Scrapbooking Weekend- Visitors

So a couple of weekends ago we had a scrapbooking party at my house. Two of my sisters, my sister-in-law and 10 of munchkins came to see me. Here are some pics of our weekend. It was great to see all of them and to show them a little of Twin Falls. We went out to dinner, went shopping (thanks for being good sports Josh and Carson), did a little fashion show, played on the play ground, went hot tubing, and of course did some scrapbooking. It was wonderful to have them all come to see me. Thanks for the great weekend.

Kinley Savannah

Carson and Melly on the slide.

Kinley and Savannah!!

We played hide and seek and Carson hid under the steps and Josh was it, here is a cute picture of Josh locating Carson.

Josh and Carson- boys sticking together.

My nieces and nephews on the playground.

Melly, Kristy, Sha, and Chele- working on scrapbooking.

KaLisi, Aly, and Mya in the hot tub.

Aly, Mya, and KaLisi doing a fashion show with my clothes and shoes- love those.

It was great to spend time with them all and to show them my favorite shops downtown. Love ya all!!

So a few weeks ago I went on a grand adventure with my fabulous cousin, Deanna to Philadelphia and Washington DC. We went for about a week total and had lots of fun. I have never been to Philly so it was great to go and I always love seeing Derek's family so it was a double bonus. Here are a few pics of our adventures. We actually started out in Philly and then went to DC but I accidentally did the pics in the wrong order but I am lazy so you get to start at the end and go backwards.

Lincoln Monument Me, Deanna, Abigail, and Andrew in front of the DC Temple

Abigail and me walking in DC.

The Men-Andrew and Derek in DC.

Derek and April's 5 munchkins and me. Love the sun glasses and yes Ember is giving me bunny ears.

Me at the Old Tavern in Philly where we ate dinner one night, it was tons of fun. I am pointing to my dinner selection- Martha Washington's Pot Pie- it was very yummy. Notice my cute, warm head band- Kimi made it, I was very grateful to have it with me to keep my ears warm and of course look adorable at the same time.

Japanese Bridge over Lily Pad Pond by Claude Monet- at the Museum of Art

Deanna walking down the oldest street in Philly

Here is my Philly Cheese Steak- now I can say I have eaten one and it was pretty good.

This is the room at Independence Hall where our nation declared its independence and wrote the constitution. Being in this room gave me chills and it was amazing to think what came out of this room.

Well, as many of you know I am huge fan of George Washington- my hero- actually anyway this chair at Independence Hall is where he sat when the constitution was written and yes folks it is the actually chair-- do you have goose bumps, because I do.

Liberty Bell- So there was this T-shirt at a shop that had this picture on it and said "Come to Philly for the Crack" Love it.

Again George Washington fan and so we visited Valley Forge and walked forever, but it was really cool and cold. I was kinda glad I went during the winter because that is when these men were here and it just made it seem more realistic.

The arc honoring those at Valley Forge and individuals that served and serve in the military. (Yes it is after the Arc de trimphone in Paris- fitting I thought)

So there is a little overview of my fun trip. It was cold but wonderful. It was fun to spend time with Deanna and my family. Thanks for the great memories Deanna- and the trail mix or we would have been starving on all of our flights!!

Baptism and Blessing

About a week ago, my adorable nephew Carson was baptized and on the same day his beautiful little sister Savannah, was blessed. Here are a few pics of that day.

Carson Thomas Colton and Carson

Savannah in her Blessing Dress

Kristy, Carson, Ryan and Savannah

Grandma and Grandpa with Savannah.

After the baptism and blessing we went back to Ryan and Kristy's house, had a nice meal and chatted. The kids young and old started playing a Wii game. I got a little video, I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did. I love my family.. they are so much fun......

My fabulous Peeps

So last weekend my peeps came to visit me. It was so fun to have visitors. They were tourists with me because there were things I have been wanting to do but have not wanted to do alone, so they came to visit. We went to Shosone Falls, shopping at one store for 3 hours- worth it though-lots of great finds, to a movie, and out to a restaurant I have been wanting to try. Here are some pics at Shosone Falls. It was beautiful, but cold.

It was so great to have them come and to hang out with my peeps. Since my move, I have missed them so much and it was so great to have them come and play with them. Thanks Ladies!!!

Letting go of my prince

Oh sad sad day! Tonight I was watching the news and heard the sad announcement, my prince is marrying another woman. Ever since I was a teenager, I thought Prince William was so cute and I decided that I would go to England, find him, convert him, and then we would get married. I had it all planned out. In college my roomies all knew about my secret crush and how I had a picture of him hanging up on the wall- pathetic I know but I thought he was soo adorable and since I wanted to be princess he was the only prince I knew so I thought it had to be him. So anyway after my freshman year in college I went to England and searched high and low for him, but alas he could not be found.... I came home empty handed or empty ring fingered-is that a word. So, I put my dream on hold until I could make it back to England because I always knew once he met me- it would be love at first sight, hello why would it not be... I knew that if we could just meet than he would of course drop the perfect model he was dating and he would know that we were meant to be together forever (name the movie)..... Now it seems he is tired of waiting for me and has proposed to another in my place. I harbor no ill feelings towards him or his new fiance, but I just had to take a moment and write my sad tale. I wish you happiness Prince William in your upcoming marriage, but oh if you only had waited just a bit longer- I guess it never would have worked, him having to commute from Twin Falls all of the time.... I guess it is time to look for a prince closer to home.

October!!

Here are a few pics of my activities over the last month. I added a few pics of the valley in Twin Falls, I have to admit it is beautiful. Chele and her girls came to visit me one weekend and we went to a Harvest Carnival in Kimberly. We had our annual Englis Halloween Party and Kinley got blessed. Then I went home for Halloween to see my family and saw all of their costumes. I hope you enjoy.
Kinley on her blessing day!

Livia and Becca showing me their pumpkins. Alvin, Dorothy, Witch, and a Girl in a "Pretty Dress."

Savannah she is so adorable!!

Michele, a Pumpkin, a Bat, and a Witch at the Trunk or Treat.

The pumpkin cookie I made for FHE the Monday before Halloween. I forgot how horrible I am at making sugar cookies, hence the one big cookie.

Mom and Dad at the Halloween Party.

Grandma, Kinley, Aunt Rosa at the party.

Keri and Kevin in their costumes-college students?

Chele and Girls in their costumes.

Kimi and Dan- Pebbles and Bam Bam!

Brad- himself-very funny, and the rest of the Family

Gandolf, the teenager, witch, Alvin, and Dorothy.

KaLisi, Aly, and I at the Harvest Carnival in Kimberly.

My new home- Twin Falls.

Twin Falls!!!

Well there you have a glimpse into my life the last month or so. Overall, things are going well and I am learning my way around. Also in October I got to chat and see my friends in Ammon a bit- that was fabulous, they are the best I miss them tons. Any way enjoy the pics and we shall see what November brings to life!!!

In Loving Memory of my Grandpa

Grandpa Ralph Kauer and me the adorable baby!!
Last Thursday I got a call from my mother telling me that my Grandpa had passed away. My grandpa is 92 almost 93 years old and has been rather ill the last six months and especially the last two weeks, thus in some aspects I have been expecting this phone call; however it was still a shock. You see my grandfather has always been in my life and in some aspects I can't imagine my life without him here. It was so weird to go see my Grandma and not have him in the room. I have a knowledge that he is in a better place and that same day I will see him again, but right now it seems unreal that he is gone. Whenever I think of war heroes or patriots I think of my Grandfather. He served in World War II and he was very proud of America. I have always been grateful for the price he paid for the freedoms I enjoy and I am grateful for all the men and women like my grandfather who paid the price for this country. On a monument in DC it says Freedom is Not Free and this always makes me think of my Grandfather. A few other memories I have of my grandfather are his voice when he prayed and read the scriptures. I loved to hear my grandfather pray, it is hard to explain but when he prayed I knew God was listening and I knew that he knew it. I also loved to hear him read the scriptures, again because his voice made it come to life for me. I have many fond memories of my grandfather: camping, eating fried eggs cooked in bacon grease, fishing, having water fights, having family parties, celebrating holidays, sledding in the pasture, and how fun it was to be around him. I remember once when I went up to his house and he had gotten this comedian video in the mail. He put it on and was laughing so hard at the man on the movie. I laughed so hard because he thought it was so funny actually I thought my grandfather was funnier than the comedian. I also remember the stories my Grandfather told about his growing up days, his farm, his mission to Germany, and about when his children were growing up. You know today while listening to General Conference President Monson said that we need to tell people thank you and that we care about them before it is too late. Last weekend before I went back to Twin I told him good-bye and that I loved him, but I didn't think it was good-bye. So, I guess I am writing this little post about him because I am so grateful for the heritage that he left me , for everything his life was about and stood for, and for being my grandfather. Thank you Grandpa. I love you and I will miss you very much, but I know you are in a better place and that after over 75 years you get to see your parents again- I am so happy for you. I love you and we will take care of Grandma! As my Grandfather always said: Remember Families are Forever!!