THE YELLOW PAGES

For Halloween last month, Rosie, Missy and I dressed up as the Yellow Pages! We got the idea from our Page grandparents who did it years ago. People, of course, didn't get it right away but we ended up winning funniest costume. I designed the t-shirts online but we couldn't find yellow pants (I'm gonna be honest, I was not excited to wear yellow pants so I didn't look too hard!), so we got these ugly yellow hats that were way too big instead. My definition of a Halloween costume is something you would not normally wear so those hats were perfect. We even painted our fingernails yellow!

The shirts say "I've got your number...want mine?"
They also say "Page" on the back for people who didn't know us.

We also made some fun Halloween treats but I don't have a picture of all of them. Missy made Jack-O-Lantern cheese balls. She used bell peppers to cut out the eyes and mouth so it looked like a pumpkin. Rosie decorated a few dozen cupcakes to look like webs with spiders or pumpkins or witches. I made little smokies wrapped in crescent roll dough to look like mummies.

Halloweenies!

Love you!
Rachel

My Airman!

Last weekend was the long awaited time to get to see Lance. He graduated from Basic Training and as far as I can tell from what he explained it sounds like a prisoner of war simulation camp! Anyway he made it through and lived to tell. We took him out to eat at subway (remember how much you like it now?) and he promptly ate 2 feet of sandwiches and declared he "wasn't full but should probably stop."
It was so nice to see him and hug him (briefly mind you, there were rules!) This just goes to show that there are things you can live through that you never thought you could/wanted to. (I am talking about ME living without him!) And yes that banana split is doused in peanut butter!

We both love you very much!

thank you GG

Blake was so excited when he got your card in the mail today! They both LOVED it and have been playing it over and over and over! :) Thank you for sending it, it made their day! We miss you and love you!

EXOTIC ANIMALS

On Saturday Steve, Rosie and I went to the fair grounds with Raelee to see Exotic Animals!
Of course Raelee was the only one excited to see the animals and she got in free, but the rest of us had to pay $8. There were baby tigers, leopard and lion but so far behind the fence that is was hard to see them. Just like at the zoo, to which we have a free pass. Raelee was only interested in the animals that she could pet. She pet the miniature pony but we had to tell her what is was. It was so short and hairy that it looked more like the dog on Peter Pan. There was also a llama, pig, goat, baby burro, rabbit,camel, and chicken. She steered clear of the chicken because when she visited her friends earlier in the week, their chicken had bit Raelee. (I'm sure Raelee was minding her own business and NOT chasing the chicken or anything.) There were a lot of people selling birds, fish, hamsters, reptiles, puppies, turtles and I think there was even a ferret. They had a performing pot belly pig too. I think we killed maybe 45 min., determine to get our money's worth.
Raelee got a little mouse (cat toy) for FREE.
It's fun being a grandparent but my favorite part was when we got home Raelee, Rosie and I had a tea party.

Hi Mom,
Doesn't David look tall?! His mission president is Brazilian and doesn't speak English, at least to David. I asked David if he spoke enough Portuguese to communicate and he said "No."
I don't know how serious he is about that but he looks happy doesn't he?
Love,
Michelle

Dear GG

THESE BOYS LOVE YOU!


I just wanted to tell you that we've had such a great time staying here with you the last few weeks. The boys have LOVED playing with you.... I just love hearing Adam yelling down the hall, "gg, gg, GG" it cracks me up! Thank you for all that you've done to make our stay so wonderful, we love you and will miss you so much!

Just A Funny Story...

This is a picture from back in March when Lance and I really wanted to go camping but it was too cold. I figured out how to make do in our apartment! Luckily it is warm enough to go real camping soon.

On sunday we were teaching our darling little 6 yr olds. We had only 3 boys there for the holiday weekend. The lesson was on gratitude and I think I take the manual for granted in that it is always age appropriate. We start the lesson by filling a cup with water. As each kid says something they are grateful for they pour a spoonful of water into the cup. (of course everyone was grateful for fireworks- several times!!!) anyway we bring the kids back inside after the cup has overfilled. (I wasn't going to do that inside!!) I try to explain the analogy that we are blessed to overflowing as well. Now 6 year olds are literal. They look at you like you are from another planet if you don't explain well. (I am quite familiar with this look) So in an attempt to try to explain, I reminded them how last week we walked around like sheep and followed a shepherd but that we weren't "really" sheep and that we follow Jesus. They are looking at me like, "yeah. so?" I try to explain that we are like the cup (which gets them giggling) and that Jesus pours out blessing. I am actually quite proud of the way I tied it all together until the serious kid in the class looks at me all confused and says, "Jesus is a SPOON??"
Now I admit, I did not keep a straight face but I do pray that if anything stuck in their heads from that lesson, please let it be that they did not go home thinking Jesus is a utensil!

Our 4th of July

On the 3rd we got to ride on the float Daddy's work made for the parade. Finley chose to ride in the big truck instead. :) Our float won 1st place. They think it was because of the cool rockets on it. I think it was because of the Beautiful Princess on it.




Then on the 4th we went to a friend's house



I know this picture is kind of dark and fuzzy but just look at her face. This is the face of a kid who is using her first Sparkler. She was trying hard to be brave!!

Then on the 5th I found this in the bathroom. For a girl so traumatized by haircuts I am surprised she would attempt to cut her own. Good thing it's curly. It hides all the weird lengths.

DAVID AT THE MTC

Well, we got an email today letting us know that David made it to the MTC in SaoPaulo, Brazil.
Isn't he handsome?!
Michelle

family picture

spinning on GG's chair

My Baby is Graduating

from preschool:
He kept saying today, so, I start kindergarten tomorrow, right? I guess he's ready!

Love you Aunt Beth--glad Josh got the computer up and running!

Happy Tax Day!!!

It's finally over!!! I took Friday the 16th off, turned off my phone and didn't do anything I didn't want to do - all without feeling guilty! I could literally feel the stress leave my tense little body!

I really enjoy this cartoon but it has another meaning for me this year. I think of it not as the IRS but more as my bishop calling me to be the RS president during the busiest part of tax season. He was nice about it and told me he knew I was busy but that tax season would be over in about a month and I just needed to pick good counselors to help me out! I can honestly say that I did get good counselors but none of them have helped with the thought that pops into my head every few minutes "Oh no! You're the new RS president! What are you going to do?!?" Followed by, "I need to get this tax return reviewed before the client comes in tomorrow, so focus!" I'm relieved to have time to actually sit down and figure this whole calling thing out - hopefully without all the voices in my head!

Don't you worry, though. I do have good counselors so I am planning to visit you now that I don't have to work weekends anymore. I'll let you know when I have it figured out. See you soon!

Love ya,
Rachel

Well not much new is happening here grandma. We are still going - one day at a time.

This was the best picture of us we could get!!

Finn's favorite place to play is in Brie's bed. He also likes to empty the kitchen drawers and fill her bed with all the measuring cups.

Raelee loves her Auntie Rachie and especially loved the night she came over to make Hello Kittie toast with the Christmas present Raelee gave Rachel!

Raelee really loves her daddy - I do too!

Hollywood

after our cruise we had a few hours to kill before we caught our flight home, so we rented a car and drove around Hollywood a bit... i thought you might like these!

PARK!

we were able to make it to the park a couple times last week, it was actually sunny, and not too cold. of course the day we decided to go have a picnic with some friends at the beach, it was not so sunny... but still better than a typical january day, and definitely better than being inside all day!


blake had a lot of fun pushing adam on the swings

my blue eyed boys!

we're still trying to figure out where these cute boys came from.... really, i don't think either of them look like us! (but we'll keep them! ;o)

My Kids

Raelee loves Preschool. Her favorite part is the 'craps'. She is getting to be a great 'archer' just ask Grandma Beth to show you the picture Raelee drew for her for Christmas. She is so fun and tells me all sorts of stories. You know those kids in Primary that tell you the outrageous things and you think 'Who are your parents?', well it's me. She told me the other day that she was going to go to the temple and get baptized by Jesus and then die and live with him in the temple. I guess she is half listening! :)

Typical Finley face
He has three teeth now. Raelee 'helped' him get his third one by slamming his head into the kitchen floor. He is communicating with sign language a little now. He does the 'all done' sign when daddy is running the vacuum - he doesn't like the loud noise! He is experimenting with standing alone in the middle of the room but isn't quite brave enough to walk yet.