Davis High School Homecoming

Last Friday night we went to our home town high school football game. The weather was perfect! We enjoyed watching Michael's cousin play and seeing Kayleigh's reaction to everything. I think her favorite part was the band performing at half time. Hmm, is she her father's daughter or what?? Seriously, she LOVED it! She kept signing and saying "More!" She was very sad when they were done. But she also liked watching the football I think, she wanted the ball for herself though.

We had fun sitting with all our family. Michael's aunt saved us seats which was perfect since it was packed. His grandparents and parents were there too. Kayleigh enjoyed sitting with different people and not having to just sit with us. Too bad Davis lost...oh well.

Corn Stalks

Since our corn has been harvested and the stalks were dying we figured we would put them to good use. I think they look cute on our little porch.
(I love how Kayleigh's arm is in the doorway.)

Last Saturday's Project

For an Enrichment activity in our ward a sister offered to teach us how to make tee pees. I thought it sounded like a fun thing that Kayleigh could play in so I signed up to make one. We met at the church last Saturday at 10 to do it. I left at 4:30 and I still wasn't done! It ended up being a lot bigger of a project than I thought.

My mom let me borrow her sewing machine which was nice. I don't really sew, so she had to give me a basic lesson before I went make the tee pee. Had I been a better, faster sewer I think it would have gone faster, but oh well. I finished Saturday night at home, with Michael's help. He handed me the pins as I pinned and helped to hold all the material as I sewed the casing for the wooden poles.

For $13 I think it turned out great and I'm impressed that I actually sewed something. I hope Kayleigh likes it. I think we are going to give it to her for Christmas or her birthday.

My birthday weekend

My birthday was a really fun day! I did regular mom stuff in the day (grocery shopping, cleaning, yard work) but then at night I partied. Michael came home at about 6 and surprised me with flowers and a balloon-he claims they were from Kayleigh. He also picked up a cake at Dick's that we enjoyed later.

For dinner we went to Chili's-yum! I had a steak with potatoes and cinnamon apples. Oh, and of course chips and salsa-I love their chips and salsa! Michael's parents came with us and so did his sister's family who just happened to be in town too! Kayleigh ate so good at the restaurant! We got her a grilled cheese sandwich with oranges. She ate all the oranges and over half of her sandwich, what a good eater!

After dinner we headed back to our house and opened presents and ate cake and ice cream. I got some great gifts, thanks everybody. Michael's mom gave me a new purse with some money inside, his sister gave me an Old Navy gift card and Michael gave me a new necklace with matching earrings.

It was fun to celebrate on the actually day of my birthday and be with family. I had a great time! Happy 24 to me!

Happy Birthday, Erika!!

Although this blog is mainly managed by Erika, I thought I should do a post and wish my lovely wife a happy birthday!

Erika is so amazing in so many ways. She is a great mother to our beautiful Kayleigh. Erika is almost obsessive-compulsive when it comes to cleaning. Our house is always so clean--which I definitely appreciate! I love having things clean, but I don't always take the time to keep things clean and organized. Erika is a very organized person! Erika is always concerned about others (and sometimes too much). She has a very strong testimony of the Gospel and true principles. (She keeps me in line!)

Most importantly, she is my best friend. I always enjoy our late night conversations. I am grateful she understands me and my weird self.

Those of you reading this, please post a comment with a funny memory of Erika or something you'd like to say about Erika. This should be fun!

Happy Birthday, Erika!! I love you!!!

Our blessing in disguise

Last year in November Michael applied for a new job with Deseret Book. It was a sales job that would work primarily with the Tabernacle Choir's label. Michael was literally thrilled when he heard about it. Anyone that knows Michael well knows that he loves music and is head over heals for the Tabernacle Choir.

He went through the interview process and had 2 interviews. He was very hopeful for the job. When we found out he didn't get it (he was second place) he was so bumbed. He really thought that this would be a good move and make him happy.

Now, months later, we found out tonight that the person they hired for the job was layed off this week. Not because he wasn't good enough or anything like that, just that they decided they weren't busy enough for that position. We are so grateful for Michael's current job.

We are so blessed to have someone looking out for us that knows what our future holds. We just bought a home - a big financial decision. How awful it would be to be out of a job right now. We are so grateful to our Heavenly Father for taking care of us. At the time, it was hard for us to understand why, now we know why. I guess you just never know when you are being blessed.

Cold Cereal

Lately Kayleigh has been wanting milk on her cold cereal in the morning. This morning she saw the box of Chex and pointed to it saying, "milk!" She was referring to the milk on the front of the box shown with the cereal. When I opened the box and pulled out only cereal, without milk, she was very confused. It was funny!

Happy Autumn

(not the best picture, sorry, but you get the idea)



Last year I got this cute Trick-or-Treat sign at the end of Halloween season so I was so excited to pull it out today. Thanks, Erin, for the sweet deal! Sometimes I wish you still worked at J and J.

And check out this sweet pumpkin growing in my parent's garden! I wonder who will get to carve it...probably Dad. Harvesting the food from the garden is always a good sign of summer coming to an end. Hooray for fall!

Our weekend

We went to my parent's on Sunday for my birthday and our monthly family home evening. First we got to talk to my brother and his family via the web cam. They are now in Alaska and are just waiting to close on their house. I really hope we can go and visit them next year.

Next we had dinner, dutch oven BBQ pork on rolls, lots of fresh veggies from the garden, watermelon, and some pie for dessert.

I got to open presents outside so the girls could be playing on the tramp. My parent's yard is just amazing! The landscaping they have done is gorgeous. Michael took some good pictures last night.

My sister gave me a 3-barrel waver for my hair, I'm so excited to try it! My brother (Nathan) gave me Miracle on 34th Street, the DVD. I've wanted this forever, and haven't been able to find it, thanks Nathan. My parents gave me some new pumpkin decorations for fall, a new shirt, and some lotion and soap from Bath and Body Works. My mom also gave the girls new sweaters from Gymboree, they are so cute!

I just love fall time and am glad I get to celebrate my birthday (this Friday) during it. I guess technically it's still summer till the 23rd, but it feels like fall. Thanks, everyone, for your thoughtfulness.

9/11

I'm pretty much embarrassed to post this, but yesterday I had to ask my mom why her flag was at half staff. Once she told me I couldn't believe that I'd forgotten. At work I was trying to think how long it had been, and I can't believe it's been 7 years!
As my day went on I replayed in my mind how that morning in '01 went. I had the radio on as I was getting ready for school. Once it happened I didn't understand it all, I didn't even know what the twin towers were. My mom gave me a short explanation and then I went off to school. It was a B day and I had Bell Choir 5th period. When the Pentagon was hit my teacher was holding a big CD player which she dropped and said, I quote "Oh shit!" As I went throughout school that day I learned a lot about our country and what the twin towers stand for. I still am so grateful that my English teacher let us sit and watch the TV the whole period.

Last night Michael and I watched part of a couple different specials cable had on about 9/11. The video footage and phone messages were unbelievable, truly was like something in a movie. Our nation was under attack, it was awful!
Just as quickly as I forgot, have so many others forgotten too? I am so grateful for those sacrificing so much to fight for my freedom, for my family's freedom. I am thankful for a president who has stood strong in his choice to keep our troops in Iraq. We are needed there. I hope we stay there-come November I don't know what will happen. Just like the country song says, "Have you Forgotten?"