Big Cities

This weekend we took advantage of our nearby "big" cities and enjoyed some family fun. Yesterday we went to a children's musuem -- Exploration Place. Here the children are experiencing the winds of a simulated tornado. Of course Maisie loved it most.

My favorite winter activity ever is roller skating. Surprizingly enough Austin and I somehow managed to pull of a morning of roller rink goodness.

 

 

 

 

(If by some miracle we do end up in Utah for my birthday this year, you will find me at the roller rink. It's tradition.)

Happy Thanksgiving

Before.

 

After.

 

Maddie's first tooth.

 

Maddie's biggest fans, minus Nick.

 

Austin cooked our best thanksgiving meal to date. Henry, the turkey, was flavorful and moist and delicious. Our meal truly was scrumpious. The one con is that my stomach can never hold all I want to eat.
And, Maddie's tooth erupted today! She is no longer edentulous.

Thanksgiving Prep

Last night Austin and kids brined our fresh turkey. We then made a Thankful tree -- each person wrote down three things they were thankful for. This morning the children came into our room singing "Happy Thanksgiving" and handed us original artwork and letters of thanks.

 

 

 

 

Eco-friendly

Each and every roll is 100% organic.

 

Just a Love Story

Andy: "Mom, let me tell you a story. Two girls at school love me."

Mom: "How do you know?"

Andy: "Because they told me, and Faith kissed me."

Mom: "We only kiss when we are married. Perhaps next time the girls try to kiss you, you should tell them a polite, 'No, thank you. I'm only six.'"

Andy: "Why should I tell them my number?"


(I can't resist him either.)

Swine Flu

Because we have a baby that is less than 6 months in our home, we all qualified for the H1N1 vaccination. The nurse gave us the shots in order of age, Austin was first. Maisie was our only crier, and Austin was the only one who got pale. Here we are in the county health department with our new battle scars.

 

Primary Program

Today was our primary program. The children sang and spoke their parts perfectly. Meg's song voice rang out above all around her. Andy was immaculately reverent, and Maisie walked down off the stand to get a kleenex during the middle of the program. Here we are after church. ( Austin did wear a red tie today, but he wasn't home for the pictures.)

 

 

 

Wicked

For our anniversary in July, Austin bought me tickets to "Wicked." Last night we went. I was totally and completely entertained. I think this was the first musical I've been to in a long time where I didn't know every song and theatrical detail. Ok, fine, I knew five of the songs, but that knowledge didn't stop me from having a marvelous time. Entertain me with a musical and I'm good, I'm good. (He on purpose bought tickets in the front row of the balcony; no one was in front of me so I could see without bobbing up and down in my chair.)

 

 

 

Thank you to Austin for a night out on the town!

And if you're still reading, for our anniversary he also gave me nine gifts from the traditional list. The entire week of our anniversary I was showered with gifts. The pink purse in the picture is from year seven, year of leather -- it was filled with 100 hand-written love notes. My boy is so nice.

Fall Garden

Austin harvested some veggies for lunch today -- beets and carrots. Tonight we are eating the cabbage, broccoli and green onions. I wonder how many children will complain about the menu?

Please note, Austin deserves all the credit for garden; I only harvest. OK, fine, once I took the plastic off....

 

 

 

 

My Secret Wish

Conversation after church -- I stayed home with one sick baby and four healthy children.

Nicole: "Did you miss Brother Petersen today?"

Bishop Babcock: "No, I got to move the pulpit up and down; its always been my secret wish."

Nicole: "How'd you do?"

Bishop Babcock smugly: "I only got a few wrong."

Even though we've been married a year shy of a decade, I would have never guessed that secret wish.