A little bit of fall

Visit from Grandpa

Thanks for the great visit. Definitely a benefit of living in the mid-west.
Hopefully we will get to see him again soon.

cross country? and FOOTBALL!

running?

FOOTBALL!

There is no question which one Sam likes better.

Sam's 12

We had a great day with Sam turning 12. A list to help us remember the day.
1. A party with friends filled with lots of football
2. A large sub sandwich
3. A little basketball
4. A surprise in mom's inbox from the Porter's
5. The football cake tutored by Sister Beatty
6. The long awaited air soft gun
7. Finally graduating from Primary
8. An awesome experience of getting the Priesthood
9. Grandpa Jensen
10. Roast and potatoes for birthday dinner
11. Cards and calls from family far away
12. And, zeppole to top it all off
Happy Birthday, Sam.

P.S. Nothing to do with the birthday, but Sam informed us that he does not want to go to high school here in West Plains. Why? Not because of anything academic, but rather, he thinks it will be harder to be recruited to play football in college. I guess there is nothing wrong with planning for the future.

Conversations with Casey

Casey is really quite a reserved little guy - that is until he deems you one of his faves. Then, he can talk for 30 minutes to Thelissa on the phone about everything, pester his preschool teacher at church, and for me, it means lots and lots of conversations.
Today as we drove home from Sam's cross country meet, Casey asked if he could PLEASE have a birthday party with like, some real people next year. I guess he doesn't think family counts. I told him that next year he does get a birthday party with friends because he will turn an even number. I explained to him that he will get one year on with friends, then one year off from friends for birthday parties. Then he says, "Is that what the Prophet says to do?" Smile, smile, smile. No, Casey, but I sure am lucky to be one of your faves.

Birthdays

Casey turns 5!

Maggie turns 7

Pumpkin patch

McWilliam's Pumpkin Patch 2009

Maggie didn't appreciate the "peanut" covered pumpkins, but Zach loved the walnut launcher.

Jill would not be denied a turn looking through the scarecrow.

Toothless

Last Sunday, a collision occurred. Casey came running around the corner and Maggie's mouth was in the way. The result was two more lost teeth for Maggie. Four across the top makes for a gummy smile.
P.S. After blood, tears, and crying, you can see the smile finally reappeared.

Lexi in Jail

My niece Lexi has come to Missouri to bail Ron out. Because script volume is going up with the increase of winter sicknesses and the update to the 1986 computer is taking time to learn and transfer, Ron was looking for someone to come in and do things in the pharmacy that he doesn't have to. So, Lexi was recruited and we have actually all put her to work. I really have been impressed with how unselfish she has been playing with the kids. She has played Littlest Pet Shop, sardines, Tiddlywinks, kitchen, dress-up, and anything else the kids have dreamed up for her to do.
But, Monday it was time for her to get ready to be a pill counter. So, Lexi, Casey, Jill and I went to the Howell County Jail to get fingerprints done and were blessed to sit on the vinyl sofas to wait and wait. After 45 minutes, I asked the front guard how much longer. He told me that at lunch time it takes time making sure the prisoners are fed and taken care of. OK. About 15 minutes later, a sheriff came to tell me that he cannot do fingerprints anymore, we have to go to Ozark Works and make an appointment. Ugghhhh. Well, it was an experience for all and hopefully after the appointment tomorrow, Lexi will be a full fledged pill counter. I am not sure what will drive her crazy first - the jail experience, or counting endless pills in the pharmacy.

Fun with Photoshop

I love October!
October is serious birthday month at our house and for the Willis household. Nana and Papa have a birthday to celebrate every 3 days and two on the 25th. Good Luck!! I have always loved October because the weather starts cooling off, there are fun things to look at in the stores, and general conference weekend comes. Ron was asking what I needed for my own birthday treat and I longed for Sprinkles. I'll have to make do with homemade strawberry Sprinkles from a recipe off a Martha Stewart episode, or Billy's Bakery vanilla/vanilla cupcakes. Speaking of Billy's, I was promised a trip to NY for my 34th, but it looks like that will have to wait. I'm trying not to make Ron feel too bad since it's not really an option to leave the pharmacy right now. Anyway, as you can see, rambling and whining is going on, so we had a little fun before Conference this morning. After a massive dress-up/trying to figure out Halloween costumes occurred, this is what they came up with. They all made me laugh and we'll see if any of the chosen costumes reappear in a few weeks. I seriously doubt it.


Oh, and Lexi got in on the fun. For some reason, Tinkerbell and the sumo costume didn't tempt her. Luckily, she had brought her own pirate costume for Halloween. I promised I would post the picture for her mom to enjoy.

Missourism #3

I have gotten in the bad habit of leaving my garage door open during the day which surpises me because in AZ I had serious paranoia. I definitely used to make the rounds to ensure that all doors and windows were locked. But, the thought has come to me that it maybe isn't such a good idea here either because I may end up with an unwanted critter in my garage. I really don't want to walk out to an unexpected visitor sniffing the garbage cans. Well, today I was downstairs and heard some noise upstairs. Figuring it was Teddy, I didn't worry about it. But, when I walked out to the garage, there at the door into the house was a package and my mail. Another Missouri surprise. I never even thought to close the garage door to keep the mailman out. It's nice to have mail delivered to the door - I just wish it was the front door.