November? When did that happen!

I've really been trying not to keep myself too busy, but I just don't think it's possible!!  I don't know what it is but somehow I just get myself in charge of various things and just get busy.  It's all good though.  For example, I am now helping 2-3 times a week at the school.  Two hours in Dallins class and three-six in Taylas.  I really enjoy it.  I am getting myself heavily involved in the PTA as well.  It is just a small, sad and disorganized thing.  I didn't get involved much last year in running the PTA, I only volunteered as much as I could.  (Being the preschool president kept me REALLY busy)  But this year I am the secretary and there are so many things wrong that I am trying to slowly change things and build them up for the years to come.  It will take some time and work, but I think we will be a different PTA by next year.  I am currently working on finding parents who are willing to make it happen.  I know they are out there!!!

The other thing I've been keeping busy with is planning a stake youth family history activity.  We've have several planning meetings and everyone has assignments.  It's next week, so I'm busy getting last minute details put together.  I hope it runs well and that all the youth who attend find something that interests them about family history.  We have different stations like photos/stories, indexing, journals etc.  I think it will be fun!!  How can you go wrong with 20 pizzas!!

We had a great Halloween.  The older kids hung out with some friends at our house and the younger ones went with me around the neighborhood.  We had a ward trunk or treat earlier so that took some of our night, but they ended up with WAY too much candy as usual.

I've been pretty sad this week because one of Taylas best friends moved.  They have know each other all their lives!  Her mom happened to be one of my best friends too.  We've cried a little, but mostly we're just feeling sad.  We've never visited Kansas before, but I see a trip there in our future!  It's never easy for us to say good-bye to our friends.  I can't even count how many wonderful people have moved away in the 15 years we've lived here.  Kirk told me we need to stop inviting people over for dinner because it's inevitable they will move.  It's hard, but we've kept in contact with many of them and now we have friends all over the country!!  The one thing we've learned though is how to make friends fast!  I think the average stay in our ward is only a few years, so you just get to know people and welcome them!

Anyway, a few fun pictures from Halloween...

Tayla and her BFF having one last playdate before she moves....

I made these Frankenstein treats and "pumpkin" oranges for Tayla's party