Lake Livingston Campout- October 29

On Friday morning, I got an Idea. It was nice outside-perfect weather. No work the next day. I called Bryant and asked if he wanted to go camping that night. We called all the campgrounds within an hour away. They were all full. We called Lake Livingston and they just happened to have 30 spaces open up that day. They had previously been working on them for the last 3 months. We now had a spot. I got everything ready while Bryant was at work and we left by 5 pm. We drove for an 1 1/2 hours and got there. Whitney and Brady were starving and it was dark. We roasted yummy hot dogs and had smores. Anything tastes good over a fire. It was dark but fun. It was the Friday before Halloween so we read a few Halloween stories and went to bed. We slept in the tent trailer. We got a little cold. We had been so used to warm weather that we brought only blankets and the heater didn't work. Bryant and I ended up with Brady, Whitney, Bailey, and the dog all snuggled with us. Brady was up nice and early and several times during the night. Brady and Whitney loved camping. We went on a 3 mile hike with the kids and came home. We had to make it to the trunk-or-treat that night at the church. Next time we will bring sleeping bags and a portable heater.

On top of observation tower overlooking Lake Livingston.

Preschool Pictures

Brady and Whitney are in Preschool. Yes it is wonderful. I have never had kids in preschool before. It is a first for me. 14 years with a kid in tow. I have 5 wonderful hours twice a week. I was at church one Sunday and the person giving the talk (I can't remember who) said she found a wonderful way to clean- listening to books on CD. So I download books from the library (pretty cool) and put them on the I Pod. I then can listen while I clean. I have never enjoyed cleaning so much. I have no time to read and I do like to. I now can listen to a book and mop, scrub, and organize. So while the kids are at preschool I spend at least one day a week-cleaning with no kids. I even look forward to nap-time so I can work to my latest book. I am amazed what you can get done. I had originally put the kids in preschool so I could sleep after working night shift. Well I now have a few hours to get things done much faster.
I am no longer working nights. It was not working. I couldn't sleep more than 3 hours after working all night. I would then have to go back to work all night. I am now back on 3-11 shift. I work 4 days one week and 3 the next. It is nice to be part-time.
One day at preschool we took the pictures below. They had an area where you can take fall pictures. I took these while the kids played with the gourds. They were taken on 10/19. Yes in Texas it is still short weather.

Family Reunion: Grandpa Winter's 80th birthday

On Oct. 14th I flew (just me) to Utah to go to my Grandpa's 80th Birthday/Family reunion. I arrived thursday around 4:30 in the afternoon. My Aunt Kathy picked me up in Saltlake and we drove to Cache Valley. Bryant took friday off from work. Thursday evening Bailey injures her knee by landing full force on her knee tripping over a bike. So I get a call at my grandpa's that evening. She can't walk on it or have it touched. The next day she can't walk on it and Bryant is worried more injury may have occured. He takes her to the doctor and it turns out just severly bruised. She spend the weekend on the couch watching movies and being carried to the bathroom and the dinner table by Bryant. When I got home on Sunday, I had her get up and hobble around. Monday she was at school and running up and down the street. It did turn a little black/blue.

Back at the reunion my mom arrives Thursday night from Boise. My other sister Shirley arrives Friday evening. We spent the day Friday looking for a baptism dress for Bailey- I ended up ordering on line. I hope it fits. They were all so fancy. I just want something simple that she could wear more than once. The reunion was Saturday. It was great to see family I have not seen in years.

At my grandpa's. Here D.J., Bryce and Maranda are hanging out. Nana is adjusting the lighting. On Saturday Morning we went to the Logan temple and did sealings for family members. Including my grandma, who has passed on, to her parents.

Jennifer and Grandpa Winter

Grandpa Winter, Mom (Debbie, Nana, etc) and me. 3 generations.

My cousin Monica pregnant with her 5th. My Uncle Greg was the only one who was not there of his 9 children. He wanted a picture with his daughter to represent his family.

Logan Temple.

So before the reunion. It was just mom, grandpa, and I and we had a little birthday and dug into my mom's yummy carrot cake. We had to eat the desserts for breakfast lunch and dinner because there was so many. Uncle Steve's Apple pie for breakfast, Carrot cake for lunch, and Reunion for dinner.

My Grandpa's cat- He sure loves his cat.

eating the carrot cake

In line for the great food.

Birthday time

Video: singing happy birthday to grandpa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlIJT_IPB4U