Taylor's 'Do

When Taylor was born he was very blonde and fair. So much so that we called him the "Man with no eyebrows" because you couldn't tell he had any. Over the years his hair has become very dark, almost black. A couple of weeks ago he decided to get his hair "tipped" where just the ends are lightened. I guess that wasn't what the stylist understood and this is what he came home with. He now has lots of highlights. My dad always said the only difference between a good and bad haircut is two weeks. While the haircut is great, the only only difference between a good and bad dye job is several months. We'll see if he tries it again.

P.O.W.E.R graduation

P.O.W.E.R. is a program to help kids resist drugs and alcohol like D.A.R.E. is but extends beyond that to encompass internet safety, bullying, and abuse. It's very sad that 5th graders need to have the program available to them, but many of these things are a real part of these kids lives. I was told that the program was being piloted here in our school district. Every 5 th grade throughout the district will go through the P.O.W.E.R program, either this fall or spring. Lexi would come home and share the things that she learned so we could discuss them as a family and put it in perspective to our values and principles.


This is Lexi with Officer Don on the right who came each week to our school to teach the kids. Some of the KISD officers have this specific responsibility. Officer Don is wonderful working with the kids. The other officer is from the DEA and was there for the graduation



Lexi and all her awards and certificate. This picture and the next show Lexi's extra goodies. The kids get point stickers for different activities and things that they do as they participate in P.O.W.E.R. They get stickers if they introduce their parents to the P.O.W.E.R officer, if they answer questions or help during the lessons, etc. Lexi had the highest number of stickers for her class. She got the packpack and medallion for doing this.


I'm sorry the picture is bad but Lexi is on the left on the stage. Just to the right of the lady with the blue shirt.

Lexi getting her certificate from our principal

After the ceremony they do a reception for the kids with cake and punch. This was before the kids got a hold of it. I really like this logo and concept with the lightening.

A mother's joy

I had to capture this-lexi and Taylor playing checkers together may not seem like a huge thing but as a mom I love to see my kids doing things together. Lately that doesn't happen without a specific request from us and sometimes with the use of coercion. This was done on their own.
I am the oldest of 4 girls and while we had our fights it was much different than the older brother/sister torment that happens around here. I don't get it but it drives me crazy when Taylor bugs the girls just to bug the girls. Taylor is not alone in this, Jordan also loved to do this when he was home. Those of you with older brothers have also validated this point-older brothers find some kind of weird satisfaction in bugging their sisters. I'm just hoping that as time passes this will change and these scenes will become more regular. They will never become less satisfying though.

Jordan's mission pics

It has been a while since Jordan has sent any pictures from his mission. He is currently serving in Temecula and is on a bike. He has been out just over a year now and is really loving sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the people he serves. He was in Moreno Valley for just about a month between 29 Palms and Temecula. He covered a family ward, young adult branch and Samoan Branch. He really liked being able to meet many different people

Elder Torbit and Elder Smith with family in Samoan branch.


What kind of coincidence is that, to have streets named Elder and Cool. I'm sure every elder in the mission has his picture taken there. Jordan has on a Lavalava. The next picture is also from that day. The former branch president of the Samoan branch does a traditional Samoan meal for the elders on transfer day. They also have to dress in traditional wear.

The Elders and Sisters at Kaios for their Samoan meal. Jordan is right behind the sisters on the right.

In Temecula their apt. is right next to a city park so for p-day they head over and play soccer when the weather's good. Which is 90% of the time. Jordan covers just one ward in Temecula.

Halloween traditions

Halloween is one of our favorite holidays and we have many traditions that come with the season. We're not into the gore but the fun creepy part of celebrating.

Decorations on the outside and inside. Without Jordan to add to everything it was a bit more mellow this year.

Pumpkin, ghost and bat sugar cookies. I usually bake them during the day and then we have a decorating party as a family. Some are extra loaded with candy decorations. Luckily we give most of them away.

Pumpkin carving. Everyone had their own this year and part of that includes cleaning out the yucky part. Taylor and Lexi went for the patterned designs on theirs. Paige was a traditional Jack o lantern.

Dressing up. This year was very light on the costume sewing. I talked Lexi into using a devil costume that I made a couple of years ago. Paige was a character from the Twilight novels. And a local thrift store gave Ken and I the parts of our costumes with a few accessories thrown in. I actually had a enjoyable week without frantic sewing right up until we were walking out the door. Taylor was gone all day with a friend riding dirt bikes and didn't get back until late. We did trunk or treat at the church and then headed to the high school football game (great planning by someone) to see several of the kids from church perform. We were quite the novelty dressed up.