Amy Kelly Welsh's First Quarter Centruy!!!

Wow! News flash: EVERYONE GETS OLD! Even Amy!

Happy Birthday, sweetie! It has been a joy to have you in our family.

Amy has always been a sweetie. One day when she was a preschooler, she came and sat next to her mom and was trying to think of a compliment to give me. She often did that.

She thought for awhile and then said: "Mom, you have such pretty purple designs on your legs!"

We are blessed to have you in our family. For time and for all eternity!

Best Halloween ev-a!

Cap'n Hook & Tink




Apple bobbing


The Funkes


Ninja duo


Dia de los Muertos couple


Halloween fun


Donut on a string game on steroids

NOTE: THE ABOVE PHOTO SELECTION WAS BY KATE. HERE IS DONNA'S COMMENTARY:
Whenever Kate comes to town, we have to brace ourselves for non-stop partying. This was no exception! We had 6 parties in four days. Birthday bash, all-you-can-eat sushi lunch, baby shower, Pumpkin Fest, Halloween party, Cranium Tournament. Seriously, we didn't get to bed until 2 am most nights. Quite a feat for oldsters like us!!!

I LOVE KATE'S BIRTHDAY SEASON! MAY YOU LIVE FOR 100 YEARS!

Good times were had by all!!

Hatty Birthday to KATE!

Mom and Dad dubbed her "Little Miss Binkerton" as a Toddler. Matt just calls her "Big Fat Kate." Whatever you call her, she has always been a delight to have in our family. I mean, seriously, who else would have a hat-themed birthday party?

Fave Kate quotes:

"Mom, I'm not going to eat this even if you spank me."

"We need to have some rules. The first rule is I'm the only one who gets to make the rules."

"It's not very much fun to be naughty!"

Happy Birthday, Kate, and may you live to have 100 more!

What Would Erma Do?

In Honor of Erma - a hero from my youth, and of Race for the Cure (for Breast Cancer) Month. Life wouldn't be bad if all lived life as Erma did. She took what life gave her and she made it enough.

This poem was written by Erma after she found out she was dying of cancer.

Amen, Erma. I look forward to meeting you someday and thanking you in person!


IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck

I would have gone to bed when I was sick
instead of pretending the earth would go
into a holding pattern if I weren't
there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle
sculpted like a rose before it melted in
storage.

I would have talked less and listened
more.

I would have invited friends over to
dinner even if the carpet was stained,
or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the
'good' living room and worried much less
about the dirt when someone wanted to
light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to
my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the
responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car
windows be rolled up on a summer day
because my hair had just been teased and
sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my
grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less
while watching television and more while
watching life.

I would never have bought anything just
because it was practical, wouldn't show
soil, or was guaranteed to last a
lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of
pregnancy, I'd have cherished every
moment and realized that the wonderment
growing inside me was the only chance in
life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I
would never have said, 'Later. Now go
get washed up for dinner.' There would
have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm
sorry's.'

But mostly, given another shot at life,
I would seize every minute -look at it
and really see it - live it and never
give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL
STUFF!!!

Don't worry about who doesn't like you,
who has more, or who's doing what
Instead, let's cherish the relationships
we have with those who do love us.

Farewell Miss Lily - until next time!!!

It has been a fabulous, FABULOUS visit with Anne and Lily here for the last two weeks.

She was a busy little toddler - she went and hung out with Brother Brigham at This Is The Place, she splashed at Orem's water park and did a LOT of cooking!!!

She is such a charmer - loves people, and especially babies and other small kids, whom she practically tackled every time she encountered such a creature.

We will miss her little jigs, her squats and her Hulk face.

What will we do here in Happy Valley without her? I guess just keep breathing until the next visit.

Workin' 9 to 5!

That's right. Last night Jake & I went to 9 to 5 the musical. It was pretty great. The only thing that could have made it more glorious was having the REAL Dolly in the show. Alas, it was not her. But, it was an excellent substitute.

So far today, Jake has already seen two more musicals. He went to Chicago this afternoon and just finished going to Hair tonight.

That kid is in music dance theatre heaven.

Sadie's Awesome Baptism

Jake is overjoyed that Sadie is Baptized!!!



The Whole Fam Damily



Grandma Hicks, Sadie and Carol


Thank you Sadie! --- for being baptized so that we could come and visit!!

We wouldn't have missed it for the world!!!!