A Froggy Friend

A few months back, we received a special package in the mail from England. It's always fun to get mail that's not asking for money, and something from "across the pond" is especially exciting.

A month before Eric returned from his mission, my mom and I spent a month in Europe and were delighted to spend a week or two with some "cousins" that share a family history line way back when. These adorable ladies gave us the town tour, opened their homes and hearts to us, and charmed us with their spunk. We still keep in contact, mostly through letters and Christmas cards. After receiving last year's Christmas card and realizing I had added a baby girl to the family, Janet hand smocked a beautiful dress for her.

isn't this adorable?

Apparently her craftiness didn't end there, as this most recent package including a homemade frog dressed in English pantaloons and bonnet that is practically the same height as Alyssa. It's now a faithful froggy friend with her own special place in Alyssa's room.

Don't worry, I've been crafting it up myself. Christmas ornaments, a quilt, a some fabulous SHOES. Posts to come!

A Day Among Dinosaurs

I have always enjoyed a good "adventure" whether we talk a long walk or go to an amusement park, but I'm finding that we're having more and more fun as Scotty gets older! Last week I took the kids to the AZ Museum of Natural History and we had the best time. We'd been there several time before, but now Scotty is old enough to actually look at the exhibits and want to know about them, instead of just looking at the dinosaurs. Plus, they have huge puzzles scattered throughout the museum and we went questing for them.

Alyssa had a fabulous time, mostly on my back. She's happier that way because she can "talk" to me the entire time and she's tall enough to actually see things. I do actually let her run around sometimes, I promise! She has fun dismantling puzzles for us.

A glorious day.

It's November, which means it's perfect weather to run around outside all day long! Sorry to anyone currently dealing with biting winds and/or snow. Come visit!

My parents spoiled the kids this year and got them a playground for our backyard for their combined birthdays. They LOVE it. I LOVE it because I can look out the kitchen window and keep an eye on them while I cook instead of having to dodge little feet. Not to mention that any time Alyssa is in the kitchen she is bringing me things to open for her so she can eat. Like an entire jar of canned pineapple. Or packages of oatmeal and/or poptarts. Fifteen times a day. With lots of yelling. So I love the peace and quiet.

And those happy smiles.

Playing with friends

That's love.

Soon to be nursery buddies! (but who's counting, right?)

Hooray!

The Philosopher

Scotty asks deep questions. While driving home from church he started a very involved discussion.

S: "When my daddy gets old and dies, will I not have a daddy anymore?"
Meg: "Daddy will always be your daddy, no matter what."
S: "But when he's dead he won't be around to be my daddy."
Meg: "He'll be in heaven but he'll still love you, watch over you, and care about you--he'll always be your daddy."
S: "But if he's in heaven he's not here on Earth, so it's not really the same."
Meg: "Feel free to jump in here anytime, Eric."
Eric: "I'm not dead, so don't worry about it."

We had this one over dinner:

Scotty: "What does 'birth' mean? Is it a bad thing?"
Meg: "Birth? It means the day you were born--when a baby comes out of the mommy's tummy, and it's a wonderful thing."
Scotty: "Then why do we have to protect people from birth if it's not a bad thing?"
Meg: "What? Where are you getting this?"
Scotty: "Like in the song! 'to protect me from birth'."
Meg: (singing in her head) "My choice was to come to this lovely home on Earth, to seek for God's light to DIRECT me from birth" (thank you, calling as the Primary Chorister!)

Meg: "The words are 'direct me from birth'."
Scotty: "so we should stay away from it?"

Meg: "English is a silly language, Scotty."

...when Grammy comes!

"It's always fun when Grammy comes, when Grammy comes--hooray!"

My mom's mom took a two week/three state tour and we loved having her around. We packed a lot into just a few days, but here are some of the AZ highlights (we didn't join them on the trip out to Iowa or Nauvoo, Illinois).

The State Fair

I know, I know, it's missing the "P" in "Producers"--dang camera phones!

The butterfly exhibit! With high tech butterfly feeders: Q-tips

Wiggle riders. You just wiggle and they skate around. Never mind the fact that my knees are bumping me in the chin, it was fun!

The Farm

"and the corn is as high as an elephant's eye...."

riding the barrel train

I'm fortunate to NOT have a copy of me attempting to ride one of those bounce ponies you see in the background....

Larsen Scarecrows

Does it still count if you don't actually buy or carve a pumpkin?

My grammy is so cool.

The Zoo

wait for it....

Got it!

The Stingray Whisperer

The stingrays liked Grammy so much they would stop moving when they reached her. A few even tried to swim up the side of the wall just to get more attention from her!

Lots of quality time

"it's always fun for everyone when Grammy comes!"

We love you, Grammy Hepworth! Scotty is already talking about what things he wants to do the next time you come to visit :o)

P.S. If you're seeing this post through email or reader, click over to the actual blog to check out the new look! I thought it was time for a facelift...