Temple Lights

Last night we took the kids (well, most of them) up to see the Mesa Temple Lights. Ethan was helping with the chairs, so we decided if we didn't just go, we might not get it in this year. It was so beautiful and nice to go on a night that wasn't so crowded! And, this was our first year without a stroller/little one and we were able to take our time and enjoy it! Erin is going with mutual another night and had lots of homework, so she opted out.

The Nativity Scene - the star is SO bright!

Our family (-Erin) at the Nativity

Inside the Visitor's Center they have a display of nativities from all over the world. This one was my favorite from Eastern Europe.

One last picture of the Temple - isn't it beautiful?

OH - and if you happen to go - take a listen to the narration at the Isaiah (adobe looking house) - That's my brother, Rick! We were listening to it, and Lafe turned to me and said - That's your brother! So, I listened for a minute, and we were positive it was him. So, of course, I texted him to find out. I remember vaguely my mom mentioning it once, but we haven't been able to stop and listen before (remember the stroller thing?). It was fun to discover it ourselves, though!

O Christmas Tree.....

Time to decorate the Christmas Tree!!! Every year we keep track of whose turn it is to put the star on the tree - we write in on the box :) It was finally Erin's turn again, but we realized that by the time she gets another turn.......... she'll be 21!!!!!!!!!! (not thinking about it, not thinking about it......)

Decorating the tree
We also have a tradition of eating a popcorn tin while we decorate the tree - do you know how much smaller and more expensive they are now??? Kelcie and Talin enjoying this tradition!

Pedicures

Laura and her cousin Emma each got a gift certificate from Uncle Eric and Sonya for a pedicure, so they wanted to get one together! So, last Saturday they got to get all beautiful!


The guy said they even had enough to do a design and get a manicure, too!
Really cute and so fun to watch them be so excited and enjoy this together!!!

My sister-in-law is in this cool Book - Give-a-way!!!!! Check it out:

http://melindajonescarroll.blogspot.com/2010/11/gratitude-giveaways-and-interview-with.html

Temple Groundbreaking

Yesterday, we were so lucky to be able to attend the new Gilbert Temple Groundbreaking!!! We fixed up our bikes and rode them down so we wouldn't have to deal with traffic. It was pretty fun! Although, the girls and I are still trying to figure out how the sister missionaries do that all the time!

Kids standing by the shovels

Family by the shovels - it was REALLY bright!
Golden shovels - cool!

Family by the artist's rendition.

The best picture I could get of the actual groundbreaking

The kids each trying to do a little groundbreaking!

It was a neat experience - so glad we went!!!!! All the speakers were wonderful, and I just was so glad my kids will have that memory. Erin and Ethan were able to do this once before, although they may not remember, when we lived in Missouri for the Nauvoo Temple.

An Acoustic Christmas

My brother's CD is out!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can check out samples at

http://www.rickstarrmusic.com/

It's really wonderful!!!!!

Sound of Music Play Pictures

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Happy Veteran's Day!

I just got back from the Veteran's Day assembly at my kids' school, and just left SO grateful for all those that serve our country! I was blessed to have a wonderful Dad who served in the Air Force and military life was all I knew -and LOVED! My parents instilled in me a deep appreciation and patriotism for our country and I can't help tearing up EVERY time I say the pledge, sing the national anthem, or any other patriotic song! And, I LOVE that our school emphasizes it so much - those kids sang the song for every branch of the military today! And, they sing a patriotic song every morning - I LOVE that they know all those songs!!! Being the youngest, I don't remember firsthand having my Dad gone for training or serving in the war, but I'm really grateful that he did, and how strong he was to his values while he served. And, I'm grateful for my Mom who did have to endure firsthand while my dad was gone so much. BUT, I do remember, as a little girl, seeing my Dad in his uniform and just how good he looked! And, how respected he was when I was with him on the base - I loved that my Dad lived in a way that so many people loved and respected him -not just for his ranking. THANKS, DAD! And, THANKS to all veterans!!! Happy Veteran's Day tomorrow - don't forget to put out your FLAG!!!!!!!

Our little STARS!

THEY DID IT!!!!!!!! After 7 weeks of intense practicing, and lots of late nights, they did it!!!!! They had five performances plus pre-show and pit singing on the other four performances, and they did SO GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course, I'm their mom (and aunt), but they were just wonderful! They had a great cast and they got really close - good people!

Jamie, Kelcie and Autumn

aka Brigitta, Gretl, and Marta

The first question the girls would get after the show was "Are you all sisters?", and the second question was "How old are you?" - I loved it!

The girls with Ricky, aka Maria. She was truly incredible!!!!!

The girls with their director, Mary Jo

This play was a GREAT experience!!! The girls never complained and work VERY hard. I was amazed (and teary) as I watched how comforable my Jamie was on stage and listened to her self-taught, beautiful voice. I was also amazed (and teary) as I watched my little 6 yr. old come in on cue, know where she should be at all times, and sing several solos! And, very happy to be Autumn's aunt - she did so wonderful, too! And, so happy with how the girls conducted themselves throughout the whole thing - responsible, polite, kind, appreciative, etc..... We are so proud of you!!! I'll post some show-photos soon -my CD was missing them. Thank-you, Copperstar!

Halloween

Costumes for the Ward Trunk-or-Treat:

Erin - puppy, Talin - orange kitty

Laura - Snow princess, Ethan - scary red-haired dude
Jamie and Kelcie - missed it because of the play, so I took a picture of them in their "Pre-show" costumes - Shooting Stars. Notice the chocolate on Kelcie's face!

The crew - Lafe was a green-haired, scary dude.

The kids with their pumpkins - this was the first year they got to do their own pumpkins and I think they loved it! I got a great deal on them through Bountiful Baskets!

They look even better in the dark!

Spooktacluar book giveaway

http://melindajonescarroll.blogspot.com/gspot.com/

School Pictures

We finally got all the school pictures today. The funniest to us - look at Jamie and Laura.......when I first laid them next to each other, it's almost freaky how similar they are in these pictures! When they were born, they could have been twins, and I guess right now it's come back a little bit! ( I wanted to scan in those pictures, but I'm too tired)

Erin - 9th grade
Ethan - 8th grade

Jamie - 6th grade

Laura - 3rd grade

Kelcie - 1st grade

Laura's 9!!!!!!!!!

Laura's Birthday is today!!!!!!!!! She's nine, and so excited to be nine!!! She had a party last week during Fall Break with her cousin, Autumn, who is two days younger. The girls each invited a few friends and we all went to see Ramona and Beezus at the Dollar Theater (which, by the way, is really a dollar on Tuesdays! And, EXTREMELY crowded on that said Tuesday during a Fall Break - ahhhhhh!) We had a blast - SUCH a GREAT movie!!!! Totally recommend that one! Then, we came back here for pizza, cake, and ice-cream and to open presents.

Autumn and Laura opening their presents to each other.

Make a wish!!! (x2)
Blowing out the candles

So, we have this tradition that the kids can open their presents first thing in the morning on their birthday. This is this morning with her presents from us and G&G Starr.

She asked for something science and something with planets, so we found this cool Star Theater and we can't wait to try it! So happy for my "little-Laura" to be nine -

Happy Birthday!!!

Student of the Month

Laura was Student of the Month for September! The virtue for September was "respect". She is very respectful towards her teachers, parents, and other leaders. She is also repectful of others - their time, feelings, and things. Congratulations, Laura!

Erin's Birthday

Erin is 15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We just want everyone to know that she did NOT have our permission to turn 15. It's just very close to 16, and therefore strictly prohibited! But, nonetheless, she disobeyed and went ahead and had a birthday........ So, we might as well celebrate, right?

I've been thinking for a while that this would be a fun gift for her - she loves to cook and I figured she's getting that much closer to needing it (ahhhhh!) and would probably love it!

O.K., you can laugh, but when Lafe and I saw this it SCREAMED "ERIN"!!! She LOVES to build things (too bad they don't offer woodshop at her school), and she also happens to love space and science. So, sure enough, she had it built within a 2 days (with Talin waiting anxiously by her door :) ) and we've all enjoyed it.

Here's her cake: Did you know that these kind of cakes turn out MUCH better in an oven that is level? Just thought you'd like to know that, because this is the first time I've made one in a level oven! MUCH easier.

This is the inside - it's supposed to be checker-board, but I've learned it's better to use two exact same cake mixes. For instance, the yellow one was a butter recipe, and the chocolate was regular - the yellow took over. Still really cool, though.

Alright, I guess you can turn 15, Erin. I really liked being 15, and I hope you have a BLAST being 15. Enjoy every minute!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

Oh, she also got a CD and a beta fish - pictures of that to come, I'm sure........

Sound of Music Schedule

O.k. - the schedule it up! Because there are two casts, here are the dates for the performance Jamie and Kelcie (and Autumn) will be in:

October 23, Matinee - 2:00pm
October 25, Family Night ($10) - 7:00pm
October 29 - 7:30pm
October 30 - 7:30pm

Prices are $15 Adults, $12 Students and Seniors, $10 Family Night. You can get tickets through me - they are asking for cash only. If you need to write a check, you can work that through me.
All performances are at Higley Center for the Performing Arts (Higley High School)

Family Home Evening

Erin was in charge of FHE last night, and she had a GREAT lesson. They were learning about putting on the Armor of God in seminary, so she thought that'd be a great lesson for FHE. It was so fun - Talin LOVED being the "model"! I loved that she put the whole lesson together, including props!!! LOVE SEMINARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sound of Music

THEY MADE IT!!!

Jamie decided she wanted to try out for Sound of Music, so I signed she and Laura up for the little workshop they do to teach you how to audition. Then, I heard that they were looking for even younger for Gretl - Kelcie got all excited. So, they had her come to the workshop, too. Laura decided not to audition (thrilled that she wanted to do the workshop!), but Jamie and Kelcie really wanted to. So, we prepared and auditioned last Saturday. Call backs were last night and THEY MADE IT!!!!!!! Jamie is Brigita (3rd youngest) and Kelcie is Gretl (youngest). Their cousin, Autumn, is Marta (2nd youngest), too! They double casted the show so they won't perform every night, but on the nights they don't perform, they will perform in a pre-show with another cousin, Kaylee! HOW FUN!!!!! I was so glad I got to watch the process this time of the call-backs - I really don't know how they decide. I was so overwhelmed just watching them! I worried about Kelcie being too little and that she was going to get tired of it, but we've been doing this for two weeks and she's never not wanted to practice, and never said she didn't want to do it anymore - or even complained! I hope that lasts once practices start. She was so cute, though - "Mom, am I going to be in a play?" YES!!! Good luck, girls!!!