Tonight we were all watching "Home Alone 3" on television. I finished dinner and put it on the table. We said the kids could wait and eat during commercial since they really wanted to watch it. Well, after many promptings the kids were still not listening. Finally, Ryan got frustrated and raised his voice to get their attention. (That's a nice way of saying he yelled at them:) We couldn't help but laugh when we heard Emily say, "Hmm...No more Mr. Nice Guy!" How do you keep a straight face when they catch you off guard like that?

Before I begin, I must show you Jacob's "Darth Vader" helmet he made tonight out of an empty pop box. It was funny, he put on his helmet and was bouncing around on his big bouncy ball through the house. I love the kid's creativity! (Notice his eyes through the little slit in the box so he can see.)

This week I had real busy days and real slow days, kind of like a roller coaster. I learned this week that we need to follow the spirit's promptings so we don't have any regrets, even though we might not understand what the outcome might be. I had an experience where I pitched in and ended up feeling like I got taken advantage of. I don't want to have hard feelings, so I'm trying to think about what the outcome might have been if I didn't help this person and their young family. I know I did my best and I'll leave the rest in the Lord's hands.

Today, Jacob gave a talk in Primary. It was on Thanksgiving. Emily gave one last year at Thanksgiving so I just looked hers up to get an idea for Jake's. It was the easiest talk I've ever put together. He did such a good job! He's so cute and feels at ease when he gives talks. He takes his time, looks at the next picture he's going to hold up, then reads his part that goes along with it. Everyone is impressed how well he reads.

The kids didn't have school on Friday so I put them to work around the house. I usually hear people say that it's hard when all the kids are home, which can be the case, but when mine are home the older kids are such a big help! We all pitched in and had the whole house clean and chores done in a couple of hours and then they were able to play the rest of the day. We ended up going to the Lovell Library and picked out some good books. Later, we went to the Lovell Elementary School to eat at the chili and scones benefit dinner. After dinner we went to the movie at the Hyart. "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" was playing. We've always sat together at movies but our three oldest kids wanted to sit up front while Ryan and I wanted to sit in the middle. We let them take their snacks and sit up by the screen. It was so cute to see three little heads sitting in a row (barely seeing Jared's over the seat). They're growing up, yet they're so little! Once again, I'm thankful to live in a small town, otherwise they would not be sitting up there by themselves.

The next morning, Grandma Mangus called to invite Emily and Jacob to play at her house with all the cousins who were in town. Later that day the boys came to my house to play and all the girls went to the movie again. Now Emily likes chihuahuas even more! Occasionally, she'll ask me if I like chihuahuas or if I think they're cute and I'll say, "no, not really". But after seeing the movie they've grown on me a little. Just a little!

Ryan's been trying to get out and do a little pheasant hunting when he can. Now that he's done with elk and deer he went back to birds. He enjoys getting out with the dogs! This is his 11 month old pup, Abby. She is a Deutsch Drahthaar (good luck saying that!)

Today, at church, I got called as Personal Progress leader in the Young Women's program. I was also asked to speak next week in sacrament. I told them that I was leaving town Saturday (to go to Utah for Thanksgiving) and he said he was inspired all week to ask me to speak. How could I turn that down! Am I a big pushover? After I accepted, and started thinking about it, I thought about how much I had thought out our trip and how perfect it was, but now, it's a little messed up. I know it will turn out, but I'm a little bummed. The only reason why I'm not calling and asking to speak another Sunday is because it is a very easy topic and I won't be asked to speak again for a while. It's on Thanksgiving, whatever I want to say about it. I might have to pray about this one though. Either to see if it was the right decision, or to help me deal with my plans getting changed and learning to not get upset and just "go with the flow".

Ah, back to normal life again (at least for a few weeks until Thanksgiving rolls around). Today we had Stake Conference. It's always nice going and seeing all your friends and neighbors and sharing what we all have in common, the Gospel. We were able to walk to and from, since the meeting house is only a block and a half away. After we ate lunch, we experienced a little miracle. All six of us took a nap, at the same time! The two older kids don't usually take naps but they've been getting up early every morning the last two weeks watching cartoons and playing "Webkinz World" on the computer. Sitting for two hours in our conference kind of brought out the worst in them and I insisted we all take a nap when we got home. It worked! Unfortunately it was short lived since I had to get up early and start preparing a dish I'm taking to our big family dinner tonight. But, it is still quiet for now, that's why I'm able to sit down and write. Ryan's parents and us will be out of town for Thanksgiving so we will celebrate together tonight. Ryan's parents invited us, Desiree and her family, two of John Lee's sisters and their husbands and Ryan's cousin Christy Jameson and her family (all the family that lives here in Lovell). It will be a loud but enjoyable evening together.

Jacob has gymnastics every Tuesday afternoon and Emily has it on Thursdays. This last Thursday when I went to pick Emily up she said, "Mom watch!" Now mind you, she is only seven and is petite (short for her age). She got herself up on the big balance beam, put her hands above her head and did a cartwheel ON THE BEAM and stayed on! WOW! I was so shocked! Her teacher kept saying how good that was and what control she has. She has always been naturally good at things like that but I wasn't expecting that big jump in ability.Very exciting, that was a proud moment for me.

Today was another nice, warm, sunny day! The kids went out and had a picnic in the yard under the apple tree. They took their stuffed animals on the adventure. Afterwards they made a pile of leaves and were jumping in them. Fabulous fall day!

It's been a busy week for me. I'm tired just thinking back on it. Ryan and I dressed up as Dracula and a witch for a Halloween party (adults only). It was really fun playing games, talking with friends, meeting new ones, and DANCING! I actually got Ryan on the dance floor. He always says he doesn't dance but I love dancing with him and we have fun! I made some yummy orange caramel popcorn for a treat that night.

For Family Home Evening we went to Mike and Deanna Calvin's house to eat dinner with their family and carve pumpkins. There were so many of us that we set up tables in their garage so everyone would fit. It was a nice evening!

I finished sewing the kid's costumes for Halloween. Jared and Ashley wore their costumes Tuesday morning for story time at the library. Every year the Elementary school has a Halloween parade where they all walk outside around the school and us parents can go watch and take pictures. It's fun for the kids to dress up in their costumes and show them off. I took the little kids to the school to watch Emily and Jacob in their parade. Afterwards each class had their class parties. I took in some decorated cupcakes into Emily's class.

Tuesday night we took the kids out to the Yellowtail Habitat, a public hunting area about 15 minutes from town. Right before we got there all four kids were asleep! Actually, it made for a nice, quiet ride. Ryan and I were able to have a nice conversation. When they did wake up they got out with dad to glass for deer. Later, I dropped Ryan and his 10 month old pup off to look for birds. She did a great job pointing some pheasants, Ryan was very pleased!

I helped decorate and set up for the school's Halloween carnival on Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon. I took the four kids to the carnival Thursday night. Ryan had an Elders Quorum service project that night so he wasn't able to go. We did just fine! The kids had so much fun! I was telling my mom how I love living in a small town and knowing everyone. I feel more comfortable letting my kids go off to the different game stations on their own while I'm waiting for the little ones to finish what they're doing.

I went hunting a couple times this week with Ryan. Last night we had the kids go to Grandma Mangus' house while Ryan and I went out. It was really fun, relaxing and exciting! I rode with him on the back of the four wheeler up on a ridge. We were talking about how we hadn't ridden a four wheeler together in the mountains for about nine years. We were the only ones up there and there were a few trucks below scoping out deer. We had quite the view up where we were sitting. It was beautiful and peaceful! There were a couple small groups of does with a few young bucks in with them. We watched them as they worked their way down the hillside. Towards dusk we saw three young bucks on the skyline butting heads and grazing. It was really enjoyable! I chose not to take one of them even though they were standing broadside and would have been an easy shot for me. I'll probably regret it! I've already heard that the young bucks are good and tender to eat.

Tonight after dinner we enjoyed our time with the kids playing Bingo and reading books to them. I love the memories we make!