Sunday Night, November 18, 2018

November 18, 2018

We had a fun gathering at the Bird's this week.  We have been missing them.  They visit their Bird family every other Sunday night and then it just didn't work out on the "Vore" Sunday night for a couple of weeks.  Adam cooked a delicious brisket and everyone brought sides and desserts.  It wasn't really planned but we ended up having a feast.   It felt like a mini Thanksgiving and it was a really fun way to start our Thanksgiving break.   

Charlotte adores Tanner and we are all a little baffled.  He is not sure
why she does either but he does pretty much play with her anytime she asks.
Maybe that is his secret.  Or maybe it is because he is so photogenic. 

At the Birds we played a fun, interactive game called Psych on our phones.  It was
cute that after we came home the kids just kept on playing.  It is also
weird that we have a house full of big kids...late nights, late mornings, afternoon naps,
and lots of just hanging out together at random times throughout the day. 

Priesthood and Temple Preview

November 11, 2018

The Primary presidency put on a Priesthood and Temple Preview for the children who will be turning twelve in 2019.  Since Aubrey turns twelve on January 9th, they made a special effort to have it at the end of 2018 instead of sometime next year.  They had a nice program during Sunday School and we even had some yummy snacks before heading to Sacrament meeting.

They handed out a really cute invite a few weeks before but
I don't think I saved it.  

The Primary Presidency.  Aunt Aileen Pitt (great aunt to Aubrey), Cathy Bonifay and Sheila Maddox.
We (Odessa 4th ward) have been a ward for a little over a year now.  Sister Varga was a counselor
and moved the week before this program.  

Bishop Matthew Ormsby with his son Tristan.  

Bishop used an object lesson with ties.  He talked about the evolution of ties
and how the different knots for ties have evolved over the years.  He then talked about
Joseph Smith and how sometimes we may think he was perfect because he saw God and
Jesus Christ.  However, just as the ties evolved, Joseph did not know everything and
had to continue to learn and turn to the Lord.  Bishop specifically mentioned how
baptisms for the dead were not always performed in the temple or always recorded well, but how that
changed over time.

We have a small Primary...about 15 kiddos.  I am glad Aubrey
has her good friend Avery M. in our ward.

Sams Club Reunion

November 2018

I was doing some grocery shopping at Walmart one day (STORY OF MY LIFE) and video chatting via Marco Polo with Brit and Becky.  Brit mentioned she and Ella were heading to Sams Club and that was next on my to do list for the morning.  We decided to catch a healthy and nutritious meal in the food court together.  As we were wrapping up we heard Ella exclaim "GRANDPA!!"  We waited for him to order his food and we all enjoyed visiting and eating together before we took care of our shopping at Sams.  Sure love living so close to most of my family!

This video is the bomb!  

Parker's 16th Birthday Celebration

November 17, 2018

Parker turns 16 on the 22nd of November.  His b-day lands on Thanksgiving this year and Brian and I are going out of town for a week a couple of days after Thanksgiving.  Eeeeh.  I realized I needed to step up my game for my boy or his special birthday would be swallowed up amidst other pressing events.  I had no idea what to do.  We threw a surprise party for Brinley's 16th birthday.  I just wasn't sure if Park would like that or what we everyone would do at the party for the evening.  

Luckily Britney thought of Kerry's shop.  And even better, Kerry was so awesome to say "sure, have it here!"  Parker was totally excited to invite his friends and hang out there for the evening.  I planned a nice spread of food (Hawaiian sliders, chips, meatball sandwiches, fruit, cake and ice cream) and the teens did their thing!

Natalia, Aubrey, Austin, Brian and Cole

Shuffle board fun

Lots of pool was played

The view from one of Kerry's security cameras:)

Parker said Harper never left the Fortnite loft!

Much to Parker's dismay I had everyone who was left at the end take a group photo.
Mom's can be so embarrassing but I wanted some photo memories from the night.
He did ask me to send it to him as soon as we were home though.
Parker, Brian B, Pierce G, Gage L, Austin J, Harper T, Cole B, Ethan?, Garrett?

Parker's Football Season

November 2018

Parker had a great football season.  In addition to working his tail off during summer workouts and the football season, he began drinking protein shakes to gain weight.  I think this year in particular he really learned to play aggressively on the field.  He was moved to a new position, outside linebacker.    Here are a few pictures that Grandpa took.

I'm not sure that Parker is in this shot but I wanted to include a picture of his team.  

Park, #20, had several sacks this season.

I personally appreciated that he wore one sleeve on his leg.  They played in
huge stadiums and it helped me spot him when I was having trouble.

I love to see that focus in his eyes!

Grandpa was not happy that he could not get down on the field at Ratliff.
When Parker played in Midland at Grande, Grandpa slipped onto the field and
took pictures before he left for a seminary training meeting.  He's looking good
in his white shirt and tie!

Tanner's last game was on November 6th and it was sunny and 80°.  Parker's
game was two days later  and it was FREEZING.  I think it was 45° with rain, mist, and a windchill factor that brought it down another 10°.  Here is Parker's cheering section minus Grandpa who took the picture.  

Taco Villa Monday: November 5, 2018

November 5, 2018
So Taco Villa Monday happens every Monday at 11:30.  My dad faithfully sends out a text each week.  The group varies depending on work schedules, school schedules, appointments etc... but my dad is a constant.  After eating there so many times I am no longer a Taco Villa fan.  Everything tastes the same.  My head hurts after eating the food.  The other day when Brit told Ella, who is three, it was Taco Villa Monday she began tearing up and cried, "I don't want to eat that gross food."  I hear ya Eleanor.  Britney offered to pack her a pbj and Ella was very thankful.

I know a couple of others who have yet to find a menu item they care for....but Taco Villa rolls on.  The kiddos and Grandpa (apparently) love it.  Grandpa is willing to pay for everyone which is a huge bonus.  This week when we had no school on Monday Taco Villa was THE highlight.  I was busy working around the house and was so thankful Bryn and Park could just drive themselves there! (Aub and Tanner spent the night with Lauron.)

About once a year Taco Villa Monday gets switched up...and let me just say it has NOTHING to do with me asking/begging/suggesting!  Bryn mentioned Dairy Queen to Grandpa and he said that sounded fun.  The group could all head there after Taco Villa Monday.  (It's not just Taco Villa....it's "Taco Villa Monday.")  I strategically and happily joined the group at DQ and ordered a hamburger and a Reeses blizzard.  Delish!

Just a sampling of our Taco Villa Monday invite...

The announcement just gets mixed in to our group text each week.
Here is cute Becky at Disneyland.  Her family doesn't even live in
the Big O but she still gets the weekly invite.

A miracle week!!!!  Texas Burger Monday.  Seriously, this just doesn't happen.
And aren't my parents so cute?

And this week text....yea for DQ!

Here are a few pictures from Taco Villa Monday...at DQ.

This table was the cutest!  Seven kids stuffed in this little booth.
They were joking and laughing and happy the whole time.
Left side: Tanner, Hud, Charlotte and Braddock
Right side: Lauron, Holden and Aubrey

This group was BORING...mostly just on their phones.  They did
say they were making a little birthday video collage for Benja who is at BYU.

The girl table!  Megan, Ang, Lincoln (oops, one boy), Gram, Ella and Brit.

The guy table.  Grandpa and Chris always talk a lot of business.

Sunday Night, November 4, 2108

November 4, 2018

"Sunday night" was out at Kerry's.  Food, fun and family!

Charity and Grandpa played some pool.

Holden and Bryn were continuing their love/hate war.  He blocked her on Instagram
and  they are always teasing each other about the reinstatement.  Also, your phone is
not safe from him.  He was airdropping hundreds of pictures to unsuspecting recipients all night long.

This lovely picture was airdropped to me but didn't get deleted.  Rock the look Tanner.

The teen/preteen group was cute tonight.  They hung out all evening
and then headed to La's for a sleepover because there was no school
on Monday.  Woot woot!

Kerry and Hold

The girls chatting it up. (Ang, Bryn & me)

R E S P E C T

November 2, 2018

Bryn played in her first Black Magic performance Friday at the pep rally.  She had a stressful week getting ready for it.  She was feeling the pressure to play her part well and to not let the band or the vocalists down.  She kept moaning/groaning/whaling  "WHY DID I DECIDE TO DO THIS?  I HATE PIANO.  I HAVEN'T PLAYED IN YEARS.  WHY???"  She loves the social aspect of being part of this group but she is having to practice a ton to learn all of her parts. They all did great and it was so fun looking down and seeing Brinley and Charity side by side at the "keys" and playing in front of the whole school.  

Marshall W, Charity Vore, Devin L, John I., Brinley and Mr. Sieloff

A Scholarship Award

November 1, 2018

Brinley applied for the Women's Energy Network scholarship.  She didn't really know much about it other than her cousin (CJ King) mentioned it to her.  She had to submit a transcript and a 500 word essay and then we attended a three hour banquet.  I was dying a little at the idea of a three hour banquet and instructional evening.  Brian traveled to Lubbock to watch Parker play and I saw Aubrey for about 10 minutes after school before we had to leave to the banquet.  Tanner was at school staying for tutoring and I had to call my dad to give him a ride home.  Every time we had a break I was fielding texts and trying to arrange rides to and from the Middle School playnight and checking in on Parker's game. Aubrey ended up at Avery's for the evening....love those McKowns!  It was a little complicated but things worked out.

Even though it was a long evening it was actually very interesting.  The women who put it on are all in STEM type fields.  Most of the women worked as chemical or mechanical engineers, teaching math or geologists.  They had a panel were they spoke about how they chose their field of study and a little about their careers and then they opened it up to questions from the floor.  They were very open about not knowing for sure what they might want to do and switching career paths.  The panel information alone was very enlightening I think for the high school girls who attended.  Next they had the parents at the back of the room visiting with Midland College and UTPB counselors while the girls rotated tables every 20 minutes for an hour.  Different professional women were sitting at separate tables telling more about their field and the girls could ask more questions.  I think the tables Brinley chose were geology, engineering and accounting.  After a short break it was time to award the scholarships.  They had $24,000 to award and I was so excited when Brinley's name was called for one of the highest scholarships given.  I was so happy for her and proud of her.  She has always worked very hard in school and it was nice to see that kind of recognition for her.  Thank you Women's Energy Network and Pioneer for making this award possible!

Woot woot!  So proud of our girl!

Super proud of these 1st cousins once removed for receiving the top two awards for the evening!  

Halloween Costumes

October 31, 2018

Aubrey had planned to dress up as pieces of fruit with a few of her friends for the Halloween Carnival at church.  When her friends weren't able to come, she decided she still wanted to be a strawberry and made her cute shirt and hat one night when Brian and I were at Tanner's football game.  

Brian kept teasing her about which fruit she wanted him to be.  She would roll her eyes and ignore him but he wouldn't let up.  I mentioned maybe I would be a fruit too and Aubrey was NOT impressed.  After she went to school one morning, Brinley was cracking up and said "y'all should totally do it."  

So....I made this fancy pineapple hat for Brian and we bought shirts at Hobby Lobby.  Later that evening, when Aubrey was nearby, I casually asked Brian if he was ready to work on his Halloween costume because we needed to get our shirts painted.  Aubrey froze.   I could tell she was still not really believing anything was going to happen but wasn't quite sure.  I wish we could have documented her face when Brian put on his pineapple hat and pulled out his yellow shirt.  It was hilarious!  

See Aub in the background eyeing us!

We teased her for awhile and she said "Fine!  I will just be something else for Halloween.  I'll be a M&M."  Brian and I were like "Perfect!  I will be an orange M&M.  I will be a yellow M&M!"  Aubrey was groaning and laughing and rolling her eyes.  She was 97% sure we were joking but that remaining 3% was giving her grief.  We had a fun time teasing her, but in the end we didn't crash her fruit costume party.

We had the Halloween carnival up at the church and Brian and I were both running a booth.  Can I just say it is so much easier to do this now that we have teens?  It's also kind of nice to have a little area amidst the chaos to hang out and enjoy the cute kiddos in their costumes.  Relief Society did the cake walk and we had lots of help from sisters in the ward baking and donating treats.  Brian was running the bean bag toss for the Young Men's booth.  The Elders Quorum (Bro. Atchley and Grandpa Vore) did the photo booth which is always a fan favorite.  Well, parent favorite for sure.  Bryn and Tanner ended up taking pictures there and I am glad to have them.

I love how Brother Atchley dressed up and I also love seeing my
dad in the background visiting and having fun with each family.

Morgan H and Brinley

Tanner, Lauren B, Brody C, Holden Vore and Gavin B (standing)