And we are thankful

Then the children thought they should try to lift Tyler -
But the results weren't always what they were going for!

And lastly they tried for Mike - And you can see for yourselves how well that went.

Giving More Thanks

The kids tried so hard to lift each other up; sometimes they succeeded, but sometimes they didn't.




























Pier chidren showing off their can-can skills!









Building a pyramid of children!



























The Totem pole of grandchildren.

Giving Thanks

We spent Thanksgiving at Bob's house. Virginia, Mike's mom, had flown in Tuesday night and she spent Wednesday hanging out with Mike. We headed over to Bob's just before noons and didn't get home until 9:30. It's great that all of the kids get along so well. Rachel feels a little left out because she is the youngest, but all in all I think everyone had a grand time.

Lisa's family came by just in time for dinner and left before dessert. Except for her sister. Ugh was there with his foster daughter, too.


When it came time to gather the kids together for pictures, they didn't seem too keen, but once they realized I wanted them to have fun, they got into it.














Here is the extended Pier family clowning around and then the one serious photo that Lisa made them stand for.

Pictures, pictures

Nope - no pictures here! I've just been playing with pictures all day. I received pictures from Bob and Betsy for the calendar - sorry mom and dad, I'm not sharing any of them with you yet. I also went to Kristy's blog and pulled out pictures of Olivia mostly and a few of Jim, Kristy and Kristy's sibs. Now if Tom and Carolyn and Laura (Mike's cousin) would respond, I could make everyone happy.

Not just pictures today. Krista and I raked leaves - this is the second year in a row the tree in front is losing its leaves before the first snow - could it be a sign of global warming? We threw the Heks (the new kitty) in a few times, but she refused to pose for us. THere are still plenty of leaves on the tree, so I will entice Tyler outside and get a picture of the kids another day.

We also spent the after noon clothes shopping. Krista and I did a major purge of her closets and drawers. After a huge cleanup fest. She seems to think she owns the entire upstairs. I never say a word about Tyler's room, because at least it isn't spread everywhere. Anyway, both kids got some warmer gear. Both of them have grown taller. A few more pair of socks, some new ski gear and we should be set.

Tonight we watched the CAL game vs USC game. Thank goodness our friend Jeff didn't come over - I think he is louder and more intense about the whole thing than Mike is (imagine that, if you can). And Jeff is an USC grad, so the gloating would have been too much.

At school this week, I taught three days out of four - all day long. I went through an International Cinderella stories lesson with all of the geography classes as an introduction to their world studies. At least a few of them prfessed thanks and enjoyment, so it was tiring, but rewarding. My assistant has finally realized that ALL of our projects in the library are ongoing - so she has lost that feeling like she has to hurry and get something done - we jut keep ding what we have to, because more of the same is right around the corner. Not that we don't get things done, its just that there is always more. Once we have these books repaired, cataloged, checked-in, shelved; there are more books to repair, catalog, checkin, shelve. And after this book fair is over, its time to plan the next one. Never ending! But a lot of fun.

Love!

SPOOKY!

Say hello to my little jester and Krista's newest Dark Fairy outfit. I surprised that T wanted a costume this year - and even more surprised that he chose this. But he was invited to a costume party, told us at the last minute and this is what he got.

Krista didn't want me to make a costume this year, so she recycled parts of various costumes from down the years. She went out with the children that she babysits frequently. I then paid her for her candy and took it to school to use for reading rewards. That way I know she isn't eating it.

A week ago Krista and I gave talks in church. We had to report on Stake Conference, so I actually paid attention for once. I just wrote down everything that inspired me and also the random stram of conscious stuff that came with it. I ended up quoting a commercial about mental illness, a song from "Reel Big Fish" and a bunch of scriptures. And I started off telling them that I wasn't quite sure how the whole thing was going to end, but that by the time I got there I would be inspired on howto tie it all together. And it worked (THANK YOU, HF)! I am trying not to be prideful, but I got lots of compliments and even some this Sunday. I'm glad I don;t have to give talks frequently, however, because I don't think Im that good at receiving inspiration.

This week I started teaching the Pimary the 13th article of faith. I printed up huge copies of the words and we are working on it in 3rds, taking words away as we learn them. So, we have two more weeks of this at least. I love directing the chidren singing. It s achallenge to keep it fresh every week, but they are so much fun. I go into the mursery as often as I can, too, even though it is not required, because they are just fun. And I hope the children aren't so afraid when they start big Primary because they know someone there.

Mike's birthday has come and gone. We bought him a gift certificate to the Larry Miller SPorts Park. He will take a lesson and ten gets to drive around the racetrack ten times. After that he goes for laps with a professional driver. The next session sin't unti March, so I just have to hope he doens't hurt himself again this ski season.

Christmas is Coming!

Hey everybody:

The first person buys for the second person. Where is everyone going to be for Christmas? Mom and Dad - we know where you are going to be!

Baby P. Cindy
Bob Mike
Brian Taylor
Cindy Shauna
Gentry Jim
Jim Krista
Kaden Ryan
Kelly Brian
Krista Bob
Kristy Lisa
Lisa Tyler
McKay Olivia
Mike Rachel
Olivia Shane
Rachel Kristy
Ryan Baby P.
Shane Will
Shawna McKay
Taylor Tom
Tom Gentry
Tyler Kelly
Will Kaden