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.

28 years young

Yesterday was my birthday. Edward and I went out last Friday for great food at McAdoos and a fun movie...

Roller-derby in Austin, TX. Their team is called the "Hurl Scouts". Edward and I couldn't think of any cool rollerderby names even though we tried all night after the movie. Some of the names in the movie were "Babe Ruthless", "Slashlee Simpson" and "Rosa Sparks "(yes, she was black).

Yesterday on my birthday I got muffins in bed (with a lit candle) and Edward made me a fat free homemade dinner. He checked out cookbooks at the library, bought the ingredients, cooked on his own, and cleaned up just for me. I know... he's the best.

My friends took me to lunch at the Gruene Onion. Thanks Julian, Becca, Alison, Sherry, Janielle, and Abby...and your kiddos.

Buster's Birthday Bash

Yes, we threw a party for a our dog, Buster's, birthday. When we took him to the vet this summer the birthdate listed for him was October 12, 2007. So since we knew the date we started joking around that we were going to throw him a party and invite some puppy friends. Then Edward made EVite invitations and had me send them out. So some of our friends brought their dogs and his original family, Joel, Becca and Lila came to celebrate with us.


I thought it was a hoot. But my neighbors dogs got sent home early because of some rowdy behavior.

Thanks to the Fuessels, Fernandes, Crowthers, Savilles, Zollingers and Dunivans for coming to the party.

Make a Wish
Gourmet doggy treats from Polly's Pet Shop. (The kids were concerned which treats were for humans and which were for puppies)

Maybe Buster was a little overwhelmed for a moment.



The Crowther's cockapoo, Amber. Her and Buster had a blast running and jumping together.

Happy Birthday Buster!!