Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Is there anything better than....

Hot cinnamon rolls right out of the oven? Hannah and I made cinnamon rolls to eat after we took our Christmas card pictures. Don't they look delicious?

Poor Luke had to wait! It is kind of mean to make them smell them cooking and then not let them eat them right away! But we did make them wait! Millie

Sunday, November 28, 2010

My Aunt is better than your Aunt!! Way better!!!

Hannah was headed back to Rexburg today. And the roads got pretty bad. Our friends the Fish family (yes they are a real family!) had boys headed back to Rexburg and Provo. Roads were closed, things were dicey. I called, who else, Maudie, and she said anyone could come to her place. The thing is I knew when I called that that is what she would say. She is such a great lady (and her hubby Rick is a great guy). To just open up her house to a bunch of young adults and be happy about it. I don't know how many will end up staying. I know Hannah and the other 3 with her are there.

Thanks Maudie and Rick for being the kind of people you can call and know that they will say yes, come on over. When Carrie (mama Fish) called me concerned about her kids and their riders on the road and what would they do, I automatically said, I have family in Twin Falls and they will be welcome there. Then I called Maudie.

I hope I can be the kind of person Maudie is. I hope I can be willing to serve and help when ever I am asked. Thanks Maudie for your example and kindness and having a home where people feel welcome. I owe you big!! Millie

Pictures that you won't see in the Christmas card!

So, yesterday we took pictures for our Christmas card. It is always a big deal figuring out what to wear and then where to take the picture. By the time we get to it we are not all that happy of a family! Here are a few of the pictures that did not make the cut!

Seems to be a hole in the ground.

What do you want us to do around this tree?

I don't know what we were thinking! Going for the artsy look! Did not quite make it!

Our bust a move look did not work either! But we did get a couple of good ones and they will be coming to your mail box soon! Millie

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Christmas tree hunting.

Yesterday we headed out to L&S Noble Tree Farm to get our tree. They have all nobles and they are all $20. Just what we like, a nice tree for cheap! It was a little rainy and late in the day so we got to it.

Hannah enjoys looking for the perfect tree. She actually picked out the one we chose this year.

Sam in his little tree nest!

David got the honor of cutting down the tree. I don't think they think it is an honor since that is the person who gets all muddy.

Isaac loves the smell of the tree. Rob was just glad he was not he one cutting down the tree.

Luke skulking through the trees while we were waiting.

Getting the tree loaded in to the truck. And now I suppose you would like to see the tree....
Here it is before we cut it down. Isn't she a beautiful tree. Now it sits on the front porch awaiting the tree stand and being brought into the house. I can hardly wait for that wonderful smell. Millie

Friday, November 26, 2010

Another thing to be thankful for.....

So, we are sitting on the couch watching "White Christmas" and the phone rings. Rob's mom is not feeling well and needs a blessing. Rob turns to me and says, "I think I will ask my son who is an elder to go with me". And yes as the mom I teared up. What a blessing to have them both in the house and to have a husband and father who can be an example to his boys and teach them how to use their priesthood. To see them both head out of the house in their white shirts and ties. To hear Rob explaining how to do an annointing. A very proud moment for this mom. Millie

Thursday, November 25, 2010

I am thankful for day seven......

Thanksgiving Day!! I love this day. We reserve the old Venersborg school house and invite everyone!! Both sides of the family come who are around and we all bring lots of food. This year there were about 35 of us. We had way more food than we could eat but it is always fun to try! (Do to a technical glitch there are no pictures of the wonderful spread. Something happened from camera to computer!) But the most important part of the day are the people. So without further ado.....here we are!

Ya gotta love a picture of Charlie, Ike's little boy. He is so cute. Don't you just want to squeeze those little cheeks?

The school is heated by this big old wood stove. It is a favorite gathering place on a cold day like today.

Grandma and Hannah laughing in the kitchen. Grandma is keeping a close watch over her sugar rolls baking in the oven.


Here's a group enjoying their dinner!! Chuck and his family and Deb and her family.



Jeff and Dale enjoying their dinner. (We think that might be a secret celebrity sighting of Michael Douglas.)

Stina and her dad Dale waiting in line for food. Shirley is in the background checking out the pies!! We had 8 in all and all delicious.

Barbara and Carol relaxing and visiting as they wait for the line to die down!

Ruthanne and Deb posing so as not to have some random shot show up!

Peggy with Robbie (her son) and his fiance Sidney. (They are not zombies, forgot to put on the red eye outer on the camera!)

These are starving kids waiting for the food to get there and the meal to begin!

Patiently waiting for their turn in line.

Ike and his girls dishing up the goods. This is the start of our hats that came to dinner segment with Ike's hat.

Kurt (I do not know how I missed getting a picture of Courtney. This picture of Kurt will have to serve as proof that she was there and before the meal was over and everyone was gone!!) with his ball cap. Luke just looks like he was wearing a hat with that hat hair!

Orey and his hat. He was as usual a wiz with the knife in the kitchen carving turkeys and ham.

Grandpa with his hat. He found it in the garage and no one has claimed it so he is wearing it!

And this is Rob in the same hat!! I love this day and getting together with family and friends (our neighbors the Freemans came but were in the lost photos!). This is a great time of year and now we are ready to head head long into the holiday season. Ready or not! Millie

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Things I am thankful for day six.....

I almost missed today! I am very thankful for a living prophet. I love his talk in the last conference on gratitude. I have used it for visiting teaching and for family night. Every year we put a paper turkey on the front door (on the inside) and put feathers on it. Each family member gets 2 feathers to decorate and write what they are thankful for on. It is always fun to see what the children are thankful for. I am trying to have an "attitude of gratitude" as our prophet has counseled us to do. And so today I am grateful for President Monson and his example and willingness to serve. Millie

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Things I am thankful for day five....

That I live close to most of my siblings and have the opportunity to spend time with them.

For nieces and sister-in-laws.

I am grateful that we are a forever family.

I am thankful for my parents and all they do for their family and the example they set for us all. Millie

Monday, November 22, 2010

Things I am thankful for day four.....

This girl. I love my boys and I would not give any of them up or trade them for anything. But I am very grateful to have a daughter also. Hannah is home and it just makes for a different dynamic. She loves to just jump in the car and go to costco and winco with me!! It is someone to watch girl movies with!! I am glad she is home and feel blessed to be her mom. Millie

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Yes it snowed here today!!!

Had to post this picture that Isaac took of Luke and Ainzlee and Raelynn. They came out today after chruch for lunch and it snowed. They were so excited. They had to go out and run through it. I thought this picture was so cool. I am thinking of blowing it up and hanging it on a wall for winter! Millie

Things I am thankful for day three....

The priesthood. This year has been a big one for my guys. Luke turned 8 and was baptized. Isaac turned 12 and was given the aaronic priesthood and ordained a deacon. David turned 16 and was ordained a priest. (okay so really cool side note, today Sam and David blessed the sacrament. A very proud moment for this mom to see her two boys up there together!) Today Sam was received the melchezidek priesthood and was ordained an Elder. (Ya a super proud moment for this mom.) And about a month ago Rob was called to be the bishop. (And to show you how good they are, the boys put their white shirts and ties back on when dad got home so mom could take the picture. Tried to get it without the pajama bottoms and jeans! Needed Luke to be a little taller.) So I am very proud of my guys and thankful to have the priesthood in our home. Millie

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Things I am thankful for day two...

This house!! It has been rainy and cold and cold and rainy here for a few weeks now and I am so thankful for a warm, dry house. It is old, and not real big, and needs a little work but I am very grateful to have a home for my family. (Hannah is almost home!!!) Millie

Friday, November 19, 2010

Things I am thankful for day one...

Hannah blogged that she is going to blog each day something she is thankful for, so I thought for the next week I am going to blog each day about something I am thankful for. So, day one,

this man!! He is a really good husband and father. He is not perfect but he tries really hard!

And these kids! I am so excited for Hannah to come home tomorrow and to have them all here again. I love my kids. My family is one of the greatest blessings I have been given. Millie

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Almost the last of the leaves!!

It was David's turn to rake leaves!! Isaac did the first half and David got to do the second. The hardest and heaviest half. It took him a while because he, for some reason has to stand like this after every few feet of raking! This is not David's favorite thing to do and he likes to let you know that it is not his favorite!! Millie

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Sam got his wisdom teeth out!

On Wednesday Sam got his wisdom teeth out. He did really well. I wish I had gotten a picture of him at the oral surgeon's, he was doing this funny little grin and laughing (actually it was more like a giggle!). He was pretty fun for the first hour or so! Then the meds kicked in and he slept a lot of the afternoon. Here he is with his cold pack.


Here he is the next day. Notice there is absolutely no swelling or bruising. You could not even tell he had had surgery until he talked or tried to open his mouth wide. He did really well. Got very tired of just soft foods and pushed it a little on the second day and paid for it!! (I think he was also trying to show off for the girl friend while they made cinnamon rolls which he did not get to eat!) But he is now one step closer to getting those mission papers done!! Yay!! Millie

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Belated Halloween

We love it when the jack-o-lantern pizza comes out!! This year we did not get around to doing our pumpkins (long story, lots of complaining, just didn't happen) so this was our only jack-o-lantern. And it taste a lot better!!

Luke is our only trick-o-treater now. This year he was a pirate and went with his friend Bill downtown ( thank you Bill and Mom, this saved us from having to trunker treat!!).

And one bag of candy is enough for any ol pirate!! Millie

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

True Confessions

So, Rob and I went to the house warming of a couple from Rob's office. It was one of those where I have met the people but do not remember the names or who goes with who! I spent most of the time visiting with the 5 year old boy who came with his mom and dad and little sister. Isaiah was really interesting! But the food was really good, homemade guac and those blue chips. Tacos with a choice of chicken or beef (which was delicious) and tortillas that were like homemade! Any way now for the confession...I was a little parched and decided to have a drink of lemonade. Everyone else was drinking it. (I should have realized they were not giving it to the kids, or the pregnant lady was not drinking it, or Rob for that matter.) So I poured myself a glass and took a big gulp. Needless to say it was quite a bit stronger than any lemonade I had ever had!! And burned all the way down! Fortunately no one else was in the kitchen at the time so I believe I went undetected by Rob's office mates who did not need to see Rob's wife guzzling the not lemonade. Fortunately my bishop was there and I was able to make my confession and move on to the water!! (I was not trusting anything else!)
Later all I could think of was all those times in high school when people tried to slip me spiked drinks at the foot ball games and dances and I was smart enough to detect the unwanted substance. I can no longer say I have not tasted alcohol even tho it was an innocent accident. And I must say I do not see the draw. I was not impressed and have no fears of becoming a secret guzzler. Millie

Monday, November 8, 2010

So....David had a birthday...a week ago!

He was so choked up that we would all gather to celebrate with him!! And yes he is in his pjs. As soon as we get home from church and they are told there is no other meetings or places they have to go later, Sam and David always put on their pjs and even having people over to celebrate with you can not get them to get dressed!!

Rob and Isaac looking on as the gifts are opened.

Not sure what Luke is doing!! Unlike his brothers he stays in his church clothes, including the tie all day!! It is kind of rough on his white shirts!

Why are Stu and I sitting with our arms up. I can not tell you! We were just glad he brought the girls over. They always liven up a birthday party.

Luke made David a frog key chain for when he starts driving.

David and his world cup replica soccer ball!

Checking out the chocolate cookies from Farmor.

Hannah sent a purple tie!! He now owns 3 ties of his own.

The younger ones looking on as the loot piles up.

Waiting for us all to come in with the flaming cake singing happy birthday. I do not know why the ugly laundry mess always have to be in the background. Next time I am going to see if the birthday person will sit on the other side of the table.

The flaming David cake! Sixteen candles really lights it up.


And last but not least the blowing out of the candles and the wish making!! Happy Birthday David!! We love ya lots!! Millie