Cornelius Chronicles

Our busy gerbil friends, Legacy and Tangee, worked very hard to chew/dig a few holes into the bottom of their original, plastic bottomed cage.  So, we got them a brand new glass home we have dubbed "The Gerbilarium."  They love the larger living space and room to run and tunnel.  We love the better view of of our industrius little family pets.  Now let's hope gerbils can't chew through glass.  :)  

Xavier decided to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 28th, 2017.  I am so proud of my little boy for making such an important and big step toward returning to live with his Heavenly Father one day.  Xavier made important covenants to always remember Jesus and to keep His commandments.  He also recived the amazing gift of the Holy Ghost.  Dustin baptized and confirmed Xavier using the Holy Preisthood of God he has been entrusted to hold.  It was a very sacred experience.  I haven't felt a baptism hold that kind of sacred holiness outside of the Temple before.  Xavier, you are a special boy and I felt that Heavenly Father was very pleased with you on this day for the promises you made with Him.  The Lord knows you and He loves you, Xavier.  Thank you for sharing your important day with us and with so many of our Ward friends and family.  I am looking forward to watching you continue to grow in the Gospel and in your love for God.  I know it

  Happy Halloween 2017!  What a year to remember!   This year we had: Rey from Star Wars - Rebekah Odd Squad Agent #1 - Loyd Odd Squad Agent #2 - Xavier Peakock - Maeve Darth Vador or Storm Trooper from Star Wars, depending on our mood - Owen Halloween Quote for the year - "Trick-or-Feet!" this is what Maeve thought we were saying at first until we corrected her. Favorite Halloween movie this year:  It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown with the best movie quote for the season, "I got a rock." Big news event for Halloween - Houston Astros baseball team competes in the World Series for the first time ever.  Maeve went trick-or treating at Trooper School on two days.  Owen and I joined her for the high school trick-or-treating fun on one of the exciting days.   On Monday, we went to the South Shore Ward's Trunk-or-Treat activitty where we got to trick or treat with our Church family and enjoy some fun Halloween themed carnival games a

 Loyd is having fun giving Owen and Maeve piggy back rides around the house now.  He feels very grownup being strong enough to run them up and down the halls while they giggle and try to impeade his vision with their tight grips for dear life.  Silly kids.  :)   Maeve and Owen helping Mommy make lots of yummy pumpkin flavored goodies for dinner and snacking.  Here's just a samping of the many pumpkin themed dishes Owen and Maeve helped me make one afternoon.  We made pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, pumpkin chocolate chip bread, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin dream pie, pumpkin and chicken stew, and roasted pumpkin seeds.  It was a pumpkin extravaganze of yumminess.  :)  Here are a couple fun Halloween crafts we made this year.  Owen is showing off his paper plate hanging ghost, and Maeve helped me create this fun witches boot spooky hat pin decoration. 

At long last Maeve started preschool this October at the high school Trooper School preschool.  She was over the moon excited, and I was super teary about letting my little girl grow up.  She had a wonderful day of meeting her new teachers, playing with fun new friends, doing lots of fun activities, eating snack and lunch at school, and playing outside for recess three times!  I was sad to loose my little shadow and sidekick of 5 years.  I moped around the house, felt everything was entirely too quiet, and ended up smothering Owen with too much attention for his liking.  I'm so glad Maeve is growing up and doing such fun and wonderful things.  I'm so greateful she is becoming more independant and gets to go to school, but boy do I sure miss her three days a week.  Thank goodness we have one more year before I have to send her to Kindergarten.  I don't know if my heart could have taken that this year!  :) 

This special guy turned 8 years old this year!  Xavier, you are such a light of love and joy in our family.  We love your happy skipping instead of just a regular walk to get from one place to another.  We love your huge smiles and ready giggles for any situtaion.  We love your playful sense of humor and your never ending suply of snuggles and hugs and kisses.  You are such an example of doing the right thing because it make us happy.  I can always count on you to work hard, do your best, and find a way to help out.  You are a wonderful friend, a fun loving brother, and an endearing son.  I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for sending such a special boy to our family.  I just don't know what life would be like without my ball of sunshine, also known as Xavier.  Keeping up those great smiles, perfect snuggles, and insisting that you wear something yellow and happy every day.  Happy Birthday, Son! Xavier with his birhtday party pose Xavier got to go see the Lego: Ninjago