Idaho in October

The children had 2 days off of school this week, so we took the chance to have a long-awaited trip to Idaho! We drove up after Brian's court Thursday morning, and got to Dad & Kathy's in time to go "gleaning" for free potatoes!! (after the Ruth and Naomi story, gleaning sounded so romantic!) Todd had been driving spudtrucks, so he clued us in with where to go, and we quickly loaded up 2 big boxes in BEAUTIFUL weather and BREATHTAKING landscape.  Spencer had stayed back playing with Cousins Aiden and Landon, so we took another mini-trip back to the farm later for them to see all the fun.

We (OF COURSE!) played cards after the children fell asleep that night, and Friday morning, I went to the temple before we all dropped into Grandma and Grandpa Stewart's.  Sweet Grandma had been busy recovering from stitches on her head AND stitching (crocheting) Christmas slippers for EVERYone!! They've also kept busy cleaning out every corner of their home.  Grandpa brought out his amazing scout neckerchief collection to give some to the boys--most of them homemade--I only regret not having gotten a picture of the full set! The weather was just right while we were there, so the children had a blast playing in the leaves while Brian and I took Grandma to a quick Dr.'s appt for a cough she'd been having.

We went back that night to enjoy a huge feast with all of the nearby family, and to celebrate my birthday.  I think this was the first time I'd been in Idaho during October, but it was BEAUTIFUL!! Brian had secretly gotten a bunch of candybars with the children to make a big poster card for me as well! A bit more cardplaying that night, and then we left right after breakfast Saturday morning to be back for piano lessons, merit badges, and Stake Conference, where we got to hear--in a rather cozy setting from Elder M. Russell Ballard! He really focused on the need to follow the Spirit, and told story after story of following those promptings (or not!) to help another, and how in his season of life, THOSE are the moments most remembered and most meaningful.  Emily enjoyed her first babysitting job last night (as Maddie got sick and offered to have her help) for another couple going to the adult session!--Brent moved up to 1st Class at a Court of Honor this week (thanks to GREAT scout leaders!!), I made great strides in my closet cleaning efforts (pictures still to come!), spent one morning at the cannery (another version of a temple), and things continue to hum along.  We all enjoyed Elder Ballard again this morning at Conference, though Anne and Lucy kept wondering when we were going to SEE Elder Ballard (they wondered if he couldn't come over for dinner for my birthday!).  As we got up to leave, Anne resolutely walked toward the stage and said, "I want to see Elder Ballard up close," so we did all get a chance to shake his hand as he was leaving :)--though he nearly fell down the stairs as Brian mentioned having met him on his mission (Brian just has the effect on people :) ). 

Fall and Funeral

Dear Family,

Our fall time started out normally enough--with a neighborhood 5K (3 children biked, Maddie manned the water station at our house, Brent was on a campout, Brian walked, and I jogged), piano, violin, school, library, park days and all of the normal things:

modeling Grandma's halloween socks!!

We were excited for a visit from Mom, and enjoyed celebrating Brent's birthday while she was here, including Mom treating us to Red Iguana for a delicious dinner!! Brent was quite thrilled (if not surprised) to finally acquire his own iPod Touch (refurbished, and partly paid for with his lawnmowing).  BIG 13!! HOORAY FOR TEENAGERS!!

you'd be amazed how much Emily can do while reading!

Lunch @ Subway to support Aunt Laurie's awesome graphic art!

What we did not expect was a visit up to Grandma Mildenhall's turning into a goodbye! She became unwell while Mom was here, so the two of us ended up spending one night with her, since no one knew how much longer she had--that was a unique blessing I was glad for! Dad flew in--right from Korea, stopping in Atlanta just long enough to do laundry on Saturday night, so Mom met him at the airport on our way home from Cousin Kristen's wedding to Paul Moss that we enjoyed with Priday's that day:

 

Grandma did pass away Tuesday morning--right before Mom and Dad were scheduled to fly out, so arrangements were made for the funeral to be Friday, and Mom and Dad extended their visit.  They were kind to fit in a family picnic with us between all of the MUCH funeral planning/ arranging.  AND, due to the funeral, Taylor and Kristen's family came to stay with us! We were SO excited to have SO MUCH family!! That was the best part of the funeral--to be able to see so many of us gathered together--and it now seems unreal that NONE of my grandparents are alive anymore!

Grandma always did a great job making us feel so special, and besides summer visits growing up, I loved riding the bus over to their house all through college, for lunch, introducing boyfriends, or watching fireworks.

We enjoyed a little bit of time with visitors overlapping, and then reveled in our time with a COUSIN visiting (Clark had quite an entourage everywhere he went in this house!, and the cutest thing EVER was Lucy and Clark holding hands in the van right after they got here! :)

 We had a marvelous Conference Weekend--it always feels better enjoying it with family!--and saw the TJ Mildenhall's off Tuesday morning. That Clark was one HAPPY BOY!! I came home to a picture card from Briant and Katie that was so beautiful it made me cry my eyes out!!--so grateful to have such great family, and so sad to not have them all closer!! There is SO much to love in life! I've since taken to cleaning out all of the closets that I started before our excitement (just wait for all of those exciting before and after shots)!!, and meanwhile am trying out that daily praying to find some way to serve each day (Elder Ballard), and be like Pres. Monson's example! Much love to you all!-Love, the Duncan's