TRYING TO DO IT ALL

There's just not enough hours in a day for a busy 12 year old boy. With basketball practice every day, school assignments, scouts, getting to bed on time, and trying to get a little scripture reading in, it can wear you down. At least he's trying.

WHERE DID MY BABY GIRL GO?

It seems like yesterday that I had my fifth and last girl. Now she is a teenager, the oldest child at home, and likes to spend more time with her friends than she does at home. What a way to make a mother feel old! Tibi has grown up so much even in the last few months and has turned out to be a beautiful girl. She loves her time with her friends, time with herself, and I have noticed is not as outspoken (good and bad) as her sisters were, except for maybe Lexie. She is making good choices though, so what more could a mother want. I'm sure lucky to have her!

DECORATING THE TREE

For FHE we finally got our tree up and decorated it after Tibi read us a story from "The Friend" during dinner. It's just the four of us now, so we all got a good stash to each put on the tree. Our favorite ornaments are the White House ones we got each year when Grandpa and Grandma Packard were in Washington D.C. during his congressional years. They are always the first ones to go on. It has become a great tradition.

THINGS I AM ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL FOR

• CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE, & MORE CHOCOLATE!
• Being blessed with musical talent.
• Not being able to come up with a favorite color, because I have so many.
• Flowers (I just wish that they would grow in Nevada)
• Beautiful sunsets (my kids finally quit teasing me about this one)
• A husband that doesn't mind having 2 jobs so that I can stay home.
• Seeing my body finally responding to my weight lifting (being almost 50 stinks!)
• Deciding that it never pays to gossip (everybody is entitled to a bad day)
• Not having too much money (I know that this sounds weird, but it has really blessed us)
• Great movies (I'm talking old - they don't make them like they used to)
• Road trips ( I really HATE to fly!)

GRANDPA AND GRANDMA WILLARD

Earl Spencer Willard Sept. 19, 1913- November 12, 2007

We have been very lucky to have lived so close to Kevin's mom and dad. Although we have not visited them as much as we could have, the kids have always been able to spend quality time with them. We will miss grandpa sitting in his rocker, but are glad that he is able to get around now.

Halloween in Logandale

Michaela as a lumberjack, Landon as a 50's letterman, and Tibi as Nacho Libre

Kevin and Vicki as Tim "The Toolman" Taylor and his assistant, Heidi

Michaela with her Transformers Jack-o-Lantern