"She had a Birthday, Shout Hurray!!!"

Here are a few highlights from Amanda's 17th Birthday...

Birthday cards are fun, ESPECIALLY when they contain surprises like cash and gift cards!
Thanks, everybody!!!

Kenyon College is near her "Auntie"
...AND the logo is PURPLE!!
Thanks, Auntie & Uncle Charlie
(the necklace is beautiful, too)

Mom got creative with the wrapping...

YAY!!! New bedding to match the newly-painted bedroom walls!

...and the GRAND-FINALE...
tickets to see the "Scarlet Pimpernel"
at the Hale Community Theater in Orem!
It was a great show!

She had a very Happy Birthday!
Thanks to everyone who made it that way!

PS: Joe (her date for Homecoming) got her a bag of her favorite candy for her birthday!

Let's say it all together, now: "Awwwwwwwwww". (He really is a nice guy)

There's something in the air...

I think it's Fall! This is my favorite Season of the year! I love the hint of a crispness in the air, the long, deep, afternoon shadows, and the warm, vibrant colors. There's a sense of anticipation that perhaps comes from the last burst of energy all of nature gets before the long sleep of winter. Maybe it's the snap and spice of color and scent before the cold, white that's coming. Whatever it is, I love Fall!!!

Yesterday, I saw it all around me. In pumpkins on display...

and trees showing off their autumn splendor...

Maybe it was the nip in the air that I felt as I poked my nose out my door in the morning that inspired me. Whatever it was, it got me started. Inside my house it was warm, quiet, and cozy. Perfect for baking bread...

So I did!

As I finished up and the warm loaves were cooling,
I listened to my first (and one of my favorite) Christmas albums of the year...

I could feel my heart lift and my soul settle -
I felt peace, joy, and contentment...
Ah, the arrival of Fall!
Life is good!

It's a DATE!!!

A week or so ago, Kevin and I ran away from home. We didn't go far, but we needed a date. Since money WAS an issue, we decided to be creative and cheap. We chose to let Mother Nature entertain us, and drove up American Fork Canyon. It is one of our family-favorites, so we knew we'd enjoy the drive.

Autumn was just beginning to make itself known and it showed in the beautiful reds and golds we saw along the way.

We talked and talked and talked...and enjoyed just being together. Eventually, we stopped and hiked up a trail to see if we could find a better view. We even tried a self-portrait...not our best effort. But the view was GREAT!

Fortunately, we met some new friends and exchanged picture-taking services. They did a better job on us than we did on ourselves. ha ha

Along the path, Kevin picked me a flower (see the picture above...)
The drive home came a bit sooner than we would have liked; but holding hands on the way helped.
Besides - the date was wonderful!

Home at last!
New pictures, sweet memories and my wildflowers in a vase.

*sigh*
I'm an awfully lucky-lady!
Thanks, Kev! I needed that!

Homecoming 2010

Here are the pictures of Amanda's first Homecoming Dance. Her date's name is Joe Price. We got to meet his parents tonight. They were SUCH nice people. We really enjoyed visiting.

Last night they took Amanda with them (the whole family) to find a tie for Joe to wear that matched Amanda's dress. She really enjoyed her time with them. I think they did a great job on the tie. All in all Amanda and Joe looked lovely together!

Enjoy...I know we (the parents) did!

This one is my favorite!

PS: Mandy and Joe had a wonderful time!

This one goes down in the books as a success!
YAY!

A couple of things...

...happened today.

Mandy got asked to go to the Homecoming Dance at her High School. Of course we had to go dress shopping.

This was the winning dress!!!

I took this with my phone, so you can't see how the dress sparkles, but it's lovely!

...the second thing that happened was that Mandy's school pictures came in. Sophomore year, Fall 2010.

This is my Mandy!

She just keeps getting more and more beautiful!

I think her "Bonpa" (my dad) would be proud...

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to the first man I ever loved and the one I still call "Daddy". My beloved father would have been 78 years-young, today. He's with Heavenly Father now, but always in our hearts.

Happy Birthday, Daddy. I love you and miss you everyday!

"A" is for.....

JACKIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1st Parent-Teacher Conference of the year. Jackie is getting straight "A's"!!!! Glowing citizenship reports and good comments from all her teachers. Even the Principal and Assistant Principal had wonderful things to say about our girl.

WAY TO GO, MISS JACKIE!

We know you have really been trying hard and we are SO proud of you!