What time is it?!?

The pumpkins are carved.









(Kyler thinks pumpkin guts are just gross!)













The cupcakes are made (and eaten).



The games have been played.





The candy is bought.



Layne is home - Super Hooray!




So... it must be trick - or - treating time!




Happy Halloween!

By the way...

What does a ghost get when he blows his nose?
"Boo-gers!" (hee,hee -thanks mom!)

All "riled" up!

So, Monday night our FHE was all about teamwork (especially since daddy is out of town - it works best when we act like a team). The lesson included a "Scripture Treasure Hunt" - the final prize being a trip to Sonic for a treat (I love a lemon-berry slush for $1.00!). It was so exciting! And the kids were so great - until we got home. They had showered earlier (yes, they went to Sonic in their jammies), so all they had to do was brush teeth, have prayers and get in bed. Not hard, right?!? Well, you'd think. But what was I to expect! I mean really! I got them all excited and I gave them sugar. I was the one that "riled" them up, and naturally, there are consequences!
Anyway, I ended up getting after Karlee to the point that her feelings got hurt. She was upset with me because I was "blaming" her. It was dramatic. So long story short -she got in bed, we chatted about making good choices and using appropriate behavior during prayers, I made sure she knew just how much I love her, we hugged, we kissed, and we said goodnight.

Later, I looked in on Karlee and this is what I saw.



She had gathered all of her stuffed animal friends and put them together in her sleeping bag for a good night's rest! In the morning, I found out that they were part of her team! :)

Oh, that sweet Miss Karlee Ann!

It's Fall and...

I am once again falling behind.

But first things first...

Kavan had a birthday on October 16th. My "KavanMan" is no longer a baby, He's 6!



We had a fun family dinner at McAllister's Deli, picked out pumpkins for carving, and came home for some birthday festivities. This year, Kavan just wanted chocolate cupcakes with "the good white" (that would be cream cheese) frosting, colorful sprinkles and ice cream.

He made a wish,



blew out the candles,



and his wish came true!



Glad you had a Happy Birthday, Dude!

Weighing in at...

9 pounds 13 ounces!!

My new niece, Laney Hope Strickland, was born on September 23, 2009.
I love this picture of Ellie with her new baby sister. So cute!



Congratulations - Terry, Heather and Ellie!

Meet my cutie-patootie 8 year old!

Not long ago we had this beautiful baby girl!


Layne gave her a name and a blessing.


And now, that beautiful little girl is 8!

My how time flies!

-Karlee's birthday was last Monday. So we celebrated with a dinner at Fatz Cafe, ice cream cake and a couple of presents.




-Then yesterday October 4, 2009, after a General Conference session, Karlee was baptized.

Karlee loves her dress that Grandma Burgy made for her.


Aunt Jana did her hair.


Grandma Burgy gave a talk on baptism.


Layne baptized her.


Aunt Betsy sang Walk Tall, You're a Daughter of God.


Grandma Mitchell gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.


Then Karlee was confirmed and surrounded by lots of love!

(Brother Caswell, Grandpa Mitchell, Uncle Ryan, Uncle Tyler, Karlee, Layne, Paul Koschene,Grandpa Burgy, Uncle Kirk, and Bishop Claar)

It was beautiful, tender, and quite special. Thank you to everyone who came, who participated, who helped, and who supported Karlee on this day!

Then...


it was time to eat, socialize,


sleep, "technocize",


be friends,


open presents,



give a birthday spankin',


and eat cake,


with lots of fun!!





Oh and hey...







don't you just love these two!?!