365+1 Week 40

Can you even believe that number? 40 weeks down and just 12 more to go? Really?

This last week has been a doozy at our house, but we have prevailed and this week we are enjoying our fall break together! No schedules, just fun family activities!!

Photo's #274-280:

Abby's Mouse Trap for Science Class. Today I have opted to post up a video instead of a photo.  A still really won't do it justice. She was so excited about this assignment, we ended up over at my parents house because it grew too big for our small rooms.  It took all of our patience to get it filmed from start to finish and that is a true shout of excitement from all at the end!!

This is what my washing machine looked like today. Now in pieces out in my garage.  On Saturday we came home to find water on the floor and after further inspection decided it need a repair that Paul could do and we would give it a try, and cross our fingers for good measure.  Well, by the end of the day my talented husband had that baby repaired, put back together and back in it's rightful place.  We sent it through two successful loads, and then we came home to a smoke filled room after the rest of the motor seized, burned up all the belts and we were lucky that the house wasn't on fire!! Sad is an understatement! That little baby had seen us through all 11 years of our marriage but it just wasn't worth trying to save anymore, so we pulled the plug :(
The old ones were carted away and new ones ordered.

For my Young Women's activity tonight we embarked on a Personal Progress goal in hopes to have them all done for our night of excellence at the end of the month.  The girls were learning to sew themselves a super simple skirt.  I LOVED all the different fabrics that were chosen by each girl and even more impressed at how quickly they all picked up the skills involved. Of course a lot of that had do do with the fabulous help I had from my enlisted sewing specialist mom's from the ward- thanks again ladies you made it a complete success!!!

Crock Pot Chili.  A family favorite, and a must have on a busy weeknight when the temps are starting to dip and the mountains are so colorful around us. I enjoy mine with cheese, a generous dollop of sour cream and scallions scattered on top. YUM YUM!

"Repetition" Fourth grade math facts.  I love them all lined up together on the shelf.  I don't think there is anything more repetitive then mastering your elementary math facts- agree?

"This happened today..." The annual caramel apple night at my mom's house while the boys are away at the BYU game.  For several years now this has been a looked forward to tradition with much anticipation.  My mother makes THE BEST caramel- non of us know how to replicate it- we are all afraid to try, and even more afraid to let it become lost forever.  One of us is going to have to have a lesson from her!! But for now we will just all enjoy the fruits of her love for us!!

Have you picked up your SQUARE PUMPKIN yet?  We went tonight and the girls are loving the fun Halloween flash lights- we  look forward to going every year and getting the fun light up prize. The girls also entered the coloring contest going on at the restaurant AND they were giving out free ice cream to all the kids- smiles all around for sure!

Halloween is almost here, I am very excited!!!