Chili and Concert

The chili my folks made was delicious like usual. We brought it to the ward party and we all dressed up. I was a pilot, Emmy was a cat, Celia was a purple fairy, Grandpa was Captain Jack Sparrow, Grandma was a black widow and Joseph was a rock star. Spence wore his fiery jack o lantern T-Shirt. He did great at the party for  a while then went for a ride as Brian came from work to the party.

I'm glad my folks were able to come up with cute costumes and that Emmy made a big effort to help Joseph be a rock star for his costume. She did learn a lesson about purchasing a costume for a Halloween store without trying it on. I'm hoping to return that today. Joseph did great at his Halloween band concert and I could hear him playing his trumpet loudly to thriller. My Dad was ingenious with grabbing chairs for us to bring to where we wanted to sit when there was standing room only. I'm glad Joseph felt supported and he had big smiles.

Celebrating Mom's Birthday

I had the great opportunity to take a quick trip to Tahoe to see my folks and Celebrate my mom's birthday. We hadn't been to Mammoth this year and it seems we used these few days to get that need met. We went hiking and to the outlets, out to the Lake to walk around and take pictures. Of course, there was incredible food and movies at night. I enjoyed the family time, relaxation and sleeping by a fireplace that was on.:) I checked out the spa and sauna as well. It was so quiet there and beautiful up high in the mountains. I'm excited for my folks to come and go to our ward party, see the kids dressed up for Halloween and participate in the chili cook-off. The Holidays appear to be here!

Dressing Emmy Up!

Homecoming happened. It was fun to help Emmy get ready to go to Andrew's homecoming. Emmy's school, Antelope High had a much less formal celebration and festivities. It worked out. She could participate in spirit week and I still got to go get Mani Pedi's with her. Emmy loves to get flowers on her big toe and thumbs. They are cute, and do stay for quite a white.  I did Emmy's hair myself this time. I used my hot rollers I purchased at a neighborhood garage sale which were nice and seemingly new. I got some bobby pins and hair products and used a tiara I got  from my friend Lisa. I also got to do her make up. Brian says I like to dress Emmy up like a doll and it is true.

 I'm glad the flowers, Andrew's tie and Emmy's dress went together so well. I got a few pictures in various places of the Solano yard, his dad had set up a little photo shoot it seemed. I'm glad to capture such great memories if only before in their dressed up ways.

They went to have steak at Outback Steakhouse, enjoyed the dance, mainly talking outside, and went to Yogurt Time afterwards for Gelatos( a new favorite). It seemed to be a successful outing for all involved.~

These two pictures were taken by Brother Solano, Beautiful captures.

In the Swing of things

After patiently waiting for over a year, Spence is in the swing chair business again. He did seem calm and pensive and he tried it out for the first time tonight. I have high hopes that it will be a place of refuge and calm for Spence in out household. Brian has the best ideas, moving to Roseville was one of them and this swing was definitely one of them as well. Brian and I got to go to Ward temple night last night and it was lovely to see the temple in the evening and to be with Brian, see familiar faces, and feel good about doing service. It was difficult for our respite worker Young to make it to our house, but I'm glad she made it and Brian and I were able to have that peaceful time together. The leaves are starting to change around here as the air turns cool and crisp at night. We went on a ride nearby with Spence and his tutor,. I'm grateful to live in a beautiful state and that we can find relaxing places to be, so blessed.

A lovely event outside.~

We had a great opportunity to go out and have a nice evening last night. Emmy was my helper and date as we attended Fernando Solano's( Andrew's Dad) birthday party. It was a surprise and my friend Kristin did quite a great job turning it into a lovely event outside! I love being by he golf course and seeing the green and seeing the sunset. The music, food, and company were great. We loved attempting to use the driving range at night. It was beyond our skill set to aim and get the golf ball very  far, but it was a lot of fun. I'm glad to spend the quality time with Emmy and make time with the family as a whole and individually a big priority. There was a photo booth there and it made us giggle to have to find a pose to make for the camera every four seconds. It was a Caddy Shack Party, We could dress up as golfers, someone from the eighties or country club style. Emmy was eighties style and I tried to look preppy. Happily, we get to dress up again for Halloween.

Emmy's Dream Weekend

It was great, we were blessed and protected, but I still can't believe I took three teenagers to a concert on sunset Blvd in West Hollywood.:) Emmy brought her friend Andrew and Trace with us down to LA to see the grandparents and to see Yellowcard in concert. Emmy is so obsessed with Yellow card I thought it would be a real treat to see them in concert and we were able to get VIP tickets at the House of Blues.  We had a great trip don, no traffic on the 5 and we made in in 7 hours. I usually make it in much longer than that. Grandma and Grandpa were such wonderful hosts like always. We watched a little conference, listened to the kids play the piano and did a lot of hanging out. It makes me happy we were able to do it, but I have no idea where I got the energy from, hehe. he concert was great, it got a little rambunctious near the end, but we sat outside and it was nice to sit after hours of standing and signing the songs. I missed my boys: Brian, Spencer, and Joseph, but it was so fun to make a quick trip. I'm excited to see the rest of Conference and my folks when they come up to visit soon. We love time with the family and making memories to last a lifetime!

Brian's Birthday

Happy Birthday to Brian. We had a fun time at home with our busy kiddos. I thought cleaning, organizing, and cooking would be great presents for Brian on his day. We had yummy tacos, fresh veggies from my garden and Slouhouse and Brian had a giant éclair  which he nicely shared. We played a few games and some guitar hero. We watched a movie together and it was relaxing. Well, relaxing as it can be with all the chaos of four kiddos.:) Brian had a great dinner at Rah Rah's early for his birthday and we got souvenirs from my folks just in time for his Birthday too. I'm glad Brian had a good day and that we are together trying to teach and have fun . Emmy was acting out Madagascar for us by the big TV. We caught her doing a lion's roar. I love to see Emmy so smiley. She is getting less shy being in speech and debate and having to speak and teach in church occasionally.