Halloween - Part 1

I LOVE Halloween!! Last night I was trying on my many different out-fits I am going to be this year, and his response was, "Mom, I think I am going to outgrow Halloween before you do!"

Here are some pictures from my work and from Niels. We are having too much fun!!

Village People... opening act for KISS!

Zoo starts with "Z"

For Fall Break this year, I took the day off of work and we headed to the Hogle Zoo. It turned out to be a very educational adventure. Zander is learning his letters and what sounds they make. We picked an animal thats first letter started with the first letter in each of our names. Zander simply LOVED this game. His older brothers had a great time teaching him. It was a super nice day!

"A" starts with Ape and Amy (Check out Garrett's great Ape Face. He looks better then the Ape in the far left corner)!

"C" starts with Crocodiles and Conner!

"S" is for Slimy Snakes and for Stockton. Ewwww!

"G" is for Giraffe and for Garrett

"Z" is Zander's favorite letter. It also starts with his favorite animal, the Zebra!!

Uncle Vic

Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near...

And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear

All of my love around you soft and clear.

And then, when you must come this way alone,

I'll greet you with a smile and "Welcome Home."

This past week was one of those weeks where the unexpected happens. Unfortunately, the week wasn't one of those happy unexpected happening events. My Uncle Vic was in a terrible motorcycle accident. He passed away late Tuesday night.
I have attempted to post several times, but could never find just the right words (and still cannot). It amazes me how life can just be going along, and all the sudden, out of no where, things change in just one moment.
I have thought mostly about my cousins, Uncle Vic's children. I have hoped they have found comfort in the lose of their father. I have thought my own father and prayed for him to find peace with yet another sibling passing. I thought about my Aunt Lori, Uncle Ron and Grandma Dean and wondered if their hearts have felt solace in this difficult time?
The funeral services were Sunday night. They were beautiful, sincere, loving and peaceful. I could feel the love for him from so many people. It was an incredible event to attend as I saw many dear friends and family members.
Uncle Vic was a good man! A very loving and caring Uncle. I felt his love many times in my life. I found a safeness when things were difficult and a man who loved those in his life. Uncle Vic will be greatly missed!

Go BYU!

A couple of weeks ago we attended the BYU vs New Mexico football game. This was Conner and Garrett's first college game. BYU won! And.... we all had blast celebrating their victory!

Delightful Dots

Guess what? I started my own template design blog!

Delightful Dots

The word is spreading quickly. It has been incredibly amazing to see my template all around. I thought I would share my site with you! Check it out!!

A couple things about my templates:

*Very simple to apply to your blog
*You DO NOT have to re-format any of your information - ALL the information on your blog will move over when you follow the instructions.
*They are super cute!!!!

Right now I am offering an incentive for you to advertise for me. If you will post a blog about Delightful Dots, I will make you are free header. Here are a few headers I have made thus far:

How Sweet it is

California Clan

Haag Family

Read All About It

La Bonne Vie

Also... I take requests. If there are some particular colors or designs you would like to see, please let me know!!

I am currently working on setting up my Cute Cards site. I am accepting Christmas card orders now. If you would be interested just let me know. I would be happy to work up a few designs.

Happy Blogging!!

What is that smell?

Wednesday morning I got into the car to head to work. As I jumped into the car, my nose could smell this light stinky smell. The smell wasn't too strong, but still the same is was slightly stinky. I went about my day and didn't pay too much attention to it. At lunch, I decided to vacuum out the car.
I got in the car Thursday morning and I could smell the scent again. This time the foul smell was even worse. It smelt like dog poop or something along those lines. I was in a hurry to get to work so I avoided the smell as much as possible. I rolled down the windows in hopes to air out the car. When I got into the car at the end of my work day, the smell was still there.... and seemed to be getting even worse. I sprayed Febreze on the floors, used Lysol cleaning rags on the leather seats and hoped I had cleaned up the disgusting smell.
Friday morning came along.... and just as you may have guessed, the smell was even stronger. I ran back into the house and brought out some baking soda carpet cleaner. I sprinkled the baking soda all over the carpets in hope that would clear out the smell. I was sure that would do the trick. Lunch came around. A bunch of work associates wanted to go to lunch. Lucky me... I got to drive. I was almost certain the baking soda would have settled into the carpet by that time, so I agreed. Man was I embarrassed when I opened the car door and got a hint of the smell. With the powder on the floor, rather then clean air, my car smelt like a dirty diaper. No one said a word about the smell as I drove them to and from lunch. No one talked much either.... I think they were all holding their breath. I was sure we were going to have to get the carpets detailed. There was just no getting the horrible smell out of the car. I kept scratching my head because I just couldn't figure out what was smelling so horrible. The inside of the car was sparkling at this point.
Saturday morning I decided to go to the car cleaning place one more time. I put my quarters in the vacuum and began vacuuming away at my nearly spotless car. As I was vacuuming I decided to look in the very far back of the Trailblazer. The smell seemed to be coming from the very back. I hadn't even touched that area of the car because I was sure the smell was from the boys... tracking in dog poop or something. As I glanced in the back I saw some groceries. The second I saw the bag all the memories of shopping came back to me.
That previous Tuesday night I had quickly run to the store and purchase chicken, hamburger, and steak cubes. I had gotten busy with picking up kids from football and getting the boys to bed, I had forgotten to bring in the groceries. There they had sat for 5 days! GROSS!!!!
I immediately threw out the meat, opened the windows in the car, and let the smell air itself out. Thank goodness the meat was all tightly bagged in the plastic bags. Nothing had spilled out.
The car is smelling much better today. Not a hint of bad poultry! And... the car is the cleanest it has been probably since I purchased it!!!!

On a happy side note:

Niel's parents got their mission call!! John and Joyce are super excited to be serving an 18 month mission. They will be heading out February 9th. I am really going to miss them!! To find out where they are going, and to wish them well, please check out their blog!

Fall is in the Air

I love to experience ALL the seasons. Each season brings with it all it's exuberant splendor.
Fall is here!! Some of my favorite things about fall are....

(picture by Mark Jarvis)

Orange, Yellow's, Mountains.
Fall even has a musty clean smell in the air! It sure is Beautiful!


The Hot Chocolate machine has been pulled out & getting good use all ready.

Delicious!

Football has become a new favorite activity to add to my list this year!
The boys are all so great!!

Mouth watering caramel apples! The left over caramel goes on popcorn!!

Ah... Halloween..... it is one of my favorite holidays!

(picture by Niel Oscarson)

Time to pull out the warm sweaters, stylish jackets, long sleeved shirts..... a
nd my cool 10 year old black boots! Along with my favorite boots come my long, comfy, green polk-a-dot socks (I think it is time for some new socks).

I love Fall!

What are some of your favorite things about Fall?

I am feeling a little..... BROWN!

Having an incredible hair dresser makes life simple and easy. Plus, Brooke knows just the right things to do. I think I like it!!!

What do you think?

Our son Conner.... M.V.P.

Guess who won M.V.P. at their last football game? You guessed it.... Conner did!

Every Wednesday night Conner's coaches pick one person from the last Saturday game for the M.V.P. award. For the past 5 Wednesdays Conner has come home empty handed and broken hearted..... even grumpy. I had to sit him down and explain to him that Lineman rarely get M.P.V. awards. I also told him that Lineman probably have the most important position, but since they don't handle the ball, they are often overlooked. Conner was determined to change those statistics.

I walked in the door Wednesday night and the first words out of his mouth were.... "M-O-M! Guess what?" (with a nah-nah-nah attitude). "Guess who won M.V.P.? That's right!!! You were WRONG!"

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't like to be wrong..... but this is one time I was actually smiling!! I am so proud of him!!!!!

If you are interested, you can read all about his game on his blog!