Festival of Trees

You KNOW the holidays are upon us when the Festival of Trees is here! We enjoyed going down town last night to see all of the beautiful trees and the performances.

Notice Landon....no shoes. The kid absolutely HATES shoes! (Must have some of his Daddy's California blood!)

Here is my favorite tree...the UPSIDE DOWN tree!

The best part were the actors intermixed with the trees. They were pretending to be wind up toys. There was Robin Hood, Snow White, the Wicked Queen, the Wizard of Oz...just to name a few. Fun fun!

Thankful

Last night we made our traditional "thankful turkey." We've been so blessed this year. We each took turns writing down something we were thankful for and then we taped it to our turkey.

Dallin was thankful for: everyone, love, Grandma and Grandpa, and our house.

Parker was thankful for: corn (???-he doesn't even really like corn), our park by our house, and family

I was thankful for: Daddy, the gospel, family, temples, and good friends

Nate was thankful for: Mom, Dal, Parker and Landon, good health, and QUIET.

Landon just ran around screaming a laughing.

Hope everyone has a HAPPY and SAFE Thanksgiving!!!!

Trip to Utah

Even though Celine stood us up...we decided it would still be fun to head on down to UT anyway. The boys and I took off on Wed. and we came home last night. We had a great time! Here are some of the highlights:

1. First off....babies, babies, babies!! My newest nephew Brody was born while I was down there....too cute! Such a sweet little face! Congrats to Clay and Brit! My sister still came down and she brought baby Carter with her. (Parker says he loves baby Carter...but ONLY because he is a boy!) AND I was able to meet my best friend Ashley's sweet little girl, Emmalee. FUN for me!

2. My sister and I were able to go to Body Worlds. It was absolutely INCREDIBLE. It is a traveling exhibit of preserved human bodies and body parts. I know it sounds a little creepy but it was such a neat thing to see in person. Seeing the actual development of the fetus was fascinating. I also liked the differences between a smokers lung vs. and non smoker. If you live in UT...GO SEE IT! Its only around until January! It makes you really want to do a better job of taking care of your body and especially your heart!

3. Going to Leatherby's. Its probably a good thing that I live in Boise, otherwise I would frequent this place WAY too often! The boys love to go there with Grandpa Tom!

4. Spending time with people we love! We love being able to see our friends, cousins, grandmas and grandpas! Its always fun to catch up, stay up late playing games, or watch all the kids put on a "program." So hilarious.

We had a fun time but we MISSED our daddy way too much! We were happy to see him when we got back home! (And I was thrilled to arrive home to a clean house AND some beautiful flowers!) It is nice to know he missed us too!

Spirit of Giving

I've probably said it a thousand times before but I really have the most amazing friends. This year a few of them were talking about how their kids have really started in with the "I want this and I want that" already. They came up with this amazing idea so I just thought I would pass the idea along in case any of you out there were trying to help your kids get into the spirit of giving this Christmas season.

They have reserved the fire station, sponsors have chipped in so the kids can have fun making a craft, there will be a book drive, they get to sit on Santa's knee (for a $5.00 donation to charity) and all we have to do is donate a toy to toys for tots. O yeah...and the children are running the whole program. The kids will take the pictures, teach the craft...etc. Of course, the adults will be watching over their shoulders to make sure they are doing everything right. :)

Here is the blog link: http://www.kidsgivingtokids.blogspot.com/

Great idea! Can't wait to go!

Letter to Celine

Dear Celine,

I understand that you have strained vocal chords and have an infection but I am still VERY irritated with you postponing your show until February.

I've been looking forward to attending your show in Salt Lake for 4 months now.

I have spent many hours packing (for myself and my kids) and getting my car prepared for the drive.

I've had made arrangements for my job, my calling, and childcare while I was going to be at the show.

My sister was planning on flying from Moscow, Idaho to Salt Lake with her brand newborn for the concert.

My Grandma has been looking forward to attending the concert with her granddaughters for over a year now.

AND you have rescheduled your concert to be on a SUNDAY so now we can't even go at all.

You suck.

Sincerely,

Staci

Bunch of nuts!

It's a Saturday afternoon (yesterday). The high temperature for the day is 55 degrees. The water temperature at Lucky Peak is 43 degrees. My crazy husband, brothers and father are out doing this:

And I stayed home and turned my fire on. BRRR!!!

(Although..I will say, I USED to be this crazy! I even went waterskiing on New Years one year....now I have come to my senses and realized that the brain freeze isn't all that worth it!)

I'm so angry....I'm seeing RED.

Sigh. What an afternoon.

Today, while I am busy upstairs doing laundry, cleaning bathrooms, basically trying to keep up with everything, I hear, "Mom....Parker got BLOOD all over the TV."

I don't think I have ever made it down the stairs so fast. I am thinking, "Crap, I am not hearing any crying, what in the world is going on?"

I look over at the TV and see this:

And THIS all over my carpet: Parker decided to THROW a bottle of RED PAINT into the family room today. The bottle broke open and paint splattered ALL over the entire room....walls, speakers, couches, and ESPECIALLY the carpet. I was surprisingly calm when I realized no one was in fact bleeding. Then I started scrubbing......and scrubbing. The carpet is looking worse and worse. The paint wasn't coming out at all. My carpet was just turning a lovely shade of pink.

Then I start getting VERY upset. Even my good old trusted Spot Shot isn't doing a darn thing. (I heard later on...Spot Shot is the WORST thing to use on carpet.....news to me) Then I pull out the Bissell...I'm sure that will do the trick. NOTHING.

I call Nate in tears....he tells me I need to chill out and just call someone. I call a couple carpet cleaners and I hire the one who tells me he can come over RIGHT NOW.

30 minutes later my knight in a shining armor arrives. (Or the scary man in the carpet cleaning truck) 15 minutes and $65 later.......the paint is GONE and my blood pressure returns back to normal.

Luckily the man told Parker that he can't do things like this or Santa won't come. Good thing Santa is so nice....Parker has been on the naughty list for a long time now.

Best Buddies

I wanted to write down my favorite conversation this week between the boys. It was so sweet and I know I won't remember it for very long unless I record it. We were in the car driving home and this is what Nate and I heard:

Dallin: "I love you Parker."

Parker: "Yeah...I know, I love you too."

Dallin: "Ya know, most guys don't say things like that....but I do."

Parker: "Thanks Dallin."

Isn't if amazing that some of lifes greatest truths are voiced by children? I'm hopeful that "most guys" in this house never stop saying they love each other....no matter how big they get.

A NEW day!

I went to bed last night at 8:30. That has to be a record for me (without being sick anyway). I was just so exhausted from hearing about the election ALL DAY LONG. I voted, talked about it with Nate, and watched it on tv for hours on end and then as soon as the boys were all in bed...I decided to join them.

My husband is thrilled with the results...as you can all imagine. I think Mayor Giuliani put it best last night when he said, "Tomorrow morning we can all become AMERICANS again. We all need to stand behind our new President whoever it may be because if HE fails then that means that we ALL fail."

So welcome new day and here's to hoping for the best!

A Sunday Afternoon

Yesterday we decided to take up some of the afternoon driving up to Table Rock. If you have ever lived in Boise or have ever driven through Boise (especially at night) then you right where it is. Nate and his riding buddies rode up there on Saturday and he wanted to take the boys up to see all of the fall colors below.

Table Rock is a flat topped outcropping of sandstone with the white “B”, a large cross that is lit up at night and dozens of communication antennae that overlooks the city and the entire valley. From Table Rock you can easily see in excess of 100 miles into Oregon and Owyhee County.

The sunset was spectacular, the forested mountains at Bogus Basin seem close enough to touch. You can look DOWN on airplanes landing at Gowen Field and it is fun trying to find all of the Boise landmarks from being up so high. I haven't been up there since the night I graduated from high school. It was a fun way to kill a few hours on a Sunday afternoon....especially with everyone trying to adjust to the time change! One funny story: We had to quickly ESCORT Dallin away from the big bench up there because its covered in graffiti and Dallin was reading it out loud to Parker. YIKES!

Happy Halloween!!

I absolutely LOVE Halloween! We had so much fun this year. It has been YEARS since Nathan and I have dressed up. Ever since the law school catastrophe (where we dressed up as white trash and NO ONE else dressed up) we have been hesitant to do it. We started out the night going to Melissa's for a Halloween Party and then headed over to the ward trunk or treat.

Guess who won for funniest costume??? Ahhh yeah....the squished ears and paint were worth it!Thanks for the great idea Janet.

Here are the munchkins! Landon wasn't digging the spider costume this year. He was so tired. He only had nap for an hour so he was pretty much just wanting to go home and go to bed the whole evening. Dallin was a knight. He wanted everyone to know that he was a "nice" knight though. Parker was Iron Man. Of course he was Iron Man....according to him he IS Iron Man all the time! We went to visit Daddy at work during the day and all of the secretaries couldn't get enough of these guys!

It was a fun night! Nothing like candy, family, friends and a good time. O...and the temperature outside was INCREDIBLE this year! We didn't even need a jacket!

YW Halloween Party

I've heard of husbands who "take over" their wives blogs to leave them sweet messages or to wish them a Happy Birthday/Valentines day. Then there is MY husband...who steals my blog to vent about politics!

O well...I love him just the same. He thinks for himself and I admire that quality in him....even if he IS a democrat. (In fact....I might be leaning a little towards Obama myself.) It has actually been a very good thing for me...he has taught be quite a bit about really knowing about what I am voting for and how important it is to do your research before going to the polls.

ANYWAY......last night was tons of fun. For Young Women's we had our Halloween party! We played a "fear factor" type of game that incorporated scriptures. It was a great time! Can you tell what me and Nancy and Cindy were?? 3 blind mice!

The girls had to do all sorts of silly activities like: finding the gummy worms in the flour with their teeth only, bobbing for apples, opening a starburst in their mouths, catching ping pong balls in a cup with the thrower being blindfolded....just to name a few. The girls are so much fun!

My 2 Cents... by Nathan R. Starnes

I know Staci has been forced to pacify concerned friends and family that her husband has lost his mind, and or religion, for supporting Barack Obama for President. Well, I thought I would take the time to tell you why I am voting for Mr. Obama. I believe Obama is what’s best for our nation, which is facing challenging and confusing times that require even-tempered, clear-minded leadership. When the partisanship of this election finally subsidies, I believe Obama is the man who can reach reasoned conclusions, reach across the political divides, and reach out to the common American.

So, please indulge me as I explain:

Intelligence and pragmatism. I have been impressed by the intelligence of Obama’s campaign over the last several months. He continues to make intelligent and measured decisions, a quality I think is important in a confused and conflicted world. Obama carefully and steadily guided his campaign and managed to defeat the “Clinton political juggernaut.” Obama has demonstrated time and time again his ability to identify a weakness in an enemy and attack in measured doses without bravado or stupidity.

I find Obama to be fluent about the problems facing America, and in particular, middle America. The problems we face are enormous and multi-faceted. Obama consistently details workable solutions. Conversely, McCain lays out flat one-liners or purely reactionary responses to Obama’s plans. I have not heard any clear and persuasive solution on his part.

A responsible fiscal policy. I acknowledge that neither candidates’ position is perfect but I have a difficult time ignoring the financial problems in America. The income gap between the haves and have-nots in America is shameful and continues to grow wider and wider. I certainly don’t advocate for a “Robin Hoodesque” rich giving to the poor scheme. Rather, I believe in enriching the poor and the middle classes thereby lifting all. It would be reverse Reganomics . . . “trickle-up” economics if you will. Over the last 50 years the wage gap has increased the most under republican leadership. It causes unrest and hatred in the country. Obama speaks to this and it's important.

Clear and Powerful Leadership. The last month have seen two men fumble and bumble their way to delays in the financial rescue of our country. Mr. Bush gave one heady speech over the radio to the public that was unconvincing and McCain “suspended” his campaign to push himself into the spotlight that ultimately derailed delicate negotiations. We needed a leader to spell out the gravity of the problem before us. We needed someone to convince the American people to act swiftly and courageously in supporting their congressman on passage of a financial rescue that may have been too little too late in stopping a credit freeze that may see us fall into the worst economic times the country has seen since the great depression, it remains to be seen if the bailout will work.

There is something to be said for a Leader who inspires confidence and can communicate effectively with those he or she leads. Obama inspires confidence as was evident when nearly 15,000 people flocked to Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho for a political rally emoting charisma and political rock-star appeal.

Intelligent International Policy. McCain argues that foreign policy is his strong point and that he brings experience to the international arena, unfortunately I don’t believe that he would have any unifying effect in international relations. Obama’s visit to Germany a few months back was inspiring. I believe America holds an important moral ground on the world stage. Bush has tarnished that in large part because he doesn't know how to talk to people coherently. Obama's willingness and ability to inspire through rhetoric and find common ground is what America needs to bolster its tarnished image to the world. I find is scary to think how McCain’s smugness displayed during the debates would resonate during political discussions with the leaders of Iran or North Korea.

American men and women continue to sacrifice their lives abroad and it is maddening. McCain is looking for any excuse possible to stay in Iraq. Any setback and he'll be ramping up our involvement in the name of victory. His rhetoric on this subject frightens me. We need to responsibly hand over control of Iraq to Iraqi's. An intelligent and measured withdrawal is necessary and America must get out as quickly and responsibly as possible.

Yes, I am a practicing, faithful member of the LDS Church and yes, a faithful Mormon can vote Democrat! President Faust, a former apostle of the LDS church, was a democrat. More importantly however, I don’t believe it is productive for a religion to align itself solely with one party. Each fall the standard letter is read from the pulpit stating that the Church does not align itself with any political party.

I recognize that neither candidate is without flaws but I believe a reasoned approach, viewing the totality of the individuals and campaign are required. I certainly disagree with Obama on certain issues, but I find that I agree with his approach and policy and many more. I will not be held hostage by a political party based on discrete issues and abrogate my responsibility to truly judge the candidate by the entirety of their message. Hence, Barack Obama will be receiving my vote on November 4th.

Let’s be honest, I live in Idaho and my vote for Obama counts for little in the big picture. I also realize that many disagree with my position and I wrote this not to convince but to help others understand my position. Please don’t hold my political views against my wife, she had no idea what she was getting into when she married me! J Also, I don’t need you to send me slanted and inaccurate comparisons between the political candidates… I have done me research, hence my writing this piece. Thank you and “good night now!”

Carving Pumpkins

Last night for FHE we carved our pumpkins. "We" being Nathan and myself. The boys just pretty much watched and told us how they wanted their pumpkins to look. Here is Dallin complaining about how the pumpkins smell and how he doesn't want to touch the gross stuff inside. The thought of eating a toasted pumpkin seed made him sick too! Typical Dallin for you!

Is it Halloween already?

Usually kids have tooth issues AFTER Halloween right?? For the past week or so Parker's front tooth has been changing to a dark shade of GRAY! I asked him if he hit it on anything and he has come up with quite a few stories so I'm not sure if I'll ever get to the bottom if it.

Anyway, I took him over to our dentist friend and he said that kids do things like this all the time and not to worry about it. I also read about it online and I saw that in some instances the color will actually come back but it could take months and months to do so. This picture doesn't do it justice...

Oh....Parker! Maybe this happend after he attempted to do a front flip off the toy bin in the family room! He is one CRAZY 3 year old!