Halloween......Whoopie!

I try to be a good mother and grandmother........its the center fold of my life! Children over look and forgive you quickly and make every little thing you do MAGIC. Since the children were young, I've tried to take the "GET & GO" out of Halloween and try to make a tradition memory. Allie wanted Grandma to paint a butter fly a pretty as Aunt Julie's!!!!! Now the holding still power of a 30 year old vs a 4 year old is W---A---Y different. But Allie was very patient and once again, anything and everything I did for her was perfect. But the real magic of Allie is how much she loves her little brother Cooper......the Halloween Pirate

This vibrant, attentive, mature, and very smart little butterfly can talk you leg & sing your leg off.......but put her in front of a group of strangers.........she is still and motionless!

Princess Sydnee Sage tried on more Halloween Costumes this year most adults this year.

And her mother made her the Treat of Everyones Eye! This little princess is ready to walk!

And then Travis & Julie Kaye will know the real meaning of her BEEZY BEE costumn.

Because Sydnee Sage is curious about everything and loves to use her hands as much as her parents. HONEY! It's going to BEE a little sticky around the Gardner home soon!!!

The Crockett kids took their little ones to "TRUNK or TREAT" to satisfy their need to gather candy. Then it was over to Grandma & Grandpa Crockett's for the annual Halloween party.

Treasure Hunts, pin the mouth on the pumpkin, chicken enchilads with Hauni's delicious savory Strawberry, spinach & bacon salad...........the party was underway!

Max was handsome Incredibles "Mr. DASH" It was the perfect outfit for this handsome brown eyed Prince! Sensative, tender, and FAST!

Pretty Samantha Michelle, has been really really sick, but wasn't about to miss this special dress up night! And for a moment, even her Dad allowed her to enjoy Halloween activities and treats.

And all the funny faces that go along with it! Don't I have darling Grandchildren?

As for the adults........Well the fatigue that surround this annual activity this year was more than evident. Hauni Lynn is early in pregnancy, David & Becca are on burn out having pushed themselves building & moving into a new home, Scott has made more overnight trips to Colorado, back again, Phoenix, back again, California and back again driving U-Hauls and moving furniture, while Candice has been battling sick children, supporting neighbors by baby sitting, and getting little rest herself. Tim attacked his MAJOR Box Marathon and MADE his dead-line......but it was very stressful the last few hours and tension built up between us......so my spirits weren't in the highest sort. (But Hallelujah! The garage is a garage again!) Julie & Travis have been to more Halloween parties this year than EVER before......Sydnee Sage was tired and Travis took her on a 45 minute ride, trying to get her to fall asleep. Shauna is always up for a party and it felt so good to have her around since she has been a very busy full time school teacher as well as be nanny to the Bishop family for the previous 9 days after and before school!

Need I say more! Fatique seemed to loom over.....However this scarey witch was the Queen of Energy......but Abby is much like her Aunt Shauna and loves to party!

I'm just happy to have the family around, and they love to talk and be together so I just go with the flow. I really missed having the giggles & life that Mary Ann & Ryan have always brought to our annual affair. Halloween pictures have had to be our connection with Alan & Karen's family for the past 9 years. I have no doubt that Sam, Chase, and Connor could have done some serious damage to the pinyata. Let alone little Elle who thinks she's as old as Sam.

Cooper was so tired and just couldn't understand how come he didn't get to just hit that candy queen all the time with the others swinging. Really! His Dad was pulling the rope and it was "HIS" Dad.......not everyone elses. Scott had made the pinyata dance for many many years. (We're glad he made it back safely from California!") Julie Kaye cracked the pinyata, but in his total exhaustion, David took the bat and beat that thing until it exploded........he wanted to go home!

Dad's garage seach treasure hunt almost took Hauni over the edge.....but he had made it really difficult because Travis solved his last year one too quickly. Problem was, Travis had taken Sydnee Sage home to bed!

Well the night ended with glee as there was plenty inside the pinyata for everyone.

Julie Kaye said, "It's really something when you leave with more than you brought!"

I was just more than grateful that Shauna, Julie Kaye and Candice stayed around to help put my house back together for the Sabbath! Happy Halloween Everyone!

Lucky Mother-in-law

Now ask anyone, "How many women have their son in law call and ask to go with them to celebrate their #4 Anniversary Date!" But that is exactly what Travis, Julie Kaye's sweetheart did to me. This wonderful young man, who loves my daughter without measure, wanted to treat her to a special experience on their anniversary. Not only had he taken the day off, but he had arranged to take her high in the air! My daughter is treated like a Johnny Lingo 10 cow wife! He loves her! He adores her! And she means the world to him, so he took her high enough to see it.
On a cool brisk October Wednesday morning, they helped fill the balloon, and then assisted me in climbing in & we took flight.
And I was pleased that my daughters first visual was the morning sun brightly shining down on the Timpanoges Temple. Her eyes have been steadfast upon the temple her entire
life. She married her sweetheart in the very same room, I was married in....in the Maniti temple and these two creators have created more in 4 short years than many do in an entire life time.

Her first special love was her Grandpa Price and she looked long hard until Travis came into view. He is tender, patient, supportive and her best friend. There love is filled with spirituality and vision. What more could a mother hope for or want for her daughter?

With God nothing is impossible and this flight high above the earth helped all of us to realize the power that lies within us.

And time flys on wings of lightning and we can not call it back. So why not use our time here on this earth to be creators! This life is all about joy. My children have filled my heart with so much joy. And I couldn't be prouder of each of them. All spiritual educated inspiring leaders, they go forth in life and in their families believing that they have much to give and much to learn.

Oh if every landing could be a easy and calm as ours was that brisk Wednesday afternoon. Sometimes they will be, other times, we will face adversity that causes life to seem difficult.

But I hope all of my children look up and remember the power within. I hope they remember the vistas they have seen and how tiny things look when you rise above them. Adversity comes to us as a gift and if we look within the walls of the adversity to find the "GIFT" and the learning knowledge that we are getting from the adversity, we will thank the Great Creator for placing that adversity in our path.

Thank You, Julie Kaye for marrying wisely. And Thank You, sweet Travis for loving my beautiful daughter. For taking such good care of her and helping her to rise above this world so she always remembers who she is and what special powers she has been blessed with.

The Lord has much for you two to do in this life. And I will always be happy......just to ride along

WITCH RETIREMENT

I received my first call to serve when I was 12 years old. Now I'm 60 and find that changing callings has it's ups & downs. Ups....because new blood is always refreshing & downs because you have to stop close associations with the people you have come to truly love & appreciate while serving. But this old "Levoy" night gown my mother gave me when I was a senior in high school, has served as a comfy night gown for many years, and as a witches costumn for even more years.

An ugly face is often helpful, and mine fills that bill perfectly, especially covered with green paint.

When we lived in West Valley, Catherine Eldredge asked me to come to her home during a Halloween FHE for the seniors in our Jordan Stake. That was over 25 years ago, and I have done a program for senior saints every year since. Just goes to show that people never tire of laughing and having fun. Over the years my daughters have often accompanied me to be my assistant and I never tire of that.
Monica Martins along with her family jumped into join the fun. Her fun & lively personality along with her exciting children, bring joy to these older saints. At the Seville Relief Society Enrichment isn't isolated to just women......the men come too.

The Beast & the Beauty

Even when she's Green, she's absolutely beautiful.......and the greatest part

about Julie Kaye is that her beauty reaches into every area of her personal life.

Jordan Ericksen, Monica, Andrea, & Thiago Martins (Caveman Thiago brought his bride to be)

Kris Hoffman jumped in at the last minute......she knows many of these Saints because of her call in the Humanitarian Projects. We had to laugh at this one dear sister. She had been so connected with our party that she wanted to be apart of our group picture. No one objected......we all just smiled.

Caryl Davies is the Couselor in the Relief Society Presidency that I've accounted to each month. Thanks to the internet, Caryl has been so kind and good to me over the years as our schedules have demanded our attention & disconnected time, we've totally communicated via email.

Surprisingly enough, we've only made one GOOF! Not bad for two ole geezers!

Julie Kaye has always been drawn to older men! Her Grandpa Price was her first real love.

But she remembered how much attention Ben Gould gave her Grandma Price when she lived at

the Seville. So she took this opportunity to thank him for his love.

Kris Hoffman & Andrea Martins are too beautiful for Halloween

Pumpkin Basketball, singing Halloween songs, rolling dice while trying to unwrap a Mummy surprise, and of course our favorite "Sound Story" are some of our activities.

Everyone just loves to be apart of a party!

The future Mrs. & Mr. Martins!

Twin Witches!

Monica Martins & Julie Kaye Gardner

Thank You Seville Saints for allowing me to serve you!

October Solo Trip to Denver

With Gerald Lund's tapes of "The Fire of the Covenant," to keep my mind busy, I hoped in my little white Taurus at 3 o'clock a.m. & headed to Denver to see the kids. My brother Michael & his wife sold their summer mansion in Sedalia and I wanted to go help them do some packing as well. (Moving is such a big job......I hate it...... but I couldn't comprehend what they were going to do with all their belongings from this hugh house. But children, siblings, and relatives helped them find homes for everything.)

I left Tim home to face his MASTER project of sorting boxes. He's more than a little grumping with this project at the same time he knows it needs to be done.......especially when he told me if he didn't have it completed by Oct. 31 at 4:00 p.m.........I could haul everything to D. I.! I jumped on that contract like a hungary cat seeing a fat mouse!) Anyway I left him to sprawl all over the house and do what he needed to to get organized.

Mary Ann called me about 7:30 when she got up and was surprised that I was almost to Vail. By this time I was starting to get a little tired and pulled over to buy me a Dr. Pepper to help keep me awake. The only problem is.......drinking 32 oz. creates another problem. Oh the inventions you have to create when nature calls. And I did! But the back door was open and a relief station was waiting when I arrived at 10. It felt like I had added an entire day to my trip. My happy and delightful Elle was glad to see me. Elle is so playful and is busy in preschool, play group and following in the shadow of her mother, she seems to find time to play with Grandma. She made me promise to sleep with her one night, and so Friday night we opened the door for Karen & Alan to have some "together time" while the kids and I had a party. Ryan, Dayton, & Mary Ann came over and we just played together. Sam & I traditionally make apple pies. With Grandpa sending us with some fresh apples off our tree, it made making pie a cinch. M-m-m-m! Sam is quite the cook and even Elle made two little ones for she and Dayton! Everyone was so proud!
Saturday, Sam was suppose to play soccer at 7:30 in the moring. Sam & Alan were up at 6:15 to get ready and leave for warm ups. Then Karen got all the kids up and we began to bundle with layer upon layers of clothers. It was really cold. Just before we left, the phone rang and it was Alan calling to tell us the game had been cancelled due to snow. I hated that I didn't get to watch Sam play, but it didn't hurt my feelings that we didn't have to freeze to death!
We just hung around the house and froze. I asked Alan if he never turned on his furnace. We were all freezing. Alan said he didn't like to turn it on for just one day......he didn't like the "Start up dust and smell." So I sat by the fire place while he and Karen snuggled on the couch. They were enjoying just having a day to relax at home and play with the kids. (Every Saturday is wall to wall soccer games for the 3 boys......Elle is the favorite cheerleader and her mother's favorite companion!) Dayton doesn't know any better, and Alan is just happy to have another Crockett family over in Highland's Ranch......especially Mary Ann to do his loan processing for him.

Alan is a wonderful Dad. He's diligent in creating his new business and is so supportive with the boys and their soccer teams. Watching him play with the kids outside, you could tell his skills have advanced right along with the boys. He's Connor's coach, but he's right there in dress & kind with Sam on the Olympic team.

Elle loves to dance, and pull funny faces. She melted my heart when she wrapped her arms around my leg and begged me to please come for her birthday in December. I would be there in a minute.....but I think Mom & Dad have other plans! Bigger and better ones silently wait for a December surprise. But on Friday after being down a Uncle Mike's helping pack in the morning, I got to join up with the family to go to the movies...........Elle and Connor sat on each side of me as we wander through a animated movie about an eternal food fight created by an amature inventor who longed to be famous. Holy Cow......kids have high technology movies and bazaar ideas to keep them entertained. I liked watching their faces and eating hot butter popcorn with the family.

Karen is a great mother. She loves her family and serves them tirelessly. She runs a tight ship and helps the kids get to all their activities........school, church, scouts, soccer games & practice, play group, pre-school and they always are clean, well dressed, and encouraged to do & be their best. There's no way to measure the value of a good mother.

Oh how I miss my little friend Dayton since he & his family has moved to Denver. He was just starting to walk when he moved and now he runs, kicks his soccer ball, and squeels, "Peeze" when anyone has treats or he needs something. He's so darn cute and melts my heart quickly.

With the exception of hurting my sweet daugther in law, this was a perfect opportunity to just visit, play and be with the kids in their normal habitate.

Chase plays soccer too! Chase has a magic smile much like Uncle Davy's! His eyes glitter as he teases and he's loves to cheat while playing game. It's almost impossible to get made at the guy, because he melts you with his tender nature and laughing eyes. We stopped at Block Buster to pick up a Wii game for him! He loves the Wii and can play it for hours. Especially when Uncle Ryan comes over.......those two are as happy as a hen with a nest full of eyes while playing the Wii together.

As for Dayton.....with Elle & Connor around.....he hasn't had time to miss Grandma's attention. All kinds of store bought toys in the cupboard, Dayton's favorite pass time was being pulled around in an apple box lid by Connor. Connor is such a good, conscienceous and very attendive boy, that making Dayton happy & content was worth all his attention.

Andy & Betsy Price & their two girls decided to stay with Mary Ann for the weekend so I spent the first two nights at the Ahlstrom's new palace and Sam was very kind to give up his big bed so I could spend the next two nights with Karen & Alan. For 9 years, Karen & Alan's family have had us all to themselves when we've visited Colorado. It's kind of awkward & I found myself feeling "divided" & unsure while I was there this time. With company, church meetings, church assignments, and Sunday routines, I decided to leave early Sunday morning to get back to my own ward's fast & testimony meeting. This had been an "unexpected trip" & my plans were really undefined, so I was anxious to return home.

Once again, "The Fire of the Covenant" was my partner in travel. I do have to say, "Miracles come in many fashions." I noticed that my odometer was about to turn 77,777 and so I slowed down, pulled off to the side of the road to take a picture. Little did I know that that simple interruption may have saved my life. About 10 minutes later, traffic was stopped & backed up. I pulled a pair of binoculars that I had forgotten to give one of the boys, and scoped out what the delay was. About 1/2 mile up the road, a semi truck had hit a pick up head on. As I reflected on the scene, I realized that at 80 mph traveling a 1/2 mile would have passed rather quickly. I had pulled over to take my picture and could have very likely have been in the place of the pick up truck. I returned home safe & sound, showed and ready to go to church. Needless to say, I gave a lot of thanks as well!

I'm Alive & in Full Color

From Golf Course Eye Level
To finding a "CLOSED" Road to over view Heber Valley

Fall Colors in their PRIME!

The Relief Center

If some have wondered where the last few months have absorbed me, you might say, "Tim's retired & we are in transition mode." Or it might be....."M-m-m-m Mary Ann moved to Denver & after 4 trips over to find her a home, move her over and then see her successfully settled" might take some time. Tim & I made a trip to Priest Lake with Hauni & Aaron for a week, and then of course, getting back to starting art lessons, transitioning into having Julie Washburn Jensen taking over Shauna's 4 classes, and just living life with family. It all takes time and I truly have been busy.

Each fall Tim & I try to take a ride to see the fall colors. Sometimes it's been successful. Other times we've met up with disaster and a pledge to "never to do it again!" Well, we've made it through 8 months of learning to bridge our differences and make happy memories being around each other 24/7. But this years visit to Midway was a total success. One thing that I have learned about Tim is.....he may suck at organization but he loves to get out and do things. We've done a dinner, a concert, a play....etc....every week for the past few months. Social activities are not my forte' but they are Tims. Now we just have to find the balance in all things!

So let me take you on a little trip up through the colors!

Note the sign......we were on Snake Creek Rd on a very SUCCESSful Trail of memories. This year Tim & I have been married 39 years! And just like President Hinckley says, "We travel over a lot of hills, rocky roads, and valleys and every once in a while we have memorable visitas." Well that pretty much describes the last 39 years of life for the Crocketts. However, through it all, I feel like we both have learned to focus on the positive, accept differences, and finally.....success is really between he and I. (The last one is mostly for me!) No one can solve your problems but you. And our Fall Color trip was a perfect example.

Tim first treated me to a wonderful lunch at the Homestead in Midway. We have wonderful memories of Midway. It's where we first started our marriage and it was fitting to revisit.

After dinner we started up toward the State Park, but I suggested we go up Snake Creek Canyon. Tim was willing. Going past the golf course was a beautiful sight.

The reds, oranges and greens mixed together were breath taking.

Over the years, Tim & I have had to LOOK UP a lot. We have been blessed with wonderful, independent children who are anchored in the gospel teachings and centering their lives around family. They're so centered, Tim & I often wonder if they forgot we were alive. However, there are those who make regular visits.....bring the love and laughter of the grandchildren over, and then of course, Tim & I venture out to see if they're still alive as well.

Tim is experiencing, loosing some of his eye sight due to his diabetes & my ability to move as quickly as I used to, seems to create a drain on energy levels. But we have been blessed with a rich abundance of blessings. We have a comfortable home, a terrific neighborhood, a fun filled yard, and future full of hope.

As we drove up the canyon, I experience a mortal emergency! I told Tim, we would need to go down to find facilities. Then I noticed a blue box up on the hill. It was the answer to our problem.

I left Tim taking pictures, jumped in the car and drove up this dirt road to the blue box. Relief was Sure! Ah-h-h-h! But I decided to drive up the road a bit. I had only gone a little way when I realized I needed to go get Tim. I had found a gold mine of beauty......and for the first time in a very long time......my sudden urge had lead us to a resouceful blessing.

From the golf course view to over looking the valleys from above. It was a private road (usually closed) but today it was an opportunity of a life time. We were planning to travel up around Sundance....but we spent all our time enjoying the beauties and over looks from our "found trail".

I'm not sure why I have had to discover life kind of "backwards" but that's the way it's been for me. From learning how to be a "girl" and finally my personal value to recognizing my responsibilities in companionship....it's just seemed to evolve back to front. Nevertheless, I am soooooooooooo grateful to my Heavenly Father for my learning processes and that I know He has loved & known me perfectly. Whatever way we need to learn or have to learn.....He will send it the way we will recieve it.......along with the people who need to teach us & support us.

I'm grateful for ALL the colors in my life!