October Moments

We are now well into the month of November but I'll include some pics from various October moments.  Better late than never....and something is better than nothing!

After Polly's baby blessing at Chris & Julia's house - Oct. 9

G-pa LaVerne had a few episodes (one landed him in the hospital) with blood pressure issues, etc. but he was determined to return to St. George for the winter.  Fortunately, Kevin (LaVerne's youngest son) and wife, Gena, have recently (and temporarily) moved to St. George and will look after LaVerne a bit while Bob and Janene leave for a mission to Hawaii in December.

Jantzen saying good-bye to dog Charly

Extended M. family gathered for Polly's baby blessing at Chris & Julia's ward and then enjoyed a brunch together afterwards.  It was a bittersweet time for Chris & Julia and their girls as Charly (their beloved dog) was diagnosed with bone cancer and put to sleep the following day.

Lillian, Quinn, Anna, Jagger - playing in G-ma M's yard

Quinn & Great G-pa LaVerne (age 95)

Quinn had an assignment to interview a veteran for a school project.  LaVerne was a physical education instructor for the army and stationed in Texas where he and my G-pa Kerr's friendship originated.  Together, with their wives, Ruth & Aloha, the four-some returned to Idaho after their military duties were fulfilled.  The story is told of how both women were expecting babies so they would get out of the car and walk through the small towns en route.  Aloha later gave birth to my Uncle Steve in March and Ruth had her second child, Robert (Bob) in December.  Although I had noticed my G-pa Kerr and Aaron's dad shared the same name, it wasn't until several years after Aaron and I were married that I actually learned his Dad was named after my G-pa....on purpose!

It's true.  We are his favorites:).

We were able to make one last visit to LaVerne's house before he returned to St. George on Oct. 12.  Sure will miss our weekly dinners and visits with him while he's in warmer country!

Aaron & Julie F. at HCAOA Conference

Just one day after returning from his time in Europe with Brinley, Aaron boarded another plane and headed to Austin, Texas for a few days.  He was one of three key-note speakers to address a large audience at the annual Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) where he was also honored as the recipient of a prestigious award within the home care industry - the Sheila McMackin Leadership Award.  I don't often include work-related stuff in our blog but a huge congrats to Aaron for his dedicated and on-going commitment to raising the bar for quality senior care provided at home.

Because we didn't have enough going on already for Friday, October 13, Anna decided to plan a Halloween party with her friend, Addie.  It took some serious logistical skills to get Anna from her Bach Piano Competition, get the pizzas picked up and delivered, have a date night with Aaron (after he got back from TX), cart Anna's friends to the haunted straw maze (thanks, Brin!), etc.

Elsie received a Honorable Mention at the Riverside Studios Bach Piano Competition 

Date night with Aaron - loved this concert!!

Pirate Quinn - one of his 3 original costumes this season

The largest fundraiser for our local elementary school is the Fall Festival (formerly the Halloween Carnival).  It's a huge undertaking and my good friend, Ashley P., volunteered to oversee this one.  I helped in small ways (baked potatoes for dinner, helped with the bake sale, donated a foot zone for pampering basket, etc.) but was still happy when Saturday, Oct. 14 ended.  Quinn and Elsie had a fabulous time and while we didn't win any bingo games, we did bring home one of the silent auction gift baskets.

Though a bit nippy, the weather cooperated for an outdoor Eagle Scout Court of Honor held in the Smith's lovely patio area on Sunday afternoon.  It was wonderful to have G-ma and G-pa P make the drive up to attend Jantzen's event.  It was fortunate to combine this court of honor with Carson Smith and John Lewis (three mom's shared the preparations).

Jantzen explaining his project to audience

Front of program - my responsibility to coordinate.

Scouts lined up with their fathers who presented Eagle Awards

Jantzen giving me the "Mother's Pin"

With a hug and a kiss too!

Former scout master, Brett R., received Mentor Pin from Jantzen

Jantzen, Austin C., Carson S., John L.

G-pa and G-ma M with Jantzen

Family that attended the court of honor.

G-ma and G-pa P with Jantzen

Eagle Scouts - Jantzen, Austin, Carson

Display table with framed photo - (thanks Tracy)

Congratulations Jantzen!

Quinn saying good-bye to G-ma P

Because G-ma and G-pa P arrived just in time for the Sunday evening court of honor, they did sleep over but left early Monday morning (right after the kids left for school).  They have been extremely busy preparing to leave for their own missionary service in Independence, Missouri on November 6 (MTC).  It was a short but sweet visit and we were very grateful they made the effort to come!

G-pa, Brinley, G-ma

Elsie with G-ma and G-pa

A little neighborhood excitement in the form of "Booing" - leaving treats and then secretly sharing the love with two other neighborhood families...

Yeah, we're fancy...ha-ha!

Anna attended a 7th grade science field trip to Yellowstone National Park (Oct. 17).  Overall, the weather in October was colder than usual but the school kids were blessed with a beautiful day to learn more about our incredible earth.  First. Time. Ever....for a MJH field trip.  EVER.

Anna, Addie, Payton

Three Amigos

Quinn and Elsie did well in their Primary Program (Oct. 22) and Brinley and Anna also contributed to a lovely evening celebrating Young Women in Excellence.  Brinley and Haley played a beautiful violin duet and Anna gave a talk about the personal progress value of faith and reported on recent project she completed.

Cutsie leaders - make it fun for the girls:).

A few of us were around to attend the 7th annual Halloween party hosted by Chris & Julia.  Aaron was returning from a business trip to Orlando, FL, Brinley was at the high school "Bobcat Boogie", Anna & Jantzen were with friends and went to a play-off football game nearby.

Waldo, Witch and Garden Gnome

Brinley & Hunter M. - S.W.A.T

Christine, Brinley, Haley, Aubrey, Natalie

Pumpkin carving

Elsie loves to keep traditions alive.

Brinley preferred to paint a few pumpkins...very cool.

The kids' creativity always puts a smile on my face.  This year Anna and her friends were a bunch of Laffy Taffy's - each a different flavor.  They put their very own jokes on the back of their t-shirts.

What did the banana say to the baboon?
Nothing, bananas don't talk.

Jantzen and his basketball buddies sporting their ideal costumes.

Mrs. Sorenson, Mrs. Tarabilda,  Mrs. Thueson

Elsie & Addison

On Halloween day, I accompanied Team 5-3 for a field trip to a local straw maze.  Elsie and Addison thought it was fabulous to have their moms running to keep up with them as they twisted and turned their way through the maze.  Nice to have the tall straw bales block the windy weather!

Orangutan & Scary Doll

Trick-or-treating at G-ma and G-pa M's.

We hit a small trunk-or-treat so Quinn and Elsie could meet up with friends (Shaylee, Aislyn and Cooper) then circled through our neighborhood before calling it a night.  Brr....

Elsie's Halloween diorama

Happy Halloween!