Thanksgiving stack up

Once again this picture was accompanied by, "Mom, take a picture! Mom, put it on the blog!" So here you go. Enjoy.

It's been a big week already and I am playing catchup. Scroll down to see some of the fun we have had. Tomorrow is Peter's birthday "17". More fun!

Dissecting

We are studying biology this year with our co-op and got to do some dissecting today. We have explored a worm, starfish, very large grasshopper and a frog so far. Next week we will explore owl pellets. Our group is all boys and they are loving this.

Elder and Sister Olsen come home

We are so glad to have grandparents home again. They served for 18 months in the New Zealand Wellington mission.

Please continue your prayers

I received an email today from my mom. It contained this link about the protesting in CA over prop 8 passing. I am so saddened by this crazy twist of rights. In an effort for free speach, declaring our values and morals, the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is being greatly persecuted--attacked and vandalized. We seem to be an easy target for their hate and disappointment. I can't say it as well as the eye witness, a member of the LA police department does so I encourage you to read, learn, and continue to defend the family. Marriage is for the protection of the family, creating a safe place for children to be born and reared. It is worth defending but the fight isn't over yet. Pray for the church, it's members, the good people that are part of this defense, for those in leadership to uphold and respect the voters, and for those whose hearts are so hard and full of hate. This is another article about the same day outside the temple with some additional info.

old to young

It all seems to go so fast. I have caught several picture lately of Debbie falling asleep in different places. It happens more when she is not feeling well. I was looking for a poem about sleeping children (if you know a good one, please send it). There truly is something magically about a sleeping child. All that energy, enthusiasm and love is finally lying still in peaceful slumber. It is funny how the sight just brings a great swelling of love, appreciation and amazement for these sweet little ones, entrusted to your care. I am fortunate to have recent pictures of both my first baby and my last--caught sleeping.

Being mom for me means great joy, love, and being surrounded by people you helped to create. There is nothing so good as being together as family--father, mother, brothers, sisters -- all together especially when it is making happy memories during the holidays. I pray that our next couple of months will be filled with time together, laughter, sharing, good food, extended family, serving, and quiet times where we feel safe dosing off in a peacefulness that comes from a day well spent.

nienie

Maybe many of you have already heard about this blog and this family. Stephanie kept up a very fun blog about her family. I found them on the internet and I do not know them at all. Last August (I think) she and her husband were in a plane crash. They both survived but were severely burns and injured. He is up and about again she is just out of the dark. Some of their family are keeping up the blog, reposting favorite posts and sharing updates on the healing process. There are also opportunities to help if you can. The blog with the kids jumping onto the furniture seems like a very natural thing to happen in my home and my sisters' homes. The fun love that she and Mr. Nielson have is so apparent and appropriate. The most recent post on buying and learning to use a gun reminds me of some of my new friends and maybe what more of us will need to do to survive our changing world. I especially loved that she was not going to live in fear. There are too many distraction s out there to make us fearful and rob us of the joys of life. Let's just be faithful and trust in God's eternal plan. I hope you enjoy this blog like I have. Stephanie's blog

All Hallows Eve

At preschool we had pizza boy, then off to a party at our witchy aunt's house ;} where we were served witches' brew made fresh for us including bat saliva, alien powdered blood, monkey brains and Uncle Owen's bones.

We also decorated cute mummy cookies.

Our hostess with the mostess served us lunch.

Party crew at Lauri's

Aunty witches: the brewer, the baker and the borrowed costume taker.

Trick or treating at Em's

Our trick or treating crew: army guy, hunter, clown and cowboy.

Now we can get on to the best holiday of all --Thanksgiving!