Not so good at posting!!

sorry about the horrible posting job. i don't have time to do it over so oh well, hope you can read it anyway.

Wow!!!Getting lost in gift wrap and bows.

This looks like a mess, but actually I have had a very productive day. Chad, Dad (yes dad) and I spent the day shopping and then there was time for wrapping while I watched The Grinch on TV. I love little Cindy Lou Hoo. She reminds me of the true meaning of Christmas. I can't wait until you all come home. (just my own kids please) I still have one more closet full of gifts to wrap. The gifts are all for my adorable and unspoiled grand kids. It is going to take a few rolls of paper for that closet. Yippee!!

Gotta get wrapping.

The Stockings Are Hung and the Trees are Trimmed

We have 16 stockings for Santa to fill this year.

Our trees are all lit and decorated.

Chad and Jess brought a little tree home from Oregon. They had fun decorating it. You can't tell from the picture but all the lights are blue.

You can't take the Football out of our Missionary

Justin sent this picture today. He loves football and loves playing in the Ukraine. He says that it draws alot of attention and so the missionaries love that. His only request for Christmas was a Foosball. IMAGINE that!

Going Bunny Hunting!!

Justin loved to go bunny hunting! Last winter he and his friends would go out on the desert and chase the little bunnies. I laughed when I saw this picture of him standing by this huge gun. It would blow the bunny clean gone. He said this gun took 3 men to carry it. It is now in a Museum that he visited in the Ukraine.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

We had a fun Halloween Day. I fixed the traditional chili and scones for dinner. It was GREAT if I do say so myself. Our neighbors had a trunk or treat so we went there to pass out our candy. Needless to say my full sized candy bars were a hit. Birch's made home made donuts so they were a Wonderful Treat. Griffeth's had snacks and dips. It was really fun. Alot of people were there from our old ward. Chad brought Jessica and Matt, and his date Jacklyn came for the chili and scones, so it livened up the house a little. Chad and Jessica dressed up. Chad was a cowboy. He even went and bought new Wranglers. He borrowed his hat and boots from his little brothers closet. Jess was a little ballerina. She had pony tails in her hair and a darling tu-tu.

Do Accidents Come in Threes! I'm on #2 but no Stitches

Well I'm on my new Fast Powered Lawn Mower today, and I got tangled up with the swing set.

I'm cruising along and the handle on the lawn mower catches the baby swing and it all comes tumbling down... Yup right on top of me. It hit my head where I already had stitches, but nothing bad happened. The only good thing about it all was that it was much easier getting the swings off than if it were still standing. Sorry Heath you will have to do some major repairs in the Spring. It won' be hard to move now because it it pretty much in two pieces. It is still tipped over in the back yard. I'm hoping I can get someone to stand it back up soon. (that is if it will stand) I'm not sure why all the mishaps lately but I'm hopeing the third accident is just a stubbed toe. Wish me Luck.

ELDER MERRILL

This picture came with Jusin's last email. I learned today it take 6 weeks for Jus to receive his packages so it's time for All of His Awesome Sisters to get his Christmas Packages on their way. And of course his Mother and Father and Bro also. He looks concerned but I think it was cause his companion was using his camera. What a great looking Elder. And most of all his birthday is Sunday. 20 YEARS OLD!! The best gift I ever received on my birthday also. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELDER JUSTIN AND TO ME WITH HIM. JUST GOT TO LOVE THIS KID!!!

APPLYING FOR A FRANKENSTEIN JOB.

OK, SO THIS IS HOW IS GOES. I WAS CUTTING A 4X4 BOARD INTO CUTE LITTLE 4X4 BLOCKS SO I COULD MAKE A CUTE JOY STACKING BLOCK. These blocks look pretty harmless. I was using a big table saw and evidentaly I was not holding on tight enough to the block and one of them came back and hit me in the chin and the other one hit me by my eye brow. I had enough sense about me to turn off the saw and then the first thing I checked were my teeth. They were all there. By then the blood is gushing down my face, so I put my sweatshirt over my face and made it into the house and into my bathroom. THATS WHERE IT GOT UGLY!! I looked in the mirror and instantly got dizzy and faint. I got the phone and the only number I could remember was Dads so I called him and calmly asked him to call Traci, that I needed to go to hospital and I needed a PLastic Surgeon. (at least i admitted it this time, last time i cut my finger almost off I wrapped it and went to bed) Well no one in the neighbor hood was home so Mike closed the shop at 5:30 and came and got me. (by the way, before taking me to the hospital he turned the recorder on the TV so he would not miss his shows while at the hospital) I swear it took at least 45 minutes to get to the hospital. (there is construction everywhere in this town) Well you know the procedure at any ER Room you hurry to get there so you can wait for at least 15 minutes before they lay you down. There is a sign posted stating that they will call the cops if you are vulgar or get violent so I kept reading it over and over and over.

Finally, yup you guessed it, I was cut badly on my chin, my eyebrow and on the inside of my mouth and my teeth are wiggling and hurt bad. I insisted on pain medicine and they made me swallow 3 huge horse pills with freezing cold water on the teeth. ( i remembered the sign in the waiting room- no vulgarity!! Finally I saw a nurse, a doctor, and any x-ray technologist to rule out a broken jaw. By the time I get back from X-rays I am freaking out, so I asked and Mike insisted on a valium(i love this drug) soon enough I got my way. In the mean time somewhere or other I'm sure I've wet my pants. No where to go or nothing to do about it, I sit in humiliation as tears are coming from one end and pea from the other. Please, Make the drug make me not care!!!! Well by about 8:45, they have decided to place 60 stiches in me and give me a tetnious shot and send me home. ll:30 Iv'e taken a bath, (thank goodness) got more pain medication in me and out for the night. After the visit to the dentist I am so relieved, nothing but bruises and loose teeth for now. So I had Mike take these pictures of me so my closest and dearest friends can see me. I think I'm ready for HALLOWEEN!!!

By the way I will have to sell at least 1000 of those cute little blocks so I can pay my hospital bill. HELP!!!! Chad and Jessica brought me flowers& I got this darling card from Tay,Ty and Kamdon. I am drinking my Ice cream. Just to let you all know I can't use the saws any more and Mike has been wonderful through it all. He insisted on the close up photo.One funny note about dad) he left his truck running for over an hour in the emergency room drive way before he remember he had left it there. He was totally taking good care of me. I'm glad it did not get stollen or I would have been left at the hospital while he was out looking for it. Ha Ha. Thanks everyone for your get well notes. This won't slow me down. I am going to paint those darn blocks tomorrow and they will Be CUTE and for SALE.

RAIN & SNOW= THE MUDDY RACES

Jessica and Chad all bundled up for the races.
Mike and Sandy enjoying the day.

On Saturday Chad had his last race for the season. It rained and snowed but they raced any way. It was real fun to watch because everyone was slip, slidding around. He did real well. Only slid out on one race but got back up and finished and took 1st.

Chad loves his trophy!!

MAKING DIVINITY WITH GRANDMA BETTY

She is showing me a PINCH of Salt.
I think maybe a NEW Big mix master for Christmas might be in order.

Grandma had some Doctor appts. today so I went to Pocatello to go with her. After the appts. we made Divinity. It turned out so good. I am starting Grandma's Recipe Book for Christmas! It was a great excuse to make the yummy stuff. I only ate a few pieces (about 6 to be exact).

Hopefully one day I will be able to make it like Grandma does. It was DELICIOUS!

Grandma with the Finished Product!!

WHAT HAVE I BEEN UP TO??

the lighting was a little bad here but you can see some of the cute things I have

I love Fall, but it becomes very busy with the beginning of The Fall Mini Bazaar show. It will be none stop now until the week before Christmas. My booth looked very full and has alot of fun Fall and Halloween decorations. The vinyl booth looked good too. Even better on the 2nd day of the show everything that I had made by myself was SOLD!! I was so excited, because I always doubt my crafting abilities. That is why I buy most things from other companies. Hopefully, you will get a chance to visit the Mini Bazaar or better yet stop by Mike's Pharmacy for the cute stuff too. (Just a little ad here on my blog)

the flash on my camera must of not been on but you can see a little.

Elder Merrill

Justin is doing very well in The Ukraine! They are working hard trying to make the branch there a little stronger. Each week his Russian gets a little better. This is what he says, "The language is hard, I still can't say very much, but this past week I have understood alot more which is amazing. I set up an appt. with a member all by myself of Sunday. It feels good when I understand stuff."

Sandy's New Ride

Hey I'm sporting a new ride this week! Finally I gave in to more car payments. I am loving it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY!!

Happy Happy Birthday you Daring Sexy Girl!!

We love you Emily! Have a Happy Birthday! I love this picture taken in Oregon. You and your little family are so precious to us. love you, Mom and Dad

VACANCY at Our HOME!!

The Holverson Family were a noisy bunch,
But boy we love them, oh so much
Makinley learned a bunch of new stuff,
Her cousins taught her she has to be tough!
Taylor and Braxton were here such a short time,
But their sweet little spirits made the week so sublime.
Chad has been gone this whole week,
Gone to NYC to reminise the whole mission.
Who ever thought Justin would enjoy Cabbage?
He now eats it like he's a Savage.
Fall is upon us, and I am walking around saying,
When will they be back, I am going to go crazy.

Do You Like My New Header????

it took me over 3 hours to get it right and now i want to do it over and Emily insists on going to sleep. i will try again another day. good night.

Vacation on the Oregon Coast

We spent the 4th of July on the beach. We built a fire and set off our own fire works. It was freezing cold.

Kamdon trying on his little crab hat.
Makinley loved the sand. She played for hours.

Chad spent most of his time talking on the phone to a friend back home.
Ashley and Taylee building a sand castle.
Sandy and Mike enjoying life on the beach.

It was beautiful on the coast but chilly for the most part. The cold didn't keep us from getting in the water and trying to catch some sun. I did get burned one day. Our whole family (except Jus) spent time at Lincoln Beach. We had a super fun beach house to stay in.
The Holverson's standing in front of the Lighthouse that we visited. It awesome. (the wind was blowing)
All six grandchildren the 3rd of July dressed in their 4th of July pajamas. (Grandpa is in the back ground saying "I give up".

Picking Out Our Fish (again)

We went to Town & Country to pick out new fish. (our last ones got eaten) Kam is crying because he wants his mom to hold him. Mackinley is enjoying new adventures of the shopping cart. She never knew she could stand and ride. Grandma loves to teach them new things. Taylee and Tydon were ready to jump in and catch their fish with their bare hands.
We took four new fish home and put them in the pond. Their names are, Herbie the 2nd, Harry Potter, Mac and One Eye. One Eye was blind in one eye. Emily felt sorry for him, so we bought him. He even swam crooked. He liked his new home but with only one eye he could not see the birds coming to eat him, and he was gone within the hour. Pour One Eye! He was actually Kam's fish so we have kept it a secret from him that his fish was lunch for some lucky bird. The kids check their fish daily and make sure they are still alive. The birds circle the pond regularly so I'm sure it will be a devastating day one day when they check on their fish. Oh well, Town and Country have more for the buying.

PIPPI FOR A DAY

Putting Briads in Taylee and Makinley's hair. Makinley was so funny! She thought her braids were pretty cute.

These girl's are going to be knock outs. It serves their moms and dads right!

Next time I put braids in their hair I am going to put sponges on their feet also so they can scrub the kitchen floor. Mackinley is all wet because I put her in the sink with the water on to entertain her. Other wise she wouldn't let me take so long fixing her hair. It was so funny because every time Mackinley would look in the mirror she would laugh at her hair.

My SIX FAVORITE Little People!! (in no particular order)

1.Taylee - She is so much fun to be with, and she loves to be with me and I love to be with her. Her Uncle Chad taught her to chase ducks and she thinks it is fun. She loves to LAUGH!2. Makinley makes me laugh! She blows me kisses on the web cam and dances when shes happy which she is doing after a fun day of shopping.3. Tydon is thumbs up the Best Looking Motorcyclist in our family. (sorry Chad & Jus) I love how he says, "Hi Grandma"
4. Taylor is laid back and very Patient with his brother. He always lets Brax eat first.

5. Braxton slept with me last night and he held my finger. Gotta love holding hands with all my grandchildren.



6. Kamdom loves to have treats with Grandma and he can HANDLE the whole thing all by himself.

These are six little people that keep me "LOVIN LIFE"!!!