Mikayla and Brianna both had their Drill Team competition on Saturday, November 22nd. Both of their teams took First Place (City Champions) and Best Costume award. They worked so hard all fall season and it paid off for them. Many, many many countless hours were spent practicing their routines and We were so happy for them on Saturday night when they received their trophies. Here is a picture of them befor the competition began. I must admit, it was nice to have this football and drill season over. Until next year!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brianna's Community Project

It is that time of year again for our third community project. The project has to be about something here in Mesquite only. Every 2nd grader in our home has had to do one of these and this year it was Brianna's turn. She decided to do Incredible Pizza, which is just an incredible place. It is a glorified Chuck E Cheese with go-karts, bowling, mini-golfing and a fairgrounds area. The food is pretty good and there is LOTS of it! Our kids love that place and it is a bit pricey but a lot of fun! This project took many hours and I am SO glad it is over! I slept great last night knowing it was over!

Halloween leftovers

We had a great Halloween. Brianna decorated a pumpkin for 2nd grade. Our traditional pumpkin contest we enter at Pirrung Elementary with whoever in our family is in 2nd grade. Mikayla did Mickey Mouse, Andrew did Batman, which I believe is shown in an older post from last Halloween and now Brianna decided this year to create Alvin the chipmunk. It was a very Heavy pumpkin and a lot of work. She won first place, which is also a tradition in our family.

Trunk or Treating was fun this year and we had a family picture taken by a sister in the ward. Wayne had been gone all week to Minnesota and we enjoyed spending Halloween with him. All in all it was a great night. Since then, we have been eating a lot of Halloween leftovers and enjoying the candy!

Football Season is almost over. I look forward to having more free time as a family, but we are a big football familyand enjoy watching our boys play as well as the girls cheering. Wayne and I loved watching the game last night against Texas and Texas Tech. What a game!

The Kids in their Saints Jerseys

Gabby and I took a quick trip last week to American Girl Place. We had reservations for Bitty Fun Day and our little date consisted of playing with Bitty Bear and all her friends, coloring a Bitty Bear Picture, playing a few games, a yummy little luncheon and Gabby Oooohing over everything at American Girl Place. She was in HEAVEN to say the least. It was a great memory that she and I made.

This past week, we had Homecoming for the Saints organization and Brianna was crowned Homecoming Princess. She was so excited and loved getting a bunch of extra "Stuff". I say, Football in Texas is like NFL Football. It can be really fun, but also very extreme. We are going a million miles an hour these days. Both Mikayla and Brianna are practicing for their Drill competition and the boys continue to practice super hard. David's little flag team have only won 1 game, but Andrew's team have only lost 2 the entire season. I think little Dave's team are just too cute and adorable for words. They are so little out there playing. It is so fun to watch. Andrew's team is just all tough and tumble. Andrew sure likes to sack when he plays defense or offense. He is a big guy for his age and loves to use his size to his advantage. His coaches have all told us that they wish every player was like Andrew, willing to work hard, listens and follows through with everything he is told to do. He delivers for sure! He plays Center, Tight End and Running Back positions, depending upon the play.

Wayne is in St. Paul Minnesota this week learning about products for his company. We miss him dreadfully. It will be a long week. We have a sister in the ward living with us right now. She had a stroke about seven weeks ago and is staying with us for a while. That has been pretty crazy, but we're adjusting, I think.

We had our Primary Program today and I am so glad it is over. It went really well. Those Saturday practices sometimes stress us leaders out more because we hope and pray the children act better on Sunday than they did on Saturday. All works out for the best though and the spirit was strongly felt during Sacrament Meeting.

I am Really Not With It!

You Know, I never wanted to be the kind of mom that lets things go, but I find that I am so overwhelmed some days that I let things slide. Writing on my blog would have to be the top of my list of sliding. I feel so guilty when I don't write, but feel that FHE, Church, Scripture study, callings, seminary, primary, high grades for each of the four kids in school, sports, scouts, meals, achievement, well things are getting a little nuts around here.

We are busy, but wanted to post to let you all know what is going on! Both Andrew and David are in Football again and Brianna and Mikayla are trying their hand at Cheerleading this year. It has been A LOT of work, but they are so happy. Mikayla, Andrew and I get up every morning and go running at 5:30 a.m. This is during the time when Wayne teaches Seminary! This has been very good for my old body and sore muscles and great for the kids.

I am tutoring two days a week and keeping busy during the school day with our two littlest ones at home. Gabrielle and Amelia are good friends and play together really well.

Wayne is working hard at his new job with Roma/Vistar and campaigning in the evenings for Mike Anderson, (Running for House of Rep. Republican - side)

Finally Home!

We just returned from a long vacation from the northwest. We, me and the kids, went to Idaho to be with Grandpa and Grandma Hawkes. Wayne stayed in Texas. We missed him, but not the Texas weather! We mostly played around G & G's house and swam in their pool! We did take a few turns around the valley to the Sanddunes, canoeing, and zoo, but mostly just relaxed with nowhere to go. It was a very nice change of pace compared to the busy hectic lifestyle of Dallas!

While we were gone, we had a few major changes to our lives. We sold our pizza store, brought on two business partners with us at The Bow Wow Wash and Wayne got a new job. Needless to say, our family lifestyle changed quite dramatically in the last month! It was an amazing experience. The Lord is always mindful of us. Wayne and I have been patiently learning faith over the past 9 months or so and things happened all at once! We should never doubt that the Lord loves us so much, but teaches us a great many things along the way that stretches us to our full capacity!

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

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