''I've decided I have a somewhat unhealthy obsession with books and reading. I can't wait until I retire so I can have more time to read. My greatest fear is I will go blind or something by the time I am able to devote more time to reading.
I've been reading a kind of strange book, but it had an interesting take on parenthood. It talks about parenthood as a "clumsy yet majestic dance in the flames...when you parent you fall in love with someone who is always changing into someone else, and who you know will leave you...it is a crazy-making job requirement of simultaneously surrendering to and letting go of someone you love over and over and over again. That "letting go" and "change" part is a little hard for me. Emily turns 12 this week and starts Young Women's. It seems when young women's starts time goes more quickly and before I know it they are grown and yearning to be on their own. Parenthood, for me is like a mirror, which at each new developmental stage of their lives gives me a new bright light on my shortcomings. So it is always a reminder that as they grow and change I also need to continue to change and try to do better.

On a side note I just finished the book The Magician and the Elephant and I loved it. It is also a sort of strange but interesting book that looks at the themes of loss and love and magic. I think Kate Dicamillo's writing is like poetry and it makes me happy just to read how she puts the words together.

Blinds Glorious Blinds

Santa arrived early at our house (JK). I am, however, happy and grateful to report that we are no longer completely exposed in a blindless house and/or covered heavily in sheets. All is a little bit more right with the world...should get even better tomorrow with stake conference. I am still confused, however, about french twisting Brynna's hair. Tonight I have an appointment with an on-line tutorial.

Quick update

Unpacked all weekend...other than the wonderful feast. Can't find the christmas stockings...clothes dryer broke...Need to learn how to do a french twist for the nutcracker...HELP!...Melissa and Evelyn and Adelle come in 13 days, Yay! So grateful for family and friends and kids that will help me unpack a garage load of stuff. Anyone go shopping on black friday?

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. ~George Eliot

It was a fun-filled frolicking Halloween this year...easy because we used already found costumes. When we were moving Matthew found the Santa outfit and decided it would make the perfect disquise. It really fit his personality as he Ho Ho Ho'd through the house. He looked hilarious. Too bad it wasn't a cold halloween for him...because he said he was "boiling" by the end of the night. Brynna loved being a fairy since she is in quite a tinkerbell phase. Aubrey was at first a cave-girl and than a fairy princess (with Grandma Taylor's prom dress...the twirling never ended). She was a little sad as it was her first year not trick-or-treating. Emily made the perfect pretty pirate (we found the hat at Ross in July and just used funky clothes she already had). I found the weather "perfect"...no snow or rain and smelled like fall. We only had three sets of trick-or-treaters, which was quite a change for us, we hope for more next year. I am still hoping against reality that somehow our house will be boundaried into the 32nd ward :) Feeling more settled though...still no blinds :(.

I have to thank my boss for this great trip to Hawaii. For working at my work for 10 years he gives employees a time-share for a week. We planned the week we were going several months in advance so we were able to get an amazing deal on air-fare. I had personally never been to Hawaii, but I must say it was really like paradise. The weather and the water were warm both day and night. We all loved it. We visited the polynisian center and the temple (Lane even got to be part of the Somoan show dancing and slapping his body (our video christmas card will be great!). We also visitied Pearl Harbor which was very interesting and made us again grateful for our country. The kids adopted a sea turtle in a bay by our hotel that they named Peggy. There was a lot of snorkling and just good family time. The only drawback was that we had to go on the trip the day after our house closed so we could not move in to the house prior to our trip (or order and/or put up blinds, etc) and also that the next to last day of the trip Lane burst his ear drum snorkling. But we are sooo grateful for the experience and we are also grateful to begin the move in process and get settled. It has been quite an eventful and hectic two months for our family. I can say with assurity that I do not ever want to move again. Hawaii though...I wouldn't mind again.

Not Homeless

We are pleased to announce we have finally moved into the house we have been waiting for and are starting to unpack and not live out of boxes. It has been a struggle and we are glad to finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. Our neighbors are seeing much more that that...as we have no blinds yet...so are living in a fish-bowl. I am sure they are hoping for blinds as much as we are. We wanted to thank all those that helped us move. I have thank-you cards written but of course not delivered. I hope I can find the halloween costumes by friday?!! I hope my kids can find their homework and now be a little more settled with school, etc. We are not quite used to not being in the ward and I know Aubrey, in particular, is struggling with 32nd ward sadness. We hope boundaries will change eventually so we can be "back in". I will try to post pictures at some point...however my computer remains forever down. We do now have the internet and television, which we haven't had for aproximately 2 months, but seems like forever. Can't wait to catch up on everyones' blogs.

We're Home-less

That's right we have sold our house and have not secured another house. I am a little bit freaking out...but we are trying to have faith that one of the homes we have an offer on will come through at some point soon. In the mean time, we have to be out in 10 days...which is no small feat after being hunkered down in here for 16 years. I have felt a little bit overwhelmed as we have been packing. Our basement looks like something exploded. Hopefully all will work out...but if you see this blog say a little prayer.

First Day of School

With the exception of Matthew, we plaided it up for the first day of school. I should have got a full body shot of Matthew, because his shoes were the most important...brown and turqouis sneakers...I think Tony Hawk. They were all ready for a change and looking forward to going back to school. No one was more excited than Brynna, except maybe Aubrey...I heard Aubrey up all night.

So it all begins. Matthew has soccer today, Emily Soccer tomorrow, games on saturday, music lessons, and of course Ballet for Brynna (she finally is sleeping in her own bed, the pre-requisite for ballet). So this year we have a ninth grader, 6th grader, 5th grader and 1st grader. It's going to be a fun ride.

Plump Pumpkin Plant for Sale with purchase of Beautiful American Fork Home

Last Fall Matthew carved a Halloween pumpkin that was "throwing up" pumpkin seeds on our front porch. Unbeknown to us one or more of those seeds must have taken root. We now have a beautiful pumpkin plant free to whoever may buy our house. If our house does not sale we will have pumpkins for ourselves just in time for halloween this year right in our front yard! Bonus right! Also on a random note I love the fountain we recently placed out front by our flowers. I love the sound of the water and have been keeping our front window open just to hear it (70% off at Roberts). Just hope no one hears me telling my kids (perhaps a bit loudly) to do their chores. Any ideas on how to keep the house clean for people to look at with four slightly messy kids home in the summer?

Whirlwind trip to San Fran

San Francisco has become my favorite vacation destination because part of my heart really does live there now. Here is a brief rundown of our last trip.
1. Took a 13 hour drive through the dessert , with children of various bladder sizes. Saw the huge metal utah tree(Sorry it's sideways). Stopped at a rest-stop with signs "beware of snakes and scorpians (what must have happened there?). Was 100 degrees when we left Utah. Hotter over the desert.
2. Was happy to get to Lance and Melissa's house by the golden gate bridge. Was freezing cold...could see our breath during the day. Was happier to spend the next day holding Adelle while Lane and the kids went to the beach and walked the bridge.
3. Went to fisherman's wharf...saw the bushman...saw michael Jackson in wax...emily got a present on her head from a seagull...ate at ghiradelli square...Aubrey kissed a pirate...matthew did not kiss the pirate...had clam chowder and sourdough bread...Brynna ate a squid...froze to death. Went down Lombard street with all the kids screaming in terror in the back seats.
4. Held Adelle again and watched Evelyn dance and eat licorice. Lance got his white coat at a "white coat ceremony" (congrats to him).
5. Lance's great family and ours went out to dinner at cheescake factory (which was delicious) and then we went to Muir Woods to see redwoods...Lane's tree obsessions dream come true.
5. Went to Lance and Melissa's church (which was very nice and welcoming) and got to be present for Adelle's baby blessing. Lance gave a beautiful blessing. Adelle and melissa and evelyn looked beautiful. I looked tired. I think I always look tired (maybe it's the getting old bit).
6. Had to leave much too soon to get back to Utah for work on Monday. Saw a lot of the country in passing due to too much construction on the way back.
7. Wishing we could have stayed longer...but bought gum today to send to Evelyn for her potty training adventures.

Smokey the Bear in the Sky

I think patriotism is like charity -- it begins at home.
Henry James

Lane's family started going to the balloon festival when our kids were just babies. I always loved the pictures. We miss Melissa and the gang this year (all the kids remembered how Evelyn threw up last year). We went for the matching shirts this year. We continue to enjoy the tradition...although we don't know what happened to the rest of Lane's family. Katie and Grandma and Grandpa Nuttall went with us. I think Katie feels the red,white and blue, backdrop highlights her red hair nicely. It is pretty low-key and Aubrey spent the majority of time sprawled out on a blanket. We did meet some good friends there who, well at least one member, provided some amazing dancing prowess. Even Grandma joined in to the festivities. The music just made you want to dance. The dancing could also be attributed to the fact that the balloons never did return to complete the competition so there was a lot of waiting.

In the spirit of patriotism don't forget the below blog and "vote"

Vote for Aubrey :)

http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?id=757&nocache=1

Aubs has one more month in this contest. I just thought it was a good reason to publish this cute picture one more time. Also check out melissa's blog for the cutest video of Adelle smiling.

A call for pictures

We are planning a fun trip to san francisco to see Adelle blessed, but we are starving for pictures of the newest Keyes baby, also of Evelyn and Melissa and Lance. We know they are so very very busy with the new addition, but we love them and wish to see them sooner. We hope they come out and stay the summer? Not to be pushy but we respectfully request additional neice/grand-daughter sightings. Love the taylor family

vacation pictures