Out With The Hot, In With The Cool~

Happy Fall everyone-- so our leaves don't totally change colors here--- crazy Huh?! They just turn brown and die. We're so excited though for the change in the seasons-- it's been a record hot summer and now that we're in November, we're finally feeling a change in the weather;) Here's the Iverson's first "We heart Autumn in Lubbock" pic.



Notice leaves green-- or brown, no pretty inbetweeners-- I took the autumns in New York and UT for granted. . . they were GORGEOUS!!! Now that we know different we'll never take them for granted again.

Wow it's been another month filled with all kinds of lil adventures;)

So we've been debating for a while about whether we should invest in a lawn mower. . . we knew it would only need a couple more cuts before the it was too cold to grow much more, however, it was getting pretty hairy. Because it's the end of the season, we figured that we could get a sweet deal on one though-- hmmmm. We continued to rationalize our way out of needing one right at the moment. . . but then a stranger showed up at our home one Sunday afternoon. He lived two doors down and noticed our yard could use a lil help. . . so he kindly offered to mow our lawn for us, of course his services wouldn't be for free. . . I asked him if this is just what he does for a living, he said, "Nope, just saw your yard, and thought you might need someone to take care of it for you." This was the day when we knew-- it was time to get a lawn mower. Fuzz found one for like a hundred bucks and went to pay for it and it was actually on sale for much cheaper than that!!-- another sign that we were making the right decision:)

So here's our hairy before and after pics:


So worth it:)

Funny story-- So I was just headed out the door a couple weeks ago and as I opened our front door, there behind the glass storm door were two full grown pit bulls anxiously awaiting in-- literally standing on my front door mat. I didn't know what to do-- LUCKILY I recognized the bigger of the two as my neighbors dog, only because he along with his buddy had gotten out the night before and had stirred up some ruckus in the alley behind our house and we went and told our neighbors that Midnight had gotten loose. Fuzz is Midnights, buddy but only through the little cracks of the fence. Fuzz will stick his hand or fingers through and Midnight gets so excited! He's a lil mischevious dog-- Fuzz is always telling me that he is tied up again, to the tramp on like a 3 foot chain because he is always in trouble. One time it was for tearing up a styrophone box covering their entire backyard with little pieces of it, another time--- was for sneaking over the fence and having a sleepover with Rose, his other nextdoor neighbors pitbull, another time he got in trouble for getting Rose pregnant, but most the time he just gets in trouble for sneaking out and getting loose, going wild in our neighborhood. I seldom see him and with so many pits in our neighborhood I would have never been able to tell him from them had I not just seen him that night before. -----k, back to the story. . .
So what do I do? I'm imagining the phone call to work. . . "Um yea, I can't come to work today because I can't get past the two pit bulls guarding my front door." Yea. . . there was no way I was going to call that in. So I just said I quick prayer that I wouldn't get eaten alive and grabbed my banana, purse and keys and tiptoed in my heels out my front door right through them. They jumped up on me but I think it was just to say, "Hey where's Fuzz? We wanna play!" I still got nervous, I knew Midnight was Fuzz's buddy but I had heard that this other dog was not so friendly and didn't know if he'd peer pressure Midnight into turning into a people eater--- I didn't know--! I tried to talk nice and playful, but that just made them jump up and get that much more excited, so then I talked stern,"Sit down DOWN!!! DOWN!! -- off-- oFF-- OFFFFF!!!!! then I thought that maybe I was sounding more like a "bad guy" and that would make them angry, so I panicked and asked them if they wanted my banana and got ready to throw it---- and then remembered that it was my breakfast, and I was hungry and I'd be starving because my lunch break wasn't for another 4 hours, so instead I just kept my banana, forced my way into my car, pushed their heads out of the doorway, slammed the door shut and hoped that they would get out of my way so that they didn't get runover--
So I'm driving to work and call mom to tell her about how lucky I am to be alive and while I'm in the middle of doing this, while stopped at the front of a line of cars at a red light, I get rear ended. Surprised at the sudden unexpeted jolt,---without thinking, I said, "Mom I just got hit-- gotta go!" Luckily it was nothing really- just scared me for a second. I got back in the car to call and tell her everything was fine-- I think she's been my mom long enough to know when I'm in serious trouble, and that this wasn't one of those times, but regardless-- she answered the phone by saying, "I was just kneeling down to say a lil prayer for you!!"-- another tender mercy on my way to work that morning, just another sweet reminder that I'm the luckiest kid in the world to be blessed with my mother.

Another fun adventure for us this month was going out with the missionaries and meeting this adorable couple that live just down the street from us and being a part of the missionary discussions in their home. The man had been baptized into our church as a child but somewhere along the course of his life had fallen away and become inactive. I don't think he had anything ever against the church, just didn't do anything to stay active. His girlfriend was very interested and had agreed to get baptized, but in our church you have to be married to be living together to be eligible for baptism, so at about 8 months pregnant she decided to put on a wedding dress, and walk down the aisle. The baptism date had been set, but the couple was nervous about asking permission from her parents to be married, let alone baptized. They asked for us all to be prayerful with them that their parents hearts would be softened and allow them to be able to get married, and for her to become a member of our church. We all were so prayerful for them, and then we received word that her family was so excited and more than willing to allow both services to take place, and all said that they would drop everything and come support them at their wedding, which was kinda short notice because the baptism was just over a week away. -- and they were from out of town. They decided to do them on the same day, wedding first, and then the baptism. However, the couple didn't even have enough money to afford their marriage license, because now they were paying tithing, let alone money to pay for a wedding, but they had faith that it would all work out. Some girls in my ward and I got together-- two of which were 9 months pregnant ready to have their baby at any moment-- we went shopping together and split up the costs, and because I work, that was about all the contribution that I could make, the other girls were so awesome, and divied out responsibilities and coordinated everything. I wasn't sure how this wedding would turn out with food and everything with hardly any money, I knew that my friends were putting so much into making this the most beautiful wedding they could for her. Luckily she fit in her prom dress still which was white, and had some blue roses on it, so she used that for her wedding dress and they themed the entire color scheme around it. I was asked late the night before if I could play the piano for the wedding, though I'd never played anything but the harp at weddings before, I figured that I could make it work.
I rushed there early Saturday morning-- I was driving behind some maniac driver that was totally speeding, so I figured it was ok if I spead too as long as he still was driving faster. He pulled up to church-- it was the groom;) he was running late too. The wedding was at 8am-- it was about 10 till, I had a mandatory meeting at work at 8:50 so I was nervous to find out that the bride wasn't even there yet. She got there at about 8, not even dressed yet-- I was starting to panic. I didn't want to leave early --- I knew she had to have music while she walked down the aisle of the Relief Society room, but I was so limited on time. Bishop was sweating bullets with me because he had a flight to catch in an hour so we both were nervous together. I walked into the room where the wedding was to take place, it was beautiful. I went into the kitchen and found it filled with beautiful trays of gourmet food I swear taken right out of Martha Stewart Living Magazine! It was amazing!!!! There was a gorgeous wedding cake that someone in the ward-- who I don't even think had ever even met the couple-- had made for them! The cultural hall was decorated simply but beautifully. So many people in the ward had volunteered to make food and contribute their services into making this such a special wedding for them.
8:25 Everything was ready for a go---- they gave me the green light and I played the infamous Canon in D as the brides maids walked in from the hall, and the best men aka the missionaries;) walked in from the kitchen and then stood behind the bride and groom for the service. It was short and sweet;) they did it! Bishop made his flight, I made it to work on time with time to grab a plate full of their amazing brunch food. It was unbelievable. I couldn't believe that this wedding had been planned in a week. It was just so neat that so many people sacrificed to make it so special for them-- It was a neat experience for all those involved.
The Wednesday of that week we'd had our Housewarming Party with a bunch of our friends. We had set the date a while back in hopes that we'd have all of our lil around the house projects finished by then-- we took care of the bulk of em:) Here's a couple pics of our most recent project, stenciling in our bathroom.




\



I was super intimidated by the video's I watched of stenciling online. . . but it actually turned out! YAY-- I was so sure we'd be needing some more blue paint to cover my stenciling failure.
We thought it would be fun to invite our friends over for a fun house warming dinner party in our backyard. We sent our invites and were so glad that so many could make it! They were all so sweet-- it was so much fun!

We wish we'd been able to take more pics, but once our friends started arriving we were just so busy doing all the last min preparations for the dinner.

Here's some of the prep though:





We got the food ready . . .


and then hurried and got us ready. . .


We were just setting up the last few things-- we filled the mason jars with water topped with floating candles-- and then brought out a few more candles--- We knew that we'd need plenty of candles because by the time our guests arrived it would already be dark.


Our shed was our backdrop;) so we figured it needed some sparkles--



Here is the actual menu:

It was a little chilly, so we brought out some quilts and blankets for everyone to keep warm-- everyone was such good sports-- that made it so much fun!

The clean up was so amazing;) we had to take a pic of it:







For Halloween this year we decided to be Maid Marian and Robin Hood-- yep-- fuzz got to wear tights! Ha no, actually just some of my leggings. We went to the church for their annual Trunk or Treat-- and dressed up our trunk as Sherwood Forest with Robin Hood wanted posters-- kinda fun;) There were a million kids!!! They went from trunk to trunk collecting their candies. I was told to bring about 300 pieces of candy because there would be that many kids, I felt bad only giving them each one piece, but after I started noticing how fast it was going. . . and how full their bags were getting. . . I didn't feel quite so bad anymore. It was fun to see all of their creative costumes, they were darling!

So here is a link to the funniest video ever-- here's what happens when parents tell their kids that they ate all of their Halloween Candy-- hahaha soooo funny~!

http://youtu.be/_YQpbzQ6gzs

(it may need to be copied and pasted into the browser)


We are so excited to announce the arrival of our brand new adorable niece, Whitlee Karma Platt. Fuzz's sister's new lil girl, 4th girl in a row:) we have so many adorable nieces! She was born Friday morning-- isn't she so cute?!



We sent her a few outfits and some cute lil leggings we made her--- new babies are just sooo tiny;) hope they fit!

Can you believe it's already that time of year again?! They're already putting up Christmas decorations and tree's all over at my work-- I love it! Though we're not ready to put up our decor yet. . . we're taking it one holiday at a time;) they'll probably go up the day after Thanksgiving.

Well that's about how far our adventures have brought us up till now, sure there'll be some more blog-worthy ones to come -- until next time!

Baby Time!

Well it's been a while since we posted-- promise we've been busy;) We are finally all moved in to our new home, and feel like we're settling in quite well here in Lubbock. Fuzz has kept busy all summer with a mile long list of "honey to-do's"---- we'll have to post pics. He's just started school at Texas Tech--- and loving it! He started work too about that same week at a transitional learning center, where he works with patients that have had traumatic brain injuries, he helps them with their physical, occupational, and other therapies. They basically are there to relearn how to be as much normal as they possibly can again. It's been a rewarding opportunity for Fuzz to be able to go to work every day and just help people-- it has definitely strengthened his resolve to pursue a career in Physical Therapy. Super neat!
Dillard's has been awesome to let me continue working for them;) I've been transferred to another department and actually been made the new business manager of that department, which was an exciting surprise for Fuzz and I. I don't work any more hours than I did before, and I get to do my own schedule--awesome! Thus far I've just LOVED it! The only thing that I feel I'm struggling with is being so overwhelmed by so many cute clothes. . . and our discount doesn't help me rationalize my way out of buying them. . . especially because it's kind of part of the job to dress to represent our area. . . . . that last part is what normally pushes me over the edge-- ;). It's difficult not to cave when you work all day with such cute clothes and can get them for such a sweet deal. I love the girls that I work with-- they are such great people, and good hard workers that make coming to work each day all the better.
We just got back from UT visiting family for the baby blessings and Shaye's Court of Honor where he received his Eagle. Tiffany and Austin have an adorable new baby boy, baby Kai, cutest lil guy ever! Tara and Trav welcomed their first baby this summer, lil baby Ellsie. They were both blessed last Sunday-- it was so neat for to be there for such a special event in our family.
Lil Shaye-- boy how he's grown! We haven't seen him since January-- I couldn't believe how much he'd grown! He'd grown physically, but I was dumbfounded by his emotional and spiritual growth. He's gone through so much this past year, but with those trials he's gained so much strength -- those trials have built him into the handsome young man he is today! We were so glad that he was able to have his Court of Honor while we were home. There were so many people there to support him, and congratulate him for this great accomplishment-- it was awesome!
Well they say a picture is worth a thousand words. . . and we took tons while we were home-- of everything! Here a sneak peak of our short vacation home last week with our family:


Fuzz holding for the first time our new lil niece Ellsie Rose



Tiffies lil baby Kai Shigaroo


Tara with her Ellsie






Fuzz with his baby Boots;) He always goes crazy and gets so excited when we come home for a visit.



We flew in from Lubbock, to Albuquerque, to Phoenix to Vegas, and then Fuzz's mom was nice enough to pick us up in Las Vegas and drive us back to UT. We went and cleaned up a lil and then drove over to my parents house to meet our new niece and nephew and say hi to our family before we headed up to Pine Valley that night for Fuzz's Iverson reunion on their property up there. We had an amazing dutch oven dinner and then moved everyone into Uncle Don's cabin for a jam session-- they were so much fun! It was so good to be there and see everyone especially Fuzz's dad who had driven up from Colorado to be there.







The next morning we woke up bright and early for church-- here's Mylee and baby Kai all ready to go!



We don't know how long it will be until all of us are in the same place all at once again, since I work retail, we probably won't be going home for the holidays, so we took advantage of this morning while we were already dressed for church anyway to take some family pictures out in the yard. . . it wouldn't be a trip home without family pictures! haha


Here we are!



All of our handsome men. . .



and their princesses;)







They were taking pictures of all the lil families. . . and while it might be small. . . this is ours;)



We'd made Ellsie a cute lil outfit and shoes and a headband to match. . .



but it took us a second to think of what we could make for My and Kai. . . my friend at work suggested sock puppets-- we looked up how to make em on you tube and then put are learning to the test and viola! I was surprised at how easy and inexpensive this craft was for us-- I love cheap and easy crafts! Mylee has already named them. . .Socky, and . . . I blanked the other name, but something just about as original as "Socky":)







Here's Fuzz and baby Kai

Ok time for the baby blessings. . .









Proud aunt and uncle to the new lil cuties.






Here's baby Kai with Ellsie and our neighbor Jamaica's new little Jaida hanging out all together on the floor--




This is the golf course that Fuzz went and golfed with his cousin Todd, his Mom and her friend Charlie-- such a beautiful place!




It was an afternoon of "bonding;)" as later that day Fuzz went golfing with both of my sisters husbands while us girls went shopping--super fun!




Shaye's Court of Honor:











Mom's son-in-laws are all Eagle scouts, so she thought that it would be fun to include all of them in the court of honor, they all did such a great job!










Glen works with my dad and is the chief of the local Paiute tribe in southern Utah. He's the one that came up with the idea for Shaye's Eagle project. He, with the help of his awesome scout leaders, and donations from garage sales etc., put together a monument to recognize all the veteran's from the Indian reservation. It turned out beautiful! It has meant a lot to many of the ancestors of those that sacrificed so much to defend our freedoms. There have been flowers, and vases, candles, and other treasures left there by those that come to pay tribute to those great men.
To show his gratitude for Shaye and his completion of this project, Glen gave him a drum that his older brother had made for him with deer hide and wood, because it is made from the Earth, it is deemed as something sacred to the Native Americans. He actually then played it for us as he sang a couple -- it was really a special treat!



We even got a letter from Brittan from the mission field-- also an Eagle-- that Bishop Fry read for us congratulating and honoring Shaye, expressing his love respect for him and his great accomplishment-- It was a neat addition to the program; the whole night was just awesome.

A BBQ followed. . . and then we spent the rest of the night hanging out with the babies ;)


Here's Ellsie with my mom, and then her mom. . .



she kept making all the silliest faces. . .


Silly lil cutie!



Before we knew it, we were already saying our goodbyes :( Kai made us some good sad faces, he didn't want us to leave. . .





We had to snap one more pic before we got home of someone's "carry-on". . . only in Texas does someone tape a Stetson hat box shut and tape on a rope with a wooden handle to hold onto ;) I love Texans!