Halloween 2010

Carter-spider, Dad-ghost, Dess-Cat, Caitlyn-bat, Mom- face, B- coffin

Carter and Mrs. Tillett
Black Widow---or spider woman as she called herself
ELVIS
Halloween has come and gone another year. I always enjoy looking at all the different costumes and all the neat homemade costumes. I always thought I would dress up as a mom....guess not. We saw the cutest Wizard of Oz family...it made me think i missed some fun times with my kids. We did the annual Trunk or Treat tonight and the kids got more than enough candy there. It is nice though because then they don't want to go door to door for too long (usually it is freezing cold). This year the weather was perfect and the kids had a good time. CJ is getting too cool for our family so she spent most of the night with her friends--eating pizza, haunted house, and just chatting. This is the first year I let Brenden go Trick-or-treating by himself. Lame I know. We would go all over town for hours by ourselves and it wasn't a big deal. But...guess times change. He went with four other boys and they were told the rules and off they went. They had a great time! Brenden had the cutest costume this year. He told me a few weeks ago he wanted to be Elvis and I didn't know what we would do but we found the perfect costume. He looked awesome. Carter just pulled something out of the dress up box and was content. Adessa liked her costume but the black spray paint and hair pins itched her head so she wanted to go home and shower soon. All in all we had a great Halloween. We have new 'older' neighbors and I wasn't sure if they were expected any trick or treaters but when we got home their lights were all on and they had decorations on so I sent the kids over. They were so excited to see the kids. They told them they were their first trick or treaters and asked if they could do tricks and seemed really happy! I was so glad we went over. I then proceeded to text a few other neighbors so they could go hit the house. When Carter was leaving he excitedly said "The old man said we were his first!" and continued to say something about the 'old lady'. I hurriedly shushed them and told them their real names! Happy Halloween until next year!!

Flag Football 2010

Look closely at this picture...one of my favorites. Brenden and his opponent smiling back and forth at each other. I love that they are having fun while playing against each other! Hopefully there wasn't any trash talking going on!





Brenden played flag football this year. This is his 2nd year and he has improved. He told me last night that he does ok playing defense, running the ball, and learning the plays but that he has a hard time catching the football. I guess we need to play catch more often! He had a good time. His team went 2-1. He ran in the extra point after his team scored a touch down. His second game he really had some big defensive plays. I thought the other boy was going to get by him, but Brenden is so quick. He was able to pull his flag, or make him go out of bounds. We enjoyed watching him work so hard and learn more about football. Lovell started a tackle football league for grades 5/6 this year. Brenden wasn't sure he would play next year but as of last night be told me we was going to try. He is getting more and more into football, which his dad loves. He has been watching football with Dad and loves going to the games. I think he has been to the same amount of Pro games as me....lucky guy! He loves the Denver Broncos...don't know if that was a good thing Grandma Kerry and I taught him or not! This year...not so good! He has such a soft heart and is a good boy. Congrats on a good football season B! It was so fun to watch you. You even made Papa Steve get excited when he came to watch you!

Carter B

I was working on the computer at the table and looked over and saw Carter coloring and writing away. I took a few pictures without him knowing! He looked so precious!


I noticed I hadn't had any posts on Carter lately and I surely don't want him to feel left out. He is loving every minute of school. He wakes up ready to go and is still excited when he gets home. I was a little nervous how he would adjust to all day kindergarten but I had nothing to fret. He also made a big transition this year.....wait for it....he sleeps in his own bed!!! Almost all of last year he slept with Adessa in the bottom bunk or occasionally on the top bunk but if he ever started in his bed, he ended up in hers. It worked because I didn't want to fight it and I figured it wasn't hurting anything. But then he slept with us off and on a few nights....that changed my mind. He is a WILD MAN when he sleeps. Toss..turn...kick....turn...blanket...no blanket...get the picture. So I figured Dess couldn't be getting the greatest sleep. He got a full size bed right before school started we talked it all up, I bribed him for the first few nights (he earned a few dollars) and it is history. I also think it doesn't hurt that he gets up at 6:30am goes to school all day, works hard, plays hard, and is just plain exhausted by bed time at 8pm. He is also eating better.
Carter is learning a ton. He is so in to spelling everything, writing his letters, teaching me words in Spanish, showing me how high he can count, and all his interesting facts that "Mrs. Tillett" tells him. I think she could tell him he had brown hair and he would believe her! She is such an awesome teacher. I think it is amazing how much these little minds soak up and how much they trust every word we say and everything we do. I am so glad for the great teachers and examples we have in our lives..friends, neighbors, family! I love my little family and all they are learning (except perhaps 7th grade math!...my brain has forgot how to do a lot of that!) I can't wait to see what they are doing at parent teacher conference in a few weeks!

Pumpkin Patch

Dess was home sick so she was in her comfy clothes but couldn't miss out on picking her pumpkin!

This year we had the opportunity to go out to Hyde's Pumpkin patch and the kids got to pick their own pumpkins. I have always wanted to do this but the closest place I thought was near Billings. They used to have one by Bridger but a few years back quit. So we ventured our way out to Hyde's and the kids loved choosing their own pumpkin out of the field. It was way better than out of a box from Walmart. We were a little slow to get out there so we didn't have as many options but next year we will be out there sooner! Carter thought he was pretty cool since his Kindergarten class had gone out the week before and picked out pumpkins for school. He bragged all about how he will have 2 pumpkins. The kids could hardly wait to carve them. Carving pumpkins is one of my favorite things to do in the fall. I have always loved to do them. I used to do two myself but now that I have to clean out most of them I stop at one. This year Brenden did a great job cleaning his out and doing it all himself. Caitlyn whined about how gross it was but finished. Dess and Carter lets just say they gave it a "shot" but we did most of it. Happy Halloween!
CJ dressed up for our YW party. She was a "Black Widow". I thought she looked beautiful. She loved her hair and asked if she could dye it black...we aren't quite game for that. She also hated the black lip stick and covered up her mouth for the first 10 minutes of the party! It was driving me crazy so I had to go stand somewhere else because she was trying to hide by me. It ended up being a great time with the YW. This is my new calling and we have fantastic young ladies! We had 30 YW and 5 leaders show up....all in costume. I am excited to watch CJ and the other ladies grow and support one another!

Mr. Treasurer

Brenden was brave and decided to run for student council Treasurer. He is in fourth grade. He had to be voted by his class in order to run for Treasurer. Once he won his class he went up against 2 other students from the other classes. They could make four signs and then had to write a short speech and skit if desired.







Here is Brenden's speech:
I Brenden would like to be Treasurer. I am not a bank but I can keep money safe. You should vote for me because I am responsible, respectful, and ready to learn. Also you should vote for me because I will try and get new and better balls. I will try so very hard to get new equipment. I will try my hardest at Treasurer. I won't break your hearts. I won't keep secrets and I won't embarrass you. I'm a proud student of Lovell Elementary and proud to be on this stage talking to you. Remember to cast the vote the makes 'cents'. Just make the right choice and vote Brenden for Treasurer!


By the way HE WON!!! He was so nervous but so excited at the same time. His skit turned out great and he helped come up with the idea. Thank you to the V-O-T-E dancers. We talked to him the night before elections about how proud we were of him to do this, and how it takes a lot of courage and how win/lose it was a great experience and taught him a lot. He replied "yeah if I lose, I'm a loser!" We bashed that immediately and tried to keep it positive. He called the minute he got home to let me know that he had won! HE was super excited. Craig texted me by 10am to let me know he had won...he is doing his student teaching and found out before the kids. We were so relived as even though we talked to Brenden about winning and losing, we knew it would crush him to lose. He says now people call him Mr. Treasurer occasionally at school. I think he likes that. He also is excited to put the school flag up and down, and do announcements. we are excited to see what the year brings. He is a good boy, loves school, loves rules (at school....not so much at home) and is a good friend. We are so lucky to have him in our family! Congrats Brenden!!!

Brenden is 10!!

Brenden turned 10 on Sept 25, 2010. He and Adessa shared birthday celebrations this year as he went with Aunt Tracy and Uncle Marc and family to Denver. This is the first year one of our children has not been with us on their birthday. It was really weird. I knew he was in good hands and that Aunt Tracy wouldn't let his special day go by without making him fell special. He left Friday morning with Aunt Tracy and Uncle Marc to watch regional tennis in Sheridan. Marshall and Marquette were both playing. He got to swim, hang out, hike, hit some tennis balls and just relax. He said it was so much fun. I was worried he would get bored, but sent me a message saying he was having a "GREAT" time. They went our for Mexican for his birthday. On Saturday they finished watching the Tennis tournament and then headed to Denver to Uncle BJ and Aunt Andrea's. They arrived pretty late but he was so excited to see his cousin Oaklee. On Sunday they hung our for awhile and then went to the BRONCOS vs. COLTS game. He was in heaven. He loves the Broncos. He snuck in his #1 foam Broncos finger so he could take it to the game. The broncos lost, but he still had a great time. The weather was nice...even hot! We were all jealous. Carter tried talking Aunt Tracy into taking him...he told her "I am quieter than Brenden!" but she didn't believe him. Some day our whole family will have to go to a game. Thanks Jim for the tickets! Brenden was so pumped!!! They arrived home to Byron in the wee hours of the morning but by 7:30am B called and wanted me to come get him. He came home and was at school by 8:45am...he wanted to go to school rather than sleep in. What a good boy! What a great birthday!!
His favorite's for 2010
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Song: When the Children Cry (oldie!)
Favorite Movie: Blindside
Favorite Food: Homemade Chicken Noodle soup
Favorite Activity: Hanging out with friends
Favorite Treat: Smores
Favorite subject at school: Wyoming History
He wants to be an architect or teacher when he grows up
Best friends: Carter Krei< Ethan Price

Adessa is 8!!

Adessa turned 8 on September 23, 2010! She has been looking forward to this day for a long time! She couldn't decide between asking for an "American Girl" or a real camera. Guess what!!! She got them both from Grandma Lynn and Papa Steve. She is so spoiled! She was totally pumped though and has been in heaven playing with Kit her look alike doll. She even has angel kisses (freckles) just like Dess. She finally received her on scriptures with her name on it and scripture tote. She was pumped that it was pink. She is such a sweet girl. She is definitely strong headed...she must get that from me! I love her smile and the way she can light up a room with that sweet face. She likes her hair short so that I can't do much with it for school. She likes to play soccer, loves to help me cook or bake anything, does not like to clean her room, especially put her clothes away. She was in trouble the other day for not cleaning her room so she was asked to go to her room and get busy or go to bed. Her reply "Guess I can't do my homework then!!" Dad replied "Guess you will get a walk and think!" She didn't like that so had to do both. She is a smart cookie! She likes to read, she got a designer tablet with body outlines and then you can design different clothes for the dolls. She is loving it. She likes to play the computer and sing. She sang a solo at her baptism. She is also so excited to be old enough to go to Achievement Days! Grandma Lynn talked at her baptism on the Holy Ghost, she did a great job. Her cousin Mitchell talked on Baptism. We are so lucky to have so many friends and family show up to support her! Thanks! I attempted to be crafty this year for her b-day treat. We found a bouquet of #8 sugar cookies. The recipe clearly stated it was easy...well all but three of my 15 cookies fell of the stick. Needless to say, I wasn't impressed and felt bad but Dess loved them anyway. She got a tray full of #8 cookies.
Here are her favorites for the year:
Favorite color: Pink
Favorite Food: Aubrey's potato soup
Favorite Movie: Ice Age-Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Favorite Activity: Playing with friends
Favorite Treat: Root beer Floats
Best Friend: Brooklyn
Favorite song:

7th Grade Volleyball

Caitlyn is just about to finish her first year of Team sports. It has been so fun watching her grade of girls play together. I always thought they would be a good team once they get to play with each other instead of against each other. Caitlyn has improved a lot in volleyball. She just needs a little bit more confidence and aggression. I guess she didn't get that competitiveness from her mom or dad! Nonetheless it has been fun. She is having fun and loving every minute of it. She is excited for basketball and track too! She has changed so much in a year. She is turning into quite a beautiful young lady.