Blast from Thanksgivings past

I found this Video last night while looking back at our past blog posts. I couldn't belive how little the girls looked and how adorable Anna was singing her "turkey song." They just grow too fast.

Thanks

Tonks Family annual Grateful turkey family night creation

Anna named him Gobble

You can see last years HERE

What you can

I like to think of myself as someone who has a tender heart. I have always been someone who wants to help, always felt so fortunate for what I have been blessed with. Where we live there are many homeless who stand on corners with signs, and look like they need so much help. Each time I drive by I always look for something I can give even if it is small. Sometimes I'll have an extra fruit leather or a sandwich that I'll hand though the window and I drive by. It never seems like enough.

When I was in Jr. high I traveled with family to an orphanage in Mexico for a couple of Christmas' to pass out gifts to the children who lived there. It was such a stark contrast when we would travel over the boarder to their little town. The streets, car, homes, businesses. We were told not to drink the water and had to be careful what we ate. What a profound experience that we had and I am grateful that I was able to experience those grateful children and to realize how much I really had.

We also went on Christmas Eve with some ward family members to a building in downtown LA, that housed the homeless. We packed food, small gifts, and smiles and passed them out door to door. I'll never forget some of their faces. So grateful that someone had remembered them.

The point I am getting at is that I think so many of us want to help and make a difference. I love to see groups that show up after disasters and help people rebuild their home. I love to see doctors and nurses who volunteer their time to help treat those who are so in need, in our country and abroad. I love shows like Extreme home makeover that can make such a difference in people's lives.

I came across two blogs that I love to read that talked about THIS charity. It is called.

Water For Christmas

With thanksgiving approaching my mind as turned to all I have. This charity helps drill for clean water in Africa. I know that there are so so many charities and things that ask for donations this time of year, but they are asking for just $10. Not Toys or clothes or food.

Just $10 will provide 1 person clean water for 10 years.

Also what I love is that they are training and educating the people so that they can be self sustaining but they need help to get started.

Please watch the video on the above link. I made my donation and I hope if you can, you will too.

I am so blessed. I think my kids can do without a stocking stuffer to help bless the lives of our brother and sisters in Africa.

Clover Lane wrote a beautiful post on this subject

What do you think?

Is it a little much?

For kicks

If you need a good laugh... I mean a laugh out loud laugh click

HERE

The festivitites

We had a busy Halloween. It started with Brooklyn's preschool field trip to Krispy Kreme donuts. She was so excited to finally be able to wear her costume (I have been working on them for weeks with a friend and said that the girls couldn't wear them until the big day)

(Watching the donuts be made.... exciting stuff)

Getting ready to catch the bus

Our Cinderella

I was also able to go into Anna's classroom to help with her Halloween party on Friday.

I had to include this picture of Brooklyn. Look at that gorgeous hair color!!! I can't take it.

Next we headed downtown to Aaron's office for the annual KPMG office trick or treating. The girls absolutely love it! Aaron's office building is the tallest downtown and he works on the 37th floor. The girls love to look out the windows so high up! Scares me to death frankly :)

Hanging out in Aaron's second home.... I mean cubicle

On Friday night our friends Ciara and Rachel planned an awesome murder mystery dinner. We all dressed up as a character and throughout the night played that character and tried to find out who the killer was. After some of the antics it is a miracle that we are still friends!

Melanie, Julie, Joy

Adrianna working her stuff

Aaron and I as "the boogy man" and "Frankenstein"

(I had green paint in my pores for days.... yuck)

(Herb, Ciara, Lisa, Ben, Pete, Adrianna, and Michelle)

On Halloween day we went over to the church for our ward's trunk-or-treat. It started out with a costume parade indoors.

Here is Anna with one of her best buddies Sage

Mom with her princesses

hanging out eating some loot with our pal Eli

Last but not least I had to get a picture with my friend Wendy. She is the one who basically made the girls dresses. She was so patient teaching me as we went. I think they turned out great and I have only her to thank! We barley finished them giving her little time to make her amazing costume.

Thanks again my patient, and talented friend.

I hope everyones Halloween was great. I am glad it is over and look forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Family Trip

Last week our family was able to get away to the mountains for a couple of days. My dad got us a condo up on Mt hood (Thanks Dad) and we were able to relax and enjoy the mountains. There wasn't quite snow yet but we were able to drive up to Timberline lodge at the top and enjoy the amazing and beautiful scenery there was to take in.

Aaron's pride and Joy

And no he was not talking about our kids. Aaron went on a hunting trip this last weekend with some friends and had quite the experience. In his own words he said,

"It was the best trip and the worst trip all at the same time."

Worst part: On the first day of the trip Aaron looses his gun along with the brand new scope he just had mounted. Don't ask how. I am still trying to figure out how you loose a gun of that size right off your back. Aaron's not sure either. (PS: We did find out because he is a member of the NRA, he has insurance on his guns, and they will be replacing all that was lost. Phew! )

Best Part: On the last day while still looking for his gun, Aaron see a giant buck makes the kill Apparently it is a black tale buck with a 4 X 5 rack. The biggest he's ever shot.

(For all of my non-hunting gal friends out there the 4 X 5 referees to the number of points a deer has on its antlers. I had to learn all of these things post marriage :)

He is so proud and now is talking about it getting mounted. Oh my!

Let's just say you won't be seeing it over my sofa anytime soon.

Way to go A!

Gardening fun!

From a very early age my mom and I always spent time together in the garden. She taught me to love digging in the dirt, planting flowers, pulling weeds, watering, trimming, pruning, harvesting. I was mowing the lawn from 10 years old and really enjoyed it! There is something so satisfying about seeing the results of your hard work. Picking fruits and vegitables or just enjoying beautiful flowers and plants that you've worked so hard to take care of. I really look forward to the time when our family has our own home and I can have a yard and garden to work in.

I wanted to share these funny pictures that my mom had on her BLOG. My mom and Alain have a great garden in Rexburg and they've been harvesting some of their bounty. Just wanted share some of the funnier ones they found. Enjoy!

Mom wrote, "I pulled a group of carrots out of the ground, turned on the hose to wash them (before tearing the tops off), and what to my surprise... two carrots hugging. It is after all a very dark and dirty world...even for a carrot."

"Tomato Devils"

Mickey Strawberry

I love Fall !

The leaves are starting to change colors, the cooler weather is coming, (Today is 95, yuck) soccer is underway, Aaron is not living at the office, (yeah) and I am feeling crafty!

My friend Ali, (Click on her name to see her blog) who has a hilarious, and inspiring blog, wrote the other day about how she isn't very craft savvy and usually copies other people's great ideas. Um.... that is me! I love to find other peoples wonderful finds or ideas and see if I could pull it off.

(I have no idea why this font is so big...my computer will not let me change it)

Well that is what I did recently. While blog hopping I found THIS blog. I sent a quick email out to a few other crafty friends to see if anyone else wanted to join in. A few of us planned a night and off we went. They turned out great and I just wanted to share. We decided to tackle Halloween but are looking forward to Happy Birthday or Valentine banners.


(It also reverses to "beware" on the back, so it can be hung in a place where it will be seen on both sides)

(FYI: Total cost: $4)

(Oh my, I need to dust, don't blow up that picture and judge me)

I also made this little guy and he turned out so cute I think I'm going to go back and make a little family of glittered skulls. I forgot to take a picture of the before. I used Martha Stewart glitter.

Click HERE for a tutorial

I am also in the process of sewing the girls Halloween costume. My talented (and patient) friend Wendy offered to help me make them. I hope she doesn't regret offering when we're all done! Stay tuned for the most adorable Snow White the Cinderella ever!

Boating

Our good friends bought a boat recently and invited us out for some fun last Friday. It was a beautiful evening and the water was great. We had such a fun time wake-boarding, knee boarding, and tubing. I was worried that the girls were going to fly out of the boat at every bump but they did a great job holding on. They also weren't so sure about getting out of the boat into the water but once they were out on the tube they didn't want to come back in! Thanks so much Williams for a great night!

Anna, Sage, Ciara, and Brook

I love her funny face here

Jamie knee boarding

Aaron wake boarding

preschool time

Brooklyn started preschool last week and couldn't have been more excited. She had been talking about it for weeks. We have a great co-op group with 7 kids total and I think it is going to be a great year for her.

First Day of School

Anna started Kindergarten today! She did awesome and I was proud of myself because I didn't cry. Tomorrow she is going to ride the bus and we'll see how I do then. There is just something about letting go and watching her ride away. We'll see. She was so excited today when I told her that she could go back tomorrow. She also had a soccer game tonight and was so excited because she scored her first goal. I've never seen her so proud. We're so proud of our little girl!

Anna's 5th Birthday!

I know that Anna's birthday was a few weeks back but I am just getting around to posting a few pictures from her party. We had a great time and were so lucky that all her friends were able to make it to help her celebrate. All Anna wanted for the party were "Rainbow cupcakes" that she saw months ago. I think that they turned out great! We had a busy and wonderful day.

Jazlyn, Ansley, anna, Keagan and Brook






Click HERE for the recipe

We love you Anna

Some People

Anna loves to climb trees lately.

There is a tree near our place that she likes to hang from one of its branches. I walked down with the girls so they could take turns hanging from the branch. I noticed a women drive by in her car and slow down as she passed. She rounded the corner and then I saw her stop, put her car into reverse and then the following conversation ensued.

Woman: "You shouldn't let them hang from that branch."

Me: Why not?

Woman: "It might break" (The branch was not going to break)

Me: "They only weight like 30 pounds, I think it is going to be ok."

Woman: "The tree can still feel it though."

Oh my!

There are some people that I just will never understand.

It is people like this who make me not want to recycle just to spite them!

Great Movie

Thanks to my little sister Michelle for sending me this link. There is such a void of inspirational movies and I think this one looks great!

Click HERE to watch the trailer

Skilz

Today I was talking to my mom about skills. I felt a lot like Napoleon

"I don’t even have any good skills. You know, like numchuck skills, bow hunting skills, computer hacking skills."

I was telling her that I wanted to get a sewing machine and teach myself how to sew. I had come across some great blogs of other women who sewed but suddenly I felt discouraged. They were creating the most amazing things. One 30 something mom was actually designing clothes for old navy and the gap. What?!? Again no skills. No musical skills, sewing skills, drawing skills, crazy athletic skills, writing skills. (My sister in law is writing her 2nd book while raising 5 kids and homeschooling and ... ya you get it)

My mom told me today that she was flattered that her and my step dad were asked to speak at their upcoming youth stake conference. She later was talking to a women in charge and my mom asked if there was a theme so they could get a better idea about what to talk about. She said,

"Well a lot of the kids just wanted Brother Budge to tell cop stories." (He's a retired LA County Sheriffs Officer) Madd butt kicking skills there.

She was deflated.

I told her, "You could tell them about that one day when you were so crazy and did like 5 loads of laundry." Don't get me wrong my mom has a multitude of wonderful talents but we just laughed and laughed at the so often mundane tasks of a mother.

It got me thinking. I don't think that our Heavenly Father wants us to be looking at each other down here on our earthy journey and comparing who has better skills. I don't think that any of these other "super-athletes, seamstresses, artists, singers, chefs, mothers" are trying to make me feel less about myself. Its me! I realize that part of being here on earth is to develop those talents. To take the time to learn to sew... even if its not as good as so and so. I don't need to be discouraged. I can be inspired and use those around me as an example of things I can aspire to become or do. I have a friend who is so insanely patient with her kids I feel guilt each time I yell at my kids. Another friend of mine is one of the most thoughtful selfless people, always looking to help other whether it be with a meal, or babysitting, always remembering others birthdays, and looking for those who may be new and inviting them over to her home for a delicious meal. I have another friend that held my hand as I sewed my girls Easter dresses for the first time; sharing her skilz!

Then I realized that I do have some skilz:

I can carry 12 bags of plastic groceries on my arms so I only have to make 1 trip skills

multi taking skills

Story telling voice skills

chocolate chip cookie baking skills

homemade bread making skills

Never forgetting a face skills

singing ok in the ward choir skills

Average basket ball skills

Making conversations with strangers and non-stranger alike skills

Singing the ABC's backwards skills

Here is to all of our Skilz... whatever they may be!!!

Our first born

Dearest Anna,
Today you turn five. I can't believe how fast time as flown by. I remember your birth like it was yesterday. We were so anxious for you to come. I ended up being induced on my due date because your nana and papa needed to get back to California, and they wanted to be there for your birth more than anything. Your Aunt Jenn was my labor and delivery nurse and took such good care of me while I labored all day (12 hours). I pushed for two long hours. You were facing the wrong way and made it harder for mommy to get you out! It was worth it though. We were so realived when you were finally in our arms.

Proud Daddy

Your Blessing Day: Wearing my dress

4 Generations: Mom, Grandma Mae, You, Nana

You were a great baby. You slept through the night from 6 weeks on. You ate like a champ and were a joy. You weren't born with very much hair but it didn't take long for me to realize that you were a red head. Everyone said it would fall out and come in another color. Good thing it didn't. We love your red hair! It has become our family joke to this day that we can't go anywhere without at least one person commenting on your hair. You and unique and special and we hope you always remember that!

Anna and Brooklyn with Papa Christmas 2007

Riding Horses at Aunt Tam's and Uncle Neils

You are going to be starting Kindergarten next month and I am very excited for you and nervous for me! I have been dreading this time of having to let go of you a bit. I want you so badly to stay sweet and innocent. I nervous about the world you have to grow up in. You love to ask questions and discover new things. You have an infectious smile and laugh. Some of your favorite things to do are read books, make crafts, get dirty, play with friends, ride your bike and play at the playground. We can't wait to see your grow this next year. Your daddy and I pray that you will always know how much we love you.

Happy Birthday Anna Banana!