Because I'm supposed to be writing a paper ...

8 favorite TV shows :
1. The Cosby Show
2. American Idol
3. Alias
4. Loony Tunes
5. Rachel Ray
6. I Love Lucy
7. Bob Ross painting his "happy trees"
8. any cooking or home design show (I'm no good at either and love seeing people who are)

8 things I did yesterday:
1. church
2. straightened Hannah's hair
3. helped Hannah write a talk for Primary
4. watched Hannah give said talk (she did a great job)
5. cooked pancakes for supper
6. planned this week's menu
7. read Elder Nelson's conference talk
8. relaxed

8 things I look forward to:
1. Thanksgiving break
2. date night
3. finishing my paper
4. then finishing this stinkin' history class
5. naptime
6. picking the girls up from school (it's been so quiet here today)
7. Nikki putting the groceries away for me this afternoon-- she's trying to earn money for a Tinkerbell doll
8. eggnog because then it really will feel like Christmas is coming!

8 favorite restaurants:
1. The Olive Garden
2. Applebee's
3. The Melting Pot
4. Torero's
5. Parker's (or any good Carolina BBQ)
6. Chic-fil-A
7. Granddaddy White's cooking
8. IHOP

8 things on my wishlist:
1. new camera
2. lots of new shoes
3. hot tub (I can dream, right?)
4. birthday get-away (hint, hint Nate :})
5. 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep
6. that I didn't have to write this awful paper
7. a house in the country where my neighbors can't see in my windows
8. a trip to some tropical paradise

8 people to tag:
1-8. I don't know that I have 8 people who read my blog, but if you have something like writing a paper to procrastinate then I tag you. =)

Sugar

Loving this beautiful fall weather!

Grandma and Grandpa

Nate's parents came to visit us for a whole week, and it was wonderful to have them here. I hope we didn't wear them out too much. I'm sure they will be happy to sleep in their own bed tonight with no crying babies around! The girls were in heaven with Grandma and Grandpa always ready to play a game or read a story to them. Hannah even asked Grandpa some questions about the election last night. They were able to watch the girls' gymnastics class last week, and H&N loved that. On Sunday, I was in the mother's lounge with Ryan when Nate's dad bore his testimony in Sacrament meeting. We could hear it over the speaker, and another lady who was in there with me said, "You must feel really lucky to have in-laws like that." She was right. I am blessed to have them as in-laws and grandparents for our children. We only wish we lived closer and could visit with them more often.

Ryan's blessing

Ryan was blessed last Sunday, and we were so happy that Nate's parents could come from Utah to be with us for it. Nate gave Ryan a beautiful blessing. I had been thinking beforehand about all the things I would want my son to blessed with in this life, and I think Nate mentioned them all. We feel so grateful to have this little one in our home. It truly has been a joy to have him added to our family. It's amazing to me the capacity our hearts have to feel love. I can't even describe how much love I feel for him.

Almost...

We finally caught Ryan's smile on camera, well ... kind of. But he was giving really big smiles.

Bumblebees

Nikki wanted to be a ladybug until she decided she wanted to be a pumpkin until she saw Hannah's bee costume, and then she settled on and was happy with being a bumblebee. We had a fun Halloween night this year. For the first time we are in a neighborhood with kids and actually got some trick-or-treaters. Nate and Grandma took the girls out while Grandpa and I stayed home with Ryan and handed out candy. Eventually we got tired of handing it out and just set the bowl on the front porch. The girls were so generous and just dumped all of their candy together and let us all have at it together.

Pumpkin Carving

Here is the artist planning out how he will carve a better pumpkin than last year's.

We love carving pumpkins, and it was fun having Grandma and Grandpa Robbins here to watch this year. They didn't care to get into the mess, and I can't blame them!

My Favorite Hairdresser

My uncle Billy was at it again. The pictures of me are from years past. Billy just couldn't help himself when he saw my girls' hair in pigtails. Hannah asked what he had done to her hair, and her eyes got really big when I told her he tied it in a knot. Yes, he would and he did do such a thing. We all love him!

It was so great to visit with Billy and Jill and my cousins Luke & Eric's families. Luke & Holly just had a baby boy, Jackson, who was smaller than Ryan ever was. Ryan looked humongous sitting in his carseat beside Jackson! Aunt Ruth and Jamie also came to visit. We really have great family! Lots of good times.

NC Cousins

We have quite a crowd when we get together these days. This was at Emma's baptism two weeks ago. Yay for three little boys being added to the bunch!