Hello everyone! I must have A.D.D. because I can't get myself to stay on task at work so I thought I would post real quick and tell everyone that things are going great for Matt and I. Dylan is growing and getting SO big!! Mom and I have been canning chicken and making jam. I have to say I am rather proud of my new learnings and the chicken is great to have on hand! Thanks Mom and Dad for your help!

Hello all from West Valley.

Hope all is going well for everyone. Not much to report here. I have been doing some yard work but I have so much more to do. I want to get some bulbs in the ground before winter sets in. Can you believe that it is almost October.... I am getting excited for Halloween. I am going to start decorating my house on October 1st. This will be the first time since I have lived in West Valley that I will really be able to decorate since my landlord doesn't really care what kind of decorations that I put outside. I am excited about that.
Sesha is excited for Halloween too. She wants to go trick or treating as a princess. She isn't sure which one just a princess. So we have been looking at costumes for her but haven't decided on one yet.
Work is going good. We are almost to 4th quarter and that means lots of OT. That will really help with Christmas this year. Santa is starting to really cost allot and I am not sure that I like the idea of paying him so much money.... Well I guess that is what happens when ya have 5 kids and 3 of them TEENAGERS.... UGGGH.
Amy, congrats on your last purchase. I was watching them and they sold out at Walmart and Kmart down here in less than 4 hours. I can't believe that item is so in demand.
Well, as far as Christmas goes this year, I am not sure what everyone has planned. I know that I am going to be working every Sunday from Nov 15 until Feb 1. I would like to do a family to family gift exchange this year. This works best for us. I think we should have like a $50.00 limit and exchange the gifts at a family get together. If we want I can see if I can secure a condo up Park City or Snowbird to have a family get together. If this sounds like something that would work for everyone just let me know and if ya have an idea of a date that would work. Our Family is getting so big that it is hard to get everyone in one of our houses for a sleepover.
Well that is my two cents on the whole Christmas thing. I would like to get the whole family together on a Saturday or Sunday night to go up to Temple Square to see the lights this year. Let me know if this sounds like something everyone is up to.

I am going to close now since Sesha thinks that I need to count with her.
~Love, Amber

Hello to all from Idaho,
Dad is doing much better now and has gone back to work. He gets tired by the end of his work day and usually comes home and has a nap! We are just grateful that everything went so well and that he is back to work.
I am doing good too, and I get tired at the end of my work day too, but I don't have any reason! I sometimes take a nap too!
It was fun to go and watch Ty play soccor the other day, and then to hear that Brooklyn is riding a bike all by herself! wow! how time does fly.
With all the excitement we have not even thought about christmas, and we dont have any plans. I know that dad is looking into having his knees operated on and is just waiting for a return call from the Dr. Hopefully tomorrow. So I will put some thought into it, and if anyone else has any other suggestions then post them on the blog. Maybe with all of our heads together we can come up with a super duper party!
We went to my moms last saturday night for a cookout. The weather was very nice but the flies were so o o o o o bad, and then the smell from the pig farms was so o o o o o overwhelming that it was difficult to enjoy the food. So we went into the house and had a good laugh, if you can imagine me and Evelyn and Ann having a good laugh, and a good visit. They say to tell everyone hello. Julie, Evelyn got her letter about the races and you should see her talk about it. She is so veryexcited.
Best close for now. Our Love to you All. Love Nana and Papa

CHRISTMAS

Hey I know you all don't want to think about Christmas but I was wondering what we are planning for on the gift exchange this year. I would like to do families instead of individuals.

If we have decided let me know and if not maybe we better think about it as Christmas is getting close. :)

~Amber

The Beckstead Family

Hello all, I just wanted to say hello. It has been a while since I posted to the family blog. Things are going good here in West Valley. Shane is still busy at work. He is learning new things to help him do his job better. Austin is still working with him. Shelby and Jake are doing great in Northern Idaho. They are getting excited for Christmas. (Me too sortof). Sesha is growing big and she is really getting ready for Christmas. She still wants to put up the Christmas Tree. I am starting to run out of things to get her distracted. I am working nights now until after Christmas. It is okay. Allot less stress and Shane is finding out who's the real boss around here. It isn't him :).
Well there isn't much else going on so I am going to close for now.
~Amber

Happy Brithday Papa Ron!!

Hey everyone!! I just thought I would post the picture I took of Dad last night before he went in for his surgery! What a way to spend your birthday!!! Poor guy! It was good to spend time with him for a few moments! I was there when they brought him back!! I guess Dad was a "wild one" the nurses told Mom and me that he was on all 4's trying to get away!! LOL sorry for sharing that Dad!! But I HAD TO!!!! I talked to Dad this morning he is going stir crazy! He just wants to go home! I can't imagine Dad sitting still for very long! I hope he will relax enough to heal! He has been walking the halls. He told me he has been walking as far as his leash will let him! OH DAD!!! I love you so much!

Amber.. sorry about your luck! You will have to post the story!! We want all the juicy details! Now that Mom can relax I think she could maybe laugh at it too. Last night I think she was too uptight with Dad to be able to be okay with what was going on with you!!! I think it is hilarious!!!!! ... However if it was me I would have been VERY upset!!

Dylan is grumpy! He acted just fine getting his first tooth.. well we thought! He has not slept good the last couple nights! I'm guessing it is just his teeth! Poor little guy! He has started giving kisses! Well what we can call giving kisses! He just opens his mouth and presses it to our cheeks.. arms.. every where!! It is absolutely adorable! He has also been in love with JUMPING! He will not sit STILL he is always having to be jumping!! It will be a good thing I guess when his legs are so strong that he can dunk the basketball by the time he is 7! LOL

Matt has lost 2 straight games in Football.. but considers last night a win.. even if the score didn't. They played Pocatello. THEY ARE GOOOOOOD! Matt was super nervous, but said he could not have been prouder of the boys! They played right along with them, and played real well!! Good luck to the Varsity tonight! It should be a GREAT game.

One more thing on Dylan!! He is loving his new sitter. She is great! She has a little boy that is home all day and Dylan LOVES him! As soon as we get there Dylan is squealing and kicking and so excited!! I love it! I know she takes good care of him and I do appreciate it! I HATE leaving him.. so having someone good to leave him with makes it a little better!!

Love the Shumway Family!

hey guys that sux about grandpa ron i hope that he is ok. well jake and i r now in bonners ferry. we started school the second. i am having a good time at school i have been hanging out with Aspen and his older brother Jacob. well i miss you all and i love you
love shelby jo

hey guys that sux about grandpa ron i hope that he is ok. well jake and i r now in bonners ferry. we started school the second.

dad's birthday

just so you know dad is as i am writing this in the hospital getting his appendix out ya happy birthday dad. that stinks. well we are doing good i started stringham's realtor school today it is ok a little hard but ok am glad to be done soon. three weeks and then you will all have to tell your friends about me well i am going to go so i can go see dad love ya all love sarah