I Almost Couldn't Allow Her to Participate

Today was Mismatch Day at Priss's school. They are celebrating Red Ribbon Week this week and each day is assigned a theme. Since we had already missed out on pj day we have been trying to participate in the other day's themes. Yesterday was wear red and today wear clothes that don't match. As a parent I strive hard to not allow my kids to leave for somewhere important without clothes on that match. Neurotic, I know!

Here is the outfit she chose.

Leicester Pronounced Lester

On Wednesday of last week we packed the kids, the car and headed out to North Carolina for a long weekend to see Jason's parents' new home. They moved down there last month since Jason's father had taken a job last year that required him to be over the territory of NC. His dad works for a company that manufactures equipment used for women's health.

We had only had the chance to see the home through pictures and on the Internet before our trip south. It was little man's first trip and he was a champ. Out of the 7 hours of travel he fussed for maybe 20 minutes and that is a high estimate. The other two did well also. By the time we were about 12 miles away Swee was sobbing, Priss was covering her ears, Little Man was sleeping, and Jason & I were trying our hardest to find the roads Mapquest said we needed while "lola" (gps) was telling us different exits and routes to take. It seems that the state of NC doesn't pave straight roads just curvy ones. And we later found out that Mapquest took us the back way while Lola was taking us the longer but less curvy way. We made it none the less and had a great visit. The kids fell in love with the new house...it had a basement that they claimed! Jason and I thought that this house would be a great size for our next home...no new job so probably not moving anytime in the near future.

We took one day and went shopping. Yes, the entire day was spent at some awesome outlets (Jason likes to shop too but his Dad doesn't). Another day we went to a place called Bryson City to ride an actual train only to get there as it was pulling out. Swee wanted so badly to ride the train that as it pulled out he waved and said, "Come back for me I will be waiting". Talk about breaking a mother's heart! Plans were made to return and ride said train since tickets will be purchased before we make the long trip.:) On the way back to Leicester we stopped at a little store that had a tower you could climb for 50 cents to look at the Smokey Mountains. Everyone climbed to the top on their own two legs, okay not the Little Man but come on he's only 7 weeks old. The kids loved getting to climb that high, it was probably about 5 stories off the ground.

Coming home was an adventure in itself since about 10 minutes down the road the interstate was closed due to a rock slide and we were rerouted 4 hours out of our way. So the trip that was to take about 7 hours was then going to take 11. After some quick thinking and the use of an atlas we were able to cut the reroute time down from 4 hours to 2 hours. We left at 10:30 a.m. and got home at 7:30 p.m. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and will be returning after basketball season is over and the new year has arrived.

Here are a smattering of pictures taken while we were gone...

posing with Linus, Lil Man was asleep

at the train depot after the train left

grandparents and grandkids

Our coonskin cap girl

What should I carve?

Or better what should Daddy carve? The older two had a lot of fun choosing faces for their Jack-o-lanterns yesterday. Swee wanted a mad face and Priss wanted a Boo face. They loved getting to gut their pumpkins in preparation for the carving to begin.

As for the little man...we took a vote. Either a #1 or a T. The T won out.

Meeting the Ggs

Lil man had the wonderful opportunity to meet Ggma and Ggpa this past weekend. Both seemed to fall in love with him, which what's not to love!? It was great to visit with them and to see the improvement in Ggma. We love them so much and miss getting to see and talk with them as frequent as we would like.

Which One To Choose?

Last weekend we went to the pumpkin patch for Priss and Swee to select their pumpkins. Lil man will just have to been okay with the one that Honey bought. Priss and Swee loved riding the horse drawn trolley to the patch and back. Lil man wasn't too impressed to say the least. Following the pumpkin selection both Priss and Swee wanted a turn or two to ride the ponies. It just so happened that two of Jason's students were the ones walking the ponies around.

Pics from Conference

Here are some up to date pictures of the family taken this weekend following Sunday morning's session of General Conference. My dad came down for a visit and while he was here we took pictures and Priss read to him out of her school reader. It is really neat to hear her reading to other people and to see the confidence that she is building.

Walk-a-thon

Priss with Swee, her class and Mrs. Meyer entering the track to begin walking

The boys and I joined Priss on her school's first annual walk-a-thon. The walking portion was held at the high school. Each grade level was assigned a time to walk. The local radio station came and played music while the kids walked. Swee managed to walk 3/4 of a mile with me and lil man before his legs got too tired. We left a little early since Swee was tired and lil man was hungry. Priss managed to raise $102 for her school thanks to some very generous family and friends. I am thankful that this is her only fundraiser for the year! YEAH!

Swee pushing the lil man and Priss supervising

Priss walking with some friends and Swee pushing lil man

My Three Cuties!

28 days

Oh, where has the time gone so quickly. It saddens me to think that lil man is that old already. I want him to stay little forever! He is wonderful. Lil man sleeps through anything, eats great, loves to snuggle, tolerates his big brother and big sis so well, loves being held and sleeping on his belly (don't tell everyone), and is a complete joy and pleasure to have.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Priss's first grade class had a family fun night last week the theme was "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" so we did projects that correlated with the story. Each teacher read the story to their class and then it was off to complete the projects.

One of the projects was to make a butterfly using tissue paper, pipe cleaner and clothes pin.

Priss's class along with 3 other classes performed songs dealing with apples. She loved getting to sing and have us watch. After the performance we enjoyed cookies and punch. Wonderful job Priss!