Here we go!

October came and went so fast...it's a good thing I have pics to remind me of what we did. Here's a few highlights. Soccer finally ended with all the kids' teams doing pretty good. I could have sworn I took pics of Conner playing, but I can't seem to find them, so here is a pic of his team at their after season BBQ. Conner had a blast playing this year mostly because his really good friends were on his team.



This was Brauk's first year playing and if you asked him if he liked soccer he would tell you "no, it is boring!" He did however enjoy the treat, except when we brought it because we always bring "boring browines." Apparently BORING is the word of the month.

Even though he says he didn't like it much, he sure got into and even scored a few goals. He was so fun to watch. His uniform is a little big or Brauk is a little small, there is no skin between his shorts and socks.

Kaitlyn did awesome this year, she scored a couple of goals almost every game. She loves soccer and had a fun season.


Jacob did a great job this year. He was able to score many goals and he is also a great defender. We enjoyed so much watching him play.

I had the chance to spend a couple of days with my sisters, sister in-law, and my mom in Las Vegas. We had a great time and it was so fun to spend time with them! I love you all!

Getting ready to spend the night on the town.

We got tickets to see Terry Fator the ventriliquist. It was such a good show! I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.

Terry Fator is the guy who won America's Got Talent a couple of years ago. He put on such a great show. Well worth your time!

The Belogio Hotel always decorates this area(can't think of the word its called) with flowers to showcase the season or holiday. They had it decorated for fall with pumpkins, falling leaves, scarecrows, etc. It was so pretty. Here are a couple of pics in the daylight and at night.

Jamie and Shelley infront of a troll looking thing made out of a tree looking thing. I know, I know, I use very descriptive words.

Some of these pumpkins were 800 pounds they were massive.

This Statue of Liberty is made out of jelly beans. It was amazing!

Halloween....Hailey is a fairy.

Brauk is a jedi that the neighbor so thoughtfully let us borrow. I love when that happens.

Kaitlyn is a baby. I kept trying to get her to sit on my lap and snuggle with me.....she was adorable!

Josh didn't go trick or treating but, wanted to dress up for the ward party, so he is a BYU fan!

Jacob is also a Jedi courtesy of the neighbor. Now you see why I love my neighbor. Two costumes that the boys both loved and it didn't cost a thing. Yeah!

Conner is a missionary, however for part of the night he was companionless until he hooked up with his friend Mckay who was his other half.

Gotta love these kids!

The institute had a service progject for the YSA to pick chili's on a chili farm. After the farmers got their harvest they allowed the YSA to pick the leftovers. They then sell the leftovers to a company in New Mexico that makes chili powder out of it. The money is then donated to the perpetual education fund. We took the whole family to help. It was a lot of work, but very fun.

Josh, Conner, Kaitlyn and Jacob hard at work.

We loaded the chili's on this trailer. The kids traded off picking for dumping.

Brauky having a private moment between the tractor tires.

Hailey and Mike chili pickin'.

One of the students, Cade was incharge of the tractor. He let the kids drive it and go for a ride. Brauk was in heaven and Cade had a new best friend.

For the month of October, Brauk was chosen student of the month out of all the kindergarteners. For his prize he got a new orange backpack. Way to go Brauk!

This was the bath water after 3 very dirty chili pickers were done.

During $1.00 lunch on Friday at the Institute we had the opportunity to have the Nashville Tribute band and Due West come put on a little show for the kids. They were in town for a couple of nights doing their show. It was so fun to listen and visit with them. The lead singer of Due West, Tim Gates loved Hailey. He kept trying to get her to come up and sing and dance with him. He was very kind to her. If you have never heard of either of these bands I suggest you look them up. They are so awesome!

Due West

The Nashville Tribute Band. The lady with the dark hair in the back sings with them and she played Emma in the movie Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration that plays at the Joseph Smith Memorial building and other visitor centers.

Hailey is in love with Missionaries, especially these two. Elder Bear, the one on the right, just went home to Idaho last week. We enjoyed getting to know him. He is on his way to play football at Oregon, so we wish him the best and we'll be watching for him.

Fighting for Yards

I went through my pictures from the last 2 months and came up with a few to share. They are a little random and not so much in any order, but it will let you see what we have been up to. This is what it looks like in the Gila Valley during July, Aug, and some of Sept. These are the cotton fields that are all over the place. During these months it is very green, then it turns white, and then back to dirt. This one is across the street from my neighborhood.



It is so beautiful and green during the summer months.

The first day of school. Josh 7th, Conner 6th, Kaitlyn 4th, Jacob 2nd, and Brauk kindergarten. The kids love school and are having a great year so far.

Like father, like son.

About 3 weeks after our vacation to Utah, my Grandpa Champneys passed away. I was so grateful that we had visited him while we were there. He is an awesome man and I love him dearly. We made the trip back and home as well as my brothers and sisters. It was so fun to spend time together, especially with the out of staters who I hadn't seen in a very long time. I love you all.


Kaitlyn with her cousins Brinly and Kenadee

My Grandpa was a World War II veteran, so they did a neat ceremony to honor him. My brother Jared is currently serving in the army so it was neat to see him all dressed up and representing our country as well as my Grandpa.

Me and the kids saying good bye.

Me and my mom.

My mom and her sisters.

This is my brother Eric, Tate, and me. I'm holding my grandpa's tin that he would bring to every family function filled with peanut brittle. This tin is so my grandpa!

The sisters, minus Mandy who hadn't arrived yet. Me, Rhiannon, Lucretia, & Shelley

Lucretia and her daughter Brinley

Rhiannon, Nate, Taya, and CJ.

Jared, Karen, Preston, Derik, and baby Abby(in the belly)

Josh had a football game in New Mexico and his Grandma and Grandpa Palmer, who are serving in the New Mexico mission came down to see him play. It was so great to see them even if it was only for the afternoon. We love you Elder and Sister Palmer!

Our Texas family Eric, Greta , Tanner, Ali, and Tate.

Byron, Jamie, Hayden, Kenadee, & Evan.

Shelley, Jackson, Hunter, & Bridger

Watching Josh's football game with Sister Palmer.

Thatcher Eagles #44 Joshua Palmer yeah, Yeah!

The community had a poetry contest for The Gila Valley Cowboy Poets. Conner was one of the winners and he had the opportunity to recite his poem at a couple of different events going on. His poem was entitled "Yippin' Cory." The best part of the poem was Conner reciting it with his cowboy accent. It was so great! We are so proud of Conner.

Conner had a soccer game right after he was done reciting his poem. That's why the soccer outfit.

Hailey turned 4 and she had a couple of friends over for a Birthday tea party. They did make-up, nails, and some dressed up. It was a lot of fun.

I can't believe how big she is. Hailey got this cute apron for her birthday and loves to wear it while she plays restaurant.

Some more birthday pics.

Josh had his first choir concert for school. He tried out for a couple of parts and at the concet he sang two different duets. He tried out for the parts without me even suggesting it. He just came home one day and said I tried out for some parts for our concert. After he helped me up off the floor, I let him know how proud I was of him. He did a great job! He is full of all sorts of surpirses.

Jacob trying on Josh's pads. He wondered if he'll ever have shoulders this big, I assured him he would.

Josh,#44, making a run for it. Keep scrolling down there is a video of Josh. Also check the older post for Oct. there is another video of Josh playing.