Halloween...is about Family, Food & Fun!!!

Well, a busy weekend...family and friends...homemade stew, homemade chili and lots of homemade rolls.  Donuts & Cider for dessert.  LOVE spending time with family.  We are so blessed to have children nearby and ache to be with all the others.  Kim's 5 children are very close.  Heidi's and David's are close.  Stacy often visits from Rexburg.  Tami and Michelle's families are too far away.  We will be going to Tami's in November for Josie's baptism.  You would never know that we had snow.  It is mild and beautiful.  My flowers are still in bloom.  It is just plain PERFECT!!!

DEAD BALLERINA??? WHAT HAPPENED TO PRINCESS?

OKAY...I made the tu-tu. Who would have ever guessed that Nicole and her friends would all be "dead ballerina's". She honestly looks like a good kid trying to look a little scary. I love watching her transition from early morning monster (not a morning person) to a bouncy fun-loving young women. Nicole noticed I wasn't feeling well on Monday and quietly cleaned the kitchen and did the dishes. She didn't say anything...just smiled. It was the best present I could have received. When she gets done it is like brand new!!! Friday is our BIG HALLOWEEN PARTY!!! Nicole will be in costume, tonight for mutual, tomorrow for school, Friday for Sanderson Party and Saturday for Halloween Party with friends. Oh, I love the Holidays!!!

LOTS AND LOTS OF SNOW!!!

SANDERSON HOME-DRAPER-UTAH

BACKYARD ROCK GARDEN AND DINING SET

IT'S ALL MY FAULT...I HAVE BEEN WISHING FOR SNOW!!!  We debated about pulling out ou flowers as they were so beautiful yesterday!  Kim (my gardener & husband) cleared the garden but we left the flowers.  They are peaking out from under a 6 inch layer of snow.  It is beautiful and the sun is shining.  I am sure it won't last bet for today...I will just look outside and SMILE

PUMPKIN FUN!

Nicole's "little miss muffin" (spider on the side)

Sharon's Aunt Matilda!

Sharon's Zoey!

Kimball's Guy

Kimball's guy and girl pumpkins!

Kimball's girl!

The whole family!

Nicole Creating!

Kim's artistic treasure!

Kim & Nicole bugging each other!!!

We had a fun family home evening painting pumpkins.  Thought we would share the results!  Lots of laughter and found out Kim has hidden talents.

Halloween is in the Air!!!

Yes, the HOLIDAYS are here!!! I love the crisp cool feel of Autumn mornings. Nicole and I went to a Pumpkin Patch today. We have way to much fun together. I pointed out there was a HUGE snail on her pumpkin and she just about dropped it. We got a wheelbarrow and filled it up. Our home has already had it’s first Halloween party and several more are planned. We have a rule at our home that all Halloween has to be happy. Smiles even on the skeletons. Life is scary enough without get ghoulish. Nicole makes me stick to that promise. My treats are ready…COME ENJOY!

PRECIOUS BABY NATHAN PAUL WALKER HAS ARRIVED

 

Early this morning baby Nathan Paul Walker entered the world at 7 lbs 9 oz and 19" long. He is healthy and has a good set of lungs. He looks like his brother and sisters. Now I might be a little prejudice...but I think they are all really good looking!!!! I mean like almost perfect in every way!!! Grandma is trying to cover for Mom and Dad! It has been 24 hours and Grandma is looking for a nap! Oh, where did my energy go!?! Some of you train for marathons...wait till you get to be a Grandma...it is quite the challenge. I love feeding them things their Mom's wouldn't...giggling past bedtime...shopping for crazy fun things!!! I want my Grandkid's to miss me...their parents might lift an eyebrow but then "IT'S IN MY JOB DESCRIPTION!!!"!!!

SALSA at Welfare Square

I got to go with some friends from my state to Welfare Square to can salsa. We laughed and enjoyed 4 hours of putting the lids on several thousand jars. It was like the "I love Lucy" show where they made chocolates and the whole conveyor belt thing! If we didn't keep up a strong presence of mind...we had fingers in REALLY HOT SALSA...and we were scrambling to get all the jars done. I am telling you it was hillarious...they made us check our cameras at the front dest. I can't wait to sign up again. We got to bring home some salsa and I got 2 cases of strawberry and raspberry jam! Fun times!!!

NICOLE AND COSMO???

We attended BYU and WASHINGTON HUSKIES game this weekend. It was so fun other than the fact that it was over 90 degrees and we were in the sun! Got a great tan...Nicole got another freckle and Kim got a new hat to shade him from the sun! We hit the bookstore first. I had a red vest on that was not acceptable at a BYU game even if the UTES were not there. The bookstore was a Zoo...I want stock in those BYU T-shirts! I looked across the stadium and there were thousands of BYU shirts covering screaming crazy fans!!! We went to Brick Oven Pizza after and Cosmo came up behind Nicole. Hence the cute picture. Right place...right time!!! If you hadn't hearD...byu won! It was a close, well fought game...the BEST in my view. Tense and exciting the whole way through!!!  In defense of my photo...I had melted...in defense of Cosmos perspiration...he had worn that suit in 95 degree weather while doing an incredible breakdance on the field.  I would do it all over again...and again...and again; yep, I would!!!

ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!!

Kim is a "deep thinker".  He does lots of training at the Hospital in personality type things.  Boy he sure should have researched "me" more before taking the plunge! :) jk  It has been an incredibly healing year.  I have found purpose and a future once again.  I love being part of a "we" not just a "me".  Granted it needs to be someone who contributes emotionally to that relationship.  I am saying that to my single friends.  I know that it wasn't an accident that we found each other.  I have watched Nicole learning to trust and love again.  She is incredibly strong but there are things I struggle to do that Kimball so easily provides for her.  He takes her driving in the church parking lot.  Now when she hit the accelerator instead of the brake...I would have screamed...he just laughed and gave her instruction.  To everyone that said they couldn't do what I have had to do this past 4 years.  I say...I pray you never have to.  Paul's death was so incredibly hard and left a whole in my heart that was almost fatal.  I know that no matter how hard the trial seems today...there will be a rainbow...and you will know, understand and be stronger at the end.  It isn't about finding a place to hide but a place to bloom and keep growing.  I love my family and friends for holding me and strengthening me when I could not stand alone.  I love my Heavenly Father for seeing my needs as a widow and sending me Kimball.  It has been a wonderful year!  Life is Good!!!

My little Sister Tina!

Today Tina and her friend Gordon came to visit.  We laughed and told stories till 1:00 in the morning.  It was WONDERFUL to have family visit...hint hint!  Gordon is a Canadian but we won't hold that against hime...jk!  He is easy to be around and a lot of fun.  Most of all Tina is so very happy.  I am thankful for my family!!!  All of them!!! :)

Candid Photos from Sparks Reunion!

Ashlyn questioning the wisdom of Taylee drinking the tipee upside down!!! 

Dad and Uncle Jack...full of wisdom and love!

Who knows what Kim is doing...he doesn't remember?!? 

Stacy...my 4th Beautiful Daughter!

Nicole...my 5th Beautiful Daughter!

                 

Me & my SWEET AUNT NILACE! 

SPARKS WILL FLY!!! (THEME)

SPARKS FAMILY REUNION

JULY 2010 SPARKS REUNION

(My family....Dad & Babette, Aunt Nilace, Stacy, Ryan, Ashlyn & Taylee lots of cousins and relatives!)  Nicole and I are on the end...Kimball is taking the picture.

We met at Clarkston, Utah. My cousins bought Great Grandpa Sparks homestead. There is rich pioneer heritage in this town. It is fun to know the Sparks family were strong pioneers willing to sacrifice so that we can have the gospel in our lives today. I always love seeing my father and Babette, as well as my Aunt Nilace. I appreciate the sacrifice that Stacy's family made to be there. Heidi is about to have our 26th Grandchild!!! Dave is working hard at US Bank in Sandy. It was a last minute reunion but worth the effort. I love them and appreciate all they have done for me. I am in charge of the Sparks Reunion next year. I promise to give you all an earlier heads up. I am hoping more of my children can attend and help. I love my family!