Halloween Fun!

This year Brianne broke the record for wearing several different costumes...let's see she was a porcelain doll, a cheerleader, a chauffeur, and the Pillsbury dough boy. Yes, she did attend four different Halloween parties...party animal!

This past week at Victoria's school, they had crazy hair day. She went to school looking like this...
She had MANY staff, teachers and students asking for pictures. (She has found several on Facebook!) and the local newspaper interviewed her during school and took her picture for this week's edition! If any of you get the local Potpourri paper in your mail or driveway, please save it for me...for some odd reason, they skip our street.

We had a lot of fun this Halloween attending our ward party and of course trick or treating in my parents neighborhood with our dear friends, the Taylor's.

When we got home from trick or treating, we dumped out the goodies in a huge pile. The strangest item found in the trick-or-treat bag was...
A Cadbury chocolate Easter egg! Someone sure thought they were funny and pulled a pretty funny trick!

Here are a few pics of the eventful week...

I found this bug in my garage...no Halloween joke here! This is real! YUCK!

Carving of the pumpkins!

Picture with Grandpa "Clown" Carpenter while Trick or Treating!

Grandma and Grandpa Carpenter! Great costumes!

Tiffany after trick or treating...she was tired so she rode in the wagon and kept a close eye on her bag of loot! haha! (check out those crazy big eyes!)

The five kid loot...23.2 lbs of candy!

Tiffany's pumpkin.

Caitlin and Brianne's pumpkin.

Courtney and Victoria's "text smile face" pumpkin.

District Champs?

Last night was Victoria's volleyball team's last game of the season. Yes, she is is still injured, but cheered her heart out from the side lines last night. It hurt to watch her sitting there, wanting so badly to play. Her team went into the game hoping to win the district title. Something their school had yet to accomplish since it had opened a few years ago. They were all hoping to get the coveted banner to hang in the gym! But first they had to get past their rivals... they won their first game and lost their last two. Their rivals won, yet when the coaches met today, they added up all of the points from the season, and luckily, her team had the most points and were able to claim the title of District champs! Congratulations to Victoria and her volleyball team! Way to go ladies!

Coming up next...Basketball Season!

Volleyball Season Comes to an Abrupt End...

Last night Victoria's team played Schultz and her team easily won! It was a great game with some good blocks and a few good serves by Victoria. At the beginning of the game Victoria twisted her ankle, the coaches tape it up tight and she continued playing the entire game. When we got home and removed the tape there was quite a bit of swelling. We took her to the doctor this morning and found she has torn a ligament. She will be in a cast for 4-6 weeks....goodbye volleyball! (sniff. sniff.)

Hopefully, she will heal quickly and be able to make it into the basketball season. (She will miss tryouts, but she is hoping since she played last year, possibly the coaches might let her play again? Not many girls tryout, so she may have a slim chance.) (Side note: We just got an email from her coach telling her that she will be missed the last two volleyball games and also that she will be on the basketball team and not to worry...just to get well! Yeah!)

Get well soon Tori!

You Never Know Who is Watching...

I am not sure if Ron and I are just raising our daughters well or if they just came pre-programmed this way. Last month we were in a parking lot and Brianne found a $20 bill on the ground. She immediately picked it up and began walking towards the door. I asked her,"Where are you going? She said, I am going to turn this money in!" I thought, wow! That is so honest!

Then last week, Victoria was taking extra long coming out to the van after volleyball practice. When she eventually got in, I asked her,"What took so long?" She told me she had found a $5 bill on the ground and turned it into the office. She said her friends all just told her to keep it, but she knew she should turn it in. What if it was a student's lunch money for the week? She would hope someone would turn in her money if she had dropped it.

This morning we received this email from her Assistant Principal at the junior high school...

Mr. and Mrs. Turner,
Sometime about a week ago a $5 bill appeared mysteriously on the front desk after school. I asked the custodian about it and she said she didn't know where it had come from. I decided to check the video cameras later when I got a chance, and after a few days I saw it was a volleyball player, and the next chance I got, I showed the image to Mrs. Ford who told me the student was Victoria.

It turns out that Victoria found the $5 on the floor in the hallway after school, and rather than pocketing it, she took it to the office. When she saw no one was in the office, instead of walking out the door with the $5, she placed it on the receptionist's desk. I am both very proud and very impressed with the high quality of character that Victoria has displayed. I communicated this to her today and I wanted to communicate it to you as well.

Respectfully

Lots of morals in this story. The one that stands out in my mind is...you never know who is watching your actions, so choose wisely and correctly. Be a good example to those around you and choose the right. I also thought about the video camera the AP mentioned in the letter, what if it was God reviewing the tape? What would he think? We know he is watching our every action. Are you making wise choices each day, so someday when God reviews your video, you won't be ashamed, but you will be able to feel good about the choices you've made?

Way to be Victoria and Brianne! You two make us very proud for these actions you have displayed!

Wow! What a Game!

Victoria's school played Montgomery junior high last night. It was a long drive, 32 miles, on back country roads. Going out to this area of Montgomery is like going back in time. It's an area of either great wealth (mansions sitting on many acres of land) or small farm shacks where opossum is a delicacy.

We saw many "interesting" things... one happened to be a mother doing the wave at the game in a short mini skirt and shirt...let's just say when she got the crowd to begin the wave...we got an eye full. LOL! There were lots of muddy cow boy boots and lots of BTH (Big Texas Hair). I do need to compliment this MJH. Their school was very clean, the people were nice, and they had their cheerleaders at the game yelling the entire night, the drill team did a half time performance between games and the students and parents came out to support the team. I was VERY impressed!

I spotted this sign at a church on the drive out... keep in mind the parking lot of this church was tiny. So when I saw these signs I just had to laugh. You may need to click on the picture to enlarge to see what they say.

Usually our team can easily whoop their opponents in two games, but last night the gals were playing pretty sloppy and lost their first game. The ended up winning the next two. In each game, the score was close throughout. We were sitting on the edge of our seats! I did shoot video of some of Tori's serves, but not much else. I do however wish that I had the camera rolling for the last play of the game....the score was very close, we were trying to win the final point, the ball kept going back and forth over the net...and up jumps Tori and tips the ball over the net, for the game/match winning point! IT WAS AWESOME! Great job Victoria...you make us proud! :O)

Warm ups.

Victoria about to serve.

"Feels Like" 106* in October? & What the Hecka?

So this morning I woke up listening to the news and weather on my alarm clock. Talk about wanting to just stay in bed...where are the cool north winds? How can it be so hot in October? "It's going to be a hot one, it will feel like 106* today!" Yes, gripe, gripe, gripe. Okay that complaint being said...moving on.

Have you seen the email going around about the shoppers you see in "Walmart"? It is pretty funny...I did wonder though how many of the shopper's photos had been edited. Well, I wonder no more...

This past Friday night, Ron and I happened to be at our local "country" Walmart. I kid you not...as I headed down the aisle looking for ranch dressing dip, I saw the most frightful, no hilarious sight that I have seen in quite sometime. I had to actually turn around and leave the aisle I was laughing so hard. Ron walked up behind me and gave me the look of "what's so funny?" Before I could say anything, he looked down the aisle, and the look on his face said it all. I then turned the cart around and knew I just had to go back down the aisle...just to stare and be able to say, I saw what I saw.

Now, a picture says a thousand words. Too bad I didn't have a camera right? Just picture this folks... a large man, very unclean, wearing filthy pants that are being held up by wide suspenders...his white t-shirt (really it was an undershirt) is way too small, therefore the shirt was hiking up his stomach, to then reveal, a large bare stomach, love handles and a butt crack all hanging out for the public's enjoyment.

I was doing everything to contain myself. BUT, you all know me. Once I get the giggles, there ain't much stopping me! I bit my lip, I bit my cheek, I quickly grabbed the ranch dip, and headed down the aisle behind, yes, I got stuck behind this man. I think the most priceless reaction occurred when another man (probably around my age) met us at the end of the aisle. He looked this man up and down and then looked at me. This guy's eyebrows shot up, and he began to laugh and bit his lip! Yup, I tell you what...It was some night at the local country Walmart. I am now a believer that those Walmart photo emails are real!

(Note to self: carry camera in purse when making quick trip into Walmart on a Friday night!)

Volleyball Catch Up

It just occurred to me that I haven't posted about Victoria's last two volleyball games. Two weeks ago they played Bear Branch and beat them! Tori had some amazing blocks at the net. Three of which were simultaneous. I thought her coaches were going to have heart failure "high 5-ing" each other with excitement! Of course I have no pictures of this game because the "Mother of the Year" forgot the camera. (smooth move, I know.)

This last Thursday's game they played Waller and won by a land slide! Victoria had 8 serves in a row and several good blocks and "tip in's" for points. Woot! Woot! Way to go Tori! Sorry, no pictures from this game either...the battery died at the beginning of the game. Let's hope this Thursday I will have my act together and bring the camera and EXTRA batteries!

Nice games Tori! You rock!

Brianne - Age 8.5

Brianne's new school picture...

Tiffany - Age 3.5

See how much Tiffany is growing?! I am cherishing these special days. They are going by too quickly.

Tiffany's First FHE Lesson

Tiffany presented her first Family Home Evening (FHE) lesson last night. It was all about Nature. It was so cute! Thank you Caitlin for helping her to prepare. Way to go Tiffany! You did a great job!

Cold Virus, Flu Virus = SCHOOL!

Let's see where to begin my complaint... SCHOOLS ARE FILTHY GERM PITS! I don't care how much you wash your hands and use hand sanitizer...you still have to breathe! And when you do breathe...in comes the FLU spores. Now, my complaining I am sure is going to ruffle a few feathers...but here it goes. My biggest complaint is against companies that won't give time off to parents with sick children. Their child gets sick and therefore should be staying home. But, no the child can't stay home because their parents can't get time off. So, they send their child to school "secretly sick" with specific directions to not go to the school nurse. If they go to the nurse she will take their temp, and send them home. Then, the child will not be allowed back in the school until they are fever free for 24 hours and they have to have their temp taken by the nurse before they are readmitted into the school.

Here's another sick kid story and lack of communication between parent and child: last week at school a girl came into class. She sits near Courtney and Caitlin. She tells them that she is sick with fever but doesn't want the teacher to know. They asked her why? She said this," because the choir ice cream social is tomorrow and I have to be at school in order to attend it." She says this as she is breathing all over the girls. WHAT THE HECKA?! I send my thanks to this girl...Courtney is now with fever and she redecorated my livingroom hardwoods and walls on Sunday night with barf.

So my complaint...my kids are picking up these illnesses from school. Since school began the last week of August..we have had coughs, barfs, headaches, stomachs, fevers, sinus infections etc...you name it! Parents: please if your child is sick, don't send them to school! If you really can't take time off from work, ask a friend, relative or neighbor to tend your child for the day. I am tired of sick children and cleaning barf off of my floors, toilets and grabage cans! Can't I just have a healthy home? Is this really asking so much?

.......home schooling is looking better and better.

HAPPY 14TH BIRTHDAY VICTORIA!

I can't believe this....

...is now 14 years old!

I asked Victoria if being 13 years old was everything she had hoped for? Typical kid answer..."ya I guess so." I told her ya know you are only 14 years old once, so make it memorable. I'd say she is...below you will find a few photos of her birthday celebration.

She received lots of cards and gifts! She felt so loved and special. Thank you to all who sent her Birthday wishes!

Flowers from the Decker's!

Dinner at Mel's with "Big as your face" burgers!

The wait staff and all of restaurant patrons, singing happy birthday to Victoria!

Mud Volcano cake! MMMM Good!

Some things you may know or not know about Victoria...

Her laugh...(it's very loud and infectious)

Her favorite color is purple.

She talks loud! ;O)

She is tall (5'7")

She likes to babysit.

She likes to earn money.

She earns money and goes shopping immediately..."it's burning a hole in her pocket!"

She is smart and gets A's in her tough AP classes.

She is an excellent Artist.

She rocks at volleyball.

She is a good teacher.

She is shy.

She doesn't like to eat school cafeteria food.

She likes sour candy.

She likes perfume.

She gets up at 6am everyday, on her own and never has to be pried out of bed.

She is obedient...even if she disagrees with her parents. She listens.

She wants to drive...uh...you're going to have to wait a little bit longer sweets!

She is a slob during the week, but keeps her room very tidy on the weekends.

She loves jewelry.

She loves makeup and the color palette. She can do some pretty amazing makeup art.

We love you Victoria and are so happy you are a part of our family! xoxo

Hair-do Ideas for Girls!

My friend Jen (AKA Refinnej) posted a hair blog "She Does Hair" on her family site this week. Well, of course having all these girls, I just had to check it out! I really liked this blog and thought it would be fun, to share it with all of my readers! The gal posts step by step directions with photos on how to do the hair styles.

She hasn't posted since March, but when I went to her blog this morning, she had posted how to make a CUTE skirt, with excellent instructions. She seems like a jack (jill)-of-all-trades! So, hopefully soon I can make a few of these skirts for Tiffany.

Here are a few pics of my daughter's hair this morning. I didn't get a pic of Tori's hair, but I did the "Jennifer Aniston" braid on her. I did the "Puffy Braids with Braids; October 2008" on Brianne yesterday...it looked so cute! I also did the twists on Caitlin last night and those were very easy and cute too!


The flower

French Braids that look like a headband in the front.

Volleyball! Volleyball! Volleyball!

Victoria's first game of the season was last Thursday. Then, Friday and Saturday they had tournaments up in The Woodlands. What a weekend it was! They took 5th place at the tourney. Not as good as last year, but, they played hard and I think had some fun too!

Out of the three days of play and 9 games, Tori put in 41 serves! She did awesome! It was so fun to watch how much she has grown since last year. She is great at blocking at the net (at 5'7" she is a gem at the net!) and most of her serves are finally going over fast and low. Some of them are dropping as soon as they go over the net. It seems she has some sort of a left handed spin on the serve because when it hits the arm of the other team, it spins and they can't control the ball. It's also fun watching her get ACE's! You rock Tori!


These are Tori's lucky volleyball socks. We've nicknamed her "Pippy".


Getting read for serve receive.

Danielle's Birthday Bash!

Danielle's birthday was quite the day! Lunch with some friends, Tori's first volleyball game of the season and hanging out with the Decker's, out to dinner with the family, surprise cake, gifts and a trip to the ice cream shop. Couldn't have asked for anymore fun! On Friday we went to dinner with Troy & Stacy and had a fun time at Chuy's!

Thanks to all who sent birthday wishes!


A few of the birthday girl's gifts.


Ron & Troy @ Chuy's.


The sweet Laurel's came by with a cake and to sing happy birthday! Thanks ladies!


Tori's first volleyball game of the season and her cheering section!

Birthday Wishes!

Many thanks to all of you who have sent me birthday wishes today! So far, it's been a great day! :O)

Lest We Forget Concert 2009....Done!

Does it bother you when you have a big project staring you down for a few months? Every free moment you have, the project pops into your head? My project was the annual Lest we Forget concert at church. It is a concert to commemorate the events of September 11th, 2001 and to celebrate the unconquerable spirit of the men and women who have preserved the freedoms we enjoy today. At this concert we honor those who have protected us in the past and those who serve today. This is a stake public affairs calling/assignment that I really enjoy, and probably put way too much time into, but it is so worth it! The concert is very professional and tasteful. There were 19 song performed, each with a theme of patriotism, heaven, God or love. We have such great talent in this area!

My project was to take care of all of the VIPs who received personal invites from the Stake Presidency, Bishops and other leaders in the stake. I accept all of the RSVP's, assign seating for the evening, welcome and seat the VIPs the night of the performance. A half an hour into seating last night, my cheeks hurt from smiling so much! (I felt like tour guide barbie from the movie Toy Story 2..."Oh, my gosh, my cheeks are killing me. I can't keep smiling like this anymore.")

We had almost 100 VIP RSVP, and a quite a few more who just showed up.... (Here's a little etiquette lesson: If you receive an invitation to an event....please, if the invitation says RSVP, please RSVP. I can't believe how many people now a days don't RSVP. It's so rude. Emily Post must be rolling over in her grave.)

Our stake currently has 4,400 people who reside within the boundaries. I was looking around last night to an audience of about 700. I was a little surprised that not more members attend this absolutely amazing performance! To each family, we give a commemorative coin. (I will include a pic in this post.) The coin is to help those in attendance remember the importance of the evening and the spirit they felt during the performance. So to all of you Cypress Stake reading this blog...go to the Lest we Forget concert next year. You will not be disappointed. "Your heart and mind will be stirred, you will go forth from the concert with renewed gratitude for the freedom and safety we enjoy, and with a desire to honor the valiant spirit of those who protect us."

Fall and Birthdays!

September, September...ah! what a great month! A great month of course because it's my birthday next week! (Let's hope this year, we have power and no hurricanes! Although it was quite memorable celebrating my birthday last year in the dark.)

I have been contemplating putting up my fall decorations, well, at least my beautiful fall wreath on my front door. I haven't done it yet. I guess I am waiting for the north winds to blow in and push the muggy, warm, humid air back out to the Gulf of Mexico. If my yearly birthday wish comes true, that should happen sometime next week. (Give or take.) I watch our neighbors American flag religiously this time of year...waiting for the north winds to whip the flag around and blow it towards the south! When I see the flag change...I know it's time...time to open the windows and REJOICE..."I made it through another summer in Houston!" Woot! Woot!

I enjoy this time of the year. We get frequent breaks from the humidity this month, and more so into October. My favorite thing to do is open all of the windows and let the cool breeze blow through the home. I also love my kitchen windows open in the evenings...the kids are in the driveway playing, I can hear them giggle and being creative. The cool breeze blows into the kitchen, soap bubbles float up and catch the breeze, hot steam rises and the scent of green apple soap floats in the air. It makes washing the dishes, not such a bad thing. Come on cold front! Here's hoping this years birthday wish comes true!

SPIKING QUEEN DOES IT AGAIN!

Congratulations to Victoria on making the volleyball team again! Woo-hoo! Way to go Tori. We are so proud of you! All of your hard work paid off! xoxo - Mom