Tie Party!

After our exciting Hamburger Helper dinner party... we had another party... a TIE party for Trent!

A missionary can't have too many ties!

 Of course we had to have a tie cake for dessert!

 Braxon can't wait!!

Wow... look at all the ties! Better get them packed... only a few more days to he leaves!!

Hamburger Helper!

Woo Hoo... I was the big winner of a Hamburger Helper dinner party!!! REALLY!!

 I got to serve Cheeseburger Helper... it was pretty good, but I added a couple extra ingredients. We also got to try a mustard whole grain Chicken Helper... I would have NEVER picked that one off the shelf... but I was surprised! It tasted pretty good and wasn't too mustardy... especially since I only like mustard in small amounts. Notice my Hamburger Helper foam hand and Hamburger Helper serving dish! Woo Hoo!

 Some of the lucky crowd that attended!

Trent must have really liked this stuff cuz he is in every picture!

So a great big (foam) hand to the folks at Hamburger Helper who supplied all the goodies!

I can't wait to see what I win next!!

Truck...

A few months ago the boys little old red truck that they have been driving for years got smooshed in a 4 car fender bender. Well... the settlement check finally came and little old red truck is all gone and a nice BIG old truck has taken it's place... it was time for a man size truck anyway!

Brazil treats....

I don't know why Brandon wanted us to send him treats in Brazil. He brought lots of Brazil treats home and they were YUMMY!

He's wearing on of the jerseys he brought home.

Brandon brought me a present....

A nativity!!! Isn't it cool!!! I'm glad he shared some of Brazil with us!!

Temple...

Before Trent left we were able to go to the temple as a family! We picked a great night because our old ward was there and we knew LOTS of people. It was such a cool experience being in the temple surrounded by family and friends!!

5 years!!

It was 5 years ago on September 23rd that Mike and I met!! We met at a singles activity in the desert... so to remember that great day... I gave Mike a cactus!!

Happy 5 WONDERFUL years to my bestest buddy!! Love ya!!

Non-farewell, non-homecoming!

With Brandon and Trent, coming/going within 13 days of each other they were able to both talk in church on the same Sunday. We were so excited as a family to have this take place... Trent put this on facebook:

 It says "Trents non farewell talk and Brandons non homecoming talk"! We're not suppose to say "homecoming" or "farewell" (it's a hard habit to break) So Trent came up with this! I thought it was cute!

 Sacrament meeting is one of those things you just have to keep memories of in your heart since we can't video or anything. But I knew this would be a LITTLE emotional so I put plenty of tissues in my purse. They both did such a good job and I didn't have any idea what they would be saying (I quit helping them with talks a LONG time ago!) Trent caught me off guard when he talked of his medical experience when he was getting ready to put his papers in and how his doctor (who is LDS) was an example to him on all his visits (there were a LOT of visits) and shared scriptures with Trent. Tissue time... for me and Trent (sorry Trent ... you have my emotional gene!). One scripture his doctor shared with him has become Trent's favorite:  Alma 26:22 Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing-unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall bring forth thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethern to repentance.
Tissue time again (even for Brandon who does NOT have my emotional gene) when Brandon talked of how the people in Brazil said missionaries were angels. And this is Brandon's favorite scripture that is on his missionary plaque: Doctrine and Covenants 84:88 And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.
I don't want to sound like a MOM or anything... but I have GREAT kids!!

So how could we complete this day but to go home and have one of the boys favorite meals... Hawaiian Haystacks!

Whew... what a great exciting, busy, spiritual week! AND... ther's more to come!!