Holiday Greetings

Office Max offers some great fun this time of year...

The first clip has Riley Serafine, Riley Wilson, Allison, Katelyn and Annie.

The next clip stars Kelli, Brad, Mandy, Dad and Jane

and the last clip features Graham, Matt, Stacy, Mom and Jake.

I had too much fun...

warm things on cold days

I woke up to the sound of rain outside of my apartment. I couldn't bring myself to look...that means that our week of GORGEOUS weather is over. But, miraculously, I got up and ready for work anyway. I wore slippers to work today because I don't have any closed toed shoes other than boots. This is a serious problem! A problem that I don't have the energy (or resources) to fix. On my way out the door I grabbed leftover's for lunch. I didn't think much about it, but while sitting here I realized that the good potatoes sitting in my fridge will be the perfect thing to warm me up! Nothing fixes dreary weather like hearty, steamy, delicious potatoes.

Speaking of delicious potatoes.. I will tell you of Riley (Wilson) and I's adventures yesterday!

On Saturday, Riley called his Grandpa to see if we could bring Sunday dinner and visit for a while, he happily agreed! We ran to the grocery story that night to get some ingredients! We made marinade for bbq chicken so it would sit over night. On sunday morning, Riley boiled some potatoes before church. I had a meeting in the morning... Then Church, then I went to Riley's church. He was teaching the Preach My Gospel class. I don't mean to brag, but he's so good!! He taught a great lesson, one of those naturally gifted teachers. Which is semi-lame because I'm the one going into teaching. That's beside the point! We went back to his place and continued making dinner (and when I say make dinner, I mean that I talked on the phone with Mom while Riley worked the kitchen).

We made:
bbq chicken

good potatoes

rolls

salad

Chocolate pudding pie!

It was fast sunday so we were both pretty excited to eat. We drove to his Grandpa's (20 minutes) and when we got there he wasn't home. We called and he thought we were coming on Monday night! He was at his son's house (Riley's uncle) and invited us over. On the way Riley was so hungry that he ate one of the uncooked rolls. Which I think is disgusting (later he said his stomach felt like the roll had expanded 3 times it's original size). They had dinner all ready for us so we left all of our food in the car. They were such nice people! Oh they made homemade caramel for caramel apples. Then covered them in white chocolate and cinnamon/sugar. SO GOOD!! When we came out the uncooked rolls looked very wrinkly.

We cooked everything when we got home so it's all ready for tonight! Yay!

Oh and one more exciting thing, Riley and I skyped with a senior couple and a few members from his mission! It was so fun to talk to them. Riley had taught me some Russian phrases that I could say. One of the members was the sweetest Babooshka ever! Now I can say that I have spoken Russian to a real Russian.. So cool.

Dasvidanya! (for those of you who don't speak Russian, that means goodbye!)

HALLOWEEN WEEKEND IN WICHITA!!!

Mandy trying to bite off her donut on a string.

She said it was her very first time. Doesn't help

that Mandy doesn't like donuts to begin with!

I got to go to Kansas last weekend to visit Bradley,

Mandy, Jane, and Annie. What a treat. Many

of our activities had to do with Halloween. Jane

and I planned a little Halloween party for the rest
of the family. Jane did such a good job of keeping

the secret. Jane made a scary desert(above), helped me

set up the games and made some ghost decorations.

Bradley, Jane and Annie playing donut on a string.

The girls stacked Oreo cookies on their parents

foreheads. Jane stacked eight high on Bradley's head.

Annie eating her treat after popping her balloon.

Mandy and Bradley surprised at the Halloween party!

Annie and Jane at the park. I quickly learned

that Annie has no fear. She climbs up everything

in sight. She is a very determined little lady.

The girls look so peaceful playing a memory game,

but you really have to play very fast before

Annie "takes over "!

Dorothy and the Witch before leaving to go to

their ward trunk-or-treat. Adorable.

We ate at one of their favorite Italian places

one night. They give kids who come there a

ball of dough to play with while they wait

for their food. What a great idea.

The weather was so beautiful while I was there.

Perfect Autumn days. We enjoyed a leisurely

picnic lunch in their backyard. While we were

sitting there, Jane said,"I just love a good old

picnic lunch". Well, I just loved visiting good

old Kansas again. Thanks for such a pleasant

weekend! And thanks Gary for encouraging

me to go!