Happy Halloween!!!

This year Halloween was super easy. Siera and Joshua both wanted to be football players. Creative I know. They both are older now and are not wanting the cutesy costumes anymore. Kind of sad but it made it very easy for me. Of course we already had all the football stuff for them. Then Savani and Milika both wore costumes that we had from the years before. So I did not spend a dime on Halloween for costumes this year. Hope your Halloween was as great as ours!



Joshua and his friends.

The kids and their friends getting ready to go trick or treating.

New family additions

About 2 years ago my brother Kelly and his wife Cherish decided they were going to adopt some children from Ethiopia. They currently have 4 kids of their own the oldest being 10 and youngest almost 3. My sister in law Cherish, her father has a home in Ethiopia and lives there as well as here in Logan, UT. So that is how they were able to hear about this family. They adopted 7 kids ranging from age 16 to 2, all siblings. Of course we all thought they were crazy and couldn't believe it. I still think they are nuts! But man what an unselfish brother and sister in law I have. They are such wonderful examples and people. We all fell in love with these kids as soon as we met them. They are the sweetest kids. They arrived with them 2 weeks ago and came to my Mom's so we could all meet them. This first picture is the 16 yr old and 15 yr old. Their names are Dibabe and Chaltu. They were corn rolling Siera's hair. They did it so fast, she loved them. I think she would of loved to just go home with my brother and them.

This is a picture of them with the 3rd oldest, Tayiba, I think she is 12 or 13. Siera really connected with her.

I got a picture of them all in their new van in their seats, all 11 of them. This little girl was adorable. Her name is Fatiya and is a sweetheart. I could of taken her right home with me.

Off they go. Good luck we all said and waived goodbye!!

All the kids were so sweet. Along with the 4 girls, they adopted 3 adorable boys, I wish I would of got some pics of them all playing in my Mom's backyard. They all ran up and gave us hugs. We couldn't help but adore them.

Gotta love Football!!!

On Friday me and Siera were able to go to the BYU game. It was a blast! We had so much fun. We never get to go, Lloyd and Joshua always go, but it was finally our turn. We loved it and of course loved watching our favorite player #11 Manase Tonga who is rockin it this year! That stadium is so fun and loud and it's great to be with all the fans. We can't wait to go again.
We are sure enjoying Joshua's football season. He is on the Gremlins A team. We have such a good team this year. The coaches are Awesome and not just because Lloyd is one of them. ha ha All 5 coaches love all these kids and want them to succeed and push them to do their best at every game. I know all the kids have learned so much and have improved so much because of these guys. In our division we are 3-0 and are doing great. Yesterday we played Highland and beat them 35-0, Joshua had 3 touchdowns, one of the two point conversions and 2 quarterback sacks. His bestfriend is the quarterback and they have such great chemistry on the field. Everyone of Joshua's touchdowns have been a pass from Skyler and he is an awesome quarterback. We can't wait to see how far this team can go. It's been a blast! Joshua's #21.
Here are the girls with their friends entertaining themselves at the game.
Savani always hangs with the boys. She is such a flirt. I know I am in trouble with this girl!
Here are some of Joshua's plays from the game, again he's # 21.

Goodbye PJ for now

Last Thursday morning my cousin was killed in a car accident. As I write this I am still in so much shock and disbelief. He was one of my very favorite family members. I adored him. He was such a kind and respectful person. Everytime I saw him he gave me a hug and was always so sweet. Our families were very close growing up. We spent all the holidays together and family reunions every summer. We all loved hanging out together. He's had a hard life over the years in struggling with diabetes. I am so greatful that in March I was able to go to the Bountiful temple to see him sealed to his beautiful daughter Zaida. I am so greatful for my beliefs and knowing families are forever. The funeral was very nice. My brother Kelly spoke and his brother Tim. Their talks were wonderful. His sister read an entry from his journal that he had written on Aug 13th. He said how much he was excited about starting school and pursuing his dream in law enforcement. He was able to attend one class before he died. He also said how he knew that this was a new start and beginning for him. Amazing! They gave some open time for family and friends to speak as well. His good friend Isaac performed a couple of beautiful songs. He will be missed dearly by so many!!

The casket and flowers were beautiful!

Me and my sister Cindy with my cousin Tim, PJ's brother. I love him. He is such a wonderful person!! I am so thankful to Tim and his wife for all the family parties they had that I was able to go to and see PJ. Also to my uncle Mark for the annual Memorial Day BBQ's. Those BBQ's will never be the same.

Our family all together at the burial.

His siblings and parents.

Some memorabilia of PJ's. He was a huge BYU fan and so you know him and Lloyd got along great. He always watched the BYU football games with his Dad.

The family gave all of these beautiful marble plaques to close family and friends. His brother Tim told me they want to make sure he is not forgotten. I was so touched by this and I love it, it is sitting on my piano where we can remember him always.

Some of my favorite pics of him in the last year or so.

I love this picture of him and his daughter Zaida.



Isn't he adorable?? It's interesting how death affects us. My uncle and aunt Pj's parents divorced about 10 years ago and it kind of divided our families a bit. It was so great to all come together during this time. After the funeral that night my cousin Tim invited all of us to his house that evening. It was such a great time to hang out together. Time is precious and you never know what may happen with your loved ones. Life is too short. We love you PJ and can't wait to see you again!!

1st day of Kindergarten

First day of kindergarten for my Savani. She has been so excited and is very ready to go. I am so excited for her. Her teacher is very nice and so far she is loving school. She goes in the afternoons and it has been nice to take her to school and then come home and put Milika down for a nap and then sometimes I even get a nap. Wahoo!


Savani with her good friend Kaelia.


After school, she had a great day.

Back to school they go

Okay so I know most of you will think I am crazy, but I was so sad to see my kids go back to school. A big part of it was that I was not sure that I was ready for the routine again of getting up early and to bed early. ugh! Also I get sad when I think of how time just flies and flies by! It feels like yesterday that I had Siera and now she is in 5th grade and almost 11. Honestly where does the time go??? I really makes me sad. On a happier note, the kids were so excited and ready to go back. It has been nice not to have fighting and boredom being going on all day around here. Savani will start school on Monday and so it will just be me and Milika. Good times, I guess! I hate that summer is over, but hey what can you do??

Are you ready for some football??

We are in full swing of football now. Lloyd is coaching Joshua's team, which is great because he gets to drive to all the practices. I love to go watch once in a while and love that I can leave when I need to. Lloyd is such a great coach for these boys and I am so happy that is working with them. So far practices are going great and both Lloyd and Joshua are excited about their team. Go Cyprus Gremlins!!








The girls entertaining themselves at practice.