November Highlights

November highlights were definitely seeing all of our children and their families!!!

  We flew to Kansas to watch Kristy's kids while Wes and her took a fun trip to Philadelphia. I got there on a Wednesday, but Russ didn't fly in until Friday, as he had a church meeting he had to attend. Needless to say the kids were thrilled when papa arrived. Its always so fun to have one on one time with the grandkids. 

The kids love making puzzles and are so good and fast at them.

 Jazlyn showing us what she's learned on the viola.

 One day we took the kids up to Jamesport, Missouri. Its the coolest Amish town a couple hours from their house. They enjoyed this store where there was a lot of handmade toys and surprise contraptions that scared you when you'd turn a knob or something.

 They fell in love with this cat wandering around.

Kelston, Matsen, Shelten & Jazlyn and
an Amish "car" they liked trying out.

 Their farms are so beautiful and well kept. They made and sold cheese at this one.

 On Sunday we went to the visitor center in Independence, Missouri. We watched some more of the "Meet the Mormon" stories that weren't in the movie. They also have a lot of "hands on" activities for the kids there.

 CUTE kiddos!!

Here's the RLDS temple across the street from the Visitor Center or now called the Church of Christ.

This tree is in Kristy's front yard and was so beautiful with its Fall colors.

The weather was gorgeous while we were there. Clear and 60's everyday!!

Russ and I each got to go to the kids' school one day and help out. 

Kristy and Wes went to the Hershey factory and she sent me this quote by him. I love it!!

"One is only Happy in proportion as he makes others Feel Happy"

We missed seeing a play Jazlyn was in by a day or two, but got to practice her parts with her. She was a dog and had a solo. Wes videoed her solo and she did awesome!! I wish I was smart enough to put it on here so you could watch it. 

It was sad to go, but we had a fun week and the kids were so good for us:)

I was home a day or two and then Russ and I spent two nights in Seattle while he attended a dental meeting. We stayed right next to the temple. Friday night we did some baptisms for a few family members. I don't think I've done those since I was a youth. The next day we did the rest of the work for them. It was cool to do all the ordinances within 24 hours.

The next week Russ and I drove to Lindsey's house for Thanksgiving. We happened to arrive on her 29th birthday!! We went out for Mexican food and then had some delicious ice cream cake that Tyrel 

had made.

 We took a brisk walk one morning with the boys.

Did some shooting on their land.

We had a delicious Thanksgiving dinner!! My girls really know how to cook!!

 Tytyn gave a talk on Sunday and Russ practiced it with him. Unfortunately we had to leave Saturday so we didn't get to hear him in church, but Lindsey said he did great.

The day after Thanksgiving Lindsey and I got a whole day to ourselves to go shopping!! 

We met up at the Mall with Jacob and Janette to say hi.

 Janette's whole family came from Ca. to hang out with them.

 While we were shopping Russ, Tyrel and the boys went dirt biking?!?! I'm glad I didn't know about that before. Russ has never been before. They told me he only fell off twice!!

Quick picture with the cute kiddos before we had to leave:(

 Saturday we left Lindsey's and drove to Provo to meet Jared and Marin. We took them by Sherrie and Dave's house to meet them, but they were at their new house, so we sent them a picture.

Saturday evening we out to dinner with Maren's parents and had a really nice evening getting to know them. 

After spending the night with Jan and John & going to church with them we went to visit grandma.  Then Jan fixed us a tasty dinner!!

             We appreciate their hospitality.  They always make us feel so welcomed when we come.

We had a lovely drive home. We had some snow, but none on the roads!

So happy we could see so many of our loved ones over the past month!!