HAPPY HALLOWEEN

I've always enjoyed making costumes for my kids for Halloween. It is fun to dress up and pretend you are someone else for the night. Some years have been more creative than others, but I think we did really good this year. James came home about a month ago and told me "I want to be 'Max' from 'Where the Wild things are'." I am sure he was inspired by the new movie that is out, but I kept thinking he would change his mind. But no........he kept asking, so on Thursday of this week we went out for supplies. We actually found 5 yards of white fuzzy fabric at the thrift store, so after a good washing, this is what we made. Or should I say "I made", though he did help with the crown. I thought it was pretty brave for a 17 year old to want to wear this costume, but then again we are talking about James, my child of "NO FEAR"!

James can't make a scary face. He is too much of a happy guy!

The first time he put the finish product on, he ran around the house yelling..."I'll eat you up!"

Everyone of my boys has LOVED the Ninja Turtles. So when Andrew decided he wanted to be one this year I wasn't surprised. (We actually still have a big bin of turtles in the toy closet downstairs!) We went thrift store shopping again, finding most everything we need there. We did have to dye the undershirt yellow, and he has plenty of stuffing under there, or should we say he has great abs.

He painted a piece of cardboard for his shell. We actually sewed it to his shirt, so it all has to go on and come off together.

Here's a better view of the 'abs'. I think we did a pretty good job!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM THE HILL FAMILY!

Blake Hill and his wife Julie were vacationing in Europe... as it happens, near Transylvania . They were driving in a rental car along a rather deserted highway. It was late and raining very hard. Blake could barely see the road in front of the car. Suddenly the car skids out of control! Blake attempts to control the car, but to no avail! The car swerves and smashes into a tree.

Moments later, Blake shakes his head to clear the fog. Dazed, he looks over at the passenger seat and sees his wife unconscious, with her head bleeding! Despite the rain and unfamiliar countryside, Blake knows he has to get her medical assistance.

Blake carefully picks his wife up and begins trudging down the road. After a short while, he sees a light. He heads towards the light, which is coming from a large, old house. He approaches the door and knocks.

A minute passes. A small, hunched man opens the door Blake immediately blurts, "Hello, my name is Blake Hill, and this is my wife Julie. We've been in a terrible accident, and my wife has been seriously hurt. Can I please use your phone?"

"I'm sorry," replied the hunchback, "but we don't have a phone. My master is a doctor; come in and I will get him!"
Blake brings his wife in.

An older man comes down the stairs. "I'm afraid my assistant may have misled you. I am not a medical doctor; I am a scientist... However, it is many miles to the nearest clinic, and I have had a basic medical training. I will see what I can do.. Igor, bring them down to the laboratory."

With that, Igor picks up Julie and carries her downstairs, with Blake following closely. Igor places Julie on a table in the lab. Blake collapses from exhaustion and his own injuries, so Igor places Blake on an adjoining table.

After a brief examination, Igor's master looks worried. "Things are serious, Igor. Prepare a transfusion." Igor and his master work feverishly, but to no avail. Blake and Julie Hill are no more.

The Hills' deaths upset Igor's master greatly. Wearily, he climbs the steps to his conservatory, which houses his grand piano.. For it is here that he has always found solace. He begins to play, and a stirring, almost haunting melody fills the house.

Meanwhile, Igor is still in the lab tidying up. His eyes catch movement, and he notices the fingers on Julie's hand twitch, keeping time to the haunting piano music.. Stunned, he watches as Blake's arm begins to rise, marking the beat! He is further amazed as Julie and Blake both sit up straight!

Unable to contain himself, he dashes up the stairs to the conservatory.

He bursts in and shouts to his master:

"Master, Master! .....

The Hills are alive,

with the sound of music !"

(I am soooo sorry...... But you really should've seen that coming)

What did you expect...

it's from the demented Hill Family! Happy Holiday!

General Conference

Blake got to be with three of our sons at General Conference this past weekend. Nathan, who is attending BYU, met Blake, James and Andrew (who drove down with other young men from our ward and the other members of the Bishopric) and they got to attend several sessions of conference together. Next April Erik will be home and then they can all go together! It is wonderful to have all of them be worthy priesthood holders. Blake has been glowing all week, still basking in the great time he had with our boys. Aren't they a handsome bunch!!