Halloween Party

Ben participates in a preschool co-op we call joy school. We host about every 3 weeks or so and he loves it. There are 2 different joy schools in the ward and today we combined for a little Halloween party. So this is the group. They mostly just wanted the prizes instead of playing the games but it was fun.

Trunk or Treating

Here was our trunk or treating party at the church last Friday. I lucked out this year with costumes. Kierstyn wanted to be a ballerina which is pretty easily since she already has a dance leotard. Bentley on the other hand wanted to be a bear, which stressed me out at first because I'd rather make the costume than go buy one. But we found one he could wear (Thanks Ann your a life saver!). They were pretty funny and had a good time, not to mention they now have alot of candy. Happy Halloween!

Our Disneyland Vacation

Decorating

I finally got around to decorating. I'm not a great decorator but I try. So the first picture is above my cupboards in the kitchen. I had been looking for things to put up there and finally found the red vase at Tai Pan the last time I came through Utah. So anyway this is the finished product. The other picture is my foyer. I finally put up my rod that I bought at Tai Pan and painted it black. It turned out pretty darn good and I finally got pictures up. I still want to paint the foyer but since its a 2 story entry its kind of a big job, needless to say its not done yet and probably won't be for a while.

Sense of Accomplishment

Yesterday I spent the morning canning 38lbs of pears. So when I finished I felt like I accomplished something today, unlike those days where your busy all day but not sure what you accomplished (moms you know what I mean). Last month I canned 50lbs of peaches and made raspberry jam. Looks like I'm done for this fall although the way my kids were eating pears yesterday I don't think it will be enough.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Since Robyn's diagnosis just about a month ago this takes on a new meaning for me. Yesterday, Christina Applegate was on Oprah sharing her story and I learned some important facts. So I'm going to share. 1 out of every 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. 81% of those diagnosed are alive after 10 years. And here's the one that really hit me 70% of those diagnosed did not have a family history of it. That's huge, I have ignorantly believed that without a family history of breast cancer I'm at low risk. Another interesting fact is that there is a gene linked to breast cancer known as the BRCA gene. Up to 87% of those that have the gene will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and up to 40% with the gene will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Insurance usually doesn't cover the cost of testing for the gene either. So guidelines they gave were to have a yearly mammogram after age 35 and earlier if you have a family history of breast cancer. Also, ask your doctor about a possible MRI if you test positive for the BRCA gene, have dense breasts, have implants, or had radiation to your chest as a teenager. Okay, I know those are the guidelines but most stories I have heard it was found through self examination. The best advice I heard for prevention is low fat diet and exercise. These are a few websites that have helpful, reliable information: http://www.breastcancer.org/ ; http://www.komen.org/ ; http://www.cancer.org/ ; http://www.cancer.gov/ . So those are a few facts but there is alot more information out there, so don't take my word for it.