RY SEES A GHOST

ELDER THOMPSON SEES A GHOST!

Cody drew a picture for Ryan at Halloween and I finally got it to download. It's Ryan seeing a ghost. When he draws his ADORABLE pictures, I scan them in to be saved in the Dowdle vault for all time. Wouldn't you?

A Thankful Family!

*GRATITUDE LISTS*

Sent from Ryan - Our Super-Star Missionary!

I am thankful for a family on this earth and the knowledge that we can be together for the eternities.

I am thankful for the atonement of Jesus Christ. Without it we are nothing.

I am thankful for the scriptures and the treasure that are hidden within them. When my soul hungers I can always be fed by them.

I am thankful for this church and the guidance it, and the prophet, gives us.

I am thankful for the love my family gives me and the example that they are for me.

Mama-Bear Gratitude List

I am so thankful for all my children.

I'm thankful for my husband ... who I can share my life with, and who keeps life very, very,  (did I say very) interesting.

I'm thankful that I can be home, raising my youngling to giving them a sure footing at life...

and for a man who works so hard to make it so.

I'm thankful for the path that has been laid before me by heavenly hands who care SO much.

I'm thankful for food, and a living Prophet who reminds us to store it for a rainy day.

I'm thankful for the missionary program and the transformation I've seen as my son stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Savior to do His work.

I'm thankful for a refrigerator and organic vegetables, warmth through the night, hot water and a full, deep, clean bathtub with bubbles and soaking time, for indoor lighting and indoor plumbing and soft Charmin, and...

 a baby boy that finds me each morning, and as he hugs me tight, tells me that I'm a ...

"special princess"

Eric's quick list ... over the phone and on the run ... as always

health

my family

the gift of repentance!

my parents and the darndest they did to make me a decent human being

definitely my wife ... whew!!

my talent

people ... I like people ... I like good people ... even criminals

I am thankful for FOOD ... glorious food, in all of it's forms

hard work ... yes!

the plan of salvation

Oh ... the list goes on and on ...

my testimony

which brings me back to, I'm glad I can repent - because I'm such a slob

That's a big chunk of it right there

Now, everyone, go make something of your life.

The Codester 

(as dictated by the boy ... remember, he's only four)

Loving my children

Hugging my Mama and telling Ryan to say bye-bye

Children

Bonkin' on the head because he's not being nice

I'm thankful for the gospel (no prompting on that one ... really!)

Hitting tables

Hugging my Mom (again)

Cheese (was eating it as he spoke)

Thankful for Kaza (cheese in German)

Thankful the movies

Joe-Joe List

a home

food

clothing

being able to go to school and learn

having friends

moving to my Dad's house

a family

church

steak ... the meat kind

Shawn David's thoughts of gratitude

 

Family, and there's shelter to live under. To be able to control the condition of the house so you can feel a good temperature. The resources to help me throughout my life. And to have tons of opportunities to do my dreams and make choices. To do so many great things. To be watched over. To be able to have food or something to entertain me. To keep myself doing something that is good and that I can enjoy. And not have much difficulties to survive ...

I guess.

A Busy Dancer's Quick List ... That's Autumn!

family

food

shelter

gospel

Aunt Terry

Scriptures

Dad & Mom

other Mom

Cody

Ryan's example

Friends ... and DANCE!

That's about it.

Mission Letter to Ry from Cody

Cody, our 4-year-old squishy, dictated a letter for his missionary brother yesterday (he felt left out when he saw me at the keyboard). We e-mailed it to Ryan which made his day. I loved the letter as well as Ryan's typical (and a bit violent) response, so I posted it. What would we do without the smiles our children brings us!!! I love those little monkeys.

I'm also posting a few pictures of Ryan and Cody before Ry left on his mission ... just cuz we gotta have pics!

Pic #1: Picking Ryan up from the airport when he got home from a summer in New Zealand 

Pic #2: Ryan's mission bon-voyage party

Pic #3: Ry and Cody just goofing off

THE LETTER

To Ry From Cody - 11.16.08

Dictated word-for-word by your baby brother ...

Ryan ... Cody and Ryan. I like my mommy. I like my alphabet. Mom speaks on the phone and wants to go to the temple. I like to see turtles. I want to go to the dentist. Shawn loves you. Hug Shawnie. It's like saying prayers. He likes hugging his friends. He likes doing games in the gospel. Calling on the phone. Teach the gospel. Be like a go to school. I miss Ryan. I kiss him and say goodbye. Sing a song in the gospel.

Ryan's response to Cody 11.17.08

Ha ha you have no idea how happy that letter made me! Oh I miss that kid. Give him a big hug from me and then push him over.

Gingerbread House Gala at La Caille

The annual Gingerbread House Festival is about to start again. Eric just happens to be the founder which means this festival has been in our lives our whole marriage!

Gingerbread House Festival

November 13-15, 2008

Thanksgiving Point Show Barn

To kick it off, we attended the Gala in La Caille ... beautiful! We had a lovely time with gobs of friends as Eric and Scott Haas (Channel 5 Morning News) auctioned off donated prizes and amazing gingerbread houses. (The Pouslen Plantation is my favorite ... go see it!) The auction - very untraditional - was hilarious. The two guys play off each other very well. It was more like a comedy routine! The food was amazing ... of course ... but the company was by far the best part of the evening. And of course, it's always fun to dress up.

See ya'll at the festival!

pssst ... doesn't Eric look dashing in a tux? What a stud.

Play Date With Owen

Cody and Owen have a play date twice and week and they're absolutely adorable buddies. The other day I took the boys out the see the peacocks and two of the roosters were out. I told them to be careful because roosters can be kind of mean. Cody said, "you will atect us Mom" .... and I did "atect" (protect) them. I found a branch with twigs on it so they could hold it in front of them to ward off the dangerous fowl. As I lifted the branch, Owen screamed, "A SPOOKY TREE!" and took off. I laughed so hard. He found the tree to be more fearsome than the roosters. Eventually they figured it out and had a great adventure.

So cute!!!

Auntie Es' Baby Shower

Auntie Es is having her last baby, a little boy named Luke, due in January. She never makes it to her due date and we thought we better have her shower right away. This is Es' seventh baby! (Justin's second). We're so excited to welcome this little boy to our family SOON.

Kimberly, Jane's two-week old baby kind of stole the thunder from Luke (unborn and unable to hold any turf yet) because she's so ADORABLE!!!

And if you're wondering about the little pink globs on the coffee table ... they're little babies made out of bubble gum -- a competition that I didn't win. Yes, another ridiculous baby shower game! But it was very funny. 

Thanks Granny for all that you did for Es and her wee-one. You're the best!

LUKE IS COMING! 

GET READY FOR ANOTHER BABY IN THE FAMILY ... 

YAHOO!!! 

This is one family that loves and snuggles its babies

Leaf Madness!

The annual task of raking leaves from our three huge trees turned into a party for our boys ... not surprising, and totally adorable.

Grandpa and Grandma Dowdle

Cody's grandparents surprised us with a quick visit ... just enough time for a quick photo-op. Eric's parents live in St. George and we don't get the chance very often to see them, so we love these unexpected treats.

Barnyard Boo!

Shawn, the best big brother in the whole world, took Cody with me to the BARNYARD BOO ... an amazing Halloween outdoor festival. All the fun activities and the maze were great. It's something they do at Thanksgiving Point every year, but this is our first year to give it a whirl. Very worthwhile. I don't know what I'd do without the help of Cody's big brothers and sister. Cody adores them all and has a blast when they play with him ... any place ... any time.