SECOND ANNUAL SOUPS AND SWEATERS

We celebrated fall with some of our dear friends and family here in Kentucky last night.  We ate delicious soups, and visited with friends, and made s'mores, and played out-door games.  It's a fun tradition that started last year....

This guy worked so hard to make sure everything was clean, beautified, decorated, etc.

He was even sick...  He is truly amazing!

I'm so blessed to spend eternity with this guy who makes me better than I am!

Being silly before everyone shows...

Scott was worried about rain....

Katia and Karmel waiting for friends to show.

Here are the friends who came... (alphabetically):

The Bettenhausens

The Calls

The Fieldings

The Places

The Schmids

The Smiths

The Waltmans

The Wentzs

The Youngs

Lots of random shots:

Even kids love soup!

Halloween decore provided by nature...

Nathan freaked me out with those bugs.

These girls are the sweetest!

Seeing the kids play in our yard was so happy for this future grandmother!

I LOVE this joyful sight!

Could they be sisters?!

I wouldn't mind adopting the one on the right!

I'm already blessed to have the one on the left as my own!

Aren't they adorable?!

These two boys loved playing hillbilly golf with Scott's creations.

And they are so cute to boot!

I love it when dad's are silly with their daughters!

"Go Team!"

Like father like son...

Mmmmmm, s'mores!

A highlight for the kids!

Last year, Scott and Katia thought it would be fun to celebrate the season with soups and sweaters and friends!  Soooo... a new tradition began!  The Second Annual Soups and Sweaters was a hit!  We love y'all!

ATTACHED AT THE HEART

We are blessed to have many people we love in our life!  And this week we have been blessed to spend time with quite a few of them!

Scott, Me, Jan, Dave and Katia

The Melansons came to visit for a week from Colorado!  We have so missed them when they moved away 2 years ago.  And we are so glad they come and stay with us once in awhile!  They are some of the greatest people we know!  And we loved getting to spend time with them.  We loved visiting with them.  We also loved the ribs that they BBQed for us.  They were delicious!!!!

Spoiled us with dinner!

Elder Schmid

Our other dear friends, the Schmids, received EXCITING news this week!  "My" sweet boy, Asher, got his mission call!  He will be serving for two years in the Central Eurasian Mission, speaking Turkish.  It is centered in Bulgaria, and covers Bulgaria, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. 

Proud parents!

I love these two: Sheila and Mike!

Elder Turley and Elder Schmid

I'm so proud of this young man!  I feel like these young kids are growing so quickly!  And I am amazed at how wonderful they all are!  Dallin also got his mission call!  He going to Alaska!  I remember teaching Asher and Dallin in Primary!  How did they get so old?!  What great young missionaries they will be!

IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE...

What happened?  I blinked... And my baby girl turned 20!  

Birthday Dress

(that doubles as a maternity dress and an orchestra performance dress)

Cody spoiled my baby....

Twenty years have passed from the day I first held you in my arms. 

And I made her a wedding scrapbook....

You taught me how to be a mom.  You taught me how to love unconditionally.  You taught me how to embrace life.  You taught me how to laugh, sing and be silly.  

Cody decorated and made a homemade cake!

She felt so loved!

We wish we could be with you to celebrate.  (I am eternally grateful to Cody for making your day so special!  He's an amazing, young man!)  I love you now and forever, Kiara Lea!  Happy Birthday!

LIVING FOR THIS WEEKEND

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints held the 188 semi-annual General Conference this weekend.  It is one of our favorite "holidays!"  We celebrated in our traditional way... but added a Saturday morning fun run/walk 5K!

We signed up to walk/run The Great Pumpkin Run two months ago.  Unfortunately, we didn't plan on catching a terrible cold and having a difficult time breathing...  But we still participated!  And it was fun!  I think we'll make this tradition part of the celebrations every October conference!  

Amy - Me - Katia

We did it!

Scott was there to support us!

We got medals, pumpkins and green running jackets!

I was proud of my time - especially since I was sick.

Then we gathered together to enjoy listening to the prophets for over 10 hours! There is nothing better than listening and learning from our leaders!

Love this family!

Raisin enjoyed her sweet rolls!

I really love these two!

Watching conference with Jelly Bean makes me happy!

I took notes... in a different way....

This girl loves the gospel!

Between sessions... Jelly Bean gave Kotten Kandy a make-over!

This girl is so pretty!

I wanna look like her!

This evening, we finished our celebrations with our General Conference Family Home Evening.  We had a picnic and everyone shared their favorite part of conference.  This tradition has really made conference extra special!  Even 3-year-old Raisin shares her favorite part: "Jesus!"  I love us!

Mmmmm - Hoagies

She's so silly!

Yummmm!

Chris and Scott

Love these kids!

Apple Pie and Kotten Kandy

Diva!

Playing Frisbee

Bonus:

Here is the first picture I have of my beautiful grandbaby:

And here are some cute pictures of my sweet daughter and her cute husband:

Cody and Kiara

They rock!

And, yes, we had tacos on National Taco Day! (Katia was adamant!):

Katia - Scott - Me

Tacos!