OCTOBER

FALL BREAK & CONFERENCE WEEKEND - We were really looking forward to conference this fall for a nice weekend to relax!  We had major things happening in the garden still.  Our grapes were perfect.  All the green ones had been eaten while we were at Disneyland, but the purple ones were really sweet.  We picked a ton of them to make some grape juice.  Turns out a ton of grapes makes a small amount of grape juice!  Besides that, no one liked it but me.  We had some huge zucchini and squash too that we harvested.  The kids have really enjoyed the garden this year for the most part.  It has been really fun watching everything grow and harvest it.  The hard part is cleaning it all!  And also weeding them.  Actually now that I think about it the kids and I are kinda' looking forward to not having to do so much work in the garden here shortly!

Conference was good as always.  The talks were amazing and inspiring.  This conference had everyone on their seats after the last one.  President Nelson sure didn't slow down with the surprises either.  A new 2 hr church block was announced and will start in January.  12 new temples were announced.  President Nelson also gave a lengthy talk about using the correct name of the church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We are no longer to speak of ourselves as "Mormons" or "LDS".  The Prophet also gave the women of the church a 4 Part invitation: 1- participate in a 10 day fast from social media, 2 - read the BOM entirely between now and the end of the year, 3- establish a pattern of regular temple attendance, & 4- participate fully in Relief Society.

As you can tell, Jed and Kasen were completely riveted to the conference talks.  We decided to take a drive up to the temple.  Ava took this beautiful picture of the Meridian temple on my phone.

Conference always helps me remember how much Heavenly Father and Jesus love us.  They have given us so many blessings.  Jed and I have been so blessed in our lives and we have especially been blessed with these four amazing, wonderful kids who truly want to do what's right.  They are all so talented and special in their own ways.  And they are really good kids.  It is so easy to see God's hand in our everyday lives when we choose to. 

Sunday in between sessions we had our Manwaring FHE.  Jed and Patricia always have the party going.  Jed had organized a family dodge ball game, Patricia had bingo games and prizes, we got to eat and talk about our favorite parts of conference, and of course visit.  We love FHE!

ACTIVITIES - This month we had some awesome wrestling matches...

Ava was able to finish her Personal Progress just in time for YW in Excellence.  She did so much work on it this summer and was totally awesome.  She poured her heart and soul into personal progress and I was so proud of how she kept herself organized and accountable.  I didn't have to push her along at all.  Ava is truly one special girl and has been blessed with such a strong testimony because she is willing to put in the hard work to get it.  Ava also created this amazing octopus pillowcase at a friend's birthday party.  She is one talented girl!

Dallin made a new friend while running errands with me and Kinsely and Dallin love their "shampoo wigs" during bath time.

FLAG FOOTBALL FINALS - Another flag football season in the books.  This was actually a really nice season in terms of pleasant weather at the games which always makes it nice.  Dallin was pretty good at games as long as he had his binder of cards to look at and organize.  He also always had to wear one of Kasen's old jerseys too.  For the last games Grandma & Grandpa Erickson were able to be there so that really made Kasen feel cool.  Kasen is definitely a touch person and loves to give hugs and hold hands.  I took this cute picture of Kasen giving his Grandpa a hug during a timeout.

The team won the championship again!  I don't even know how many this is now.  Kasen is always just as excited every time though! I think it's because he likes football, but it might just be for the new trophy and the pizza party at Idaho Pizza afterward though. lol

While Grandma and Grandpa were here we picked apples off of our tree.  Can you spy the apple picker up in the tree? (Kasen)  They also came to the kids' primary program on Sunday which was a nice treat for the kids.

We spent some time at Tresa & Jeff's house too.  Notice Dallin/s jersey? Tresa found an old one of Ryan's (BSU) so that Dallin would be at home.  She also pulled out all of Ryan's old trading cards.  The boys, young and old, were in heaven!

Whenever Dallin goes to Tresa's house the first thing he does is go into Ryan's old room and find his pal Michael Jordan.  Tresa said this is the one toy that Ryan wanted saved for when he has his own kids.  Tresa is nice enough to let Dallin play with it when he comes over and Dallin never forgets where it is stored.  The Michael Jordan figure quotes lines from Space Jam and is wearing the jersey from the movie so I think that is another reason Dallin loves it so much.

While Grandma and Grandpa were here I got word that my dear friend Gaye Rolfe had passed away in her sleep.  It was very out of the blue and shocked everyone.  Her funeral was on Monday so G&G offered to watch Dallin so I could drive over to Eastern Idaho and attend the funeral.  It was so nice to go and reminisce on what an amazing person Gaye was.  She was always so kind to me when I was growing up and treated me like a friend even though I was the same age as her kids.  I loved hearing the stories about her and what a great and crazy Grandma she had become.  Dallin had a great time without me at the Village playground, reading, and hanging out with Grandma, Grandpa, and Tresa for the day.

EMILY'S 38TH BIRTHDAY - Another birthday in the books.  Sometimes I hate my birthday because everyone goes to work/school and I sit home by myself when I want to be out celebrating!  I told Jed that at some point I will be celebrating my birthday on a vacation every year.  For now I guess I will just be grateful that I am alive and celebrate with mini bundt cakes.  :)  Jed brought me beautiful flowers and the ladies I serve with in the YW presidency took me out for an early morning hike in the foothills. 

One of the highlights of my birthday was a video the kids put together for me.  It was so cute to watch.  I have a lot to be grateful for! 38 here we go.

KINSLEY DAY - We didn't have many opportunities to fit in Kinsley day this month.  So finally we were able to go one Saturday afternoon.  We went over to a little path/park in Eagle that had exercise gear along the way.  Then we went to Menchie's for a sweet treat and Kinsley taught us how to use the fidget spinner. 

HALLOWEEN - I swear we end up celebrating Halloween a little bit longer and longer each year.  It is probably my least favorite holiday but one that my kids really like.  The kids had their Halloween piano performance class.  Dallin even got a turn to play for everyone.  Ms. Yelena makes it fun.  I always get a kick when she takes her own turn to play a few songs. 

Halloween 2018 costumes: Ava - Captain Americana, Kasen - zombie hunter (ironically his friend dressed up as a zombie), Kinsley - the cutest witch, & Dallin - a football player.

The girls wanted some makeup for the night.  It was pretty fun especially Ava's eye makeup.

One of Ava's friends' moms made everyone these cute tutus to go along with their superhero themed costumes.  They met up and went trick or treating and had pizza together.  Our ward had asked different members to set up fun food stations at their homes for members to come to and also for neighbors that weren't members.  We met some ward friends as we were out and about and Kinsley, Dallin, and Kasen got to walk around with them for the night.  The kids got tons of candy, stayed up way too late, and still had to go to school the next day but I'm sure they would say it was worth it!