Pumpkin Huntin' & Carvin'

And the winner is...

Napoleon Dynamite Party

Shortly before I left Herriman Smith's-another story-a few friends and their families and Hannah & I had a Napolean Dynamite party. I'm not sure why...we just wanted to. And I'm glad we did. We laughed. We had lots ND food including (of course) Quesadillas, Tots, AND 2% Milk. I miss them! I think Hannah thought we were a tad over the top, but in the end, she had a great time. She made a great Kip!

Here we all are-

Pedro, Deb, ND, Kip, Uncle Rico, Summer

Trevor and his wife, Cheryl aka

Pedro & Summer

Jonathan and Shelly aka

Napolean & Deb

Their two darling girls, Isabelle and Ada aka

Mini-Debs

Hannah aka Kip-LOL!

Kip & Uncle Rico

Our Napolean Dynamite Smorgasbord

Crazy Hair Day

So here I am...playing MAJOR catch-up. And I know I shouldn't be playing catch-up, rather just staying current, but it's a character flaw. Anyway, the next few posts will be short and sweet so I can stay current. And thanks everyone for your support and gentle proddings and especially for your patience. Life got crazy...again! I guess this is a good time to throw "Crazy Hair Day" in.

During "Red Ribbon Week", we always have a crazy hair day. Red Ribbon Week celebrates and highlights just saying no to drugs. Anyway, here it is. Pretty Crazy!

Marching Bands ROCK!

Each year, Jessica & I look forward to the Mountain States High School Marching Band Competition. I know, I know. Who goes to these things? Especially when they, nor their children are in them? We do, and we LOVE to. Jodi calls us band geeks, but she still supports us. Thanks Jo. Our kids love to go too. They are "becoming" versed in marching band-age. One of Jessica's daughters, EJM, reminded us how unflattering the uniforms can be though. She said, "Aunt Jamie, are there any giwrls in mawching bands?" Jessica said, "Honey, are Aunt Jamie and I boys?" Yes, dear, they just look like boys. We are, and will always be, AF Cavemen. And they ROCK! But our kids will go to Lone Peak. Good program, but not American Fork. My nephew, JTM, asked if he could go to American Fork just so he could play in their band. Hmmm, I don't think his dad will be ok with that. (Jess would.) "Dear Old AF High, yes we will love you til we die..." Anywho, here are a picture or two..

Jess & her flute, and I & my clarinet. Although I did switch to tuba at Utah State. Go Aggies!

It's A Boy!

My brother, Jayson, and his wife, Christy, and their two darling daughters, Cora & Isabella, are pleased to announce they will soon have a brother/son. And we can't be more excited for them. This is my parents 14th grandbaby, and only the 3rd boy. We do girls, but we can't wait for another nephew & the first "Evans" grandson! YEAH! Congratulations you guys! We love you! (Hi Cora. Hi Bella. XOXO Aunt Mimi & Hannah)

Phone Call from School...

My phone rang. I didn't recognize the number, but I answered anyway. It was the computer teacher, Ms. Griffith. She proceeded to tell me that today they wrote Halloween stories in class. She told me that Hannah wrote the cutest story about how she doesn't really like the candy part of Halloween. Her favorite part of Halloween is being with her family. I love her!

A Utah Man Am I! GO UTES!

Dad and Jays have season tickets to the Ute football games. We were lucky to get to be able to attend. AND, not only just attend, but attend arguably the best game of the season! Yes, Hannah & I were at the Oregon State game. And like every other Ute fan, we had a great time! For those of you who missed it....mini recap. Utes not playing great...ok, Brian Johnson was not playing great. But still had the lead most of the game. Sometime in the 4th quarter we lost that lead. After we had been behind for a few minutes, I looked at Hannah and said, "Man, this is going to be a real bummer if the first game we come to, the Utes lose." Hannah looked back at me and said, "Yeah, especially after all that smack talkin' we did to Gramma!" LOL! Yes, my family is divided between the Utes and the Other school. And as much of Ute fans as Hannah & I are, I have seen a different side of my brother. WOW! Talk about IN-Tense! With 2:18 left, Utah 20, Oregon St. 28, Dad said, "Plenty of time...we have plenty of time." My brother said nothing.... Brian Johnson did wake up, scored a TD and ran in the 2 point conversion to tie the game up. Louie Sakoda kicked a 37 yard field goal just as the clock ran out and the Utes won! When it was all over, Dad said, "We had 'em where we wanted 'em at 2:18." All Jayson could say was, "I don't believe it!" I think he was in shock...seriously! We were all hoarse the next day...even Hannah! Thanks for the game! I can't wait til next time!

I'm glad we took this before we ever got behind...I don't think it would have happened otherwise! Love ya, Brother, but, WOW!

Funny story about the UTAH/byu rivalry in our house...about 3 or so years ago, Hannah asked me, "Mom, if we hate BYU, does that mean we hate Brigham Young?" I have lighten up...just a little.

This picture is what my dad told Hannah the reason is for going to college...Hmmmm.

One Year Older...

So, here I am again playing catch up...again...

September 26th marked another birthday for me...38. And I have the best friends and family! And I know I have the best daughter in the whole world! I woke up to my darling daughter and my equally as darling sister singing "Happy Birthday" and they had made me breakfast in bed. I have to admit I was a little teary...I know-SHOCKING! When I realized that Hannah is to conspire with her Aunt, set her alarm, and get out of the house without me knowing, well, I was a little emotional. I will also admit I'm not that easily surprised...especially with just the two of us. But it was the best surprise ever! Thanks Jennie! You rock! Thanks for helping her! While we were eating, I told Jennie that it reminded me of my birthday about 18 or so years ago. She was about Hannah's age and she came to spend the weekend with me at my apartment in the avenues in Salt Lake. While I was in the shower, she decorated my very tiny studio and made me breakfast then too. She said she remembered how scared she was that night. She heard things "popping" in the middle of the night. She thought it was gunfire. LOL! It was actually my friends decorating the hallway of the apartment house with balloons to surprise me in the morning! I have a picture of that year...I will post it later.

It was Hannah's idea to make the face...too funny!

Once our bellies were full, Hannah left for school and then the party began! My sister, Jennie, had arranged for us all to get pedicures. Super fun! Thanks again Jen-Jen! My mom had never had one before! Then we picked up Aunt Jenn & Nicole (Cole) and headed to Park City. Each year, we all get together for a Girls' Weekend. No kids...well, maybe one or two little ones. And lucky me, it generally falls on or close to my birthday. After a wild & crazy evening, we go shopping the next morning, then head down to Women's Conference. I didn't get much shopping in this year though. I needed to be at the conference center early to sing, so my trip was cut a little short. I'm not complaining though. It was fabulous. I'm sad it's over. I won't linger much on it again, but it was soooo great! Here are a few photos from the "wild & crazy" weekend.

LJM was the lucky little one that got to come this year.

Our masterpieces...I will say, my sisters need to live a little. It was like pulling teeth to get "some" of them to put a little fun on their toes. Man, were they BORING! Mine are the best, of course. I am proud of Mom's too!

Jenn & Cole didn't want to leave a car at the Park-n-Ride so here we are picking them up....thanks Uncle Jim for driving them out!

Mom gave us all facials...

We wear Jennie out...

Aunt Jenn...

Jayson's wife, Christy...

Jess scrapbooking...

Cole just bought a house...LOL!

Jodi doing whatever it is she does...I swear!

What would a Park City morning be without seeing a balloon...

Us...

Jennie, Cole, Jenn, Mom (Juanita), Jodi, Christy, Me, Jess

At one point, Jess, Jodi, Jennie and I were left behind in the condo. The others had gone to check a few things out. While they were gone, Jodi & I became interested in what each other had on each others iPods. After a few minutes, I hear, "Um, who has Hanson on their iPod!" Yes, that would be me. Anyway, we decided to make up a "dance" to MMMBop and "surprise" everyone else when they came back. Why? Who knows? And if any of you know our children, you will know were they get this "makin' up" stuff! Anyway, here is MMMBop.

As Sisters In Zion

I have the opportunity to sing in a women's choir that will perform this Saturday, September 27th, during the General Relief Society Meeting. I won't be able to accurately describe how much this experience has impacted me. BUT, it has been life changing! Every Sunday night for the last 6 weeks, 363 other women and myself meet to practice and rehearse. But, not just to practice. To share, to learn, to grow. I want to share a few of the things that I have found particularly important (at least for me) in this journey. Our choir director is an amazing, incredible person! Her name is Merrilee Webb, and if you ever have the opportunity to work with her, DON'T pass it up! I'm pleading! You will BE different! I promise! She shares her talents and her testimony with and energy that is absolutely amazing! The very first rehearsal, she wanted us to understand the power of connecting. Connecting with someone....someone whom we may never meet, but that may see ME singing and will feel of my love and my testimony. We are wearing white shirts with black skirts. Julie Beck, General Relief Society President, explained that wherever they are travelling in the world, and are blessed to hear choirs, themembers of those choirs are in white shirts. No matter the economic status or living situation, somehow members were able to find a white shirt; even if it meant turning a t-shirt inside out. We are singing 4 songs. The music will not be translated into different languages;the meeting will, but not the songs. So the songs that we are singing are songs that have been translated into every different hymn book. If the sisters don't speak English, they will at least recognize the music. We were asked to add to a room, just by being there, not take or detract. We learned that "you are enough." We shared experiences. We shared "ha". We were challenged to "learn the healer's art". Maybe we learned "the healers art". We were taught "I am the precious adornment worn around the neck of my ancestors." I have always loved music. But I have been reminded of the power of music; of how much music can really and truly teach us. I know I will never be able to generate the kind of feeling and transformation that I have experienced in this post. I am writing this, mostly, for my own sake. Knowing that this experience will end on Saturday, in front of 20,000 people, is very emotional-even now, I have a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Just know that I have had a WONDERFUL experience! And know that I have changed.

"The opportunity of a lifetime lies within the lifetime of the opportunity."

Last week we had a dress rehearsal at the Conference Center. Our families were invited to come up and watch. Hannah was with Brad, but my friend, Emily, had her family there. Thanks to Wes for taking the pictures. (Center section, third row, fourth from the right)

Horses & Burrows & Camels...Oh, My!

Jodi called and wanted to know if I could watch SRS for her. "Sure, I'll call Jess and see if MCM can come over and play too." She could. So we decided to go on a walk to see the horses & camel. We had a great time! Later that day, I said to mom that I didn't feel like I got anything accomplished. She reminded me that I accomplished the most important thing that day. How true! (Now I know how Jessica feels every day!)

M wanted her picture taken by this sign. So I took it.

I had the hardest time getting them to "pose" in the sunflowers...

We brought celery for the camel, but we couldn't get close enough to him. We decided to feed the horses the celery. They don't like celery.

Enough said.

Max, the camel.

The burrow and the cows.

Flowers for Grandma and Grandpa.