Party favors

Austen Party

Tiffany (left) and Danae (right) both have November birthdays so we celebrated them together. In book club we just read "Pride and Prejudice" so we decided to go with a Jane Austen theme. Everyone dressed up and we had an authentic english dinner- right down to the whole roast chicken. It was divine. Kathy, spoken of earlier on the blog, took a Regency era ballroom class in school so she taught us all a dance. We had classical music playing and everyone had a "ball."
Becky (front, right) brought all of her fine china and silver cutlery. We had pewter candlesticks and crystal goblets. Everyone had to take a quiz prior to the dinner to see which Austen character they were. It was really fun to see who matched up with which character.

Enchanted Enrichment

Last night was a very special evening for me. I was in charge of the Enrichment meeting for our ward. The theme was gratitude for our spouses, so naturally the husbands were invited too. Reagran (the food coordinator) and I worked so hard to make each couple feel like they were at a nice, romantic restaurant. Everything went perfectly and I was bursting with happiness. As we sat at the tables with our dear friends surrounding us, I was so thankful for the blessings I have in my life. It makes me excited to get in "holiday mode."

This is a giant chalkboard we had on the stage. After this picture was taken, someone wrote the menu, of the evening, in beautiful script.
This is my Reagran. She is my dear friend. Without her, this night would never have happened. She is a miracle worker. I love her creativity and selflessness. She is a kindred spirit and I am thankful to have her in my life.

Ella's Hair Woes

Since Ella was tiny, she always had crazy hair.
I have been waiting for it to get long enough to try sponge curlers to make it looks "finished."
And still we wait...
So I finally was able to get her to hold still long enough (thank you to a whole bag of Cheeto's!) to put the rollers in her hair before church. I was so excited to see how darling she was going to look that day. She was doing great to leave them in. When they were about half-way dry, she started ripping them out. Needless to say, there is no "after picture" because it wasn't worth the effort. Crazy girl. Gotta love her!

Natalie's parents in Fiji

Natalie's parents have been serving a full time mission since August of 2006. Kent and I are planning on going to pick them up when they are released in June. Their mission has already given them so many amazing experiences. They are a wonderful example to their children. Here are some neat pictures. Enjoy!



My dad had to take two old trucks and trade them for two new trucks. He had to go to two different islands BY BOAT! The trip took him three days and two nights.

Korovovou Chapel:

The Korovou Chapel dedication was a "choice memory" for my parents. Here is what my mom wrote home in a letter: "We drove with the President and Sister Ardern 2 hours into the high interior of Fiji. The final miles were on a one lane hilly dirt road. We drove past the one-room flat of the Elders; we drove past the village and the tin house where they have held church for 30 years. We came upon the new chapel on a beautiful setting, overlooking the tropical forest and ocean. It was like seeing the San Diego temple for the first time. Magnificent. My words and even the pictures can’t tell how beautiful it was. President Tagadugu was the first member. When a church is built in a village, it has to be accepted by the chiefs of the area. The chiefs were in attendance at the dedication. After the dedication, they put on a Fijian celebration, with food (whole pigs and fish) and dancing. It was a choice experience for us and they treated us like royalty. All the Sr. Missionaries got fresh flower lais."

In October, they were honored to have the apostle, Elder Nelson, attend their stake conference. My mom sent a quote from his talk about not giving up: "You have to want to fly so much that you’re willing to give up being a caterpillar."

Halloween in Sunnyside

Our church had a "trunk-or-treat" night with a carnival and dinner. It was so much fun.
This is what was happening 15 seconds before the picture was taken. Ella was not happy! Love it!
Ethan loves to pose for the camera. He makes me take pictures of him (not that I don't want to).

Ethan's school Halloween Party

Ella and I went to Ethan's Halloween party. I was the only parent that wore a costume, but Ethan was so excited to me, so I was happy I dressed up.

This is Bryer, Ethan's friend from school that I always here about. They were both Power Rangers. Ethan only has the helmet. Long story- Ethan wanted to be a CERTAIN blue power ranger. Unfortunately it was discontinued character (Ethan watches a lot of old re-runs). I found the helmet on ebay. That is the best I could do. I had a Spiderman costume for him to wear but he insisted on the blue power ranger. Sort of ghetto- but who am I to judge?

Time with Papa

Every night, Ella would take Papa a book and climb up on his lap so he could read to her.

Papa's birthday was a few days after we left Florida, so we went out to dinner at O'Charley's to celebrate with him- a little bit early!

This is Ethan's"caboose park" Ethan has been obsessed with trains since he was tiny. This park near Papa and Grandma Copeland's house has an old train station and a red caboose on some tracks. Ethan and Papa like to have races to see who can walk on the tracks fastest to the other end. Ethan always wants to take his bike to the park and ride back and forth over the tracks.

Ella is such a daddy's girl- it was no wonder she would love her Papa so much. They played in the bonus room all day.

Ethan and Kent play football (in the house) every night. When we went to Jacksonville, Ethan wanted to show Papa how much he'd been practicing.

Halloween Party in Gainesville

Ethan was invited to go to a Halloween party with his friend, Jaden, while we were in Gainesville. He borrowed Jaden's spiderman costume and had the time of his life.
I was told Shay wanted to follow Ethan and be touching him the whole time. Shay is so darling. I hope we'll be in touch with them after Ethan's mission (wink.wink).
Here Jaden and Ethan are, the day after the party, in more costumes.
The joy of Florida- playing in the kiddie pool at the end of October. They put mud and mulch in the water. Gross. Poor Ethan got his mama's genes (little white kid)!
After the kiddie pool, they cleaned up in the bubble bath. Ethan would not stop posing!

Erin Martin's Shower

My friend, Erin, is having a baby in January. Joy and I threw her a baby shower. I was so glad that the shower was able to happen while I was visiting. I would have been sad not to be able to celebrate Erin's pregnancy.


This is my sister-in-law, Cassie. She and Craig (Kent's little brother) now live in the house that Kent and I lived in while we were in Gainesville. It was fun to see what they have done to the place. I'll have to admit- it was a little strange sleeping in Ethan's old bedroom. It was a lot of fun to stay with them.