VIEWS...

 View out of our rec room "Pine Valley Mountain"

 View from front door

 Family room at Christmas

View of messy kitchen from family room

View of the hutch decked out for Christmas

View looking at front of house

View of the Wiscombe Crew plus a few extra

View through Hannah's new camera at the slopes

View of Parker and Hannah's faces getting warm in the lodge

View of my sad face because they are there and I am not!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I AM PRETTY CERTAIN MY HEART CRACKED THIS MORNING!

Without my girl it feels like a big piece of me is missing!

You see, I have not had much of a chance to update my blog due to that fact that Christmas is busy enough, but we threw a move into the mix. So I was overwhelmed with stuff to do and dumbfounded thinking of how to put these many changes into words for my blog. So this whole move thing will make for another post on another day. We are sort of moving in stages as a family,  today was the day I took Hannah to the airport. But the heart cracking started this morning, when she met her amazing friends to say goodbye. I know she cried, but we couldn't talk about it because it would just be too emotional and just easier with things unsaid.

These girls Hannah, Emma, Rose and Elise (Minus Amy who is spending the year in the Netherlands) are the girls that Hannah met when she started 6th Grade at North Davis Elementary. They took Hannah in and made her experiences here Fabulous! They have spent weekends just hanging out, spent 2 weeks in Spain while Rose  was attending International School. They went to Cabo with us. They spent many fun times in San Francisco, enjoying Rose's Condo, shopping and exploring. They met at the park to play games, gathered on our roof to dance and watch the "Frat Boys". They had super fun photo sessions. They threw the best parties or sometimes  they just loved doing nothing but being together.

They have made each other better people. My heart is aching at the thought of her telling her sweet friends good bye. It is  heart breaking because there is just something about a mother and daughter that is divine. I picked her up after Christmas at the airport and guess what, we were dressed practically alike. This happens a lot when we are getting ready for church we tease each other about what each other might be wearing so we don't look like twins (I wouldn't mind, Hannah is another story!) My girl is sweet, kind, funny, smart, pretty, humble and keeps me sane. She very bravely boarded the plane with her sedated cat Suki along for the ride (yet another post idea) I cried like a baby leaving the airport. I really thought Sudesh the parking attendant would give me free parking because I looked a mess and I think she sensed my pain! (I am not a pretty crier, I am a wreck!) I know more incredible adventures await Hannah in St. George, these changes are difficult but life is full of people just waiting to make life that much sweeter. Her new adventures will begin soon!

This is her new room (with it's own bathroom so  no more sharing with everyone and their dog!) She LOVES this new room. I hope she will also love the sweet note that is waiting for her on her mirror!

(Sorry, it was sent from Shawn's phone so it isn't legible). It is basically a note that she will need to unscramble to find out who the mystery man is. It is from one of our new neighbors (he is very cute and is also in Spanish 5 so they can practice) He is so very thrilled and nervous to ask her to Jr. Prom @ Pine View High, her new school. Shhhhh! So I think this beginning is off to a good start. It makes my heart feel a bit better knowing that she will have new friends waiting to be discovered  who will love and adore her like her Davis girl's do! Good luck Lissi Doll, good things await you!

Ahhh, Autumn!

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.

~George Eliot 

 

 

THINGS THAT AMUSE ME LATELY...

 This is a sweet movie that is both funny and heartwarming. I just may go see it again!

 Parker recommended this book series to me and it is addictive!

If you like Blue Grass music, you will LOVE this group! I just bought their "Hymn Revival" and I am hooked on it. Check them out here and see what you think!

MOVE OVER MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR!

What is better than watching General Conference? Watching your missionary son sing in the General Priesthood Session!  It's just my opinion, but I do think Elder Wiscombe is DARLING!

Click HERE to see his choir debut!

SURE SIGNS THAT FALL IS CLOSE.....

NON STOP PARTY NEXT DOOR AT THETA XI AKA "THE FRAT BOYS" THIS IS FROM THEIR FORMAL PARTY LAST NIGHT, THEY HAVE HAD 6 MAJOR PARTIES IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS (JUST AT THEIR PLACE), ALCOHOL PERMEATES THE AIR AT OUR HOUSE DUE TO THE INDUSTRIAL SIZE AMOUNTS CONSUMED! I HAVE DECIDED TO BUY STOCK IN THE DIXIE SOLO CUPS (RED) BECAUSE I AM SURE IT IS THE OFFICIAL PARTY OF ALL FRATS AND SORORITY'S, AND THEY USE SOOOOOOO MANY OF THEM!

COOL DECORATIONS AT MARSHALL'S

AMAZING PUMPKINS AT TRADER JOE'S (YES THIS IS REAL AND WAY BIZARRE!)

WAX LIPS! NEED I SAY MORE? A SPECIAL GIFT FROM SHAWN, BUT I AM SAD TO REPORT THAT THESE ONES DO NOT HAVE THAT YUMMY "WAX LIPS SMELL", (YOU KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT) THEY HAVE TO SMELL GOOD!

 

 

BUT MY FAVORITE FALL SIGN IS GENERAL CONFERENCE! A CHANCE TO BE SPIRITUALLY REFRESHED! AND OF COURSE IT IS ALWAYS GREAT TO HEAR FROM ELDER JEFFRY HOLLAND 

(I JUST CALL HIM JEFF EVER SINCE HE KISSED ME. NO, I WAS NOT WEARING THE WAX LIPS!)

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

I have always prided myself on what a savvy and frugal shopper I am! I thrive on finding a great bargain. Among my favorites are Marshall's and TJ Maxx . Ross was in the running until the following incident:

I popped into Ross after work to grab some new measuring cups (Shawn managed to wear mine out with all of his crazy baking) everyone knows that Ross has amazing and cheap kitchen stuff. I happily gathered my purchases and proceeded to the check out. I was smiling, I had found measuring cups and a few other great bargains. I stepped to the register and the cashier rang up my total, she then asked if I got my "discount". I am certain I had a puzzled look on my face wondering if I should have a coupon, or perhaps she thought I got the employee discount. My look soon turned to horror as she said "Oh, maybe you are too young" ARRGHHHHH! It was senior discount day! I wanted to cry! The nerve of that woman! I am now having to really evaluate if it is worth shopping there for a bargain. Is it worth sacrificing my pride and dignity? Maybe I need to be more loyal to Nordstrom's, they would NEVER ask me if I needed my senior discount!! My self esteem is hurt a little, my ego is bruised. Will it stifle my desire for a great bargain? I doubt it! But maybe I need to go get some fancy age defying make-up!