my next project

 I got this old dresser from a member of our branch that has passed away.  That whole story is super interesting.  He had a HUGE warehouse and lived in an apartment above the warehouse.  He was a hoarder and he had SO much stuff.  I would get lost there just looking at all of the things he had.  So I took this dresser and made a project of it.  This is before....

and after.....I like it. it was pretty simple and fun.

Yates Apple cider mill

For fall we visited the Yates apple cider mill.  It was right next to a lovely river and a path.  We went on a nice walk for about 1 1/2 hours and the kids loved exploring and jumping in the water with their shoes.  It was  such a relaxing Saturday afternoon.  We then bought some super yummy donuts and fresh apples and apple cider. It was such a lovely warm fall day.

General Conference October

This year for General Conference we put up a tent in the living room and watched conference on TV hooked up to the computer.  We were following the example of the people of King Benjamin who pitched their tents towards the temple.  The kids love conference because we play a treat game with them if they hear a word they get a treat, so they are listening.  We told the kids that if the speakers say the word tent we would go get ice cream and the first talk was exactly about the people of King Benjamin and how they pitched their "houses" toward the temple.  We were so excited that they were using the exact example that we were trying to follow but bummed that he didn't say "tent".

Conference was awesome.  I love to hear the words of the apostles of the Lord.  It makes me want to be better and gives me the strength to try to be better.

Other things that are going on in my life, I am seminary teacher.  I have one student and we have seminary at my house at 6 AM.  I was really nervous to have to wake up early everyday and to have to have a lesson ready everyday, but it has been such a blessing in my life.  I love reading and studying the Book of Mormon, but I have noticed a calm and peace that I have had toward the kids.  I can tell a difference when I don't study and prepare.  I have learned to love this calling even if it makes me wake up at 5:45, that is right I get ready in about 9 minutes, and I am wearing a skirt.

Also there has been a albanian that has been taking the discussions and I have been able to help translate for her and I love it.  I realized that I spoke pretty well on my mission, I have always been very hesitant with my language skills, but my skills now are ok, so I know they were much better when I was on my mission so that gives me confidence. 
I have also learned that truly the missionaries have the mantel to teach, even if I want to take over the discussion because I am excited to speak Albanian, the missionaries testimony has greater power than any words that I can say or translate. 

TIgers game

 This is where we parked.  I know that it is an ugly abandoned building but I want some pics of what Detroit really looks like, everywhere.

 Eating Ballparks at the ball park.

 On the carousel

 Finally at the game.

 We stayed for 5 innings and then took off, It was getting late but also the kids didn't watch a lick of baseball.  I thought it would be cool because the Tigers were playing the Mariners, but alas we didn't get to watch much baseball, but we entertained the kids well.

 On the baseball Ferris wheel.  the kids loved it.  Who would have thought that I would have ridden 2 Ferris wheels only 3 days apart, one at the Tigers game and one in California.  Funny huh?

 In front of Comerica park.  Pretty sweet tiger.

mario and luigi

Carter loves Luigi so much that the color green isn't "green" it is "luigi time"  I had to figure that one out on my own.  I found these great costumes at the Good Will.  I bought 2 other costumes.  The boys love getting in costumes.

Eliza's 1st day of 1st grade

Eliza's 1st day of 1st grade.  She has Mrs. Allemon.  She is a new teacher for 1st grade.  She has taught 5th grade before this.  Eliza loves school and has no problem leaving me. Carter missed her the first day. 

 Fenton 5 years old, Carter 2 1/2 years old

 Eliza at her school.

Utah

•  We went to the discovery museum for the kids.  They love it and played and played.

 Carter climbed to the top of this play place all by himself.  He is getting so big.

 went to the drive-in with the Sant kids and the Carter kids.  Such a fun night.  The movie wasn't so great but the company was lovely.

We went to the zoo for Fenton's 5th birthday   He loves animals and he loved it.  They had an awesome bird show.  The birds were swoop right over our head.  Fenton loved the golden eagle.  What an awesome pic?   

 We went to another kids museum and Carter loved getting dressed up.

We had such a great time with Grandma and Grandpa.  They played with us and took us to such fun places.  We ate well.  We did a little service at the warehouse.  Eliza was so cute about helping.  We separated shoes and counted them.  She loved it and asked if she could do it when she was grown up.  We went to parks and went to the temple. 
We stayed a night with Blake and went and visited Melinda.  We stayed 10 days in Idaho.  It was awesome to be there and it felt like I still lived there.  Grandma and Grandpa were great to visit.  WE went out on the boat and I popped right on 1 ski.  Eliza tried skiing and they all went tubing, even Carter.  We had to deal with a little family drama but I feel we all tried to handle it with care and the spirit. 
I love my family and miss the west.  What a great LONG trip.