Halloween Parade

The school parade was fun this morning. Lots of princesses and star wars to see. Sadie was a dracula queen and Keaton, well was something scary, not sure how to put a name to it. Again, sorry for the blurry photos, the camera doesn't like the florescent lights in this school.

A Boy and His Viola

Keaton has wanted to play the violin for a couple of years. We told him that if he was able to read music by playing the piano, then we would help him to play the violin. This year, the school has a beginning orchestra class that he enrolled in. He decided to play the viola because it was more 'masculine' than the violin was. He as faithfully gotten up at 7:00 twice a week for his viola class, without complaint.

He had his first orchestra concert this week at the school. Keaton was only one of three boys on the strings, and had a grin from ear to ear. He did a fabulous job! Even when the violins seemed to be racing each other to the end of the piece, Keaton hung in there and kept up with his part. I am so proud of him, he has really got a musical knack. Way to go Keat!

Sorry for the slightly blurry photos.

Pumpkin Search

Off to search the vast pumpkin field for the perfect one. Keaton and Alex took off to the far reaches of the field while Sadie, Glen, and I knew there was a good one nearby. Here are a few of our pictures.

Trampoline vs Movie Night

We invited cousin Tyler and Michelle over for movie night. Keaton and Sadie found themselves a kosy place to snuggle while eating popcorn and watching National Treasure. All this after Michelle fell through the trampoline (it's really okay Michelle).

You've Been Tagged!

A) The rules are posted at the beginning. B) Each person answers questions about their sweethearts. C) At the end of the post, the person then tags people and posts their names; then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment, letting them know they have been tagged. 1.What is your husbands name? Glen Proctor 2.How long have you guys been married? 16+ years, can you believe it? 3.How long did you date? Glen is better at remembering and especially remembering dates - I am guessing that we dated 5 months, engaged for 3 months. Is that right Glen? 4.How old is he? 47 I think, I always have to literally do the math. But I insist that he doesn't look a day over 33. He hasn't changed much - he says that he is only grayer. ME TOO! 5.Who is taller? Him - we don't have superior genes for 'tall' in this family. 6.Who can sing best? Honestly, I would say it is a toss up - but he does very well - has even passed it onto Alex. 7.Who is smarter? Of course I think it is me, but he can hold his own. 8.Who does laundry? Both - he can outclean me in no time! 9.Who pays the bills? Both 10.Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Depends on which way you are looking at the bed. Mostly, I sleep all over the bed. He tends to stay clear on the left side, or completely clear. 11.Who mows the lawn? Glen and the boys. 12.Who cooks dinner? Dinner? What's that? When real dinner is planned, it is usually me, however, Glen has been known to cook a mean roast and is a huge contributer to parties/gatherings! 13.Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Not sure, he probably is the one, I tend to hold grudges for a couple of days. 14.Who kissed who first? Glen kissed me while sitting in his car outside of my BYU apartment, it was the first kiss of the rest of his life! 15.Who wears the pants? Again, my stubborness would say it was both, but when the pavement hits the road, it is Glen I tag Heather, Amy, & Jacque.

Saturday is the day we get ready for . . .

Our Saturday's are jam packed. Here are some highlights from today. Keaton's flag football game was looking like it would be a pretty close one during the first half when the other team took the lead. Keaton caught a beautiful pass and ran in for the first TD. Then, fortunately, we pulled ahead with another Keaton TD (he scored 6 last week - the poor opponents had to be encouraged by out team to keep running). They finished with another solid win, muddy muddy cleats, and a big smile. Still UNDEFEATED!

Sadie's soccer team was a little less fortunate, but nonetheless had fun and smiles when it was all over. They are a new team that focuses on playing 2 quarters, rotating positions, and gaining experience. I keep asking her if she is liking soccer over the other activities that she has participated in, and she keeps saying yes, so I'll keep going to the soccer (not my favorite sport yet) games. She does look cute in her uniform.

Alex helped me do some cleaning in the kitchen - imagine Alex vacuuming behind the refridgerator? Me either. Don't think that this is my usual cleaning, it is just that I had a great helper, and boy what lurks behind a fridge is something to behold. He played video & computer games, played with Keaton, and even practiced the piano. He is really bored - he will probably suit up - for tonight's basketball game, but we will be careful. The team will miss Alex's 100% on the court tonight. Glen got a hair cut, and then began working around the house, grooming the trees for fall, and harvesting the final fruit off of the apple tree. We didn't spray that tree to well and so there were only about a 1/2 bucket of good fruit. The peach tree was fabulous, about 10 (5 gallon) buckets were picked, eaten, and given away. I love fresh peaches. He and Keaton mowed the lawn - Keaton is getting into that - of course if there is a monitary incentive, that helps.

All the while, Sadie decides that she wants to take up baking today. So that is exactly what we did. I sat down and she did the baking. She made Oreo pie, and zucchini bread ALL BY HERSELF with exception of the oven, and grating the zucchini, she honestly did it all. She was talking and smiling and having a great time. We will call her Betty from now on ;) I love teaching her to do these things and she loves doing them. Forgot to mention, she even offered and completed cleaning ALL of the toilets! Where did she come from?

We still have another basketball event tonight. That really seems like a calm Saturday to me, or maybe I am just used to the running around. It is nice to know that we have such awesome kids that are healthy and strong, and enjoy the many events and activities that we have together. I couldn't imagine being any busier than we are now, but I would'nt have it any other way.

Alex expecting BIG returns from the Tooth Fairy

I suppose you could say that this week has been a little stressful for us at home as we were preparing, debating, scheduling for another big oral surgery for Alex. Because he has already had his wisdom teeth (4) taken out at age 12, he knew what he was getting into. The poor guy. He told me that he was going to run away that day, and I frankly, didn't blame him for wanting to do just that. Finally, the day was here, and fortunately, the Dr. offered to provide Alex with a little "mood stabilizer" for the day before we arrived at the office. Alex said that he couldn't tell any effect from the medicine, however, I really could, he was so mellow, still some anxiety coming out, but very mellow. He even told the Dr. that he wanted a tattoo across his chest saying "mother". THAT was funny! Even funnier, at home after the surgery, trying to wake up, he was checking out his face, his nose, and even looked at his chest. I told him that he was ripped off, and should get his money back.

Glen carried him from the office to the car and into the house. Who knew that the old man had those muscles? WOW! Alex did great during the surgery, only some nausea following from the anesthesia, but slept for a good long time and all night without ANY pain meds. This boy has one strong constitution. The next day he woke up feeling a little sore on the bottom jaw where they drilled to put in bone graphing, but ready to move on. It is hard trying to keep a 13+ year old "down and quiet with soft foods only" for at least 72 hours. He is up and around and even so bored that he helped me do some deep cleaning. I wonder what else I can get him doing?

This is Sadie's sweet note to Alex.

He is an amazing kid, I am so proud of him and his courage and strength through this all. He has only taken minimal medication and has not even complained - except that we hope that his bottom lip returns to life soon.

Maybe he will have something else in common with Grandma Susan.

Baptism Day

Sadie had an early morning photo opportunity with our neighbor taking her pre-baptism photos. She got up early to have our other friend braid her hair (cuz I can't, and I didn't want pony tails afloat) and then some photos by our neighborhood professional photographer. You can see more of her photos at http://www.pmphotoart.com/ under "public galleries", then "family portraits" then scrolling down you will find Sadie. She is so beautiful and it was so fun. After the 30 minute photo shoot, she said to Pete the photographer "this is so much better then school pictures", to which Pete responded with a gracious thank you. I couldn't wait to share my favorites. Her baptism day went without any hitches, except that the stake person thought her name was Sarah and presented her as such. The music, the poem, the speakers, and the DVD presentation, were all perfect. Aunt Jana started us off on a spiritual note and we didn't stop crying. It was a very spiritual feeling to see someone you love enter the waters of baptism. She said after "the Holy Ghost is heavy mom". Keaton and Alex read an awesome poem written by Aunt Marti that really brought the feeling into the day. Keaton is so tender and sensitive, he couldn't compose himself much throughout the poem, so our strong, shakey-voiced Alex, had to carry it alone. They are very good to Sadie. We had a nice lunch at home, and then took a little bit of a nap! I was tired! Then we loaded up the left overs and took them to the Proctor reunion. How's that for re-gifting a salad! Congratulations Sadie! We love you very much.

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY SADIE!

Today is Sadie's 8th birthday. Boy did that fly by! So does that mean that I have to start working on getting rid of the baby fat? We started the morning with the traditional breakfast in bed. She is so excited to be baptized tomorrow. I will fill you in on the details later. But here are 8 reasons that I love Sadie.

1. She has always had the most beautiful big eyes.
2. She is strong and determined, and can keep up with the boys.
3. She is sensitive to others feelings - even her brothers'.
4. She is excited about being with me and doing things together even if it is working in the kitchen. She is a master chopper!
5. She makes friends easily and her friends love her.
6. She has great ideas and is very creative.
7. She is girly.
8. She wakes up in the morning and needs a little cuddling before she begins her day.

Today is a big day and I have a lot going on to prepare for tomorrow. Some call it control - freak, anal, or OCD, but I call it "this is my only little girl who is turing 8 once who needs a great day and a wonderful baptism day tomorrow - and I wouldn't have it any other way for her, she deserves it". That's my rationale and I'm sticking to it.

BACK TO SCHOOL!

With the end of summer comes the anticipation for a new year at school. We have waited and worried about our teachers, who is in our classes, what my schedule is, where my locker is, how to get out of French, and making sure I don't have the one algebra teacher this year. Finally, the day has come and the kids did all of the exciting things that mean school is starting. They laid out their clothes for the next day, they went to bed early with smiles, they got up early and without complaint, and with time to spare, counted the minutes until they could walk down the street.

We have typically had a tradition of going out to breakfast - usually at Burger King - on the first day of school. However, since Alex had to be at school at the crack of dawn - okay 7:15 - we decided to forgo breakfast in the morning, and have a celebration breakfast out in the evening. So after the days big events, calling mom and dad after school, and jumping into any possible homework on the first day, we headed off to Villiage Inn, AND to get additional last minute school supplies that were requested by teachers. T

he kids all had great days, Alex had a little problem with his locker, but figured that out. Alex loves his Spanish teacher and dreads his Science. Keaton loves his teacher and they can sit "anywhere" they want "any" day! Sadie loves her teacher, is making new friends, and is eager to do art. I am so glad that our kids like school, are social and friendly, and overall enjoy what they are learning. I think they really enjoy recess and lunch too! I enjoy the routines and structure that comes with school. It seems that while we have a lot to do, we can get it all in. It is getting into the schedule that is a little trying. I have become another drill sargeant at night but I'll settle in. I just want to make a public announcement thought . . . this year I didn't even cry!

P.S. Alex left for school before I got the camera out. This little guy is Joe - our awesome neighborhood friend.