Snowy Smiths

We've got a ton of snow here in Vernal over the last couple of weeks, and it's been SO cold! It's definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas! We've been singing Christmas hymns as a family every evening, and that has been a fun way to bring the Christmas spirit to our home. Cooper has been getting into singing the Christmas hymns. He was singing his little heart out in church today. We got a few people turning around and smiling at him, one sister said she hopes he keeps singing all his life, and one brother gave him a CTR bracelet. If only I was 6 years old and as cute as a button...

We are all doing fine, and enjoying it here in Vernal, so far. I'm missing having a Target to shop at, but we did find jeans for Aubrey at Walmart after a long search everywhere! I'm not a Walmart fan, but if they have jeans that fit a hard-to-fit girl, I'll go for it.

Tyler is his same rambunctious self. He's had a little bit of problems at school already, but he's doing much better now. If we can direct his energy, he does just fine.

I helped Brandon pick out some paint to paint the store he's managing. I am planning on going in next week to help him paint. I'll get paid, of course. I'm not a big fan of painting, but it will be fun to spend time with Brandon, and I can make a little extra money while I'm at it. Plus, it will help him out.

I'm enjoying decorating my new house. Brandon's mom says that it's like everything we've collected since we were married was meant for this house. My antique stuff is perfect here. I don't know if our cats, Scout and Bunny, like it here. They're strictly outside cats, and there are a couple of big mean cats around the neighborhood. Hopefully they can stick together and stand up to those bully cats.

Tired Boy

Tired Adam Tweed

I updated my blog!!!!!

Allston's Bath

He likes taking a bath. This is on our blog too.

Allstons teeth, 1stChristmas tree.

One of Allston's bottom teeth poked out the other day, and his second bottom tooth poked out today, they are his first two teeth. Allston will be nine months on December 5th! And today we put our first Christmas tree as a married couple up, we didn't get one last year because I was on bed rest so I didn't want one. We decorated it in blue and orange like the football team the bears! It looks really neat, the colors go together really well alot better than I thought they would. -Belicia

Thanksgiving

Hi, everyone, how was your day? We had a nice Thanksgiving. We ate at Chuck-A-Rama with Felicia's parents, her Grandmother, sister, Geoff & Felicia, and Adam. It was good company and good food. It makes us appreciate all that we are thankful for. We have such a wonderful family and we are so thankful for all of you. We are going to Vernal tomorrow to help Brandon and Mindy get moved in. We are going to go to Ashley's baptism on Saturday and are looking forward to that and to seeing everyone there. It is amazing how fast she is growing.

Ashley

Hi

Ok. We are blogging. We are bloggers. We are bloggists. So, Ashley is getting baptized on Saturday. We are very excited for that. She is such a good girl. The bishop said she knew everything that he asked her. She is smart. I can't believe that I have an 8 year old. Time goes by so fast. I wish I could slow it down to enjoy everything more. I remember looking at her for the first time when she was born. She was such a cute baby, and now she is a beautiful little girl. I could go on and on, but I won't. I am proud of Ashley and I love her.

Funny Ethan

I had to post this video here, just in case anyone reads here, and not my blog too (where I also put it). It's just too funny not to share.

Vernal, here we come!

I just thought I'd let everyone know a little bit about what is going on with our moving. Brandon was contacted by the owners of a company called Contractor's Warehouse in Vernal, Utah. They wanted him to come be the manager of their new store there. It's a little bit of a scary thing, but could go really well, especially with the growth there due to the oil business. So, we felt like it was the right thing for our family, and put our house here on the market. Less than a week later, we got an offer! This is really amazing, considering 4 houses on our very street, 2 of them directly on either side of us, have tried to sell their houses in the past 6 months or so, and none have succeeded. I chalk it up to being blessed, pricing it right, and having a nice house. ;) We will close at the end of this month...so we know something could still go wrong with the sale of our house, but we're trying to have faith, not fear. (I've been listening to conference talks on my ipod when I run...Quentin L. Cook's talk has been sticking in my head...faith, not fear, faith, not fear....)

So, now we're facing the challenge of finding somewhere to live in Vernal! This is not an easy thing, since the growth there has driven the prices way up. Brandon leaves very early Monday morning to start work there, and will be searching daily for a house for us to rent, or buy if we must right now. I'm hoping for a 100 year old farmhouse with lots of charm, not in too much disrepair, on some acreage with lots of trees. And all for the right price. Am I asking for too much? ;)

We're excited to get there, and experience a new place, and live near such a neat temple. If anyone wants to come out to Dinosaurland, you can always have a place to stay... as long as we have a place to stay! ;)

Hi, Family, This is me, Mom. This is a picture of our front window, the beautiful Autumn leaves, and some of my new livingroom furniture. The leaves were actually twice as brilliant, but, oh well. I have been enjoying the cooler fall weather while it has been so sunny and mild.

We have had some birthdays in our family during October. We went to Kaitlyn's birthday party, and had a fun time. Later in the month we went to Ashley's birthday party. It was really fun to be together. I love all our grandchildren so much.

Ken and I drove to Mindy's and Brandon's acouple of weeks ago to take some violins from Dave for Mindy's student to try. We had a blast trying out all the violins and comparing them. I also took my old full-sized violin for Aubrey to grow into soon, since I have had to use a 3/4 size because of my hands. We had fun while we were there. As you will read in their blog, they are moving to Vernal, and have had an offer on their house. We hope everything works out for you. I just wish you were moving close.

I have been preparing for months for my students' Fall Recital/Concert. We had it this morning. As usual, I was stressed and nervous about it. There were a couple of glinches, but all in all, it turned out really great! We had group pieces we had worked hard on. I am glad to have it over with. Now I can relax.

A few weeks ago I went to the doctor, as I was feeling really sick, my chest hurt, and my cough was getting worse. (I have had this cough for 2 1/2 years since I had bronchitus) The doctor said I have acute bronchitus, possibly chronic bronchitus. He put me on antibiotics, etc. Well, the next week the nurse called to say the chest x-rays showed that I had the first stages of pneumonia. So I had to go back to the doctor a few days later for a follow-up. He said I still have some bronchitus, and prescribed more antibiotics. I have to go back in a couple of weeks, get another chest x-ray to see if it is all cleared up, and get a pneumonia shot and a flu shot. Sounds like fun, huh. The good news is that my blood pressure is great.

I hope all you kids will write in the blog. I don't want to have to tell everyone your news. I love you all.

Mom & Dad (Ken and Tam)

October

Hey everyone,
October was a good month for me to do tons of homework. That's all I seem to do these days. Anyway, I won't go too far into that. I'm studying Mechanical Engineering and I have three years left to go until I can be completely done with school.

I still find some time to have fun though. Halloween was fun. Here is a picture of my costume. Some people weren't ever able to figure it out. I wore this costume for the trunk or treat party that we had as a singles ward. Then we went to an Institute party and I won the costume contest. I felt special.
Well, I think that is all I have to say for now. I'll let you know if anything exciting happens.

Adam

We Got an Offer!

Brandon and Mindy's house is officially under contract. Not even a week on the market, and we got an offer!!! Now we're just praying that nothing falls through and we can move on!

Pictures from Kaitlyn's Birthday

Mindy's Kids

These are Brandon and Mindy's kids...

Aubrey Lisanne, age 11

loves to play the violin, babysit for other families (NOT her brothers!), read, and play with friends.

Tyler Elijah, age 9

loves to play the piano, draw, play baseball, and play outside.

Cooper Isaac, age 6

loves to "play the guitar", play outside, be a cowboy.

News From Us

Well, here it is! The blog to find out what is going on in the Kenneth and Tamara Howell family! We will all do our best to post here at least once a month! Right, guys? That means you, Dad, Mom, Jason, Dallas, Brenda, Troy, Geoff, Felicia, and Adam!