JIM AND KEVIN DO CHURCH PLAY

Back in March, Jim was wrestling with the idea of participating in the church play. I convinced him to go ahead and do it. The title is "Savior of the World". It tells about the events leading up to the Savior's birth. Jim likes to sing and thought about being in the choir part of the play. And sing he did. He ended up playing 4 different people in the play. Several people played in multiple roles.

It was quite a professional play. This is the main stage backdrop. At the end, there is even a live baby Jesus, who was awake and never once cried, all 5 nights.

There was an orchestra that accompanied the choir and singing scenes of the play. There was even a harp, which you can't see here.

One night Kevin had to deliver something to Jim while he was at practice. Kevin came home and said they asked him to be a prop person. That's why he's the "man in black". He moves the scenery and sets up the stage in between acts.

Here's my 2 little thesbians. Jim's angel costume with Kevin.

Jim is the tallest angel on the back row, right side. In all of Jim's parts he sang with the people on stage, yet he never had any lines. I asked, "How did you land playing 4 characters in the play with no speaking lines." His reply, "Just lucky."

Before the show goes on, first comes makeup. Jim was so funny about it, having never wore makeup. He had 5 different stations, first foundation, then eyebrows, "aging wrinkles", eyes and

his favorite, lipstick, just kidding.

I don't think we have to worry about anyone picking him up for a drag queen. Under the lights of the stage, he looks quite normal, but under normal lighting . . . yikes!

He plays the part of a temple priest.

He's in the center of this scene.

He's a townsperson.

He's the rabbi that marries Joseph and Mary.

Here's the end of the marriage scene.

It was a huge commitment of time. Plus Jim was the member of the Stake that oversaw the whole play, called the people to be the director, costume makers, set designers, and all those "behind the scene" folks. After 5 nights of performances, it has come to a close. The curtain is drawn one last time. On Sat. night, with a satisfied sigh of relief, Jim said, "it's over". Good job Jim and Kevin!!!!

THANK YOU FOR THANKSGIVING

We hosted Thanksgiving this year. I don't know why, but I really like to host Thanksgiving.
Smiths

Burks, with Sophie hiding behind Kelly.
Hard to believe these 2 boys are 3 years old now!

Dylan's shirt says "Gobble, Gobble" and that's what we did all day, plus a few days afterwards.

It was too wet to do our annual Turkey Shoot, so we found other things to do, like air hockey.

And a brrrr cold tractor ride.
My two toooo tall granddaughters. Addy 15 and Sophie 11 next month in January.

Ryan's folks.

Alex's grandma Grace.

We all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

The next day we went to this place in Corvallis called Wacky Bounce. Kelly and her kids went with us. It is a big building filled with all kinds of bouncy toys. Here's the biggest kid (and a little wacky). Although, I must admit, the grandkids had twice as much fun with grandpa Jim chasing, bouncing, jumping, rolling, and just being a little crazy with them.

Action shot of Sophia.

A little rest needed from time to time. That night after we went home, Jim kept saying, "That really wore me out!" And seeing him in action would not make you wonder why.
Addy in the tiger's mouth.

This was a fun place, as you can see by the videos.





See the 4 people in this video. Who has the biggest smile and looks like he's having the most fun. Watch the video, and you be the judge.

After bouncing around, we went to Ruby Tuesdays for lunch. They have the best coutons in the world in the salad bar . . . well maybe not the world, but they are yummy!

On Saturday, we had a photographer (Crystal's friend) come out to the house and we took family pictures. We haven't seen the results yet, but I think they will be good. This was the reward for enduring 2 hours of picture taking, plus lots of Smarties candies for adults and kids.

Hope you had a good Thanksgiving and that your holiday season will be merry.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN PETER PAN

Halloween begins with a "thoughtful" selection of just the right pumpkin. Accomplished in this picture by Dylan.
Every Halloween "must have" a trip to Bishop's Pumpkin Patch in Wheatland, CA.

Then the carving begins . . .

trying to think of the "perfect pumpkin face".

Taaaa Daaa

Then the costume must be planned. This year the grandkids said Happy Halloween to Peter Pan. Crystal is trying on Captain Hook's hat --- cute on her, cuter on Dylan.

Owen was supposed to be the crocodile. He wasn't excited about his costume, so Ryan put it on trying to get Owen excited about it. Also was cuter on Owen.

In the end, Owen never wore the crocodile outfit and went as an OSU football player. At the houses he would say, "Trick or treat, GO Beavers!"

Payton and Sophie were Tinkerbell. They were cute as could be from the top of their wings to the tip of their toes.

And Captain Hook kept them all in line. He looks quite "commanding" in this picture.

The hat and hook really made the costume.

Alex and Addy are official "candy hander outers" since they are over 12 years old now. You may ask, "Where was Peter Pan?" He was flying about through the skies and collecting candy of course.

FEATURING, FALL WITH THE COVERSTONES

Fall is Jim's favorite time of the year-Trees turning color, brisk mornings, blue sky (if we're lucky), time to do burn piles and time to settle in for the winter. Jim is doing good after his gall bladder surgery on Sep 6. The first "big" thing he did 5 weeks after his surgery was light up a burn pile and toss in surrounding sticks. I left to make lunch and bring it down to us. When I returned there was a big log on top of the fire. I asked how it got there. Jim's reply, silence, which sometimes speaks louder than words . . . GUILTY!
Also in the Fall, we celebrate 3 birthdays. Dylan turned 3 on Sep. 12. He's bringing cupcakes for the kids at daycare.

Kelly did a "Construction" theme for his birthday, which explains why the presents are in a wheelbarrow.

She had signs at the various activities.

The "demolition zone" had a bulldozer pinata. Be safe, wear your hardhat. And makes a great place to gather candy in after the pinata gets cracked open.

Owen turned 3 on Oct. 1st. His party was at Bishop's Pumpkin Farm. It's a real fun place, has animals to feed, a railroad, pig races, a fort to climb around in, hayrides and a pumpkin patch. Here's cousin Dylan, trying on a pumpkin.

One, two, three, blow that candle out Owen.

Wheeeee down the big ol' slide.

Here's my cute as ever 3 year old pose.

Another Fall birthday, on Oct. 21st, is Kevin. 29 years for him.

Another wonderful Fall activity is football. Jim and I got tickets for the BYU vs OSU football game. Jim wore blue & white, I wore black and orange.

There was a good showing from the BYU cougars.

I had a BYU shirt under my OSU shirt. In the end, wearing blue was a better idea. No comment on the final score.

Jim with Cosmo the Cougar.

Fall is havest time. Onions drying in the garage.

Potatoes drying on the floor.

Watermelons didn't do as good as last year, bummer.

I carved the grandkid's names in the pumpkin when it was small and then it heals over as it grows.

I canned salsa, raspberry jam, blueberry jam and made tomatoe sauce; all from our garden. I haven't canned in many years and it was actually fun.

In late September, I headed for Yuba City, CA. This actually isn't a postcard, I took this picture of the Buttes that surround Yuba City.

I was excited to go, but the reason for my trip was not a happy one. Kelly had to have gall bladder surgery. That right! 6 weeks after her dad had his out! As she talked with her dad after his surgery, many of his symptoms sounded all too familar to some problems she was having. The ultrasound revealed that her gall bladder was completely collapsed and causing her problems. So I headed south to take care of her and her family.

Smiling now, but not later. When Chris and I walked in after the surgery, ohhhh the scoul we got, not pretty! She continued to have a couple of bad side effects of surgery for a few days after surgery, but now she is doing fine, but still taking it easy.

My job, Keep the Troops busy and happy. We went to the Fall Festival at Alex's school.

Ya gotta love the teeth. Ohhh sooo scary!

During the week, soccer practice. Saturday, soccer games. Yes, Sophia is the tallest, but a few other girls are catching up.

Long legs on this girl.

All games are at the same location. So after Sophia's game, I watched a little of Alex's game,

And Payton's game.

We played at the park to pass the time. Dylan's learning to master the log roll.




He could swing for hours!

Later, we went to Ryan's grandma's new house that she is having built out in the country. We are going to seee the. . . .



And here they are!

3 little cuties wait for Ryan to come give them a ride on the quad.

I got to meet Otis, Addy's tortoise. He is small, but has a big appetite for veges and fruits.

So those are some of the things we love about Fall. In a few days, our grandchildren will turn into ghouls, ghost and goblins. Also a fun fall things. We'll send you those pictures later. Hope your Fall is falling into place. jim and kathy