Amy came up with a really cute idea for name tags, so we spent part of the afternoon searching through alphabet macaroni to find everyone's names. They turned out great. It was great spending time with family, visiting and catching up.
And dinner was delicious, so it was a big success. I think we'll do it again next year!
As you can tell from this picture, Tayson was having an "attitude" and didn't want to cooperate for my picture. You'd think he was already a teenager instead of only 9.
Of all of the kids, Emma was the one chosen to be trained as a Jedi. After a few minutes of training, she actually got to go up against Darth Vadar! It was really fun to watch her, and I must say, the others were really good sports about not being chosen.
I flew up to Utah for Chaire's first dance recital this past weekend. It was so fun to watch all of the little girls, but of course, my eyes only saw Claire. She was darling--twirling, skipping, and laying on her towel all at the right time. After the show, we went out for ice cream to celebrate her job well done. I'm not sure how much she loves to dance, but I do know, she really loves to get all dressed up and wear makeup. Watch out Kathy and Todd--I think you may have a problem with boys when she gets older--she's a beauty.
a new one. Jackpot!! The town also had a great ice cream store. Kathy was a real trooper, being 6 months pregnant. I think we may have turned her against camping, though, as she has not gone since.
This is a relatively new tradition, brought into the family from the Mortensen clan, that I just absolutely love. Amy and Todd spend a good portion of Thanksgiving day pouring over all of the ads, and I mean ALL of them. Sometime after they get the kids to bed, the lists begin; what to get at which store. They even prioritize which store to go to first. The next morning starts early, like 4:00AM. This is where I usually join in. Todd stays home with the kids, and Amy and I are off to shop. We
divide and conquer, Amy shopping first while I stand in line, and then we switch places. This works wonderfully well. It is so much fun and we usually get some really great bargins. Sometime, after we've gotten the "hot deals", we slow down a little and take time out for donuts or muffins and juice. Then it's back to the task at hand. But I must confess, the best part of all is unloading the car, piling up all of the bags, and showing off all of our loot.
snowball fight, all in the kids back yard. We woke up to snow Sunday morning, and after church, we went outside for some fun. And of course, after getting freezing cold, we came inside for some delicious hot chocolate. Kathy bought a hot cocoa maker on Saturday and it really got a workout. It was great. I think I'm going to add one of those machines to my Christmas list!
For as long as I can remember, we have always had a party in Twin Falls the weekend around July 26th. Grandma and Grandpa Busby's birthdays were then as well as my dads. After Grandpa died a few years ago, dad insisted on changing the name to a family reunion, but it still is "the birthdays" for most of us. This year, with dad's health issues, it was a bitter-sweet time. It was great to spend time with my family, but it
was awfully hard to watch dad struggle so with his physical health. We did get some great pictures of dad with the four of us and also with his great-grandkids.
It wasn't planned that way, but my two kids birthdays are two weeks apart. I just get done with Amy's and it's time for Todd's. He was born on a Monday after only 7 hours of labor. It was pretty easy, even without any drugs, but I was surprised by having to push for an hour. I thought they just popped right out.
ashington DC and going to my cousins house for dinner. In the evening, all of these fire flies came out. Todd collected some in a jar and released then in our hotel room that night. We had such a great "light show". But the next morning, we found their little dead bodies all over the room. Where ever Todd goes, he brings fun and laughter. What an awesome man he is becoming. Happy birthday, Todd. I sure love you.
I can't believe it was 32 years ago when this little "munchkin" was born. It was an easy pregnancy and an even easier delivery. Life with her was always fun. I especially enjoy my memories of our camping trips and vacations. No matter where we were, she always found something fun to do. Amy is also one of the sweetest, most caring people I know and she
has been that way from birth. She was a joy to raise and it is wonderful to watch her raise her own family. I couldn't be prouder of who she has become. I love you, Amy. Happy Birthday.
I have been very blessed by being at the hospital when 6 of my 8 grandkids have been born. (Claire was born in May and I was still in school, and Sophie came too early!) It has been such a special moment for me to hold each little one, only a few minutes old, and imagine the 
last minute instructions they were getting from our Heavenly Father before their journey to earth. It was an awesome experience with Tayson, my first grandchild, and has continued to be a wonderful experience all the way to Owen, my latest.
When I was little, my brother, Milo, and I went to a birthday party and when I came home, I had a dead tooth. No one is sure how it happened, I obviously hit it on something, but my front tooth became dark, and eventually had to be pulled out to make way for my permanent one. 
sure what to expect. What fun. It was a beautiful day, so we took advantage of the "wet" rides. The pirate ship was fun, but we all got soaked. I mean hair plastered to you head soaked. The kids especially enjoyed the splash zones, until the giant bucket dropped tons of water. Carson wouldn't take his eyes off of it after that. My favorite ride was the Dragon roller coaster that I rode with Wyatt. It was short, fast, but very smooth. 
