I have been in here.............

..........for two weeks. If you had ever told me I would spend large amounts of time in my hall coat closet and enjoy it I would have said you were absolutely crazy. But, I have had a lot of fun the last two weeks in this closet and also learned alot that I am really excited about.

About 3 weeks ago I was blog surfing and checked on an old friend through another friend's blog. If the name Cami G. from Greenfield means anything to you then check out her blog for my inspiration. If it doesn't, it doesn't matter other than that I give Cami credit for this inspiring idea. Because of the layout of our house we don't have an option for a "mud room" or anything. I have struggled to find the right, clean, organized system for jackets, shoes, backpacks, etc. I have tried several different things to no avail. I believe I have found the answer.

The Coat Closet Before

The coat closet After

Something Cami said on her blog really hit me. "Schools have hooks for a reason." It is so true! Can you imagine 20 little children trying to hang up their coats on hangers every day? And besides, I will let you in on a little secret.........I am more likely to use a hook too. So often I hang my jacket on the end of the banister because it is "easier" than taking two more step to pick up a hanger and hang it up. Now you know how lazy I really am! Cami removed her shelf. But, I need that shelf and want another one above it because the ceiling goes on forever (another project for another day).

And, yes I realize I don't have upper hooks. The ones I bought are too tall. But, I have had lots of you waiting to see this so I am putting it up now. I am so excited to be done and get all the jackets off the floor. I think I am also going to get an over the door shoe organizer.

Things I learned on this project: ***how to properly countersink a screw

** use a table saw (still scares me to death though--think what it looks like when your child puts something in the oven for the first time in their life and that is about what it looks like to watch me use the table saw)

*** I measured and purchased everything for the project without help from Scott

*** learned how to properly use wood filler--you can definitely tell where I used it first and thought it was good enough, then later where I really learned. I bet you can't guess how many pieces of wood actually make up the support board under the shelf at the back of the closet!

I have told the kids that there will be absolutely no excuse now for not hanging up their jackets and backpacks and there will be severe consequences. But, I haven't thought of a consequence.

Any ideas?

Getting Skunked and Other Adventures

A couple of weeks ago Scott came home from his early morning ride and walked into the kitchen and asked, "Do I stink?" At first I wondered if my amazing husband was having self asteem issues. Then I wondered if perhaps he didn't want to take a shower before work and wanted me to tell him if he could get away without one. Well, those thougths lasted for about five seconds until I caught a whiff of his choice of cologne for the day.......Ode to the Skunk! He rides early while it is still dark (yes, he wears reflective clothing and has a small light) and he said that he was just zooming along and then before there was anything he could do about it--BUMP, BUMP!

He ran over that poor skunk with both tires! And of course the little guy had to give Scott a going away present. He showered with tomato sauce (I guess I need to have a supply of tomato juice!) baking soda and lots of soap. He washed and soaked and washed and soaked and washed and soaked his clothes and had to toss his water bottle. He has scrubbed and scrubbed his bike but you can still smell the present that little stinker (no pun intended) left him. So, I guess now he has something to say at those funny getting to know you games. I mean, how many people do you know that have run over a skunk on their bicycle!!

A post just wouldn't be complete without something from the garden. These are called Asian Yard Long beans. Look at those puppies. All you need is 1 per serving.

The last weekend of October proved to be fun filled and super busy. It's a good thing we went to the trunk or treat on Wed. because there wouldn't have been time the rest of the weekend.

We started Saturday with the annual fun run that our Stake puts on. There was a kids 1K and an adult 5K. Not to brag or anything, but we kind of swept the competition away. Taylor got 2nd place overall. Carter took 1st place in his age group (6-8 boys) and Carlyn took first place in her age group (3-5 girls). Here they are prerace with our good friends, the "D" children.

Once again, my husband decided to be a speed demon. He kept up an astonishing pace and finished the race in 21:10. Good enough for 3rd place! And for those who are wondering yes, I ran it, but I am slow so I didn't win anything. But we all had a great time and enjoyed the beautiful fall morning.

Then, later that afternoon we went to the "Ballunar Festival" held at NASA. It is a hot air balloon show that also celebrates any kind of flight. Ever since we spent a summer in Albuquerque and heard about the Hot Air Balloon Show they have there every year, we have wanted to go to one. So, when we heard about Ballunar we knew we had to go. It isn't nearly as large as Albuquerque but is was still cool. The festival is also an open house of sorts and you can tour some of the NASA buildings, and stuff as well. They had this little photo op. set up for all the kids.

Carlyn

Taylor

Carter

Spencer

We got there just in time to watch the model airplane show. The kids really thought this one was really cool and how it could fly straight up. We also saw about 40 skydivers land on the field right in front of us, ultralights flying, paragliders, hanggliders and even a flying model lawnmower!

The wind was too bad for the balloon launch at 5:30 so we walked back to the car and ate our picnic dinner. We then hustled back over to watch the "moon glow". This is just when all the balloons stay tied down to the ground but since it is dark it is really cool. The announcer also tells the operators to do different things with their fire. So, to have 40 of them do it at the same time was really cool. We left our camera in the car when we ate our dinner so we didn't get any pictures...............except this one. The secretary at Scott's work is married to the pilot (the guy with is hand up on the controlls behind Carter) of one of the balloons. So we found his balloon and figured we could talk to her for a minute. We got a little more than that! She invited us to come on the other side of the rope and then her husband invited the kids to get in the basket. It was really cool. But, Carly and Spencer were a little nervous. Spencer is still talking about it a week later by pointing to his eyes and saying "ouch" As for me--I fell in love. I have always wanted to go up in one and to watch them at night was beautiful.
The next day was Sunday. About a year ago there was another Stake formed in our area, but they don't have their own Stake building yet so they needed our church building for their Stake Conference. So, that made us have to go to Sacrament meeting from 8 AM to 8:50 AM. And then we had to leave the building so the other Stake could come for their meeting. So, what do you do when you are done with church for the day by 9 in the morning?!?! We came home and had a lovely brunch of fresh, hot, cinnamon rolls and cheesy eggs, and chocolate milk. Then, we went up to the Houston Temple. We decided that since our children had never seen the Houston Temple it would be a great day to make the 1 hour each way trek.

The kids had a great time exploring the temple grounds. Fountains, leaves, rocks, bugs, and they all took their turn taking pictures. We spent about an hour there and most of the 70 pictures that were taken were done by them.

Here they are checking out a black beetle swimming in the fountain.

An impromptu timer family photo.

This is actually one that Carter took. I thought it turned out pretty nice!

I am so thankful for my wonderful family. We had a great weekend being together. It was just a glimpse of what eternity can be. I love each of them and am so blessed to have Scott, Taylor, Carter, Carlyn, and Spencer to be mine forever.