Fall is in the air

 Buddy had surgery this week and has to wear a cone.

 Charlotte hanging out with me and reading stories. She is getting sleepy.

 Shanna sent me these pics from their Halloween party.

 This is the best pic that I got of Jacob from his game this week.

Last night was our ward Halloween party.  I made white chili and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.  This morning, I made some chocolate chocolate chip cookies in addition for the Primary Teacher training we did today.  I have been feeling a lot better this week.  I am trying to get back on top of everything.  It feels like it has been such a long week.  Dad and Jacob went out a few times to go hunting but didn't have any luck.  I think the experience is good for them to get out and hike etc.  They took the dirt bikes and ride and then hike.  

Tanner McKissick is engaged and Colette and Tim gave a couples shower for them yesterday.  Shanna, Christian and Charlotte and I went over there together.  It was really nice.

The Up and Down House

Every time I walk through the hall way holding Charlotte, I point out Aunt Shelly and Aunt Leeny in the pictures.  Shanna says that because you are just like me and Shanna that she will be familiar with you already when you come home.  I agree with her.

 Charlotte came to stay with us from Sunday afternoon until Tuesday afternoon.  I really wish I got pics of the boys playing with her as well.  I didn't think quick enough for that.  The boys are so cute with Charlotte. Dad loves to play with Charlotte and we really treasure every moment with her.

 Charlotte is more on the move now so we need to be even more diligent about keeping the floor clean.

 Charlotte is ready for a nap. I could not get her to smile. 

 Such a sleepy girl.

 I took Charlotte outside for some fall pics in her cute pumpkin fall outfit when she was full and happy.  Buddy (the dog) was out there so she was so fascinated in the entertainment that Dad was providing to try to keep buddy from pouncing and jumping all over Charlotte which is why he isn't aloud in the house when she is over.  She thinks Buddy is very funny!

 This was just the cutest pic, I couldn't resist including it.  I love her cute bare feet holding the books. She is getting sleepy and we were waiting for Grandma Roth to pick her up.

 This was my one food idea to send you this week. Chickpea salad sandwich.  I mashed some chickpeas, diced some dill pickles, sliced tomates, onions, a little salt and pepper and salad dressing. It was really good.

 Cameron ran at State this week.  He had a hard week to run at state because his Grandpa Casper passed away on Monday morning. Camie's Dad has battled with Cancer for many years. He has had a really rough year.

 Shanna and Christian came home from California.  The Roth's met them at the airport.

Well this is where I have been in my bed, sick with a bladder or UTI infection etc.,  drinking lots of liquid and popping lots of pills to get over it, watching Netflix until I am sick to death of it.   It is taking its sweet time.  SO, while the boys and Dad have all been off for fall break Thursday through today () , I have been in  my bed, half the time with a high fever but today I am starting to feel a little bit normal.  I am so weak still so I didn't make it to church today.  Dad took james fishing a few days and after much begging to Jacob finally got him to go hunting with him.  Your Dad is the most kind and gentle wonderful person I know. He has been taking care of me, running around buying all the right supplements my dr has recommended for me to take for everything.   Dad and Christian gave me a blessing of healing.  He even took the Myers kids dirt biking one day. Dad and I did get to go to Camie's Dad's viewing Thursday evening before I started feeling really bad.   But I was too sick to go to the funeral the next morning. I did try and then I put my pajamas back on and got back in bed.  My mom and my sister both came and helped me for a little while each with dishes or laundry or giving james a ride etc.  

Well that is the end of our Up and Down week! There were some ups and some downs but we are so blessed.  We are so thankful for the gospel in our lives.  While Dad and James were at church today I watched the Joseph Smith: The restoration movie and sobbed like a baby as I have such a strong testimony that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of our Heavenly Father and of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.   I know that we have a Living Prophet President Nelson that leads our church today as a mouthpiece for the Savior Jesus Christ.

Harvest Time

 Shanna and Charlotte came over.  Charlotte stayed and hung out with me for a while so Shanna could get some school work done.

 We harvested the pumpkins and tomatoes and cleaned out the garden.

 Charlotte came over on Wednesday.  She rejected everything I put on her tray so the picture is to show how far and wide she threw everything off her tray.  One day this week, Shanna, Charlotte and Kaye went to see Grandma and Grandpa Jacobs at the same time I was there.  They are working hard on moving things in and getting things put away and throwing things away.  I have been trying to help a few days a week. I also was able to go to the temple with Mary Ann Myers so that was really good.

 Michelle asked for some simple food ideas.  I had this for lunch hummus quesadillas and salsa one day because I made hummus.  I LOVE hummus.  You could just mash some garbanzo beans in a bowl with a fork and add some salt, onion powder, garlic, paprika, cumin lemon juice (if available) or water to desired consistency.  If you have a blender that is even better.  You could also use a can of refried beans and add seasonings and make a quesadilla with refried beans or any other type of beans following the same procedure above.

 I made some pumpkin pancakes the other day and they were really good, I also made some regular pancakes and so the 2nd day I made some pumpkin caramel topping to put on the pancakes, it was really good, it was also good cold on graham crackers.  It only had a little pumpkin, pure maple syrup or sugar, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, almond milk. I heated it on the stove.

This is one of my favorite plant based dinners.  Salad with garden tomatoes on one half of the plate with 3-2-1 dressing.  3 parts any type of vinegar, 2 parts any type of mustard, 1 part pure maple syrup or other liquid sweetener.  I made mashed potatoes and mashed sweet potatoes, bake or boil them until soft.  The gravy is cut up mushrooms, onions, soy sauce, 2 cups of water and 2 T corn starch or arrowroot powder for thickening. Add salt and pepper to taste.  

This is the cute idea we found to make for gifts for the primary children for Christmas.

 This is the pumpkin cake that I made today to take to Jacobs family dinner at Dave and Susans.  I think it turned out really good.  I added pecans on top.  I also made a curry sweet potato soup.  Do you want that recipe?

 Charlotte is staying with us for a few days while Christian and Shanna are out of town.

It was so cute that Ashley played with Charlotte the whole time we were at the family dinner today.  Hailey and Olivia also played with her.  Charlotte was so happy and loved the attention.

General Conference

 Monday we had a few things to take care of and then Dad left from our home on his bike.  I left a few hours later driving Dad's Jetta.  My phone was dead when I got in the car but I plugged it in and had to get started in the general direction.  As I was driving in the direction I needed to go I realized that my phone still wasn't coming alive.  I changed the cord and charger to a different hole as I was going along and after an hour of driving I still had no way to track Dad's location.  I started just looking around to find the roads that the Jordan River Trail crosses to see if I can see Dad anywhere.  I stopped one time to get gas so I wouldn't run out.  I kept driving and staying close to the parks that are by the trail.  I finally decided to stop at another gas station and I asked for directions to the park that I knew Dad and I were planning on meeting at so I could give him water and snacks.  I had an idea to get a portable phone charger and a cord to plug it into the car.  I plugged that in and started looking for the park.  My phone finally came alive right after I plugged it in.  I pulled over and tracked Dad immediately and then called him to find out how he was.  He said he just finished and we figured out that I was only about 10 minutes away from  him.  I hurried and picked him up.  Dad had ridden his bike 46 miles.  He did awesome.  He had no idea that I was panicking and not able to find him for hours.  The plan was I was going to go where he could pass by me a few times so I could see how he was doing and he wouldn't have to be by him self the whole time.  I was so thankful I was finally able to find him.  I also was finally able to call and check on the boys.  Next we went to the Humphreys house and Dad changed his clothes and then we went out to dinner In Ogden at an Asian restaurant.  We had a great time.

This is a cute pic of Charlotte that Shanna sent me.  

 My wrist is feeling so much better and so I am able to pick up Charlotte now.  I was able to bring her over to my house and take care of her for a few hours so Shanna can get some school work done.  That makes me so happy.  I do still have to be very careful and have to still wear the brace.  I went to the Specialist on Monday and they told me that I would not need surgery.  Now it has been a month since I fell.  This week my arm has been feeling so much better.

 What can I say about this? Beautiful family picture.

Fun visiting Shanna and having lunch with her.  

 Shanna and I went out for smoothies at the Protein Foundry in the district.  Then we went to our church building where they were NOT broadcasting the Womens conference.  We hurried and went to my house and watched it in the office on my laptop.

 Yesterday I painted my nails while James and I watched conference.

 Tanner McKissick is engaged. Wahoo.  Her name is Kamri.

Buddy likes to watch the boys come and go and everything that goes on in the neighborhood.

 Christian, Shanna & Charlotte came over for lunch and conference.  It was so fun to hang out with them.  Jacob was nearby but did not sit with us while we watched conference.  Notice Dad and I both have braces on our wrists.  Dad hurt his wrist somehow during his hockey game the other night.

 Jacob really is proud of his hair.  We are trying to choose our battles.  As much as I would like him to cut it, I really have much worse things to worry about than that.

James and I built some space ships with legos during conference.

Can you believe all of the changes and wonderful things that are happening in the church?  2 hour block schedule and new home and individual "Come follow me" curriculum, ministering etc., 12 new temples announced today.  It is miraculous.