This and that

It has been so fun to get to know Meli more and to make her part of our family.   She is a very kind hearted, sweet girl.  She is very easy going and adapts so well to the many changes in her life. I have been blown away at how well she has managed all the changes.  She has to leave for school at 6:30 each morning as her school isn't very close.   Incidentally, I also leave at that time and I think it is way too early to have to get up.  It takes her an hour and a half to get to school if you include the time she has to walk home from the trax station.  Here are just some random pictures of things going on.

                                 Kara and Meli at Garnder Village

                                            Kara and Tianna, (Meli is taking the picture) at Gardner Village

 

Meli is an excellent artist. 

                                                          Meli taking Fozzie on the walk.  He adores her.

            Meli made us a cake on her two month anniversary of living at our home.   It was a German pound cake and it was so yummy and colorful!

                I took Meli to the pumpkin patch.    We picked out our favorite pumpkins.  While there we saw farm animals and lots of pumpkins.  

                            Later that night Matt and I took Meli to the pumpkin patch.  Kara was actually there with a date that night.  We tried to not run into her, but we did, luckily she didn't see us.  My parents once followed me on a date I went and it was one of the most embarrassing things that has ever happened to me.

                      Kara and Meli went to Lagoon for my niece Mikayla's birthday.   They had a fun day and they even rode home the front runner. 

 Kara and her cousin Mikayla!  Happy 16th Birthday Mikayla.  I love and adore you!

Kara and Meli kidnapped Tianna early in the morning for her 17th birthday.   They dressed up in sheets and put a mask over her and she didn't find out who they were until they were at IHOP.  Kara had already talked to Tianna's mom, but the girl does have courage.  They had fun!

                           Kara and her cousin Mikayla!  Happy 16th Birthday Mikayla.  I love and adore you!

                                   Matt and I went to a couples Halloween party last week.  It was so much fun.   I borrowed both costumes from my friend at work.   We didn't really go with the couple costumes, like I would have liked, but it was fun.

                                         Spencer and his girlfriend Anne went to a Halloween party.   Spencer was a pirate for the party.   He looks so ruggedly handsome.

                  Spencer, his girlfriend Anne, and Matt.


Coby went to Kiev, Ukraine this last week.   He was an escort for some of the people in his branch through the temple.   It looks like a beautiful place from the pictures. 

Kara just let me know that she wants to follow in her brothers foot steps and major in International Business.  She has been applying for several scholarships so she can do a study abroad this summer and many other programs to follow.  I am excited for her to explore the world and I believe she has  a lot to offer.  I adore her.  But, honestly, I am not thrilled about it.  I always imagined my children living in the United States,  never in my wildest dreams did I think that some of my children would like to live outside the country and want to change the world.  

                               Kieve, Ukraine temple

Colton went to convention for Cosplay over this last weekend.   He attends these events all dressed up.

We also attended Kara's choir concert, attending the Dave Ramsey classes.  I highly recommend them, I only wish I had started when I was much younger,  and I have been to the doctor several times.   I got a sinus infection, mid summer and I have had it ever since.  I have been on a few doses of antibiotics,  and it doesn't seem to go away.  I got bronchitis from it,  an ear infection and I still feel miserable and don't seem to be getting better.   I finally went to an ear nose and throat doctor and he said I have blockage again and I need to have sinus surgery again.  I told him I had already had THREE sinus infections and I didn't want to have any more.   I am very frustrated about it and don't want to have surgery again.  I am looking for other options.

                      Kara and those she went to the Young Ambassador camp with.