Saturday, October 29, 2016

We went here this morning with Jared, Kacey, Brian and Darrel.

Jared and Kacey

A couple of old people who

are very happy together.

3 Nephi 15:1-24

Why is it so important to keep the commandments?  How does keeping the commandments allow us to be a light to others?

*Keeping the commandments can help us avoid a lot of sadness, misery and really hard things.  "If ye love me keep my commandments." (John 14:15).  Every commandment has a promised blessing.  Obedience brings growth, protection, spiritual and temporal blessings, and ultimately Eternal life.  The most important reason is we show our loves, gratitude and devotion when we keep His commandments.

GC:"Lest Thou Forget"

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

'I encourage you to recall, especially in times of crises, when you felt the Spirit and your testimony was strong; remember the spiritual foundations you have built.'

After our temple trip Brian suggested we go to the Hen House for breakfast.  It is a small place on the corner of Pecos and Lindsey.

I liked the slogan in the front window: "The rooster may do the crowing, but the hen delivers."  Kacey and I both had chicken and waffles.  The chicken was delicious.  The waffles were average.

When we got back to Cathi's it was time to get ready for Jared's party and our pumpkin carving at Sheri's.  I made 12 pumpkin buckets for the kids with candy and prizes.  I had three or so left after the day was over.   

Halloween buckets

We sang Happy Birthday to Jared:

Jared looks a little contemplative about turning 40.

That is alot of smoke!

It was a fun afternoon and we appreciate Sheri and Ian

allowing us to use their home.

Outside pumpkin carving.

According to Addy she carved her pumpkin on three sides

and didn't like how any of them turned out.

Kim helped Evan with his pumpkin.

Joshua and Rowan carved our pumpkin

I like the eyes, but what about the mouth boys?

Addy is still working.

Lola liked the balloons

Lola and Evan playing with a balloon.

Some people preferred to stay inside.

Michael, Alexis, Shana, Joe, and Alex.

Joe and Shana looking on as Alex does the carving.

Alexis has a nice smile.

Darrel when he sees I am taking a picture.

Watching the ASU game.

Later in the evening Trina and Darrel's ward had their Trunk or Treat.  

Addy as Athena.

Ruby the Egyptian princess.

Group picture.

Back at home in Vernon my little Zemira won his first wrestling

tournament:

Very proud of #1

James and I went by the new Chik-fil-a in south Chandler for some dinner.  I went home and washed my hair while James went to Fry''s to buy some food for tomorrow.  

Jared took Kacey to Cafe Rio and Jester's.  Two places they don't have in Texas. 

Friday, October 30, 2015

No pinion picking today,

we are headed to the valley!

Sheri's thoughtful text:

"Casual prayer won't be enough  Reading a few verses of scripture won't be enough.  Doing the minimum of what the Lord asks us won't be enough.  Hoping that we will have the Atonement work in our llives and that we will perhaps sometimes feel the influence of the Holy Ghost won't be enough.  Only a steady ever-increasing effort will allow the Lord to take us to higher ground."

-Pres. Henry B. Eyring

We wanted to leave for the valley by 7am.  It was a little after 7 when we left the first time.  We went back for the book "Rough Stone Rolling", and to turn the water off.  We are off again.  Two miles down the road we have to go back for checks.  Finally we are on our way with no turnarounds!

On the way to Show Low we listen to our scriptures from the New Testament and the Book of Mormon.  We stop in Show Low at Burger King for a potty break and some breakfast.  Back on the road we listen to Cleon Skousen's talk from 1980 on The Atonement.  It is so good!  Sheri recommended it.

 Sheri posted this on Facebook

 As we arrive in the valley we get off on Power Rd. to pick up thyroid pills at Dr. Allen's.  On to Chandler where I drop James off at the job and then I go to the mall for a snack.  I got James a brownie at Barnes and Noble and then I get a cinnamon sugar pretzel at Wetzel Pretzel.  James calls for me to pick him up.

We drive from the jobsite to Security Title to pick up our check from the sale of the house.  Immediately we drive to the bank and deposit it. 

James drops me off at Sheri's where I wait for her and Kim.  We are going for a late lunch.  Sheri decides she can't go to lunch so she leaves to do errands.  It's about 2:30 when Kim picks me up.  We go to Zupa's for lunch.  We both feel so much better after we eat!

Kim drops me off at the Springhill Marriott which is just across the street from Zupa's and the mall.  James has already checked in to room 113.  

James and I both take a nap until a little before five when we start getting ready to pick up Evan and Joshua for the Trunk or Treat in Rowan's ward.

Trina's brother Westley and his wife Lacy and their three little girls went to the Trunk of Treat too.  

Evan's costume was the most fun to put on.  

Baemax strikes again!

I loved Addy's costume.  She wanted to be the Queen of Hearts so Trina told her to look on Pinterest for costume ideas.  Trina came up with this:

The cutest Queen of Hearts

I've ever seen!

 Ruby as Cinderella in the Halloween

Parade at her school.

Rowan as a storm trooper and

Joshua as Master Chief.

 Tinkerbell was afraid her mom

was going to leave her I think.

This was by far the best Trunk or Treat any of us had ever been to.

I think Trina and Darrel belong to the Emerald Bay ward in Gilbert.

They had a bounce house, an inflatable slide, popcorn, and cotton candy, as well as hot chocolate, chili, cornbread and hotdogs.

They had carnival games with cookies and cupcakes for prizes.  After the carnival aspect of the night, the kids got to go around Trunk or Treating.  Here are some pictures:

Lola, Gpa, and Joshua

The cutest couple at the 

Trunk or Treat!

Lola's dinner was a bun,

eaten on the run.

 Lola loves grandpa and he loves her!

Lola making a getaway.

The dance floor was a big hit.

They even had a limbo contest.