Midnight Madness: New Moon

6 of us went to the midnight showing of New Moon last night. We got good seats and had a good hour to chat before the movie started. Plus the hour and a half at IHop before that. We all really enjoyed the movie... the consensus is that is was better than the book. Not too much weeping for Edward before trying new things (like cliff diving), how foolish.
I know some of you have seen it and I hope you enjoyed it. For everyone else, its a must-see.
(I only got 3 1/2 hrs of sleep last night. I better catch up some tonight.) bblleggghh... Jacob's hair. thank goodness he went through his "transformation" and then had his lovely short hair.

You can tell its Autumn when...

...you can find geese and ducks in the grocery store.
...Christmas decorations abound.
..."Toys for Tots" donations.
...you can pull out your sweaters.
...and the best of all, the ice cream man drives through your neighborhood playing children's tunes. (WHAT?)
Yes, yesterday, November 14th, Rory got her first Ice Cream from the Ice Cream man for this year.
Fall in Texas= Warm Weather

Ice Cream Truck in TX also advertises Charrones, Nachos, y Helotes!

Can you believe it??? Rory's 6!

On the 3rd some friends came over for Rory's birthday. They played toss-across, twister, did "makeovers", and had cookie cake. It was a good time!

Spencer, Alexis, Skyler, McKenzie, Courtney, Gage, Samantha and Rory

On Rory's actual birthday, the 4th, she opened her presents from us (a cash register that scans and has a microphone- anything to project her voice is a great thing to Rory-, the movie Monsters VS. Aliens, some coloring sets, and tickets to see Walking with Dinosaurs. And we went to dinner at her favorite place, Cici's. (maybe some day her tastes will change)

With her teacher Mrs. Haynes. Donut holes were the treat she wanted to share with her class.

Friday night we went to see the dinosaur show. Rory got a little scared and a little sad at times. But she enjoyed it a lot. Spencer LOVED every moment of it. It was very magical for the little kids.

Trip to VA!

A few months ago I got an email from Airtran.com advertising low fares. A flight from San Antonio to Richmond, VA was $75. I eased Edward into the idea of me going (ALONE) for my birthday. And... I did! (a few days after my b-day). He had the kids all to himself from Thurs AM to Tuesday PM. Brave man!!! He was ok, just afraid I would never come back.

My trip was great. I miss all the huge trees hovering over the land. I miss my family. I miss some of the things that come with living in a small town with a new branch. (I got to teach Seminary while I was there)
Here are some pics from the trip.
Focus on the trees, not the cars. My moms road is a small country road with trees just like this surrounding either side. Those were the best morning runs I've ever gone on!!
We spent a day in Richmond. When we got there I saw this hamburger bun stuck to a wall. Why? I don't know. But it did provide an interesting photo-op.

A very close-up shot of me, my mom, and my little (just younger, not little) brother JT, or as we call him, "JR".

Cobblestone street! Loved it.

Pretty architecture.

There are a lot of things you never appreciate, or realize you have until its gone and you can revisit your past (if you're fortunate enought to do so). I had a great time and will have to do it again someday. Don't worry Edward, not for a long time.

Pumpkin Patches and Trick or Treating

Last Thursday some of us, including Grandma Karena who came to visit, went to the pumpkin patch for a hay ride and to find that perfect pumpkin. Spencer and Grandma Pilgrim

All the kids climbing the hay stack.

Spencer just loves to take care of Camberly.

Spencer picked out this costume. I think he made a great Vampire. Kind of spooky, but everyone thought he was just adorable. Actually, as he ran to each house he was so fast his cape caught lots of air and was rising up behind him. We thought he just might fly!


Spencer and Carter at the ward Trunk-or-Treat party.

Rory, the school bus driver.

Buster (Air Bud). I guess he went as a Jock.

We went to the Zollinger's for Halloween night. Here's spooky Spencer with adorable little pumpkin Casch.

Rory was tired of holding her bus so she decided to be a ballerina for Halloween night.

Alexis was Hannah Montana.

These pumpkins are a hoot

I saw this idea in a Good Housekeeping Magazine a couple months ago. But in keeping with my desire to recycle or throw everything away, it was tossed in my big blue recycling bin. I tried to find it on their website, but with no luck. So I tried to make them from memory.
Supplies: Hot Glue, white pumpkins (first time I've seen them locally), sunflower seeds.
Rory's is the big one, Spencer's is the small one. They had lots of help from me. I'm not letting go of enough control to let them do these kinds of things on their own yet. Maybe some day.

Temple Gardening

Saturday morning we went to the San Antonio Temple to plant flowers. The weather was great and our ward had a great turnout. The Great Harvest Bread Co. across the street baked fresh bread for all the volunteers. Delicious!!
The kids were a great help and had a lot of fun.