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Saturday, October 18, 2014

Weekend at Casey's and Jenna's House - Roseville, California - September 26-30, 2014

Jenna and Casey left Friday night to go to Tahoe for the weekend to celebrate their 10th anniversary. I was so excited to stay with the four kids for the weekend while they got away. Allison and Benson are in the picture above. The kids were all very good while Casey and Jenna were gone. I didn't have any problems.

Weston was such a big help. Anytime Dalton fussed or cried (which was only a couple of times) Weston would pick him up or hug him and he'd be just fine.

Dalton was really good to play and entertain himself.

Dalton was on the verge of walking while I was there. He took a few steps.

Weston having a good time with a sticker book.

Charity and Malcolm came over to help me. Charity was especially helpful in getting the kids to bed at night.

Benson lost his first tooth. (Weston hasn't lost one yet.)

Malcolm came Saturday to take me and the kids to Weston's and Spencer's soccer games. Malcolm drove the van which took a lot of stress off of me.

Weston is number 24.

He was always running after the ball.

He only got to play 2 quarters but did a great job while he was in the game.

This was a good picture of Weston waiting to go back in the game.

Then we went to watch Spencer at his soccer game in Folsom.

I don't think Malcolm enjoyed the game.

Audrey was enjoying the snacks.

Spencer is a fast soccer player.

The coach had him throw the ball in quite a few times.

The gang watching the game. Spencer had the biggest cheering section at the game.

Cute Emme

Benson and Paisley playing

Audrey held Dalton for a few minutes.

Audrey with more snacks

Jason taking pictures at Spencer's game

Spencer running to kick the ball

Allison had more fun at the park than at the game.

What an adorable baby Emme is!

So cute!

Allison coloring

Dalton under the table picking up markers

The first smile by Emme....

Jason and Malcolm watched all the kids so Ashley and I could go to the Women's Conference at the Stake Center. We had pizza for dinner. That was so nice of them to do that for us.

Meeting Emme Belle - Folsom, California - September 20-26, 2014

I took a week off work to go help Jason and Ashley with the new baby - Emme Belle - that was born in August. I arrived on Saturday and Charity picked me up at the airport and took me to Folsom.

Spencer had scored two goals at his soccer game that morning so we went to get frozen yogurt to celebrate. (My flight arrived during the game so I missed seeing the goals.)

Spencer makes the cutest faces sometimes.

Here's Ashley holding adorable Emme at church. I got to hold her and rock her to sleep during Relief Society so I was in heaven doing that.

After church, Charity came over and we took Paisley, Spencer, and Audrey on a scavenger hunt to see what they could find in nature. They had so much fun.

We walked to Paisley's school. This is the door to her 1st grade classroom.

The school has a garden and Spencer loved this huge pumpkin.

Paisley and Spencer at the school

Spencer playing at the playground

Paisley made this tile in school last year. I thought she did a great job.

I walked back and forth to the school to pick Paisley up or drop her off to school most days. Audrey was always so good in the stroller.

On our walks to and from the school, Spencer had fun climbing poles...

and getting up on ledges!

I also got to see where Spencer goes to school. He's in a pre-K class. Audrey has a special rock she sits on while she waits for Spencer to get out of class. She was so cute. All the mothers know that's her rock so they move when she comes if they are standing near her rock.

Here's Spencer getting out of class.

Audrey and Spencer on the way from the classroom to the car and taking a little detour.

Emme was just so sweet and adorable. I got to hold her for hours and it was so fun.

She slept a lot and is a really good baby.

One night while I was there Paisley and Spencer got "supplies" from the recycle and were creating things. They were so cute.

I also got to see Jason play soccer during lunch time one day while I was there.

Ashley and I also went and got hair cuts while I was there. I hadn't had a haircut in 10 months so I was really needing one.

I had a great time being there with the family. The week went so fast. I tried to help with dishes, laundry, vacuum, sweeping, picking my toys, etc. It was busy just taking Paisley and Spencer to and from school every day. I wasn't sleeping well so I regret I didn't have the energy to do more. We picked up food for dinners while I was there - Wendy's, Chick-fil-A, In and Out, and Thai. I watched the kids while Ashley went to the doctor and run a few errands. I was so happy I could be there and help out for the week. I'm grateful for a job that allows me to do that. I wish I had taken more pictures - especially of Emme. Many of the pictures I took of her didn't turn out well.

After I left Jason and Ashley's house, I found a Charming Charlie's bag in my suitcase. Ashley had written a very kind, sweet note and bought me gifts at Charming Charlie's. (She had taken me to the store to spend my birthday gift certificate but they wouldn't let me use my gift certificate in the store. It was only for online. I went back to her house and did an online order but all the things I wanted weren't available online so I had to make other choices.) In the bag, was all the stuff I couldn't buy online that was only in the store! What a wonderful surprise! Ashley must have spent $50. She got me a purple scarf, several necklace/ear ring sets, a barrette, bobby pins, and some headbands. I was so touched by her kindness, I cried and cried when I found the wonderful gift. I have had so much fun wearing all the new jewelry and accessories. I am so grateful for their kindness. I LOVED everything! Words just aren't adequate to express how much I appreciated the thank you gift.

Visit with Bryce - Tigard, Oregon - September 12, 2014

I thought it would be a nice surprise to arrange to see Bryce while my mom was here. We met him at the church for about an hour visit. We took him doughnuts to celebrate his birthday that was October 1st. I took off work for the afternoon so we could go see him and not get stuck in too much traffic. It was about 50 minutes to drive there and then the traffic was bad on the way back so it took around 75 minutes to drive home. I was exhausted by the time we got back but really enjoyed visiting him. He's doing a great job as a missionary. It's so fun to have him close. (Bryce is in the Oregon Portland Mission and will be going home April 2015.)

My Birthday in Vancouver, Washington - September 2014

My mom planned her trip so she could be here for my birthday. She made me breakfast and then we spent the day running errands - Bob's Red Mill, Penzey's, Uwajimaya's, Charming Charlie's, and Whole Foods. After getting back to Vancouver, we had black bean soup for lunch at Panera and I dropped her off at Randy's. My mom gave me $50 and I spent it for bath salts and some magnesium spray for my Achilles tendinitis. After that I went to Kohls and then went home to soak my feet.

Jeff took me to dinner at Old Spaghetti Factory and gave me a $50 gift certificate to Charming Charlie's which I had a fun time spending. I spent the rest of the evening alone watching TV until about 9:30 pm when I picked up my mom.

The best part of the day was hearing from Jenna/Casey and the kids and doing Facetime; and Jason and Ashley and their kids called also. I am so blessed to have a loving family.

Charity took me shopping and bought me a beautiful navy/gray designed sweater at the Gap Outlet. Casey and Jenna sent me stainless steel canisters, taco shell pans, and a DVD of the piano guys. Jason and Ashley sent me three kindle books and a CD of the piano guys. I love all my birthday gifts!

I had friends drop off birthday gifts at my front door. My next door neighbor Julie gave me a plant and a candle. Katie gave me some red dishes. One of my friends wrote "Happy Birthday" on my driveway in chalk.

My Birthday Celebration in Grants Pass, Oregon - September 14-15, 2014

Randy and my mom needed dental work so we drove to Grants Pass on Sunday and returned Monday night. Elijah was a good chess player and Randy said he almost beat him.

Adalei and Brielle had fun playing games with me and Grandma Creek.

The kids were so cute. They gave me birthday presents and pictures. Adalei gave me the pink silk flowers she is holding. She bought them with her own earned money. Brielle gave me 15 cents and 3 pieces of chocolate candy. Elijah gave me a toy that you look through and you see to the side instead of in front of you as you expect. (It came from Arby's.)