Thanks

There are so many things to be thankful for! Here's a list:

The Hale ranch house in Grover, Utah.
Disneyland and that it connects me to my youth.
Good books.
My job at school and my work at the theater. I love both--I have hard years every now and then with school (having a REALLY hard year right now), but then I get to go to the theater where I feel like I am making a difference.
My home.
Music. I am falling asleep to music lately. I could not live without music.
Good food. I love good food.
Movies--there's little wonder why I have a movie reel tattooed on my butt.
Health. I may not be Thor, but I am so grateful I have use of my faculties.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Atonement of the Savior. No greater blessing.
Ambien. I need to get off it.
My mom and dad, brother and sisters and in-laws. I am where I am today because of the opportunities they blessed me with in my life.
My four wonderful children and that they are all healthy and strong.
And finally, this wonderful woman... How could you not be grateful to have someone like her in your life?

Great Movie

So I watched In Bruges the other night while Lindsay was at yoga. Definitely not a film she would have enjoyed, but I loved it. Nothing like good black humor. Colin Farrell was hilarious (so much funnier than I thought he could ever be) and Brendan Gleeson is great in everything. Bruge is now at the top of my must-visit locations.

More on Kam

On Friday we took Kam and his friends to this extreme air sports park in Provo. He had been there before with his uncle, but Lindsay and I only knew that it was in Provo. So we look up the address on Mapquest and the street number was 1111 W!!!! So weird. All these great 11-11-11 things on Kam's 11th birthday! Loved it.

We also went to the BYU vs. Idaho game Saturday night. Froze our butts off, got a photo with Brian Smith (back-up kicker/boyfriend of Lindsay's sister) and had a great time.

Happy Birthday to Kam!

Today is a pretty special day: my boy Kam turns 11 on 11/11/11. Now how many times does something like that happen in life? Everyone kept telling us to call KSL or Daily Herald to let them know, but we didn't want to be one of those parents. And lo and behold, today there is a cover story in Daily Herald of a boy who turns 11! Seriously?! Oh well.

I love my boy! He is a great kid--very smart, good to other people, doesn't like girls yet, is obsessed with Social Empires, has dreams for his future, loves his aunts and uncles, mostly loves his brothers and parents, athletic, funny and wants to do what's right. I'm so glad he is my oldest and the one who is setting the example to his younger brothers and sister.

I love this photo of Kam! His face and laughter is absolutely genuine.

Halloween Costumes

Lindsay had some great ideas for costumes this year: Kam was a fruit ninja (best app ever!), Adam and I were minions from Despicable Me, Max was a werewolf, and Brynn was the cutest little bee ever. We had a great night trick-or-treating! This is Max's favorite holiday and he was so sad to see it end.

I was a bit bummed because I didn't get the chance to watch any new horror movies this year. I just never got the time to.

More Brynn

Sorry I haven't posted more of my other children lately, but we just got these photos of Brynn in. They were taken by our good friend Chris Young.

I think you might be able to see why we love this girl so much...

Brynn

Not that I want her to grow, but I love this photo, and Brynn looks so much older than she really is. She doesn't look like a baby in this--she looks more like a young girl.

Great Friends

Last night Lindsay and I were taken to P712 for my birthday. Our wonderful friends Jon and Tanya Keller treated us (big bill--thanks, guys!) and we had a great time! It's so good to have devoted friends that you can talk to about anything (leaving babies in cars, wanting to smack disrespectful kids, "Viva la Little Bear!"). We have known Jon and Tanya for many years. And even though months might go by without seeing each other (stupid raising of children and having a life) we love the time we are together to catch up!

Last Halloween. I wish we had a better picture with the four of us together!

Favorite Night of the Year

I love the first Monday of October! Our Halloween decorations are up, the air is turning chilly, and Fall is on! For family night we always go get a pumpkin from "The Pumpkin Man" on 1600 North and then to Kneaders to choose a Halloween treat. This year I got a pumpkin, chocolate chip, cream cheese cake. Holy Crap! Wow! Then we come back to the house, pop some popcorn, spread out some blankets and watch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." I love this night! I hope we do this until my boys leave on a mission--and that they love it each time.

Attacked By Rodents (of smaller size)

Last week we discovered a pack of baby racoons that live in our irrigation tunnel. We have seen 6 at a time coming out and eating the grapes between our property and Old Man Walker's. Cute little buggers--but, yes, I'm sure they carry rabies.

Final Day of Sequels

These last two are greats! There are many more, but I reserved this list for some of my favorites.

I LOVE HARRY POTTER! The books and the movies are so fantastic! Film one and two are decent, but it isn't until the third that the film series starts to become its own. Everyone talks about the third film being the best and its not hard to see why. Go back and watch it. The performances are much better and the directing and storyline are more focused. I loved these last two, but this third film is just great!

Most say The Bourne Ultimatum is the best film, but I disagree. Supremacy has more emotion--he's avenging the death of Marie. Great performances and great all-around film making.

More Sequels

I used to be such a huge fan of the Superman movies. I even did my hair with a little bit of a curl in the front--I wanted to be just like Superman. The first film is such a great show, but this one raises the stakes. Just a side note, the Twin Towers in the background really makes this poster more ominous than it was when the film first came out.

Love these films! The quintessential buddy-cop films. Lethal 2 gives deeper backstory to the characters, gives us great villains (from South Africa), and adds much more emotion. Some people hated Joe Pesci's character, but I love "Leo Ghetz."