Happy halloween!

Meliah and Christian getting the guts out


Lizzy's Mr Pumpkin Head

Lizzy with one of her crazy creations

The kids with their final projects!

We carved pumpkins last night at the last minute. I really didn't want to, it was a canning day and I was exhausted! But it ended up really much more relaxed than former years. I always have felt really rushed and panicy when we carve pumpkins and feel like I've carved at least one before I can even think of carving my own. This year we got some of those poke through pieces (kind of like Mr potato head) for pumpkins and gave them to Elizabeth hoping that she would enjoy that instead of wanting to use a knife. She did! Yeah! She loves it too and has changed the face of her pumpkin several times and giggled like you've never heard before. Right before she was supposed to be in bed she came out with her Mr Potato Head pieces and wanted to try some of those too. The parts didn't have glasses and feet like the Mr. Potato set does. She started that back up this morning before preschool and has absolutely loved it! Christian and Meliah carved some simple faces without a whole lot of detail and were really happy with the results! Aaron did Frankenstein and worked on it long after the kids went to bed, and frankly, I was happy just taking pictures and enjoying watching them. I roasted the pumpkins seeds for a snack after FHE which I've never felt like I could do before.

The kids on the pumpkin train



We went to the pumpkin patch last week and really had a great time. It was during the week and after school, so it wasn't busy at all. The favorite spots were the gold panning for marbles and the petting Zoo. The weather was perfect and Aaron and I were able to sit together and get caught up on some visiting during the middle of the week (which is very unusual).

Meliah loved all the different shapes of pumpkins

Boy has time flown! Christian looked so huge in the petting area, he looked like a giant compared to most of the kids in there. I think I have a picture of him when he was 4 in this same spot!

The kids all really enjoyed mining for marbles. Christian got soaked trying reach all the way to the bottom of the water with a long sleeved shirt.

Fast Sunday!

The missionaries in our ward came to dinner at our house last Sunday and challenged us to fast about who we should share our beliefs with and told us that they would follow-up with us today. I was so thrilled that Christian and Meliah both came up with names of friends of theirs that they would like to share with. We had to give Elizabeth a few suggestions but she seems so willing and ready to share. I am so blessed to have children that are obedient and have the desire to choose the right. I feel humbled, honored and many times inadequate to be their mom. They teach me so much by their examples. They have so much faith in Aaron and I. We are trying to change the attitude about fasting in our home. Having a definate purpose as a family was a strengthening experience and we didn't hear as many complaints.

Our three cuties before church today

Tonight, Elizabeth got out our Friend magazine and found "The Proclamation to the World" and said, "Here is the paper that the lady told us about." I was in primary today and knew that the leader in charge of sharing time had asked the children to read that page with their families. Instead of reading the scriptures tonight, we read, "The Proclamation to the World". It is an incredible teaching tool! So many questions were brought up by the kids about Chastity, being together forever and what genders are. Today, I am grateful for the amazing plan of the gospel and for the time that so many put into magnifying their callings. No one really knows how important the little things they do rub off on others and touch their lives and families. I want to become more aware of the little things that my children say that bring the spirit into our home and help us become better.

Meliah's fieldtrips!

Meliah had 2 fieldtrips this week and loved them both. I was able to go to Farm Day with her on Friday. I could tell that she loved that I came on the bus and hung out with her and all her classmates. She has a really great class, loud at times but they're 3rd graders. On Monday of last week she went to the Fish Hatchery in Oroville and told me that she wanted to work there someday. It was cute! She told me every detail about the cycle of a salmon's life. How they spawn, how the eggs are fertilized, their journey as fryes, smult, spawning adults, and I know I missed something but my memory isn't as good as hers. She even learned a song about the Salmon and their different stages. Her teacher is so organized and makes Meliah feel so special. Meliah just loves her!


This cow was about to give birth! Poor thing looked like it was going to pop!

I never took a picture of Elizabeth on her first day of school and she reminded me the other day, so I took a snapshot of her before she went in the door. She loves preschool so much. The teachers always rant and rave about what a great colorer she is. She always stays in the lines.


The other day while I was substitute teaching my mom was watching Lizzy. She told me that she took Lizzy to the dollar store and allowed her to pick out anything she wanted from there. Elizabeth's response was, "Does it have to be on sale?" It made my mother laugh! My mom said, "Boy, she'd be able to run our country better than Obama!" My mom is sooooo into politics... in fact, that same day Obama was talking about having the Olympics in Chicago instead of where they were originally set to take place. My mom is always pretty upset about Obama's spending, that's probably why she was so impressed by Lizzy's response. Makes me wonder if my thriftiness is a little overboard for it to rub off on my kids so much!

Saturday Salmon run!

Here's where the butterflies started!

Lena, Dawn and I before the race

The kids getting ready for their race. Lizzy had a hard time at first, but with Aaron's help she did it.

Meliah was very impressive! She finished 3 overall as an 8 year-old. The pain in her face really makes me wonder if she is the competitive one in the family.

Our picture after the race! Notice I'm still not standing up straight.


I did my first real run as an adult this last Saturday at the Salmon run in Oroville. I almost put it off but I decided I better stick with it and just bare through the butterflies and do it.

It was the most difficult thing I've ever done next to giving birth to my children. I think I should have carefully checked out the course, because I didn't expect any hills. I didn't train at all for climbing any slopes. I also have been training in the early morning when getting overheated is never an issue. 6.2 miles of heat and hills made for a very torturous run!

I am grateful I did it now, because I think any other race I do will seem a breeze to me. The kids came too and did the Kids Run, which was a half mile. They did really well! I was able to run with 2 awesome ladies that I totally love. Funny the mind games that I play with myself while am miserable! I think runners really have to be a positive people to overcome pain and to continue on. I was amazed at how many people pay to run in events like these. But I must say, eventhough it was a super challenging experience I am grateful for it and feel so much stronger because of it!

Baptism and anniversary!

The whole Eller Family! We could tell it was a wonderful day for Mom and Dad Eller and it was so nice to see everyone eventhough it was for a very short time.

Some of the cousins that were willing to pose for me. (oh, and uncle Jon)

Taylor after the baptism and a couple of her cousins her age.

Can we go pick up Meliah?

Meliah and Lizzy

It's so funny that she thought she had to look at the camera even when she is kissing me.

It has started and I'm not sure how I am going to deal with it. Lizzy misses her sister so much during the day it drives me crazy. Luckily today Lizzy has preschool so I won't have to hear her say, "Can we go pick up Meliah" until about 1 o'clock. Yesterday, we had to go grocery shopping and Lizzy thought we were going to pick up Meliah. She was so upset! I guess I just need to try to up my playing skills so I can be as fun and energetic as Meliah (ha ha - impossible)! Meliah is really fun to play with and I'm so grateful for her... listening to them play, I could never compare to her imagination!

Christian plays for the Kaliodoscope Black and White Dinner

Christian getting ready to perform "Spanish Caballero"

Christian with his new friend, Alexander

Christian played the piano for the Kaliodoscope Black and White dinner this weekend. He was able to play with some amazing pianists. One that he was impressed with was a senior in high school, Alexander Apogoti (Greek, so I'm not sure if I spelled it correctly), who is a very accomplished pianist. Alexander also composes his own music and performed one of his own pieces. It was amazing! Christian always gets really excited to see male pianists that are very talented because he's still in the stage of wondering if he shouldn't like it because it's mostly girls that do it. Christian played a song called, "Spanish Caballero" and he played it perfectly. It was a great opportunity for him. My shy guy is learning to share his talent.