Monster Mash 2015

Brett & Justice went out Elk Hunting today and didn't make it back in time. And Liberty did some babysitting so I took Victoria & Glory to the school for the annual Monster Mash. It was crazy and fun as usual!

We got there in time for the Trick-or-Treat Alley:

They found friends and did games for prizes. And they went through the Haunted Obstacle Course:

They even got Cotton Candy before we went home:

Happy Monster Mash!!

Food Storage Room

When we moved into our new home, we made a decision that we didn't want the basement to be unfinished for years. So, we recently bought a few supplies to be able to work on it this Winter. We started with our Food Storage room. Can I say.... I'm sooooooo excited!!!?
Our Church has always encouraged us to be self-reliant.
"We encourage members worldwide to prepare for adversity in life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings. We ask that you be wise, and do not go to extremes. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve."

So...since before Y2K, our family has tried hard to have some kind of food & water supply. We have gone from a zillion #10 cans & big water barrels to rolling shelves and pop bottles full of a 2 week water supply for each family member. We have learned a lot of what we really use and what would be good just for emergencies. We have learned what we like and what we don't!!! ;) And most relevant to this post is that as we built this home- we planned a place to store it all.
The last week or so, our family dragged everything out of the little room, finished it up with flooring and drywall and then put everything back. It looks amazing!!
I realize that I didn't take a picture of what it looked like with everything in it before. Lame!!! But...
We went from this to this...

And this to this....

And after putting together my new AWESOME shelf (all by myself btw), we look like we are open for business! I have a few more things to get and a lot more stocking up to do BUT I Love it! It makes me so happy!

Senior Scones

Brett is teaching the Senior class this year in Seminary. We had them over tonight for Scones. They are a pretty awesome group of kids. They cracked me up with slow-mo selfies pictures and their group basketball game in the dark. Funny kids!

Youth Deer Hunt

Here in Montana, they have a Youth Hunt the weekend before Deer Hunting Season opens. It gives the youth a chance to get out there and shoot something before the craziness begins. And it's also designed to get the younger generation excited to keep up the sport.
Justice and Brett went out with our home teacher, Bro Caldwell & a bunch of other boys & their fathers. Within a couple hours- Justice had shot his 1st deer. Clean shot and everything!! He is so super excited!!!!!
 Justice & Brett

Justice & Brother Caldwell, aka Doc

 Justice & some friends

 Justice with the Kid group & the biggest buck of the day

Brett & Justice gutted it out there and brought it home with the help of Brother Caldwell They hung it in the garage for several days. They skinned it. They cut it up. And we've even ate it a couple times. He is one happy kid! What an awesome Dad he has to help him out.

P.S. Bishop Staley took Brett & Justice out Elk hunting a couple times this year. They didn't get anything but it was super nice of him to teach them the tricks of the trade!

Thailand Trek VBS

Our friends, the Gengers (and their Church family) threw another V.B.S. (Vacation Bible School) this year during the kids break from school. Victoria and Glory attended again. They had a fabulous time and came home singing all kinds of praise songs! I love it!

P.S. I was able to help Jenny out a little in the prep work and our family went over to help them set up. I love getting our family involved in positive community things. Awesome!

Brett's Another Year Perfect

We celebrated Brett's birthday this week!!!

The day before his actual birthday- he had the day off. We went on a date to Cielos- this cute little Mexican Restaurant. We had Shrimp Tacos and Chicken Tortilla Soup. Deliciouso!

On his birthday- we made him a yummy Rib dinner! It's his favorite!

We tried a new dessert- a pumpkin cake thing with yummy icing!

We sang and then he High-Ya-d his candles out! LOL

While we cleaned up, we let Brett go shoot some hoops in our backyard. It turns out he got to play with a bunch of wildlife. For some reason they didn't even budge while he played. Can you see the 4 deer behind him???

We opened presents as well. The kids blew him up some balloons, made certificates and gave him cereal, a superhero jacket and some mula for a rifle thing.

We're really grateful for Brett in our lives. Here's to all your wishes coming true!!!

"P" Scones

We had the Piersons and the Paynes over for Scones tonight. We love having people over!

Mama Rave REMIX

My friend Mishel headed up planning our Mama Rave this time. Thanks lady for planning something! Love being with you all.
A bunch of us went to dinner first. It's always a hoot to get us all together. Mishel loves Jade Garden. The only time I've ever been there is with her! ;) But I have become very fond of their lettuce wraps! Yum! And I love fortune cookies so bring those on (between the sheets! LOL)

A few of us kept the party going with a stop to the beauty supply store and Target before heading to the Gateway Center for some dancing! Always fun to shop with friends!

Ladies over 21, come celebrate our 11th event with a recap of the best things "mama rave"! If you have not been to one of our events, come see what you are missing! Drinks,Water, dancing, door prizes are what we are ALL ABOUT. We are Helena's ( and quite possibly MONTANA's) exclusive girls night out!
Over $1600!!!! in door prizes await you! 
Come check out our photo booth and CUSTOM Big Dipper Ice Cream Flavor...and more surprises!!
Ticket sales will begin September 10th at Spruce Finer Consignor, Sole Sisters and at Holdmyticket.com.

We had a blast at the Mama Rave! I LOVE the Photo Booth! Are you surprised??? And they had Pixie Sticks!!!! I was soooo excited! Can you tell from the pictures?  I brought my good friend Fay this time. She's got some moves, baby! Love that she was brave enough to come only knowing a couple people. But all the ladies adored her! She definitively will have to come next time. They even made a deal that she has to do everyone's hair beforehand. And of course, I have a picture with Kris from every Mama Rave so that is a MUST! Love these ladies!

It's seriously such a fun group of ladies to hang out with. I'm not a great dancer but I love getting out of my comfort zone and being with these girls. We have a blast together! We ALL crawled/crammed in the photo booth together (bottom left) and had a blast with Mishel's Selfie stick. We even did a human pyramid. Cuz we are AWESOME like that! What beautiful women I know!

Justice's Montana City Grill Football Team

Justice played Football again this Season. He played for the Montana City Grill Team. He was on B Team this year. The older boys seemed HUGE this year so Justice played a little more timid than last year. But he learned a lot and had a good experience.
He had practice every week day for 2 hours. Then games on Saturdays. It was super tiring but he got in really good shape. He learned to have good technique and overcome his fear of bigger players. He would make deals with his Dad for how many tackles he'd get during a game to earn a treat.

After his final game, we went as a family to celebrate his season with ice cream!

Backyard Grass & Blown out Sprinklers

Brett has worked really hard the last month to put in a sprinkling system and planting grass in our backyard. Our friend, Walt has been essentially helpful in planning and executing this humongous project. I spent more days than I want to count smoothing out and leveling the backyard as much as I could.
Finally, Brett & Walt spent one really long day trenching and laying pipe and hooking up sprinklers.

The moms and the kids filled in the trenches. Then I spent several days smoothing things out again.

Our family went out one night and compacted some of the trend lines. ;)

The next week, Brett rented a Hydro-seeder machine and sprayed grass seed in the rain. It made it so that the green color washed away. Unfortunately it looked like it there was no seed at all. I was super nervous that it wouldn't work but Brett said to be patient. We decided to take pictures every week to see the progress.

Week One (Sept 7th) Doesn't look like much

Week Two (Sept 14) Being patient is so hard!!

Week Three (Sept 20) Tiny patches are poking up all over

I put in a rubber edge near the back of the garage and planted some more seed.

Week Three & a Half (Sept 24) It seems to turn a little greener everyday!

Week Four (Sept 27) It's coming in really well except patchy in a few places.

Week Five & a half (Oct 9)
We had our Sprinkler System blown out for the Winter. We are a little nervous about the grass dying if the weather stays too warm but Walt thinks we're fine so.... goodbye to watering our cute little grass until next year!

Muffins with Moms

I was able to join my cute kiddos for Muffins with Moms this morning at their school. I love that they actually ate with me (and wanted too)! They also walked me to my car while linking arms all together. Some of the teachers commented on how cute we were. They sure are right! Thanks kids! XOXO

Walk to School Day 2015

We walked to school with some friends this crisp, fall morning.

The Old Days- Brett & Cheri Style

Cheri found this old picture of Brett & Cheri from 1980. Crack me up!