Trying Out My New Lens

Pictures with the Lens Clark got me last year.









Clark got me another new lens for Christmas this year. So fun! How did he know?

Christmas Music Makes Me Happy!

I just have to post that I LOVE David Archuletta's Christmas CD. I am listening to it while I wrap gifts and I get goosebumps on almost every note. I am also loving our Third Day Christmas CD. AWE!!!!

Still so much to do and so far behind this year. The Christmas music makes me happy!

Roll Tide and Bama Snow!

It was a good day today - Bama Won! And it snowed in Madison. We are getting ready for the Christmas festival around here. I hope ya'all are enjoying the season.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Asher's Nana Jo bought him this little Indian sweater when she took a trip back west before Asher was born.
We sure Love our Little Indian.

Showered with Blessings

The everlasting down pour of rain this fall had me worried. I have a small collection of Antique and Earth Kind roses. With all this moisture I feared that my roses were doomed to the dreaded Black Spot. To my surprise, I happily found that my roses have bloomed more profusely than any other year. When I was talking about this with Kendall we decided that this small miracle occured as another one of the numerous blessings we have recieved since Brendan has been serving his mission. I am sure glad Kendall is planning on serving a mission, there are a lot more roses I want to add to my collection.

Kristy's Surprise!

My friend Kristy is expecting to become a first time Grandma soon. It was her birthday this weekend. Little did she know her family and friends had planned some fun surprises for her.

Her beautiful pregnant daughter, Emilee, flew in for the celebrations.In between shopping and "New Moon" I was able to take a few pictures for them.

Emilee looks terrific she is 24 weeks pregnant with twin girls.

Grandma can't wait!

Shoe Boxes!

For Combined activity this month the Laurel's hosted an "Operation Christmas Child" event. It went really well and we had a great turn out.
When the Laurels were researching Christmas child we found an article on LDS.org that talked about a stake in Australia that collected over 1000 shoe boxes. So cool!
We were able to collect about 50.

On Monday evening Kendall and I went shopping for the gifts to fill our shoe boxes. We were walking from our car and discussing our prayers about the boxes and this young mother overheard us. She was holding her preschoolers hand and she turned to ask us if we were talking about Christmas Child. She said she was there too for her shoe box gifts. When we got inside there were about 8 Moms with their children holding hands in a circle. They talked about the little children in Honduras. How they don't have any money and not even a tooth brush. They said a little prayer to bless their gifts and the children that would recieve them. Sometimes when the little preschoolers were choosing a gift they would say "I want this" Their Mommy would remind them of the little children in Honduras that don't even have a tooth brush. They would ask, "do you want HIM to have this gift?" and the little preschooler would nod his head "yes". So cute.

"L"

"L" is a frequent visitor to the Kingsford home these days. We think he is one of the cutest 3 year olds around. I picked him up from school today and took him to get a white frosty. Because we don't have a Wii at our house "L" has to settle for nature walks and craft time. He doesn't seem to mind too much as long as he doesn't have to stay the night.

Fairy Tears and Bat Blood

A few months ago I promised Kendall and her friends that we would throw a Halloween party this year. Kendall and I had grand plans for a Coraline theme. We wanted to make the house have wompy furniture, spiders and buttons everywhere. What we ended up with is some hints of Coraline and a really great party!
It wasn't until well after Kendall had handed out her handmade invitations that I realized it was Stake Conference weekend. OOPS.
On Tuesday I was hit with a really bad flu that progressed into Bronchitis. I went to bed Monday night and I pretty much stayed there until Saturday morning.
Kendall, Clark, Kimberly, Austin and Kendall's amazing friends: Stephanie, Anna and Cassie took what we had and prepared for the party on Saturday while I sat on the couch and "helped"
I wish all parties were this easy for me.
We had about 40 young people show up and they rocked on from 7pm to 11pm
I love young people!

The Princess, the Witch and the Dragon

We took a short trip to the 'Boo'tanical gardens today. Asher Dean, the Dragon, brought his Princess Mommie and The Good Witch Kendall came too.

Oranges and Lemons

I have loved this new addition to the garden this year. It is called "Oranges and Lemons"

Gaillardia. This flower has been in bloom all summer and even still into October.

Merritt is on the Mend!

Our sweet old Dog, Merritt, gave us a bit of a scare last weekend. She couldn't get up off her back legs nor could she breath well. Poor thing went into a bit of a panic. We had to stroke her back off and on throughout the night to help keep her calm. I couldn' t believe how emotional I felt at the thought of Merritt suffering or at worst being put to sleep. I love that our Vet was able to give her something to heal her. She is back to her tail - wagging, food - loving self. She is one of our Heavenly Father's creations that bring us so much JOY.

She is a Joyful creation too!

Kendall's Homecoming Dress 2009

I'm glad Kendall loves this dress because the plaid was so difficult to match up. We just couldn't pass up this beautiful silk fabric.

These shoes cost more than the dress. :)

Kendall had a great time having dinner at Mellow Mushroom before the dance.