Primary Program

Today was our ward's primary program. Being a member of the primary presidency it makes for a pretty stressful week, but all that went away today as my boys got up, said their parts and then sang the second verse of Called To Serve - at the pulpit, by themselves. I was so nervous for them, worried if they were nervous about all the people, worried they'd forget the words, but they did so good. A little territorial over the microphone, but they sang loud and clear. In fact, I heard the comment more than once today that you could hear Jacob over all the other kids during the songs (he was practically yelling). Now, I'm not saying they're Pavarotti's by any stretch of the imagination, but that they had the confidence and courage to get up there really impressed me! Since Nana and Pogger couldn't be there, I recorded our rehearsal from Friday. It was pretty much the same except Jake didn't let Jonah have the microphone quite so easily today.

Kids Pics

This post is a LONG time coming. The boys and Elle are always taking pictures with their little v-tech digital camera they got last year for Christmas. It took me months to download some of their pics and now months to put them on the blog, but I do love to see the world through their little eyes!

Veterans Day

I just want to wish all those who are defending and have defended our country a Happy Veterans Day. Growing up with my dad in the Air Force, I had a childhood unlike most - and I loved it! I have a special place in my heart for the military and am so grateful for the spirit of patriotism. I'm especially thankful that my dad remained safe during his 24 years of service, as well as my brother-in-law Mike, who served 10 years.

I found this great picture of my dad (he's on the right) while looking for one of him by his F-4 Phantom that he flew in Vietnam. It was taken in England in 1977. I love his smile and how dapper he looks in his uniform. And a big thanks to my mom who dealt with his many absences while raising three girls. Love you!

Bummer

Well, at least I voted.

Happy Belated Halloween

Little behind the 8 ball on getting these pictures up, but Halloween was a blast and by the actual end of trick or treating, can't say I was sad to see it end. But, between the Pumpkin Festival, school and church parties and the actual day itself, I feel like we got our money's worth out of the costumes along with a great haul of candy, and isn't that what it's really all about? : )

The boys were awesome as Mario and Luigi. It's a great twin costume!


Elle was a beautiful Cinderella down to the black ribbon choker which I loved. And Mae Mae was shoved into a 6-12 month bumblebee costume - she's a small 14 months, ok? Besides it was just too cute to watch her toddle along in the tutu!

Highlight of the holiday? Probably trick or treating into Mayor Oscar Goodman's house who personally passed out pins and pencils in addition to candy. The kids had no idea who he was, but were excited anyway.

New Do's

The Stoddard's and the Hilbus' are known to have some pretty thick hair and a lot of it. Well, our little Elle just doesn't (yet). About 6 months ago, I noticed she was losing a lot of hair. I took her to the doctor and the dermatologist, we had a blood test run (everything was fine), but they concluded that due to a lasting fever she had in the beginning of the year, it may have caused a mild form of alopecia (hair loss). Luckily, it did start growing back in, but she unfortunately looked like she had a mullet, with the spikey regrowth on top and her long thin hair. So we decided to cut it pretty short. It's so cute, but I am glad she's not old enough to realize how much hair we cut. She does like it, but as you can tell from the pictures, she was a little schizo about smiling for the camera that day.

Then, yesterday, we gave Mae her first official cut. She was sporting a little mullet as well, so we trimmed that up. She was not a big fan of the scissors as you can see.

I Heart October!

October is one of my favorite months in Vegas. The weather finally cools (usually). We have perfect temps almost everyday. The kids are outside nonstop, and it's the beginning of the holiday season. We had one of those great October days last Friday with the kids playing outside in the afternoon and then Bud surprising them with a backyard campout that night. The girls and I slept in the house, but the boys were troopers and stayed in the tent all night. Even when Jake got a bloody nose, he wouldn't come in the house (that was fun to clean up the next day). The next morning, all the kids loved playing in the tent, especially Mae. She quickly found the doggie door and would crawl through it over and over.