Last day of October...

Just a few photos to add to my collection. I'm up to about 6,000 on my phone. I have got to delete some, but that is hard for me!

Fun at the pumpkin patch... 
(Photo credits to Mark)

Tiger Colby at their ward Fall Festival...
(Photo credits to Mark)

It made me happy to see the monsters

we made at the Boo Bash in the windows!

 Selfie with darling Grey!

My favorite Storm Trooper, Colbs is excited for Halloween.

You just can't ever have too many hugs.

I love this picture, Grahm is smiling and so is Grandpa!

I hope Cash, Colby, and Grey get lots of candy!
(Photo credits to Mark and Tiff)

Power Ranger Cash

 That dimple!

 Grey!

 Cash in the costume Grey wore this year!

Happy last day of October and Happy Halloween!

Our Savior's love...

I was in tears most of sacrament meeting yesterday. One of our neighbors passed away unexpectedly from complications after a non-life threatening surgery. I loved the Nichols from the first time I met them. I had the privilege of serving with them on a few committees. They are kind, generous, so loving... true disciples. 

Marjorie was the force behind the success of the ward Christmas party last year. I so enjoyed serving with her. Duane was such a big help too.

I will miss Duane. I enjoyed any chance I had to talk with him. Just two weeks ago I had a nice talk with him at the mailboxes. I am heartbroken. I will pray for Marjorie and their family.

Duane and Marjorie were both school teachers. Duane taught science in California. He was known as "The Great Motivator." This article was in the Los Angles Times:

Turning shy ninth-graders into contest winners is just part of his busy day. Besides the biomedical class, he teaches two physiology classes, one period of biology and devotes the rest of his time to student conferences and chairing the science department.

He also coordinates a $1-million grant to USC for education of science teachers and is past president of the California Biology Education Assn., a teachers' group.

"Every spare minute I'm (at school) I'm either meeting with a student or working with them," Nichols says. "I'm on the phone at 10 at night with students who are having problems with their research projects. Sometimes even on weekends I'll meet with them. I try hard to make Saturday my family day. I could be incredibly busy if I didn't try to do that."

Nichols appears to balance these demands calmly. However, he says, "on the inside I have constant lists of things I have to get done, and I'm driven by that. People say I'm low-key and I'm amazed, because underneath I have all this other stuff going on."

"Anybody who can get students to come at 7 a.m. has to be a great motivator and role model," says Assistant Principal Julie Hadden.

"I think his charisma is part of it. He's very warm. He has an extremely sharp sense of humor. (And) he knows all about the kids.

"There's another thing he does. There's a term: He walks the talk. He doesn't just give lip service to science. He knows about it. He's on top of what's going on. He's excited by science."

"Our Savior's Love" was the closing song yesterday. I couldn't sing the words, but it did give me hope and comfort. Sometimes I don't understand why bad things happen to such good people. I know Marjorie has great faith and will feel the Savior's love in the coming days.

Our Savior’s love
Shines like the sun with perfect light,
As from above
It breaks thru clouds of strife.
Lighting our way,
It leads us back into his sight,
Where we may stay
To share eternal life.

The Spirit, voice
Of goodness, whispers to our hearts
A better choice
Than evil’s anguished cries.
Loud may the sound
Of hope ring till all doubt departs,
And we are bound
To him by loving ties.

Our Father, God
Of all creation, hear us pray
In rev’rence, awed
By thy Son’s sacrifice.
Praises we sing.
We love thy law; we will obey.
Our heav’nly King,
In thee our hearts rejoice.

He's home!

Christopher is back from his latest adventure in the Philippines. It's so wonderful to have him home, but I have a feeling it won't be for long. But if he's happy, I'm happy. However, I sure miss him when he's gone. I might have to plan a trip to wherever he goes next!

Monster Boo Bash...

I was so excited to have my favorite little Monsters come for our annual Boo Bash. I also enjoyed having them sleepover. More than the fun and games, I hope Cash, Colby, and Grey feel how much I love them, and enjoy our time together.

Monster Boo Bash 2017

Decorations – Monster door, monster with folded legs out front,
Monster pom-poms, Monster garland, chalkboard sign, balloons
Crafts –
Paint rock monsters
Build a monster
Monster headbands
Monster lava lamp experiment
Activities –
Find a Halloween creature, after you find them you get a clue that tells where a prize is
Dinner – Make a monster pizza
Fruit
Monster cupcakes
Monster movie or story
Breakfast – Waffles
Yogurt
Fruit
Sausage
Bacon

Colby showed up with monster hair!

We started with a few snacks, and then painted some Monster rocks. It's fun to see the boys creations.

Cash is our creative boy, he comes up with fun games all the time. We all took turns trying to pin the nose on the ghost. However, Grey would have nothing to do with wearing a blindfold!

I had some paper and things for the boys to build a monster. Cash did his all by himself, so clever. Colby and Grey's were great too!

Colby used a roll of tape attaching his to the window!

Grey called his creation a Monster Robot. He was very specific about how he wanted it to look. How cute is this sweet boy!

Everyone was getting hungry so we got busy making pizza. We've done this before, and the boys really enjoy it.

Once again Cash's creative side came through... he divided his pizza into three sections.

Colby did such a good job making a big pizza!

It was really yummy.

Grey needed a moment to look at a toy catalog!

A very friendly monster hide a lot of plastic skeletons, spider, bats, and other creatures in the basement. I gave the boys a monster sack and they headed downstairs to find them. After they found all the Halloween creatures, I gave them a clue to where the friendly monster hide some prizes.

Grey would get so excited when 

he found one of his Halloween creatures!

Colby found his prize!

 The boys had fun decorating and eating Monster cupcakes.

It was bath time, then cuddles, and a little silliness on the bed. We listened to a cute Halloween story about a frog, said a prayer, and then I made sure the boys were cozy, and warm.

Cash, Colby, and Grey slept good. We had breakfast, then the boys played with their prizes. We also made Monster Lava Lamps. We have made them before, but they enjoyed doing it again.

 Hit the target baby!

Grey turns anything into a toy, I love it!

Cash set up some challenging targets.

Who knew Alka-Seltzer could make things more fun!

It's no secret I love being a Grandma to these wonderful, amazing little Monsters. Cash and Colby are not really so little anymore. They have grown an inch since Grandpa last measured.

Happy Halloween!