I used to do this all the time when I kept a journal. I used to write every day, but then I'd miss a day, and then another, because the more days that piled up, the more I needed to catch up on the more time I needed to write it all, which time I didn't have. Plus, I seem to have just had a generally hard time writing lately--no emails, no comments on blogs. Couldn't really say why, but I'll try to do better.
So what have we been up to? Well, today I missed church unintentionally. Addie really didn't want to take a nap, and we finally got her down about an hour before church started. I didn't want to wake her early, because I knew she would be a monster if I did. I opted to stay home until she woke up, then meet Bracken and Chloe at church. Bracken and I had a discussion about who should take the diaper bag, and decided it should go with him. They left, I finished getting ready and Addie woke up. I got her up, got her fed, put on her clothes, and even got a bow in her hair. I collected the pie pan we needed to return, the notes for the announcements I needed to make to the Young Women, a bottle and my wallet (I forgot that the other day while shopping for fabric for Chloe's Halloween costume and had to make a return trip with a child who was very distressed about her "horse" being left at the store). And then I went to grab my keys. And realized they were in the diaper bag. Which Bracken had. The spare was also in the diaper bag, and Bracken's key was in his pocket. I debated walking it for a few minutes, and gave that idea up pretty quickly. Then I remembered that the cell was in the diaper bag and I could call Bracken and let him know my situation. I waited until the appropriate time after Sacrament meeting would end and before Sunday School started, and called the number. And heard it ringing in the other room. Bracken had pulled it out and plugged it in to charge. So, Addie and I hung out on the couch, fully dressed and cute, and didn't go to church. i'd like to pretend I did something spiritual in my newfound time, but come on. Who do you think I am?
But we have been up to more than that. I might get around to posting all of this in detail later, but the shorter list is:
-We hosted an80th Birthday Party for Bracken's dad, Jack, 2 days after I got home from New York. It went really well, and we had a really nice time.
-Dad and Vicky came to visit and we had so much fun with them. We took our first trip of the year up to Apple Hill. Chloe took a pony ride, and couldn't have been more excited. I think it influenced her choice of Halloween costumes. The list went ghost, pumpkin, cow, banana, and finally, at zero hour in the fabric store, decided to be a horse. But I digress. We had dinner at Womderful Chinese Food, where Chloe astounded everyone with the amount of wonton soup she consumed, and Addie delighted us with the number of noodles she crammed in her mouth. They sure had fun seeing their Nana and Grandpa.
-We celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary with dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and a movie the day before. We spent our actual anniversary on the couch watching General Conference. It's been a fast and crazy 6 years. Sure love you honey.
-Addie took her first steps finally on the 7th. She still much prefers to crawl, but at least we're making headway. I just can't wait until she walks. I feel like I'll have a lot more freedom to work in my yard when she's not on all fours.
-On the 9th I did the bravest thing of my life. I drove, by myself, with both girls I Utah. It went suprisingly well. I sure do love those girls of mine. We had such a fun trip seeing my family and friends. Chloe loved being with all the cousins.
She couldn't wait to wake up every morning and play with the boys (we stayed with my sister Sarah and her family). I loved being with everyone, but also remembered what a wonderful husband I have who helps me out so much. I was a tired (and sick with a cold) mommy by the time we came home, but I'm awfully glad we went.
-The reason we took the trip was so I could attend my Aunt Laura and Uncle Jeff's endowment, and sealing to their children DJ and Makenzie. In the LDS church, we believe that it's possible to be with our family forever, that the love we share in this life doesn't have to end at death. Families who are sealed together in the temple are able to have this blessing. Laura is my mom's youngest sister, and I was a flower girl at Laura and Jeff's wedding 28 years ago (Chloe is wearing my flower girl dress). They, along with their children, are some of the finest people I know. It was a wonderful day, and I'm so glad I could share it with them.
-And we've been getting ready for Halloween. All the Young Women were over Tuesday (I can't attend activities at the church this semester because Bracken has class and Addie is not cooperative with staying up late, so we had YW at my
house) and I taught them some makeup tricks. I got Chloe's costume made. She's a horse this year, and Addie is a doggie. We went to a really fun ward activity last night in Bracken's mom's ward. I even got Bracken to dress up as a farmer, and I was a farm girl. The hairpiece from my wedding, which Bracken wore last year as a pirate, got to ride again. We had a lot of fun, but Chloe seems to be getting wiser to us sneaking her candy this year. Good thing we have Addie's
-And good thing I've been on a diet. I haven't been as stict as I could be, but I've lost 15 pounds! I know I could have lost it faster than the 2+ months it has taken me, but on the other hand, I've been trying to just adjust my eating habits, rather than having an "I'm on a diet" mindset. I've still got a way to go, but I weigh less than I did when I got pregnant with Chloe.
-But that's the only really good news I've got going on physically. I had an EKG and a whole battery of blood tests done, but am still coming up empty. The good news is that all the tests were negative. The bad news is the tests were negative but I've still got itermittent edema and lots of joint pain in my left hand. In the morning, I can't straighten my fingers and I can't take my rings off. I'm taking a vitamin cocktail that seems to be helping, but I still just wish I knew what was causing the problem. And I think the partly inoperable left hand keeps me from blogging as well.
But all in all, we're doing well. I'm going to try to be a better blogger, but I make no guarantees.
E-I-E-I-O
And on his farm he (or his wife) grew some pumpkins. E-I-E-I-O. 
With a cockeyed grin here.
And a pumpkin face (and hair) there.
