A sampling of my life the past few weeks!

I have had a very busy few weeks. I had my Grandma Barnes pass away unexpectedly on Oct. 30th. So I took an unplanned trip to WA to have an unplanned but wonderful family reunion with all my cousins and aunts and uncles plus all my Grandma's siblings. I think it was exactly as she would have liked it to be. It was a loving tribute to her.
When I got back from my quick trip to WA we had my sister and her family come to visit. It was so fun! We were so busy and really enjoyed getting to spend some time with them. Amanda and I worked on quite a few adorable hair bows for our girls.
We did a quick day at Disneyland and the kids loved it! Sam was so cool with wanting to go on Space Mountain. She definitely takes after her dad and not her mom in her fearlessness!
I forgot to mention that during this entire time I was busy prepping for my COMPS. It seems like when it rains it pours.
I took my COMPS about a week ago and I feel that they went well. I haven't thought much about them since then so hopefully that is a good sign.
I was called as the primary chorister in the middle of all this. It is going to be good. I really had fun conducting on Sunday. I think it is fun to be able to use my teaching ability on General Ed kids as something different. I also really enjoy coming up with ideas to teach songs. Did I mention I have never known how to lead music. We are very lucky to have a nice pianist who is understanding of this. Thank Goodness! I don't know what I would do otherwise.

COMPS

I take my comps today. Wish me luck! Lindsey

The Incredible Grandma Barnes

My Grandma Barnes was an incredible lady. She lived an incredible life and was an incredible example. I could spend hours going on and on about her wonderful example and what I learned from her but instead I am just going to say a few key things.

Grandma made the best cinnamon rolls one of my favorite memories of her was when they lived in Cheney and we went out to visit. Her cinnamon rolls were not ready yet and it was time to go home. I didn't like this at all. I devised a plan to stay the night at grandma's house just so I could have some! (I didn't admit to my mom till the next day the real reason I wanted to stay was the cinnamon rolls)

Grandma always had candy and olives. I think all the grand kids were shocked when grandma and grandpa admitted that neither of them liked olives but they had cases in their basement just to please the grand kids. Grandma always had smarties and red licorice in a "hiding" place which every grand kid pretended not to know but would go sneak it before dinner.

Grandma was always there to cheer me on. I can't imagine it was fun to sit through my plays in high school or 2 graduations on the same day (My mom and I graduated High School and College the same day) but she was always there with her camera to take pictures of those things. She was at my college graduation and cheered me on so much in getting my Master's Degree. She always told me how proud she was of me for sticking to it and getting my education. I actually would usually send my grandma important papers to look over and comment on. She was a great editor.

Grandma and grandpa were able to come for Kaylie's baby blessing. She loved to see Kaylie so much and loved holding her. It was so neat. The last time we saw her was at the Barnes Family Reunion this past summer. She made sure to cook some of our favorites, her baked beans, cottage cheese with green onions and radishes, and of course her world famous buttermilk dressing. (Mine just isn't as good as her's was)

She was a good woman who loved her family, loved her genalogy and loved serving the Lord. She will be greatly missed and I am a better person because I had her in my life. Thanks Grandma. You will be missed.

Read me

Kaylie pulled the stool over to get the sweet treats. Yep thats my girl!

Kaylie is officially binky free! It wasn't nearly as bad as I had expected. It was about 3 days of crying and throwing fits (add to that learning to climb out of her crib) and then she kinda settled down about it.
I have been studying super hard for my COMPS (Which come on Nov 14th) and feel like I have a good handle on things. I feel that if I study I'll be fine. Its just a matter of making sure I take the time to study.
Erick has been having to work a few nights here and there again but it is nothing like it has been in a while so I don't mind too much.
That's basically all I can think of with our life at the moment. We are just busy busy busy but that seems to be the story of our life.
We have had some fun decorating cupcakes and enjoying Halloween so here are some pictures:

Like Father, Like Daughter

Kaylie is gradually becoming more and more of a Daddy's girl. She likes to climb up on his lap when he plays Rock band and she tries to use the computer just like him. He usually is the one who rocks her to sleep at night. She also likes to sit and "play" the PS3 with him. Here are some pictures of her recent cuteness.

Family Pictures

Erick and I decided that now that Kaylie is 18 mos old it was way past due to get new family pictures. Kaylie was a little doll about gettting her picture taken and I will post some of our cutest. Don't worry I got copyright released pictures so I can legally post these!

Family Night

Monday we had family night. It is one of the funnest ones we have had. Kaylie is getting old enough that it really feels like we can teach her little lessons and do activities with her. She enjoyed the game Kerplunk we "played" with her. (actually we set it up and let her pull the pieces) She was so cute I couldn't resist taking some pictures of her.