SEPTEMBER:
Kevan's 50th Birthday! I whisked him away on a surprise weekend not to far from home where we stayed a nice little resort hotel and had dinner at The White Chocolate Grill which had the best food we had ever tasted. After dinner we went and saw the movie "Moneyball". It was a lovely weekend and he was SO surprised because I had him convinced that the 50th birthday was no more of a bigger deal then any birthday and it didn't warrant any special planning. He was very happy with the end result!
Keaton also had his first Jr. High School Band Concert. It was an amazing performance and sounds so much better in a real auditorium then in a school cafeteria. He still loves band and plays so well. His Christmas Concert was just BEAUTIFUL and we really have enjoyed all of his performances!
OCTOBER:
Over fall break we enjoyed a trip to Utah where we were able to go to to Temple Square and also the Conference Center. We all enjoyed those two tours and then we spent a day at BYU and my kids loved it so much that is all they talked about for the days that followed. They are definitely BYU fans and can't wait to go to college now. While at BYU we enjoyed lunch with Kevan's niece who is a cheerleader at BYU. It was fun to catch up with her. I would have to say the best part of the trip was playing with the cousins! The " Missouri Smith's" have relocated to Springville, Utah and that was the reason for our trip. We had tons of fun playing and visiting with the them. It will be so nice not to be so far away and are looking forward to our next visit. One night we took our families to the BYU bowling center and had fun bowling and playing in the arcade.
Halloween was also a fun event! We actually got together with my sister Shanna and her family on Halloween night. Once again the cousins had fun with each other going trick or treating. This year both of my kids wanted to be vampires. Keaton and Bailey Rose look just as adorable as vampires as they do dressed up as angels, rock stars, and someone from Mario Bros. It was nice to just go out and buy a costume this year instead of spending weeks sewing and putting costumes together. On the request of my kids I left the red eye in the picture to make it more authentic!
NOVEMBER:
Well, our November was a little stressful but, we managed to enjoy a family gathering early on to celebrate my mom's 70th Birthday. We threw a surprise breakfast. We celebrated a week early since my dad went in for surgery for prostate cancer the weekend of her real birthday! Mom was very surprised and enjoyed her celebration as we all did. Dad had his surgery and is recovering very nicely and is almost at 100% with excellent post tests we are happy to say he is cancer free. What a blessing!
We all spent Thanksgiving Dinner at our own houses since dad was recovering and I took Thanksgiving dinner to them this year. It was a nice holiday with lots to be thankful for.
DECEMBER:
Before school was out for the holidays we enjoyed Bailey's very first and last strings concert. She played the viola but due to another ear surgery around the corner she will not continue playing. She is not too upset about this as she did not enjoy it as much as she thought she would. I am glad she tried it though and she did do a wonderful job and it was enjoyable to go to a concert for her.
Kevan's daughter's were able to visit with Christmas for this year and his parents were even able to come for a visit. Unfortunately, I took no pictures and have no document of this last Christmas. I will just say that it was very enjoyable and we all had a wonderful time spending time together. We are looking forward to this New Year and hope for best wishes for all of our family and friends!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
