Lesson from the boys.

It is kind of sad when your kids have a thing or two to teach their Mom.  Tonight while the boys and I were eating dinner we had the following conversation.

Carson:  "Mom do you like the devil?"

Mom:  "No."

Carson:  "Why not?  Jesus does.  The devil does bad things but we should like everyone."

Mom:  "Oh..yeah, that's right.  I guess I do like him, just not the stuff he does."  (Coren gets up from the table and walks away.)

Coren:  "Mom, I have to show you this, he says walking over with his Book of Mormon.  This is Jesus.  I like him.  He made us.  I don't know how do you?"

Mom:  "No, I don't.  I just know he did."

Carson:  "He has a big bucket of stuff and he uses that to make us."

Coren:  "See these are the bad people", he says pointing to some pictures, "but they are all Jesus' brothers.  We are all a family."  

Mom:  (phone rings) "Hi (says the boy) is Makenna there?" "No, but I can have her call you."  "OK tell her Dillan called."  I went into some shock.  Her first boy calling, and then I went back to my kids teaching me some lesson that was years above their heads.

Coren and Carson proceeded to tell me all of these stories about all of the pictures in the front of the book.  They were dead on.  Next Coren said, "Mom, have you read this book?"  I was sitting there wanting to stab myself for the crappy example I am.  "Yes", I lied.  I figured it would be better to lie than to teach my kids that I was a loser and that I hadn't read it.

Seriously, my kids are so smart.  And now we have boys calling.  WHAT A DAY!  What kids!  I have some things to learn.

Makenna returned home and returned Dillan's call.  They spoke for over an hour.  Her reaction when I told her that Dillan had called...(in true Kenna style)...

"Why is he calling?  I dumped him last year!"

Mugshots.

We got the kids school mug shots back, and I must say that they are some good lookin' people!

Kids- Please quit getting so big! 

Write me in.

Election Day is drawing near.  I wish that I could say that I am excited or even sure about what the future holds.  As I research the candidates, watch the debates, and sit back and try to make an educated guess as to the worse of the two, I cannot help but be afraid.  Very afraid.

Scary, to say the least.  Experience is lacking, charter is shady, and why does it matter anyways when the promises never seem to be kept.  Votes are given to the one who makes the best promises.  Is that really smart?

This year I have been struggling on where my vote should go.  Should I choose to use it.

We have a candidate who has little experience yet is a great public speaker.  His race would make him different from any other President, very empowering to those whom feel a minority in this country, but is race alone reason enough for victory.  Are we reading between the lines in the speeches?  Do we know where he will lead our country?  Is this CHANGE, a change that we want?

The other candidate is full of experience, and paraded around as a hero.  A lot of people are hero's in their way, but that does not mean that their strength, determination, and long suffering should buy them a seat in the oval office.  Experience on the other hand is priceless, especially when that experience has made the country better and stronger.  Do we know what his choices have done for us?  It is hard to say.  We only see where we are now, and not where we could have been.  While probably the better choice of the two, he is old, and if something should happen to him we would be lead by her.

Her.  Yes, history in the making once more.  Again, scared.  Very scared.

So, with that being said, I would like to announce another option for all of you out there that might be feeling a little nervous.  Worried about the future of this country.  Wanting a leader that will make a difference.  Guaranteed!

This year when you are at the voting booth, make the smart choice...

WRITE ME IN

I understand that all of us are nervous.  The economy is in shambles.  The debt of our country is a number that I have never even heard of.  It is so big that we can't even count that high.  The elected officials of this country are more concerned with bribes and broads than making the world a better place.  Jobs are being lost, homes lost, and our money is bailing people out as a reward for poor choices and bad money management.  

-Both candidates voted for the bailout.  I voted against it.

-No-one will ever try to assassinate me.  Little old me, why would they?

-I am 31, I just ran a marathon, proving that my health is good.  My biggest health concern is zits, so seriously, I should be around for a while.  4 years for sure!  8 if I get re-elected.

-The war in Iraq is going on, I can't change that.  But when it is over, I will for sure be in support of ending it.

-I have tons of experience dealing with terrorists.  I have three that I deal with every day.  I have kept them from doing anything too serious, therefore am confident that I can end this whole terrorist thing.  For good!

-I can balance the budget.  I once had my checkbook totally balanced, and I was also a bank teller.  So, I know that if I try really hard  I can get it under control.  I will stop giving people all of our money, and use it to fix us.  We need it.

-  I will create more jobs.  I already know that if I get elected there will be an opening for a personal chef, personal trainer, personal hair stylist, make-up artist, nanny, someone to drive me around, a maid or two, and that is just the beginning.  Oh, by the way, I will not use tax dollars for this.  I plan to be on a box of Wheaties, and that should give me lots of money to pay these people.  My new servants.

-  Women will all be given free shoes.  

-  Men, your wives will be happy because they have lots of cute shoes.

-  O.J Simpson will go to prison.  We know he did it.  I am sick of hearing about it, let's just put him behind bars where he belongs.

-  As for my Vice-President.  I am not going to have one.  I am a control freak and really don't want anyone telling me what to do or questioning me.  I've got this under control!  Trust me!

-Teachers will be paid more, and stay at home Mom's will get a huge tax write off.

-  Any politicians who meet up with hookers, or men in the men's bathroom, will automatically be forced to be the shoe salesman at the free shoe store.  Then we can all talk about and laugh at them while they put shoes on our stinky feet.  

-  I am also going to throw a huge party at the white house for all of my family and friends, and anyone who votes for me.  It will be potluck, just to avoid any scandals in the media.

I will not let you down.  You can count on me.  Write me in, it will be the best thing you will ever do.

BRANDI FOR PRESIDENT

***2008***

The movie.

Here it is.  It took 5 minutes so don't expect much.  

HALLOWEEN PARTY 2008 THE MOVIE...

Halloween Party.

I know, we are very strange people who do some really weird things.  We just cannot help ourselves.  For some reason, Halloween brings out some craziness in us.  Mostly Steve.  Each year we have a party with the friends in our neighborhood.  Us, along with our friends the Lowrys host the party, and have made it a tradition to dress up as one big group.  Last year we were Hugh Hefner and the girls next door.  Steve was a girl, and took it to the extreme.  He liked it a little too much, so this year I made sure that he was a guy again.  

It was hard to come up with something really good again, especially something that worked for 4 of us.  However, I had the perfect idea.

POLYGAMISTS!!!

Now, I know what you are thinking.  Yes, I look very natural that way, and maybe you are wondering where Steve got that cool wig.  Sadly, that is his real hair.  Well, at least what is left of it.  For the last few months he has been growing his hair knowing that I was going to cut it off and make him bald.  Yes, the comb over is weak, but that is my favorite part!  He was hesitant at first, worried that maybe it wouldn't grow back, but with some gentle coaxing he let it happen.  It is not a good look for him.  Not at all.

Tim, you make an ugly woman! Em and I have looked better.  That is for sure!

There were three people that hated Steve's hair so bad that they were almost in tears.  Our kids.  They were all screaming and told him that they would NOT be going in public with him.  Even nice little Carson didn't have any kind words to say.  He just sat in silence.  I told them that this was our new look and that we would need to gather for a family photo.  Just to torture them a little worse (especially Kenna) I told them that we would be using this picture for our Christmas card.  Man, I think that we are a nice lookin family!

I worked all night at being the best polygamist that I could be.  It was hard because I smile a lot, but by the end of the night I had it down.

After the party we decided to take a trip to WalMart, just to see how people would react to us.  Steve and Tim changed into some normal clothes and Emily and I jumped into the back seat.  As we pulled up, Emily said, "Don't look anyone in the eye, we don't deserve it!"  

We got out of the car and right away people were staring at us.  Steve and Tim followed a ways behind with the camera.  As we walked in and got our cart, everyone at the check stands started to look at us.  We started walking.  You know, it is funny because they did to us what I do.  Act like you aren't looking, but you totally are.  We looked down and talked softly, holding back laughter the whole time (and sometimes just busting up).

We headed to the milk and filled out cart with 6 gallons and then got a HUGE ham.  We made a quick loop (until Tim made us put it all back).  People were looking.  It was great.  At one point we bumped into a workers box with our cart and Emily said, "Excuse me brother."  I almost peed my pants.

Then, as we were leaving a real polygamist walked in.  She looked at us and kept walking (phew).  We headed for the exit and as we walked out we saw another one getting out of a minivan FULL of kids.  I guess Tim missed that because he yelled to us (yes the parking lot had people in it) "You girls know that you don't have to live that lifestyle..."  To which I replied, "SCREW YOU!"  Then Steve offered us a ride home.  We got in the back of the car and drove away.  As we drove past the minivan, they all stared.  

So that was that, with a really fun party in the middle.  I am going to make a clip with all of the pictures and post it later this week.

San Francisco...

The rest of the trip!

We arrived at our hotel, and it was a little old, but nice.  I was surprised, because on our last trip to San Francisco our room was crawling with cockroaches.  I was expecting that again.

I was really excited to see that the room had a tub.  I love to soak in the tub the night before a long run.  It relaxes my muscles and my mind.  Imagine my sadness when Steve jumped into the shower, and the tub was clogged with nasty yellow water.  I was looking at it wondering where the bottom of the tub was.  I couldn't find it.  The water got lighter from the soap, but seriously it came out yellow.  It was still in there when we left a few hours later!  Yuck!

We had a great visit to China Town.  We saw the same stuff over and over, and smelt the same strange smell over and over.  We walked and shopped, and left with nothing.

I had to visit the toilet, and we found this thing.  I have no idea what it is, but it had a toilet.  You first have to wait outside while it cleans.  With how long the cleaning takes, you would think that it would actually be clean inside, but no... it stunk, bad!  Once inside this weird machine, and automatic door shuts behind you.  If you choose, you can push a button and get instructions on how to use the toilet.  I didn't know that some people had never used a toilet before.I had Steve come in with me because I was very scared.  It was big inside, and was wet everywhere.  I guess from the cleaning.  It made me dry heave.  You were basically locked inside with a 20 minute time limit.  Unfortunately for some people the door automatically opens after 20 minutes, so if you are sitting there sick, everyone will see you.  I thought that was a great feature.

It had a sink, but no paper towels, and you had to push a button to open the door, which closes really fast behind you.  I almost got locked inside.  If I would have been in there when the cleaning started, it might have ruined my day!

The rest of Fisherman's Wharf was great.  It was our favorite place to hang out. We saw some guy walking down the road with a trench coat on.  He looked like he was maybe homeless, so I didn't think anything of it.  Some girls were following him laughing, and they started to look at me.  Next thing I knew the guy laid down on the sidewalk next to me and as I looked at him I saw that he was wearing nothing under the trench coat.  It was a sight!  WOW!

Luckily the other views were much better.

After the race our good friend Gilda came and got us and took us sightseeing.  The places she took us were some of the most beautiful I have ever seen.
And, it was really fun to see where she lives and hangs out.
We had to do some light walking, which hurt me, but it was well worth every painful step!

We had a great trip and it was so nice to get away for a few days.

I DID IT!

Well, I did it.  After all of my hard training, the day arrived and I ran the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco.  It seemed like the day would never come, and then the morning of the race it seemed like it had gotten here so quickly.

I found myself at the start line surrounded by 20,000 women (and a few men) watching the clock count down in anticipation.  The weather was perfect.  My body felt good, and I was ready to get going and get it DONE!  I found my pacer and stood by her, not letting her out of my site.  I studied the outfits of the other runners in that group so that I would know who to be looking for should I get lost in the crowd of so many runners.

And before I knew it we were moving.

The day stated out early, still dark when I got up.  I wish that I could say that I woke up after a good nights sleep, but that would be a lie.  Being in San Francisco at night is loud.  For whatever reason, people there feel the need to honk their horns the entire time that they are driving around.  Every time I feel asleep a few horns would wake me up.  Add that to some bad nerves, and I did not get the sleep I needed.

Needless to say, I felt great when I woke up.  I got ready and met Mandy in the hotel lobby and then went and found Amy.

Mandy, Me (eyes always shut) and Amy

As I started to run, I noticed right off that I would be doing everything I could to stay with the pacer.  She was weaving in and out of people and it was hard to stay with her.  People were everywhere and it was work to get anywhere in the crowd.  Somehow I managed to keep with her, and by mile 2 things were much better.  We were cruising, and I felt so great.  I knew that I had some nasty hills ahead, but I was ready, and when they came, I flew up them without any hesitation (OK, so it sucked a little!).

I am that orange blur...

About mile 9 I ran across Steve again.  He started to run with me and had me point out my pacer.  She (lady in the pink hat in front of me) talked to him for a second and and then he ran with me to see if I needed anything.  At that point I was starting to feel it.  The hills seemed to keep coming, even though they were supposed to stop.  He commented, "Man this is a really fast pace!"  It made a little freaked out, but on I trudged..

The hills did not stop.  Around every turn was another hill.  And just when you thought you were to the top, another appeared.  Even with the few downhills, came another hill, and it never ended.  Around mile 12 I was tired.  The pacer got a little in front of me, but I still had her in sight.  Again, Steve started to run with me.  "Where is your pacer?"  I pointed ahead..."up there" I said.  OK, well here comes another group, just stay with them.  I nodded.  Then I watched them pass.  And with that, I was on my own.
From all that I had heard, the last half was flat.  I was very ready for that.  Sadly, it wasn't true.  Hill after hill, after nasty hill.  Even if it wasn't a big hill, it was a steady uphill.  I kept thinking that it was crazy and that it was 100 times the hills I had planned for.

Luckily the aid stations came often, so I was never thirsty.  The bands that I was so excited about, well, they were marching bands and even some bagpipes.  Nothing gets you going like bagpipes!  WOW!  I am not sure who thought that was a good idea.  The few live bands that I saw I didn't even hear, I was too tired to listen.  I did get my chocolate at mile 20, and I shoved it into my pouch for later.

It felt like the race would never end.  The streets were all very sloped, and so I felt like I was running crooked the whole time.  Every muscle in my legs ached, and I wondered if I could take another step.  I wanted to walk so bad, but I didn't.  I wanted to stop so bad, but I didn't.  I just kept on going one step at a time, and soon (what seemed like forever) I was almost there.  My mind was thinking as hard as my body was working....  8 more miles, I know that I can run 8 miles.  6 miles, I can do that, and finally it got to 15 more minutes, I can run for 15 minutes.  

Finally I hit mile 25 and i just gave it all that I had.  I ran as fast and as hard as I could.  I saw the finish line and ran for it.  People were screaming, but all I heard was Steve yell, "Go Brandi, you are doing great, just sprint it out!"  I looked over and saw him standing there holding some flowers for me.  I thought, "Oh, how nice.  Flowers."  And then, it was over.

I thought that I would be so emotional and proud.  So excited to get my Tiffany finisher necklace from the fireman in a tux.  I took the box (didn't even look at the fireman) and took the bag for the box to go in (some lady had to help me get the box into the bag, I couldn't do it) and then wrapped in a blanket and grabbed a drink.  I had zero emotion.  I started to look for Steve.  People were everywhere.  I finally sat on the ground shaking from the cold ocean wind on my wet body.  I was watching for him, but he was no-where.  I borrowed a phone from some guy and called.  He didn't answer, and I didn't leave a message.  DUH!  A few minutes later I borrowed another phone.  One ring and he was there.  

He took me to the stretching station because my legs were on fire.  The sprinting at the end was a bad idea, it hurt.  I got on some dry clothes, and about 20 minutes later (and a few yummy jamba juices later) I said..."Oh, let me see the necklace!"
It was so cute.  I finally came to and was fine.  I think I just needed sugar and warmth!
At this point I started to care again, so I sent Steve to the computers for my results.  4:06!  6 minutes past my goal.  However, considering all of the hills, I was pretty happy.  About mile 13 I changed my goal to 4:10 anyways.  Desperate times!
We met up with the girls and we were all so happy and proud!  It was a great thing to accomplish and I am so glad that I was able to do it.
You can see my results here by entering my name.

I am so grateful to everyone for their support, I DID IT!

Caidence Marie

She's here.  After a very scary birth that lead to an emergency c-section, Cadence arrived at 4:08pm.  My cousin Kirsten's cute little girl weighed in at 8lb 3oz and 20 inches long.  She is very cute and Mom is very excited about all of that cute curly hair.

Congrats Kirsten and Carlos, she is SO cute.  Thanks for letting me be there!

Maybe...

       IF I look like a great runner

       If I act like a great runner

       And if I feel like a great runner

                         ...I will be a great runner

The race day game plan; straight from the mouth of a confident, well trained, and hopeful runner, who is also scared, nervous, and hopeful that she is a confident and well trained runner.

Yes, the mental game is on, and just as much as one needs to be physically trained for a race you need to be in the game mentally as well.  I have struggled with that this week.  As race day nears, my doubts have grown, and I have found myself wondering things like:

     - Do I even know how to run?

     - I think I am out of shape... Am I out of shape?

     - Am I hurt?  I feel random pains coming out of the woodwork.

     - Am I fast?  Maybe I need to run slow.

     - Is my plan crazy?  Should I change my race plan?

     - Am I getting sick?  I think my throat hurts... wait it doesn't, but it might!

     - What if the weather is bad?  Can I run in bad weather?

     - Should I wear that?  Should I wear warmer clothes, or cooler clothes..

And the list goes on and on.  At any given time of day, my concern may change.

Luckily, I am starting to get my confidence back.  I have been talking myself through it, and DUH... Yes, I can run.  I am a runner.  I have been training, and working, and preparing for this race.  I am ready.  And I will do well.  I will hurt, yes, it will hurt.  Running 26.2 miles is not supposed to feel good and I don't want it to.  If I am not hurting by the end, then I have not given it my all.  I better hurt. 

The plan:

-Wake up (if I ever slept)

-Eat some toast

-Scream a lot (you know just little random freak out yells from time to time)

-Get dressed

-Listen to Steve re-assure me as I freak out.  (Oh wait, I will be calm and confident!)

-Stretch out

-Go to the start line and see if my stomach has millions or billions of butterflies

-When the gun goes off...  run like the wind (well, at about a 9 min mile... so I guess I should say run like a breeze)

-At each aid station drink 2 swallows of gatorade (I know, I know, weird)

-Gu at miles 8 and 16

-HOPEFULLY (fingers crossed) pass up all of the toilets without using them

-The crowd will go wild as I run past (Steve, that is you...)

-And then at the end I will have so much energy that I will speed up

-Then I will finish and be so happy (hopefully under 4 hours)

And that is the plan.  Now, if by some chance things do not go as planned, and maybe (just maybe) I die, I EXPECT everyone to attend my funeral.  At the funeral, please allow yourself plenty of time as I KNOW that everyone will want to talk about how wonderful I was and it could drag on for hours... if not DAYS!!  Do not rush, there is so much to say.  "She was so great... maybe even the greatest.  The world will NEVER be the same..."

On the other hand if I live... and when I finish, Steve will give me the following speech that I have prepared for him to help make me feel really good.

                  WOW, that was amazing.  YOU were amazing.  Never have

                  I seen anyone run so fast, and so hard, and look so good

                  all at the same time.  I wish that I could be like you.  You 

                  are a gold medal runner, and your wish is my command!

                  Let me rub your feet... can I fan you with a giant feather?

                  Can I take your picture?  Have your autograph? 

                  AMAZING SIMPLY AMAZING!

He better say that.  Steve, you better say that.

                 3 days... and counting.

Scuba.

I knew that Carson was in the tub.  I went about the 'task' of helping Coren get dressed and choosing the perfect outfit for the day.  After several minutes I started to think that I hadn't heard Carson for a while.  I told Coren to be quite and I listened.  I heard nothing.  No splashing, sounds, or anything.  Very abnormal for Carson who is usually bobbing in and out of the water, flooding the place.  As I listened, my heart sunk and I wondered if he had drowned.  It seemed unlikely, but things were just too still.  It was eerie.

I hurried to the bathroom and as I came around the corner I saw a body floating, lifeless.  I felt sick.

As I got to the tub I noticed a big yellow tube in his mouth, as he laid still with his eyes closed not moving an inch.  I yelled, "CARSON!!!" and he startled and inhaled a huge gulp of water (which almost killed him).  I explained that I thought he was dead, and then apologized for nearly killing him.  He smiled (once the choking stopped) and said, "I was scuba diving."

Almost here

Amazing, how time flies.  It seems very unreal that my marathon is just 5 days away.  At times it seems like it will never get here, and then I wonder if I ever want it to.  How can anyone feel so excited and nervous all at the same time?

Oh, and I got a huge shocker yesterday.  I checked out the course map and SURPRISE... there are some nasty hills.  One sends you up 300 feet in a mile.  The view from the top should be amazing, at least it better.

I have set some goals for myself that I wish I wouldn't have.  Now, it is too late.  I wish that I was not driven by time goals, but simply wanted to finish the race.  My nerves would be doing a lot better.

So, five days left.  One more run to do, then it is off to San Francisco.  Steve's the cheerleader.  Grandma's the babysitter.  Me the runner.

YIKES!  Is this really happening?

Is that a compliment?

Coren wants to dress just like me.  If I wear a shirt that buttons, so does he.  We wear the same shoes every day.  Flip-flops, or tennis shoes, I choose and he follows.  It is flattering that he wants to look like me, it means that I am still pretty cool to him.

The other day our conversation left me laughing, wondering if I was being complimented or made fun of, or hoping that he just had the wrong word.  Plain.

Coren:  Mom, I want to look plain like you.

Me:  Well, what do you mean?  Do you mean that you want to wear jeans and a tee-shirt?

Coren:  Yeah.

Ok, so I am plain.  Sweet!  Gotta love kids!

                                                Coren and Mom lookin' plain!

Their idea!

The kids had the idea to make a little place that they could go and read.  The designed it and even decorated it all by themselves.  They named it "The bro and sis reading center."

They loaded it full of books, blankets, and pillows.  Once inside, Makenna reads to everyone.  She loves to read, and they love to listen.

What cute kids we have!

Happy Birthday to ME!

It happened.  I got even older!  WOW, his has to stop soon.  But, I did have a great Birthday.  We spent Sunday with my parents, and had dinner and two cakes, yes two cakes.  Old people eat a lot, and they LOVE variety.  It was lots of fun.

Monday, my actual birthday, Steve took the day off of work so that I could have a break and do whatever I wanted.  My day of course started much later then usual, as I slept in.  Then, I got up, did nothing, and then went for a run.  I had a great run.  The weather was perfect, and because I am tapering off for the marathon, it was a short and slow run, which was a welcome change.

Steve got the kids all ready, and fed, and off to school.  About 11 he was in the kitchen wiping things down and he looked at me and said, "I am just cleaning the kitchen for the tenth time today."  It was music to my ears.  "Welcome to MY world!"

After the kids were all in school, Steve took me to lunch and shopping.  He got me the running shoes I have been dreaming of.  I am WAY excited.  He also surprised me with some other running gear, that I am really excited about.

I had requested that they make me dinner.  Steve took the boys shopping (Coren shoplifted some gum.  Steve made him return it.  Carson stayed in the car because he was ashamed.  Carson thought Coren was headed to jail and was sad.  Coren cried.)

They made me the BEST dinner.  The kids were so excited and helped make the whole thing.  I was really impressed.  Steve does NOT cook, so I was pretty anxious to see what he would come up with.  He played it safe and went with a BBQ, which he is really good at.

We had a great day.  I am so lucky to have such a great family to make my birthday so wonderful.

The night ended with a game of pin the tail on the donkey.  Makenna won!

Hair Cut.

Coren HATES getting his hair cut.  So, he will only let me do it.  I am NOT great at cutting hair.  This time, I messed it up bad, and ended up having to shave his head.  It was really sad, but he thinks he looks really cool and really likes it.  He looks so much older, so it makes me sad, but it is fun to see the boy that was hiding under all of that hair!

Check this out!

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GEEZ COREN!

                                          Check out the look on his face!!!
Coren:  

   Why do you act like I cause you such pain?  Is it because you are four now, and so you are just WaY to CoOl for me or what?

   You know, I put you up on a bridge, risking your life (which is something that usually brings you great joy) and you still growled at me.  All you had to do was look at the camera and smile!  We could have had an amazing picture of us that would have made us both happy for many years to come.  But, NO!  Instead you tried as hard as possible to act like you hate me.  As if you are the MOST tortured four year old on the planet.

   Well, I have some BAD news for you little man!  If you do not start to act like you like me again, then I am going to have to torture you!  I am going to start to make you eat healthy food for breakfast... no more ice-cream.  Plus, I will not buy you those cool clothes anymore, I will make you wear hand-me-downs, or stuff from the D.I.  In fact, I might even buy your undies at the D.I.!  Yummy!

   Then, I will say, "no more salad and tomatoes for you".  Then what would you eat at resturants?  I can make this really bad for you!   Are you getting the picture yet?  NO, not yet?  That sounds like you.  I bet you are just laughing at this note, aren't you?

   If all else fails, I will hide your light-sabre, and your bike, PLUS your skateboard in really hard hiding places.  Or.....  You could just love me again.  AND.....  Just smile in picture's.  OK?  I hope that we can understand each other and love each other again.

Your loving Mother~

Steve came home early on Friday, and we loaded the kids in the car and left for Gardner Village to see all of the witches.

The kids had so much fun.  They loved to look at all of the different witches that they had and had fun talking about how 'NOT scared' of them they were.  When they got brave enough they would even touch them!

It was fun to see all of the creative things that they did.  Every where you looked there were fun decorations.

The kids keep begging me to take them back!

They loved playing in the water and trying to catch fish.  Mom was worried that they would fall in and drowned, and Dad was laughing at Mom for being so paranoid.  He offered to jump in after them if necessary!

I would highly recommend this as a place to take your kids.  It is a blast!