Merry Christmas

We did manage to send out a small handful of Christmas cards which may, or may not have made in time. If it didn't make it then here is a belated Christmas wish from our family to yours. We hope you had a very, merry Christmas. We sure did.

One Thing Down--1000 More to Go

Yes, it's a cheap loveseat from Ikea. But one we paid good money for nonetheless. So when it got dirty during all the renovating (not to mention an accident from a then potty-training, little girl I know) I thought I had the time to do this:

Actual color: caramel. We really need a new camera.

I've never recovered anything before. I figured being put-together, Ikea furniture this would be a good place to start. I really thought I had the time to do it. Then life got busy and this thing was strewn across my house for nearly two weeks--just in time for the RS president to make an impromptu visit.

It's done now. I've gotten over the embarrassing visit. And the threads on every floor surface--including the bathroom--have been cleaned up. So life can get back to normal.

Plus, now Ethan has a good place in his room to read.

More likely it will be the new video game spot.

That's Twice

Yesterday we made a mad dash for church knowing we needed to be a little early with the Sacrament bread. It was only when we found the parking lot near empty that it occurred to us...

If you're thinking this sounds a bit familiar, well, you'd be right. Click here to refresh your memory.

We're moving to Arizona where this will never happen again.

31st

Once I outgrew trick-or-treating I never thought much of Halloween...until these two little munchkins came along:

Although I am a little disappointed they didn't bring home more chocolate for me this year. I have no use for Skittles and Laffy Taffy.

Ethan's nod to Harry Potter. He honestly thought people would not recognize him because of the glasses and black hair (which is not washing out very well for family pictures tomorrow).

Adelaide refused to be Hermione. A pink princess is all she wanted to be. A pretty, pink princess to be more specific.

Even Randal was not able to escape. That's what he gets for being married to a member of the ward activities committee who needed a skeleton for a game.

Here's hoping you all had a happy Halloween!

PS--Why didn't the skeleton cross the road?





Because he didn't have the guts!

Naked

Last spring a tree in our front yard died. A tall tree. A very tall tree.

Its death sparked a 6-month, marital debate. Randal, itching to use his new chain saw, wanted to cut the tree down himself. I didn't want it falling on my house. Hence the debate.

I called professional tree cutters for quotes.

Randal called in the neighbor for reinforcement.

Randal won.

He and Glen did a great job. The house is fine. The street lamp, however--not so much. We were going to replace it anyway.

They didn't stop with just the one. Five others came down too.

Now we're left feeling a little bare and vulnerable around here.

I'd be sadder at the loss than I am if it weren't for all the d@*# leaves we have to rake right now. I kinda wish they'd cut them all down.

Back in Business

Many of you have posted 1st day of school pictures.

Well, these are 4th day of school pictures.

Dead batteries in the camera.

That's just how we roll around here...late.

Preschool

2nd Grade

My sentimental heart is still trying to get used to seeing both kids go off to school.

And I'm sure those of you in Utah/Idaho with whom we spent most of August are wondering where's the post. It's coming. I'm just trying to figure out how to wrap a month I wished would never end with the right words. Soon. Very soon.

Backtrack Pt. 4

At the last minute, the kids and I joined Randal on a business trip down in PA. While he was busy with meetings and whatever else he does all day, we went to the Hershey, PA where (you guessed it) chocolate is made.

There we made our own chocolate bars.

They were delicious...but then that goes without saying.

I don't know much else about Hershey, PA but I'm ready to move there. Any city with chocolate shaped street lamps has got to be a great place to live.

When Randal was able to join us, we visited Gettysburg. The battlefield is one on those places in the US everyone should see. It feels like hallowed ground. Not to mention it puts into perspective everything my high-school AP history teach tried to teach me.

Of course, dragging kids around the battlefield isn't ideal, but we were still glad for a chance to see what we could see.

We ate at this civil-war-era building turned restaurant. You can see the bullet holes on the side of the wall where Union soldiers tried to take out Confederate sharp-shooters held up in the attic during the siege.

Although the significance of this place may have been a little lost on the kids, Ethan came away with a book about Abraham Lincoln's childhood from the gift shop. He has been faithfully reading it and informing us of the president's life. Things I never knew. So I guess you never know what your kids will come away with.

Backtrack Pt. 3

The fun didn't stop in North Carolina. Randal's parents flew in for a visit. During the big east-coast heat wave...lucky them.

Grandpa N. had never been to the church sites out our way. So we took a quick trip to Kirtland:

(John Johnson farm, Ohio)

Visited Palmyra:

(the Sacred Grove)

And stayed for the pageant:

( King Noah)

As for our kids, they will remember this:

They were like sponges, soaking up all the love Grandma and Grandpa had to give. Yes, that is what they will remember the most. That, and playing Ticket to Ride every night where they listened to Grandpa try to weasel out a third card every turn.

Thanks for the visit! We love you!

PS--Get better, Grandpa!

Backtrack Pt. 2

A few weeks ago MI, GA and NY met in NC for a fantastic week at the beach.

Saying we had a great time is an understatement. Between Randal's travels, remodeling, and the inevitable return of summer humidity, this trip was just what the doctor ordered.

The kids had plenty of friends to play with:

We visited a museum and an aquarium:

We made the best of the one rainy day:

And we fished off the wharf:

Where Addie showed up Ethan by baiting her own line first:

We even got to see what a baby shark feels like before he was thrown back to sea:


But mostly, we made thousands of these:

One of these:


A couple of these:


And carried hundreds of these:


Not to mention spending so much time doing this the skin, literally, rubbed off of our bellies:

And until we absolutely could not do it anymore:

Thanks Wessmans and Ellisons! We had a great time! Let's find another centrally located spot again soon.


So what was next? Stay tuned...

Backtrack Pt. 1

We have been so busy! I love it!

The irony is when I have plenty of time to post, I have nothing to say. And when I have no time to post--that's when all the great stuff is happening around here. So I'm going to start at the beginning...

Recently, we had a few visitors. By few I mean seven. What luck!

Grandma Barker, Dad, Mom, Aunt Linda, Aunt Turley, Aunt?SIL? Karen and Uncle?BIL? Mark all came for a visit. We had a great time.

And can you believe it? I didn't take a single picture. What is wrong with me?!

So this is the best I can do...one of the reasons for their trip:

(on the Smith farm)

We're lucky enough to live near such an amazing place. It seems to attract company. And we're not complaining, whatsoever!

We were sad when they left. Adelaide said she missed Grandma and all her "friends".

We were so sad, in fact, that we hopped in the car and drove all the way to North Carolina.

But more on that tomorrow...

Gymnast

Adelaide has been taking gymnastics. She has loved it. And she really has learned a lot.

The one day she didn't wear her leotard to class happens to be the day I take pictures. She looks so cute in her leotard. That's what I get for having procrastinated laundry day.

This kid kills me.

She calls her skin apricot. In the tub she says, "Mom, let me wash my apricot." I haven't corrected her yet. I don't want her to stop saying those little-girl things that make me laugh.

She is starting to love shoes. She tells me she wishes she could wear shoes as pretty as mine.

She secretly loves it when her dad kisses her. I mean loves it. I think she has a crush on him.

I sure love her, sass and all. I'm proud of her effort in gymnastics. She tries so hard. I think we'll continue again in the fall.

Calling for Prayers

I like animals. I do.

But I don't like pets.

I know. I'm a jerk.

Despite that we have a new member of our family. A yellow spotted salamander found in our backyard. He was so instantly loved, I couldn't help but pile in the car with Randal and the kids and head to the pet store to buy him a cage and crickets.

Really, this is a blessing. The school holds a pet parade at the end of each year. Last year Ethan was devastated the morning of the parade realizing he could only be a spectator.

Randal and I were not sure if this little guy (recently named Starcatcher for the star-like spots on his back) would take to his new environment. We warned the kids that if it appeared he was not eating we would need to mercifully set him free. Now Ethan's prayers faithfully include a plea for the well-being of his new little pet.

After another trip to the pet store for more crickets I am happy to report he is eating well. But any additional prayers that he will make it to the June 15th parade would always be welcome.

Truthfully, I hope he thrives with us. I kinda like having him around. I catch myself checking on him everyday myself. He's so cute.