All I want for Christmas

is my two front teeth!
Emily
age 6

Oozing with pride

to be his mom.

Shayne spoke in church today.

His first talk ever.

I think I was more nervous than he was.

He stood and spoke about honoring his priesthood.

A talk he wrote by himself.

He did amazing.

He was confident and poised.

I had a huge smile and my heart filled to the brim with pride.

And giant mascara tears rolling down my checks.

I'm thankful he's mine.

Halloween Oh-Nine

I can hardly believe that Halloween is over already! It seems like for weeks we think and rethink costumes.This year we rediscovered the beauty of Halloween on a budget 101.

I love when the kids become creative and want to make or makeup a costume rather than just supporting our local party city.

This was their school costumes for the parade/party day. I don't let them take their full "real" costumes. Is that mean? I just hate it when then get ruined before that actual holiday!

The girls had an idea to be witches this year but they wanted me to make them witches skirts. We had a great time picking out fabric and then making the skirts together. Megan and Emily are matching witches and Ashley is a vampire baker.

Shayne was a last minute rodeo clown. He pulling this and that from random closets and came up with a costume 10 mins before he left with his friends.

My friend Stacy showed up with her girls to trick or treat with us in full Madonna style. So, like Shayne I threw together a crazy witch costume and called it good. Next year I'm borrowing that Madonna gear so I'm better prepared!

Good bye Halloween Oh-Nine hello Christmas!

My Five Minutes

I was invited to take part in a little photo shoot for a local magazine called Go Gilbert a few weeks back. The magazine was doing an article call "The Real Housewives of Gilbert" about small in home businesses.

A few months back my friend Allison (far left) and I started a little company called Lily Lou's, an official name for our holiday "boutique" baking season. We've had a great time creating and baking.... lots of baking. The aprons pictured above are ours as well.

So five minutes is better than no minutes I figure! So if your looking for me...chances are I'm in the kitchen apron on, baking away!

We'll have our mini bundts as well as our aprons at several local boutiques over the next few months. Check our our Lily Lou's blog to see where and then stop by and see me!

(By the way, this photo will be in the November issue of Go Gilbert if you want to save your copy for an autograph :)

And now for a shamless plug..

A few months ago I was wondering "what will I ever do to fill my time now that my kids are in school?" Well, it didn't take me long to fill my days.

A few things..

I started selling these adorable aprons.. mom and child aprons, matching pot holds and towels available too! These are only a few of the selection. To see the complete selection visit here. It's been a fun business venture that I get to do with my great friend.

(if you see one you that must have I'd be happy to help you)

And my main job, my kinda hush hush secret job that I thing everyone found out about... Cupcakes! I bake and decorate for a little store called Poppy's. I've been at this one for quite sometime but thought I'd add a little plug in for them as well!


But that's not all...

I'm also helping out with this great new art gallery owned by our great friends.

Trotter Gallery

For all you locals, the gallery is formally known as Decor Unique. I've become their computer nerd which is kinda funny considering my computer background. (or lack of)

Everyone always told me that my days would fill fast and they weren't kidding! Its great to be busy and using my brain in a whole different way! So bottom line... I found plenty to do fill my days and sometimes nights!

BYU choked..

but their fans were sure cute!

Megan, Ashley, Emily and cousin Halle

and just think.. we spent all morning making these shirts and the Cougs didn't show up to play!
At least we got the cute shirts!

Autumn

autumn: n- the season between summer and winter; fall

In Arizona autumn is defined by a few things; more than 3 days under 100*, a "cool" scent in the air in the mornings, the smell of cows drifting in the air and... football!

Yesterday was Shayne's first game of the official season. He's playing 1st string QB. He loves football. He eats up everything and anything football.

This is the first time that Shayne has had to play against his friends. He's been on the same team with all the same guys for years. Now they are against each other. Todd didn't quite know what to do with himself not being the coach. He paced up and down that field the whole game! Ok, lets be honest, he was still coaching from the sideline and Shayne's coach and Todd are now on first name basis...already, but in a good way!
This time his team came ahead on top. 21-13 final

and no game would be complete without Shayne's official cheering section

hot and sweaty..

and a little grumpy..

but lovin every minute of it..