Trick or Treat

Jaxon loved trick or treating. He called it "cookie treating" all night...pretty cute!

Hudson's just happy to be alive.

Help Jane decide on a Halloween Costume.

It's scary enough having a birthday on Halloween (just think of the sugar overload), but deciding what to dress up as on your special day just adds another element. Maybe we can help Jane decide how to dress on her Halloween Birthday. On the top you see Jane dressed as a Pioneer. She looks freezing cold and very convincing. In the middle is Jane dressed as a werewolf. I can only imagine how much fun she's going to have getting that beard off...ouch. And on the bottom is Jane dressed as a darling girl who just happens to celebrate her birthday on Halloween. Help Jane pick an outfit, and be sure to wish her a very happy Halloween Birthday. We love you Jane.

Is that camera on?

Today is Aaron's day. Not that he'll see this post. They don't have the internet way down where he lives. Not even satellite? Luckily, I do think they have cake, and parties, and birthday celebrations way down where he lives. And we hope yours happens to be wonderful. We love you Aaron.

Dads Birthday

Hi to all,
Amy and I were talking to dad the other night and we decided that on his birthday (two weeks from today) we would give him time, rather than a token gift. he indicated a few things around the house he would like some assistance with and after doing the odd jobs, maybe a picnic or dinner of sorts.
we thought it would be nice if others wanted to join us in both the work part and the dinner part. we are thinking either working from 10 - 1 and then lunch (during the warmest part of the day, and early enough for the Ostlers to get home at a decent hour if they are able to come) or possibly working from 2-5 and then dinner. any thoughts? please don't feel like you have to come if you already have plans, either for the day or his birthday. we just thought we'd open it up to whoever might be interested.
maybe for dinner we could do some of the famoue denny soups and bread sticks or something?
let us know if you are interested and able and we'll plan (with dad) the work things to be completed.
love to all and sorry if this makes those who live away homesick. I'll pull a weed on your behalf.
Dave

Cousins

Rand's comment on cousins got me to thinking how thankful I am that my kids have cousins to hang out with. We just went to the zoo and it's nice to have cousins to go with. Here's a picture of the cute little buggers. I also have to share my favorite picture of the day. Here's to cousins...
P.S. Bridger, you are not allowed to wear your Red Sox shirt for the next week.

A Great Project at West Bountiful Elementary

My students participated with the other third grades in a fundraising effort to raise money for the American Cancer Society, and we were on TV yesterday. Here is the story from KSL.com about Children Raise Money in Memory of Teacher. If you have internet explorer you might also be able to watch the video at that site and see me in the story, but I couldn't get it to work.

We put a pink hand on the window for every $5 donation that kids brought and raised #1,103.24 in seven school days.

Here's the *check* we gave to the cancer society in an assmbly. I wrote a script, and we picked three third graders by drawing names to see who got to speak. The kids did a great job!

This was in memory of Joan Feil who some of you might possibly know. She was such a great teacher, and simply a wonderful person in every way.

Early Halloween for the Batemans!

Our ward had our Halloween party tonight, and I thought I'd share a few pics of Bridger being a little Monkey. He had a lot of fun and ate a ton of candy! I wish I would've gotten a picture of the banana in his pocket!

Update on Elder Ostler

Hello,

We thought you all might like an update on Ben. He left the MTC about 2 weeks ago and we have had a few letters. We should be getting our 1st email from him today but no word yet. Here is part of his last letter. The testimony was a little long but I thought it was awesome and thought you might like to read it. It was funny how he put it as an after thought of the letter.
Love, Val & Jon


Dear Family,

This week has been good. My first area is O'Fallon Illinois. It is about 20 minutes from St Louis. Me and My companion are getting along better by the day. (His name is Elder Farmer from Dallas TX)

I got a free Trek bike the other day and it is a good bike. Another Elder left it so the Zone leaders said I could have it. The only thing about the bike is I had to buy a tube for it because the back was flat and the pedal fell off, so I bought another bolt and it is as good as new.

The weather here has been a lot of rain and me and my companion are getting soaked. On P-Day my companion took me to the top of the Arch. It was cool.

I learned a double windsor knot on my tie and I can do it myself.
Love, Elder Ostler

Here is my testimony:
I know the Book of Mormon is a true book of God. I know that Joseph Smith restored this gospel so we can have it on this earth. I know that Gordon B. Hinckley is a true prophet called of God. I am so thankful for the atonement. I know Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us equally. I know if we live in accordance to how He wants us to, we can live with Him again. I know that families can live together forever. I know that serving a mission is what I need to be doing. I love my famiy and my parents very much and I am so thankful for all that they do for me and have done. Also the support they give me serving a mission. I know that all church and general authorities everwhere were called of God. I am so thankful for the luxuries and nice things we have in this day and age. I am thankful for the church because without it I would be lost. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Here is his address now:
Elder Ben Ostler
284 Eagleridge
O' Fallon IL 62269

Fun at Willey's

Cooper is growing up----look at that smile and NO TEARS!! Cooper loved Sophie's birthday presents!!! YOU go BOY!
I'm in preschool now---do I look bigger?
Sophie had a trim also. She is growing a lot of new hair---help it is much shorter than
some of the old hair. Why did my brother get so much thick hair---not fair!!
THREE BUGS IN A RUG!!
Love,
Willeys

Fires, Fires, and more Fires.

I've had so many phone calls over the last few days that I wanted to let you all know that we are safe from the fires burning all across California. The closest fire to us is burning in the Santa Monica Mountains above Malibu. Our skies are pink and COMPLETELY SMOKE FILLED all day. We avoid going out if possible. In fact, the entire day looks like Sunrise or Sunset...it's ominous. But, not only is the state on fire, we're burning HOT. Today it was 95 DEGREES in VENICE. Venice hardly ever gets into the 90s. It's Incredibly hot and windy. Just an update. We're well and grateful to be safe and in a home tonight. Certainly our thoughts are with those who are less fortunate.

Jaxon's 2!

Happy Birthday to Jaxon on the 19th of October! We spent his b-day in Rangley with Grandpa & Grandma Torsell. He has been asking for a bike for the last nine months and he's been all smiles since getting it!

brayden 10-17-07

Family,
well I have some bad news, My camera broke. the screen on the back got cracked, so I guess I'll buy a new one here. mom could you put some of my savings into my checking? about 300 dollars, because my debit card doesn't work, but I can use credit or just use a atm to get the money. Everything is going great here. monday night are car got broken into and they stole the gas card for the car and Elder Brimhall's camera, which stinks bad. so we are going to report it tomorrow. Harold is doing great! his baptism is on sunday oct 21. he is way excited and so am I. Mom when did you send my package, because I haven't got it yet? we haven't had any snow yet, but I feel it coming soon. I haven't got thermals because we don't have a walmart in our zone, or any malls with stores in it which is the pits. I just sent my sd card home on monday so you'll get it on Saturday maybe. Canada's mail stinks, they don't even work on saturday. so Halloween is coming and we have to stay inside after 6 pm so that is going to be boring, unless I get my package before then. then I'll have fun stuff to play with. well I got to go love you all and miss you love peace and chicken grease.
Elder Denny AKA Boo

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHANE

SHANE WE HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY......HUNTING!! Sophie loved the ride on the 4 wheeler!! I think being at the farm made it all
worth it.
What more could a boy want....a tractor to ride on......and a farm with goats and horses!!
Thanks Shane for being a part of our family...

Go COWBOYS!!!

Greetings from Ohio

We had a great summer and we're enjoying fall in Cleveland. The leaves are changing and we're gearing up for winter. We recently went on a trip to Palmyra to see all the church sites and caught this rare moment of our boys holding hands and smiling for the camera. This picture was taken at the top of the Hill Cumorah overlooking Palmyra. So beautiful and a really great experience to walk where the Prophet Joseph Smith once walked.

We also have some news to share. We are expecting another little one in April (on the 22nd). We're really excited and maybe a little crazy (Kent will be taking his final boards that week). We'll let you know when we find out what it is (we're just counting on it being a boy...which would be fine with us since we have a little more experience with that). Hope you're all doing well.

Somebody gets seconds on LOVE today.

If there's one thing I know it's this: EVERYBODY deserves LOVE EVERYDAY....but, is it so wrong if we give RYLIE a second helping today? Just ONE EXTRA SCOOP of kindness? Just ONE EXTRA PLATE FULL of sharing? And how about for dessert, ONE BIG MOUTHFUL of really nice words. Words like: I LOVE YOU. YOU ROCK. Or THANKS Ry. Afterall it is the day we so HAPPILY welcomed her to Earth and into our family. And we certainly hope it's WONDERFUL.

ELDER DENNY'S HUMP DAY, plus a few days

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to let ya'll know that Elder Justin Denny has been out a year, as of last Thursday, October 11th! Wow! At first it seemed to go slow, but now, it is just flying by.!!! He said in his last e-mail that this just makes him realize he needs to work harder and better to get everything done that he has set out to do.

If anybody wants to be added or taken off his e-mail list, please let me know, either by the blog or by an e-mail to dennyfamily5@comcast.net

By the way Carl, I took you off the list, cuz yours has started coming back with an error.

We love you all, and are grateful for ya'lls support for Justin. Thanks and we'll see ya'll later!

Lisa and Mark and the boys

More Pictures....

Yesterday was very nice. Thanks to everyone for making it such a special day. It was hard to get a good picture of Hudson because I had such a good little helper that wanted to use the "grammer" (camera).

Can anyone guess who that might be?

Can I Open My Eyes Yet?

Ready? Can I peek? I just can't wait to see what you got me. Hurry. Oh please, oh please let it have four wheels and four gears. Or at least four hooves. Or four volume dials. Hurry. I can't keep them shut much longer. I hope it's not socks or underwear, even though I do need both. And NO dress shirts. OK. I'm going to peek. I've waited long enough for this birthday! Happy Birthday Travis. We love you.

Happy Tons of Birthdays

Us Drapers just finished celebrating a ton of October birthdays. Becca will have to post some pictures of Hudson's blessing, but here's some pictures from the celebration:

What's a Draper get together without some football? I'm not sure who has more fun, the kids under 12 or the kids over 12.
Heather had to be quick to get in the blowing out candles picture.
Cute little buggers. Cam is 3 and Jax is 2.

I DO feel Old-er.

Can somebody please stop this thing...I'm about to puke. Not that hanging around all day swinging isn't a rather enjoyable way to pass the time, but I happen to see a big blue birthday cake over there on the counter. Let me out of the swing and into the cake. You think I don't see it don't you? Well I do and I want it. Now. Pleeeeaaaasssseee. I can cry if that's what it will take. Don't make me cry...Cake. Cake. Cake. Cake. Have a wonderful birthday Tim. We love you.

I don't feel old at all.

OK. Tell me the truth: Do I look older to you. I mean, I know I've got a little bit of a double chin, but I promise that's just the angle my head is tipped at. Those darn paparazzi! Hey, I smell honey...Mom, did you stick this bow on my head with honey? I smell it. Can I get a little of that in my mouth and not on my head? Better yet, bring on the cake! Anybody feel like cake? I promise I'll wash my hands before I stick them in your piece. Happy Birthday Kristen. We love you. And no, you don't look older!

Brayden's still in Calgary

Hey family and others hows it going down south in the warm? well I should say warmer at least. there is no snow here and it has not snowed at all, a couple days with frost on ground but no snow. It was thanksgiving on monday it was yummy. We also had a thanksgiving dinner on last friday, that was good to. well conference was great and yes I stayed awake through it all, weird. I loved Elder Hollands talk the most. everything is great here we picked up two new investigators that's pretty cool. and also harold, (the one from st lucia (Carribbians ), has a baptismal date we are so excited !! it is on October 21. we are working hard and also playing hard. today we are going to the zoo that will be fun in the sun. ok, the sun is not out but it will be fun. mom said you got me 1000 business cards thats a lot, I was thinking of like maybe 200 but thank you I will hand them out like crazy. thanks for the letter from josh I liked it. well you know me short and sweet. love you all so much. love peace and chicken grease. p.s. I am sending you my sd card tomarrow.
Elder Boo Denny

Happy Birthday Heather.

BRING ME CAKE! I want to squish my fingers in it and then smear them all over my face. And my dress. And my Mom's face. And any face that happens to be saying "Ahhhhh BOO!" to me. I just want cake, that's all. And then maybe a little poop and a nap. Not necessarily in that order. Have a CAKE filled birthday Heather. We love you.

Josh? Any Plans For Today?

That's pretty much how it happened. Heather started asking early and often (and then the rest joined in). Before long a little brother had arrived: JOSH. We hope you have a wonderful birthday Josh. We love you. 

GO INDIANS!!!

For all you baseball fans out there.............

Go Indians!!!!

Hey D, sorry about your Angels :(

Hudson's Blessing

We are going to be blessing Hudson on Sunday, October 14th @ 11:00am for anyone who would like to come. The address of the church is 1350 South 1800 West. He is getting big so fast and we can't believe he's already 6 weeks old!

Look who's a year older!

Here's the deal: You don't have to tell me how absolutely adorable I am AGAIN this year. Just bring on the cake, the candles, the presents, the balloons, and the party! We love you Cam. Have an ADORABLE birthday.

You're a free man today Jeff.

Doesn't that look like the face of a confident guy. A guy who knows that on his birthday he can just chill and do whatever his heart desires. That's definitely the face of somebody with no noses to wipe, no shoes to find, nobody at all to chase, no other shoes to find, no meals to prepare, no toys to pick up, no sets of teeth to get brushed, no snarls to get out of hair, no clothes to match, no band-aids to put on (hurt or not), no dolls to find, no noses to wipe again, no shredder to worry about picking up after, NOT A CARE IN THE WORLD. Just dream today Jeff, and have a wonderful birthday. We love you. No arguments to referee, no treats to dispense, no car seats to buckle..........  

brayden's letter 10-2-07

Hey family and friends or who ever is reading this. How is the south? getting colder yet? well this week is going great so far. Yesterday we picked up two new investigators, so we are working with them now. tomorrow we have zone conference, and it is always great hearing from president and also other missionaries, plus we get free food it is awesome. I got aunt Lisa's letter it was really cool to hear from them also to know that Travis is going to homecoming that is really cool. Elder Elder is coming down sometime to pick up some music off the computer, I think he will call before he comes. He goes down there a lot, he has family in Kaysville. Everything is going great up here. I'm loving the mission so far, it has been really cool and full of service and testimony building, I love it. Sorry this is short but I have to go. I love you all and thanks for the support. Peace out.
Elder Boo Denny