...Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His words. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude.

My sincere, heartfelt prayer is that we may in our individual lives reflect that marvelous virtue of gratitude. May it permeate our very souls, now and evermore"
(click on his name to read the talk)

Yesterday's blessing 
(phone photo doesn't do it justice, it was beautiful)


“Keep your eyes open to your mercies. The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life.” (Robert Louis Stevenson)

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Favorite Fall Photo

The best kid ever turned 16.

 

Favorite Summer Photo

I kind of miss the summer, the fall has moved on and winter is just cold and complicated, but I always feel better when I look at this picture. I love Em's face. So dang cute.


Friday, November 11, 2011

More photos from LA

Beauty of Highland Park, CA

Two of my favorite people in the whole wide world
(Jim and Landy)

My favorite missionary!



The best tacos in California - Titos Tacos. Mmmmm. Yummy.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

LA

Loved LA. Attended a conference on Social Media and Marketing. They focused a lot on blogging, but I did get some good ideas and information for marketing.

The best part! Getting to spend a whole lot of one on one time with Landy. One of the dearest blessings in my life. Love that woman! 22 years of friendship.



We visited Bailee (Sis. Brinkerhoff) at the temple. Wonderful visit with a stalwart missionary. She is adorable.




The city is wonderful. Huge. Tragic. Beautiful. I loved every moment.



I do not like to fly, but it was worth it.


This sign was under one of the overpasses just outside the city. There was so much traffic I got a fantastic shot.

More to come.