Is That Mozart I Hear?

Riley and Kade had their piano recital yesterday in Phoenix. They both played a duet with Sister Dana. Riley's song was, "Popeye the Sailor Man." And Kade's was, "I Just Love Pizazz." Kade really got into it by moving His body with the beat. They were glad when it was over. However, they thought it was cool to play on a $100,000 piano.

Black Friday and the Day of Deals!

The day after Thanksgiving is of course called Black Friday! Cara, Monica and I decided to fight and I mean fight the crowds. We started at 5 A.M. We lined up with hundreds of other target shoppers and waited for 6 A.M. to come. I have to say that winter arrived that morning. We were freezing. But of course, as it always is with us three, we found ways to be entertained. When We were finally let in the doors it was pure pandemonium. Monica said, "Mindy it looks like people are going for the $3 DVDs, go and look." So I squeezed in and came back with armfuls of great movies. We also put things into our carts that we didn't even know what they were. But everyone was grabbing them so they must have been a good deal, right? And Cara was just inching along minding Her own business when a crazy man hit Her in the head with an electronic keyboard. He didn't even say sorry. We risked our lives ya know.

We really didn't need anything but we sure had a lot of fun. We started running out of steam so we stopped for breakfast at Paradise Bakery. We went shopping again but we were glassy eyed and slap happy. The combination of to much turkey and getting up so early.

This is the line we found in front of Costco. We didn't need anything but saw a line and new it was the place for us to be. We got some great deals.

This is us with all our loot! (The lady who took this picture forgot to have Her morning coffee and I'm sure she had never held a camera before. I thought it was going to be a great picture of our feet. But She did pretty good. Don't ya think?)

Thanksgiving Pace Style!

The Paces verses .........the Paces. It wouldn't be Thanksgiving at our house without a few games of football, capture the flag and kick ball. Everyone got into action. With Marty, Iralee and kids down from Utah, the whole family was together. It was a blast.

Even Grandpa got into the action. He loves to play with the grand kids. He is always the monster and He chases them around. Unfortunately the hose got in the way this time and He took a spill. He was a good sport. I asked what He tells people when they see the big gash on His head. He says He tells them, "You should see the other guy!" He has the best sense of humor.
After Dinner and lots of playing around, We went to the movie, "Enchanted". Then back to our house for pie. Isn't Thanksgiving great?

Our Elder!

My brother Ryan is serving in the Quezon Philippines Mission. We have been very worried about Him. He was bitten by a Mosquito and got Dengue Fever. He was in the Hospital for more than a week with severe flu like symptoms. And He said there were Mosquitoes in His hospital room!!!! What's up with that? He had low blood platelets for a long time. We are so happy He is OK now. Boy, does he have stories to tell.

This is an excerpt from one of Ryan's letters. We will really miss His letters when He returns in January. They always lift and inspire us. He is a great example to me and my family.

"Ok, can you name them? The far left is Sister and President HO Ching then ELDER COOK, ELDER OAKS, MY red head Companion, AND I don’t know who that light post looking thing is on the far right. HOW COOL IS THAT?!?! They came to the Philippines to dedicate the new CebuTemple in the south, and while they were here they did a Mission President's fireside. I have come to learn that…. Everywhere President goes his Assistants are right behind him. AND THANK GOODNESS for that Rule!!! They had their training at one of the nicest hotels in the PHILIPPINES. When we went to pick them up, we felt under dressed in our white shirts and ties. IT WAS SO NICE! We got to eat there also! That’s when I realized my mouth hasn’t tasted REAL food for a long time! It was American food! AND OH was it GOOD! They were so excited to talk to us both. They were very personal. Elder Oaks keep grabbing me and telling me jokes and they told me about the times they had been through little old RICHFIELD! It's so amazing to think that they are APOSTLES of the LORD! I wanted to shake all the hotel employees who were serving us food and say DO YOU REALIZE WHO THAT IS! And if they only did know! HE IS AN APOSTLE OF THE LORD JUST LIKE PETER JAMES AND JOHN! I thought I better behave though so I didn’t do any shaking of random people!"

Cheerleader Bree!

Bree had Her Cheer Program tonight. She was nervous but she did great!
Makayla, Bree and Savannah.
Go Black! Go White! Stand up, sit down, fight, fight, fight!

It's Veteran's Day

Today I took my kids to Phoenix to see the Veteran's Day Parade. Jon was working near there so He met us for lunch. It was fun to see the bands, floats and thousands of soldiers in uniform. It made me a bit emotional thinking about all the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country. I always think of my two Grandpa's who served in World War 2. I really miss hearing their stories. I remember asking my Grandpa King why He joined the Navy. He told me He had to because the Japanese had killed four of His best friends in Pearl Harbor. He got so close to the boys he served with. They were on a ship in the Pacific Ocean. He said it was soooo scary knowing that at anytime they could be bombed. Every year until He passed away my Grandma and Grandpa King would fly back to Arkansas for His Navy Reunion. I will always hold His stories close to my heart. My Grandpa Ogden got drafted into the Navy. He was heart broken because He had just fallen in love with my Grandma Anna Mae. Before He had to report for duty they ran away to Las Vegas and got married. When He reported for duty with His new bride the Navy decided to send Him States side to Oklahoma and then to Florida. My Grandma went with Him and said that was the loneliest she has ever been. On Christmas Day she went to a movie by Herself. I know that today families all over the United States make sacrifices for our country like this. My Grandparents example will help me to never forget.

After we went to the parade we went to "The Bee Movie." It was a great day!!

Happy Halloween

Spider (Web) Man!

We had a great Halloween. Partying non-stop for three days. We had the Patton's party on Monday. The ward party on Tuesday and 4 class parties on Wednesday day. On Halloween night we were exhausted we we down our street and half way down the next before coming home and going to bed. We had to miss the Steele's fun party because we were just to worn out. Jon and I represented Asia with the Geisha and Sumo. It was so funny when Jon would sit down. All we could see was the top of His head sticking out. Riley was a spider web. We found this cool hat in Ruidoso. Kade was an Indian. He chose this because Indians don't have to wear shoes. Bree and Cole were pirates. Coles dreadlocks looked more like a Cher wig by the end of all the parties. We all had a great time.

And the Sumo said, "Peek a boo".