a BIG bear

Costco sells GIGANTIC stuffed animal bears.

6 months ago we were shopping and Ellie and Lauren noticed the big bear and begged me to get them one.

I thought definitely no way, but told them that they could get it IF they saved up enough money for it. It cost $30 dollars and I thought there was no way they'd be able to save enough/ stay interested that long.

That was 6 months ago.

Since then these little girls have been stockpiling cash. From Lauren's lost teeth. From helping with deep cleaning. From Ellie scoring her first soccer goal. From dollars sent from Grandparents. From Ada's birthday cards.  From coins they collected around the house.

First they each paid a dollar for tithing.

Then last week we went to Costco with $30 dollars (mostly in 1's) to buy the GIANT stuffed bear.




It was adorable.



The bear literally filled the cart.

The cashier rang them up and they counted out their bills to her.

(Since I'd told them the bear was $30 and forgot to account for tax we spotted them $3.88 for that)

The receipt guy at the door marked their receipt with an extra big smiley face.



And we brought this big "girl" home. They've named her Rebekah (and Gerald, and Beary, among other things) and love to lay, sleep, crawl, and lounge on her. She takes up a huge corner of the room, but it's like she was meant to be there.



I'm so proud of them for setting a goal, working together, staying focused, paying the Lord first, and finally getting what they'd worked for.



Hopefully it was a life lesson they'll repeat again and again. 

Halloween

For the trunk or treat we went for a family theme this year.



Despicable Me.



That's Agnes, Margo, and Edith.



Here's the whole crew. Gru, the Minion and the girls.

It was fun to scour through 5 Goodwill's for the perfect clothes, J was a good sport to cooperate, and I was happy to look like a fool.



On actual Halloween we had round 2 of our costumes, pulled from our costume collection with the addition of a black cat tail to some sweats. 



A scary ghost.

  A creepy cat.



And a poisonous spider.

It was a great Halloween with bags of candy to prove it. 

A bike parade

Get some friends.




Pull out the hose, soap, rags, and a bucket.



Wash.



Find decorations. Balloons. Crepe paper streamers.




Decorate.



Pose for pictures.



Ride.



Smile.



Enjoy.

Happy birthday Ada!

*Better late than never....



Ada is 3! It is like a switch flipped and she is now a big girl who can do all kinds of things she couldn't (wouldn't) do just the day before when she was only 2.

3 is a big deal.

Ada started out the night before her birthday with dinner at her restaurant of choice.

She chose the food court at the mall with a carousel ride to boot.



We were happy to oblige.



We woke up on her birthday to a load of presents. She loved opening them (with some great assistance from her just older sister) and playing with her new toys all day.



We spent the morning at soccer, tennis, and helping out with the stake make a difference day.  That night we participated in the ward trunk or treat and came home with bags full of candy.  She thought the celebration was in her honor and we didn't discourage the thought.

The following night we made her cake. Chocolate cake with white frosting.  She blew out the candles and with it the babyhood that still clung to her. 



 

Although she is still the "baby" of our family I have to admit she's growing up. I can't imagine our family without Ada and am so grateful that she came when and how she did. She has a bright light, a loving personality, an independent streak, and a social personality and we're so grateful for her.

My vote

Tomorrow, Tuesday November 6, I will vote for Mitt Romney for President.

As I stated in February, there are many reasons I support Governor Romney.

First, Mitt Romney has the experience to deal with our economic crisis.

He is not a professional bureaucrat or elected official and has experience making hard monetary decisions and holding to real budgets.  With the economy in the tank,  unfunded entitlement programs, and the tax code of the future at stake, I want a president who will make substantive corrections to the mess my generation will literally be paying for the rest of our lives.

Second, Mitt Romney is a leader.

Governor Romney is not a stirring, soothing speaker and I like him all the more for it. He is decisive, he is direct,  he is determined, and he gets things done. I believe that actions speak louder than words and I have confidence that he will execute the agenda he has outlined for his presidency.

Third, Mitt Romney is conservative.

He is a frugal, traditional, and morally directed man who believes in the protection of individual rights, limited powers of government, and a free market economy. 

Fourth, Mitt Romney is trustworthy.

Mitt Romney is who he says he is. To me there is no better indicator of who a person is and how they will lead than the integrity and character of their personal life.

Fifth, yes, we need change in America-  a change from our current president.

Mitt Romney has the fiscal power, experience, and strength to make the tough decisions our current president has evaded. He can delegate and lead the other branches of government to action instead of issuing executive orders like our current president. He is a powerful presence and can confront world leaders and make choices to protect our interests abroad. He is a pragmatist who is not roused by political fervor, far fetched ideology, and the passions of the day.  He is financially independent and will not be controlled by any network, group, or political power seeking to sway his opinions. 

It is important to study out the candidates and issues in any election, but I hope that in this Presidential race voters will take time to do their own research and come to their own conclusions. The choice has been clear for me.

Let your voice be heard. VOTE.