Teenage Driver

It's official - Tyler passed his road test yesterday and got his license. He received a paper copy yesterday and the hard copy should arrive in a couple of weeks. Kirsten and Marshall were kind and let him have their Saturn so now we have to get it registered and insured and he is ready to go. I got out of class early last night and called to see where Tyler was. My father had let him borrow their car and Tyler had driven over to Shayla's house. Her brother took them to the library. He isn't allowed to drive other passengers, other than family, for six months.

Carving Pumpkins

They were some thick pumpkins. Ty had to get a long knife to cut through it but did a good job. They are out on the balcony with candles in them and look great. He had to change designs because some of them had a lot of small cuts and it was too difficult with the thickness of the pumpkins.

Pumpkin Patch

Monday after going to the doctor we stopped at Walmart to do some shopping and looked at pumpkins but didn't see any that we liked. Plus they didn't have any stems. We called my mom to see if she wanted to join us for lunch and then go get some pumpkins at the nursery on Geneva Road. I had wanted to do it on Saturday but there is never enough time. They had a ton of pumpkins to choose from and we of course went for some of the larger ones. I love Halloween!

Band Concert

Don't know why getting a gray bar in my pictures. Ty is in the middle.

Monday night was Tyler's band concert. He plays the clarinet, which he started playing in 7th grade. It was their Halloween concert so all the students were to dress up in costumes. Tyler borrowed his grandfather's military uniform and it fit quite well. I think Tyler was more excited wearing it than playing in the concert.

First Date

Tyler went on his first official double date on Saturday. He has taken girls to school dances but not on a date. He asked a girl named Shayla who goes to Orem High School. Don't ask me how he know all these girls from every high school in Provo/Orem. His cousin Austin Skousen called him and asked if he wanted to double. Austin is Trudy Hansen's son. They went to Panda Express for dinner and then to Thanksgiving Point. They played lazer tag and went through the David Archuletta corn maze and the haunted maze. The girls wanted to have a contest to see who could get through the corn maze faster, the boy or them. Well, the boys won getting through the maze really quickly, in just minutes. They called the girls who immediately thought they had cheated. The girls had cheated and were still inside. They all seemed to have a lot of fun.

Happy Birthday Kate

Saturday was Kate's birthday and we celebrated the day stuffing ourselves with pizza and cake, which unfortunately Kate isn't able to have any of. Kristina's friend Denise came and also Scott's father. Tyler couldn't make it because he was going on his first official double date. Kate got lots of new clothes for her birthday. Noelle Lind gave her a bracelet with the initial "K" on it which fit Kate's arm perfectly.

Happy Birthday Kate!

Tyler Update

Tyler was having chest pains again over the weekend. Monday I took him back to the doctor who wanted to see him while he was having chest pains. The doctor came in and began reading over his notes and deciding what further tests to run. All of the other tests have come back normal. My mom took Tyler to the chiropractor. He thought it was Ty's ribs. Well, I told our family doctor what the chiropractor had said and the end result: He doesn't believe in chiropratic medicine but if we feel it is helping continue with it and then took the chiropractor's diagnosis. I guess it is good we stopped now before the doctor ran $10,000 in tests for nothing. Now just taking Tyler to the chiropractor. The family doctor wanted to recommend physical therapy but I have tried physical therapy before and it didn't help. First, the therapist doesn't even work with you. It is a bunch of students. Second, they don't think you are really in any pain. Third, I told him I was starting to get migraines and he didn't do a thing about it. After my second accident I went to the chiropractor and he was so much better. I could actually feel a difference. Never going back to physical therapy.

Art in the Eye of a Needle

Inspiring Story. I always find it amazing how some individuals can surpass and overcome enormous odds. Amazing how this artist started in grade school and was made to feel worthless but became something. I think that is why I am so amazed at two of my brother's. David suffered from seizures from the time he was a small child and was humiliated by teachers who made him stand in front of the class while he was seizing and students who made fun of him. But I have never known David to complain because of his circumstances. He is really an example of true humility. Michael overcame tremendous challenges in his life and has never let it beat him down. I have never known anyone more giving or who looks out more for the welfare of others. He is really an example of showing true compassion. Kirsten always wonders how I can read things like "A Child Called It," which is a story of a boy who suffered from severe child abuse. One of my other favorite books is "Anastasia: The Riddle of Anne Anderson" by Peter Kurth. I love him as an author. I think he has amazing talent to write about human stories. I think the reason I like these stores is they overcome and beat the odds. They are all amazing individuals.

http://www.maniacworld.com/art-in-the-eye-of-a-needle.html

Choir Concert

Tyler sings with the concert choir at school. Last night was there Autumn concert. After dropping him off I ran to Target to get some cd's for the camcorder, got to the school and realized I hadn't charged it. At least I had a camera with me and was able to record the concert. The image just isn't as good. Luckily Concert Choir performed first on the program so I didn't have to sit through all of it. Ty's group sang three songs and did really well. The Nightmare Before Christmas was really cute but I guess the teacher didn't add the movements until this last week which made it a bit more challenging. Tyler felt at least blessed that he wasn't a member of one of the other choirs. The teacher had the males wear bonnets and sing in high voices like women. I think Tyler was embarrassed for them.

Posting videos is taking too long so we try and post them later.

Habitat for Humanity

Yesterday was our build day at work with Habitat for Humanity. We started at 8:00 a.m. and my fingers felt like they were going to freeze off. I had taken some hand warmers but it took forever to get a little bit of warmth from them. At 3:00 when I pulled it out of my pocket it was really hot. Luckily the weather warmed up after a couple of hours. There wasn't much we could do as we are all inexperienced. We ended up standing around a lot but were able to help make some progress.

Of course, being bankers, after our four hour shift we headed out to lunch at PF Chang's and after ordering everything off the menu and stuffing ourselves we went on with our day. The lettuce wraps and shrimp with melon and walnuts are a couple of our favorites.

New Hair

I finally made it to the salon to get my hair colored. I am liking the blond so have continued with it although this time added more base color. I think I like the blond from last time better. I was just flipping through magazines reading articles when I saw a cute shorter cut I liked so decided to have a few inches cut off. It is not often I do anything spontaneous but I always wait too long to get to the salon and by that time and sick of my hair.

If you live in Utah and are looking for a salon Jean Nicole's Salon in Draper is great. I have been going there for 2-3 years now and love it. Penny and Nicki are both great although I usually schedule with Penny. They do a great job with color and have a new wax that doesn't hurt at all. Fabulous! Phone number is 801-571-3536.

Best Brothers in the World

Michael called last night to let me know some items I had ordered from Disney had arrived. Ty and I had just gotten home from shopping and we invited them to come down for dinner but they were going to Wendy's and David didn't want to change it. So they invited us along and stopped by to pick us up. They brought me a present which was so nice and a card which made me laugh. The gift was a pumpkin with Minnie Mouse on top - so cute. It goes great with my Mickey Mouse lights. We decided that Wendy's would be family home evening so Tyler came up with a quick spiritual thought before we left. We had a great time together. I have the best brothers in the world and they are even better uncles. They do a lot with Tyler and he loves spending time with them. Then there is the ultimate vacation - our annual trips to Disneyland where we have a blast.

No Enlarged Heart

Well Tyler doesn't have a big heart after all. He has been having a lot of chest pains and hasn't been able to exercise for the last week under doctor's orders. The pain has been going on for several months. The first visit to the doctor about it didn't net any results. I don't think the doctor thought it was a big deal. After the second visit the doctor thought his heart might be enlarged and ordered an echocardiogram. I got a call yesterday and test results were normal, thank goodness. The female from the Dr.'s office who called said to have him keep taking Tylenol and if doesn't go away to schedule another appointment. You have to love the medical profession! Wait and see approach to pain and illness. Why would it just go away when they haven't done anything?

Last night Tyler got sick again and claimed it was spreading to his mid back. He was also running a fever which seems to happen when he has an attack. I'm really glad it was not an enlarged heart but now it is a guessing game to figure out what is wrong. I need to call our insurance and see if I need a referral for him to see a cardiologist and try and bypass the family doctor.

Pay Back

I was watching some T.V. last night @ 9:30 p.m. and Tyler walks in and asks for some help with a Health assignment due the next day. The class is working as a group and making a poster. I really wanted to strangle him. Why wait until the last minute and then tell me? So typical. I managed not to yell at him (although really tempted) because I remember doing the same thing to my mom. At least he didn't come with a research paper which is what I did in 7th grade.

His topic was creating a value system and how children learn beliefs and behaviors in the home. It took me an hour to get it done and we still hadn't had scripture study yet or family home evening. Ok, I was late with that anyway. We did manage the scripture study but still have to do FHE this week.

Haunted Forest

Tyler went with some friends to the Haunted Forest in American Fork on Saturday. It was a perfect night to go. Dark, rainy and cold. He was really nervous about going. The last time he went to a haunted house was at Universal Studios when he was 10. Michael and I had to keep him between us because he was so scared. All they did was jump out at you. We made David go first so we could see where they were but sometimes they were too smart for us and waited. I scream when anything jumps out at me. It's like with a movie or book. I like to know what is happening before I see it. Michael of course no longer goes through Haunted Houses after injuring his pinky finger. We always tease him because it cost him $3,000 in physical therapy. It is too bad because he it is a blast to go through with him.

Some of the group of friends were girls and being male I am sure he didn't want to embarass himself. He kept saying he was going to wet his pants so I was a little concerned. When he got home he was so excited and had so much fun. The clown (scariest of all) knew Tyler from school and kept going behind him and calling his name. It took Tyler a while to figure out how the clown knew his name.

Mexico

Tyler had the opportunity this past summer to go to Mexico on a humanitarian service program with Medical Explorers through UVRMC. One of the group leaders sent some pictures out and a video they made. We just got it in the mail today so thought I would share a few. I will have to add all the pictures and open a picture account.

He had a really great time and would have loved to stay longer. The primary focus of the trip was to put in cement floors. I believe they completed @ 20 floors. It was hard work but very rewarding. We also collected @ 10 boxes of school supplies from the bank for Tyler to take down and included some dum dum suckers for the kids. He was able to go to the local school and give them the supplies. I hope he gets to go again next year. We haven't heard anything from Medical Explorers this year so need to follow up on it.

The Bukeresque Family

Kirsten and her family came down for the weekend. We always love to see the kids and it has been a while since they have come down from Idaho. Seriously - MOVE! Michael had purchased Scott a Storm-trooper costume. Scott is obsessd with Star Wars. I went over to my parents to see everyone and they were seated at the table. Scott had his mask on and had to show it to me. He was realy excited. Sunday at church he was drawing a picture and you could immediately recognize Star Wars. It was really cute. He had a big circle with lines all through it for the Death Star and fighters with guns. I wanted to keep it but took my mom home early because she was not well and didn't get it. I will have to have him draw me one.

Michael and I took the girls Halloween shopping for their costumes. Amy was easy. We knew she was going to be Minnie Mouse so headed down to the Disney Store. She is going to look really cute. They have the cutest shoes with the costume but they don't make them big enough. Of course while we were there we had to pick up a few other things for the kids. We both went through the checkout line twice.

Samantha has decided to be Marie Antoinette. She really wanted a "poofy" dress. Saturday we spent @ 5 hours shopping but all the kids were really good, even "So Cute." We couldn't find a dress for Samantha's costume. We finally decided to stop by Target and Shopko. We found something that would work at Target and also found some shoes for Amy's costume and Samantha's that look really nice. They are all going to look cute for Halloween. I wish we could be there.

Amy teases Samantha a lot with her baby nickname 'Bukeresque," which of course Samantha hates. I had to tell her about what a pain younger sisters are and that Kirsten does the same thing to me. She always calls me Farelyn. Samantha was surprised to learn that Kirsten does it to tease me. Samantha thought I liked the name. Of course I could retaliate by calling Kirsten "Kiki" but I am too nice. That is what older sisters are for.