All Hallow's Eve

So the way we celebrate Halloween over here is that we all get together in the cul-de-sac before the kids go trick-or-treating for a Pizza Party.  It was really fun to see the kids waiting for the eve to come and then they can run from door to door laughing and playing.

Here are the neighborhood kids.  We had the range from a cute little lady bug to the very modern transformer.

One of our friends in the cul-de-sac really gets into Halloween.

 Here is Beth, with her two little kids.

Trip to NYC

This past weekend we got the chance to go up to New York City to see Nicole dance with San Francisco Ballet.  The company was doing a tour of the US and I haven't seen Nicole dance with the company ever so we jumped on the chance. We also got to see some old students and friends.  Friday we got there and I went to see Nicole and Bruce went off to hang out with Mark.  Friday Night was the ballet.  Saturday I got to see a former student from my teaching days at Jose Mateo's Ballet Theatre.  Lastly Bruce and I did a little of the tourist thing and took a ride through central park and ate Ray's Pizza.  

Here is the lobby at City Center

Nicole, and I trying to grab some lunch in between things.

After the show we went out and here are the boys doing really bad Karaoke. 

"You lost that lovin feeling"

Kim and Kate at Rue 57.  

Carriage ride in Central Park!

What you do when you are Young Women's President

So in the LDS church we are given callings (kind of like jobs) in different area's of the church.  When Bruce and I came home from Utah I was called to be the Young Women's President. I am now over 15 girls from the age of 12-18.  The first thing I wanted to do is to have a sleepover.  That night we had so much fun, we ate pizza, watched Troop Beverly Hills, played Twister and Catch Phrase and Tp'd Paige Holder's home at 1:00 in the morning.  Bruce was in his office and would occasionally come down to make sure the screaming was just because we are girls and not that someone actually got hurt.

All in to watch Troop Beverly Hills

(Front Row: Kelsi, Sarah, Julia, Maddie

Middle Row: Maddie M, Sheri, me & Oliver, Paige, Makenna

On the Couch: Alison, Murphy, Stefanie)

Paige trying to get comfy on the couch

Twister fun

General Conference

In the LDS church we have the opportunity to listen or watch General Conference.  Bruce and I have made a big deal about this and we like to have friends over with a big brunch for the morning sessions.  This year we had our friends the Hanline's come over and share in our tradition.  

This is the food spread

After many hours on the food network I have figured out how to create a beautiful fruit plate.

Gas Crisis in Charlotte

In Charlotte we experienced something I never thought I would see. A gas crisis.  Our gas comes from Texas and after Hurricane Ike hit the way we got gas was cut down and there was a shortage all over charlotte.  Can you say "Be prepared".

This is what you saw when you went to the pump. 

When you were able to get gas this is what you saw...

No numbers on the gas sign.  Odd looking

Finally some gas came and the lines were at least an hour long.

Happy Birthday #31

This year's birthday was nice and calm.  Bruce took me to Dressler's for dinner.  They have great steak and yummy cheesecake.  I was overwhelmed with the love and cards that were given to me on my special day.

  

Flowers from Bruce! I love how happy these flowers are.

Cards :)

Flowers from Heather.  They were beautiful.

What a difference a year makes

A little over one year ago we witnessed Matt Asmus (Kim's cousin)  graduate from University of South Carolina with a Master's in Piano performance.  On Friday, September 5, 2008 we watched him graduate from US Army Ranger school.   It is an incredible amount of work and sacrifice.  We are so proud of him!!   CONGRATULATIONS MATT!!!  Here is a link about what a US Army ranger is.  Click here.

Here is the US Army Ranger Asmus, Mandy his wife, and Kim

This is the Grand Stand where we watched the graduation.

One of the graduating Companies

At the graduation they went through a series of what the Army Rangers learned.  Here they are in line showing the different infantry weapons.

After walking across the log-walk this ranger climbed out on the rope, lowered himself on the rope hung there and then asked to drop in the water.  Matt said that they had to do the log-walk on the 1st day of ranger school.

This is the tower that they practiced Climbing.  

The Black Hawk that picked up 4 men on the ground.  The army rangers attached themselves to the rope and the Black Hawk took them up, up, and away.  I can't even imagine doing this.