Called to Serve!

Wow - I have seriously slacked off on the blog! I promise to catch up with Disney and Vegas very soon. But in the meantime, the big news is (drumroll, please)....

My parents are going to Charlotte, North Carolina, on their mission!!

They're excited to go serve and I'm excited because they'll only be an hour and a half away from us. I'm trying to remind myself that they will be missionaries and I need to stay out of their way, but certainly I can plan all their p-day activities! (Note: P-day stands for preparation day when missionaries have a little free time to take care of personal things)!

They will start training on January 9 and then after about two weeks will drive out to North Carolina. I wonder how long I'll have to wait before I can go see them?? 

(Based on recommendations from David's professors and this new development, it looks like we'll be staying around here for at least another 18 months.)

We're Decorated!

I think this Santa is trying to ride a reindeer. Poor kitty!

Coupon Update

As of the end of October, we have saved $618.28 in groceries this year!

Probably the best comparison is September and October, since we started buying groceries in South Carolina the middle of August and started using coupons near the end of October. In September, we spent $236.70 less than in September 2010 and in October, we spent $281.12 less.

Happy Halloween!

Tonight was our ward's Trunk or Treat party (actually there were two wards and a branch). It was a lot of fun and the kids really raked in the candy. Baylie got even more because each time someone gave her a candy, she'd ask "And one for my grandmother?"

I was shocked that Jalen left his headpiece on all night. We tried to work on his wolf howl, but the wolf sounded pretty much like a lion.

I know I'm biased, but my kids were freaking cute!

Halloween Preview

When my niece, Ashley, was about four years old, her mom made her this amazing Little Red Riding Hood costume. Ashley is now 16 and I finally have a little girl big enough to wear the costume. I think Baylie is the sixth girl to wear it, but it looks like new and is still my favorite costume of all time. Baylie is a Beautiful Little Red Riding Hood.

A friend of mine had a werewolf costume that she generously gave us (thanks, Sarah), so we cut out the scary face and made Jalen the Big Bad Wolf. He is the cutest little wolf I've ever seen.

David is going to be the woodsman and I will be the grandmother. I'm still undecided as to whether or not photos of that will get posted. I guess it will depend on how they turn out.

Hope you have a Happy Halloween!

Primary Program

In our church, once a year the children put on a program during the main Sunday meeting. I have been waiting a long time to have child of mine sing in the program. Technically Baylie is not old enough, but they let the nursery-aged children sing one of the songs. Baylie was so excited. She kept asking if it was her turn yet. She sang with great gusto. And me? Well, I cried. Like I said, I've been waiting a long time.

View From The Top

The University of South Carolina had a graduate student association activity for graduate students and their families. It was definitely not a BYU activity since there weren't very many people and not really anything for kids.

The best thing at the activity was a high ropes course. I am terrified of heights and even looking at this contraption made me feel sick to my stomach. David, on the other hand, couldn't wait to get up there. 

David is one of those people who can go years without working out and yet still have incredible strength and stamina. While other people got stuck about half way up and struggled the rest of the way, David zoomed up the entire 50 feet. (He's on the right in a red shirt.)

Then he zipped down where Jalen was anxious to greet him.

Jalen's favorite part of the activity was the Marble Slab ice cream (best part of the night). For some reason, I thought chocolate would be a good idea. I'm pretty sure both of our outfits are ruined.

He also made a new friend - who pretty much just wanted to share the chocolate ice cream.

Baylie spent most of her time on the sand volleyball court.

I think she has great potential.