We had a fun Labor Day weekend.  Lee and Lois had their birthdays that weekend which made it extra fun.  First are some random pictures Haley took. 






Since we were heading to Lois' the afternoon of Lee's birthday, he opened his presents the night before at home.


After school on Friday we drove up to Lois'. For Lee's birthday she made yummy artichoke/chicken/basil pizza and an awesome chocolate cake with ganache and chocolate mousse.  So good!  Check it out here: http://www.ourbestbites.com/2010/03/chocolate-mousse-crunch-cake/




Happy 31st birthday Lee!


Sunday was Lois' birthday. Jeff put up some cute decorations and even got party hats and blowers for the party.  I think Lois had a fun day.


Elden got pretty good at riding Reed's scooter.  He is also learning to ride our two-wheeled ones at home.


Happy Birthday Lois!!! It was fun being with you on your birthday!


Lois' friends gave them some candy from Russia.  We enjoyed finishing it off for them.


Lois' Party!








On Labor Day we swapped going to the temple with Jeff and Lois. It's nice that the D.C. temple is open on certain Monday holidays!  During the earthquake that occurred about two weeks ago the tips of the spires fell off the temple.  Can you tell which ones are missing?  Here is the article about the D.C. Temple.

The picture isn't the best, but the spire to the right of the Angel Moroni is fine--it's very thin and pointy at the top.  All the others broke off and look a little more blunt.  You could tell in real life...

There is an Asian/International store right by Lois'.  I am not a big fan of seafood, but Lee loves it. I don't know if we've ever bought shrimp at a grocery store the whole time we've been married.  And of course for the longest time we've cut back on groceries and shrimp just wasn't going to make it on the menu.  Lee bought some at the market.  It was another fun birthday present.  Hope you didn't mind the smell Jeff!


Later on Labor Day we met up with my Missionary Training Center (MTC) companion Millie. The first time we ever met was in Provo at the MTC and also served in the Los Angeles Mission together.  We were never companions once we got to LA, but we got to see each other a lot and often served with the same companions.  It was so great seeing her.  We haven't seen each other for about 5 or 6 years.  She is doing a nursing program right now and only lives about 1 1/2 hours from us!  Thanks for meeting up with us Millie!



I hope you all had a good Labor Day weekend too!  It's funny because growing up we literally labored on Labor Day.  From memory it seems that we would finish up garden stuff or yard work or something.  My dad was great at teaching us to work and always had things for us 10 kids to do!

Front Page Article

A couple of weeks ago Lee was interviewed by the local paper.  It was fun seeing a write-up about him in the newspaper.  Besides some inaccuracies (we didn't buy a house, Lee is from Nevada not Utah, and he is an O.D. not a D.O.), overall we thought it was a favorable article. 

The first part made it on the front page!


The rest of the story....


It's been fun being in a small town where there isn't a Walmart and the local newspapers are $0.25.  We're excited to see what the future holds as we plan on staying put.  Sounds like there are some strawberry farms nearby and a ski resort is just 7 miles away. Yep, I'll think it'll work out well. 

Swords

This morning we went out to the shed so I could get my "sewing" box.  Our landlord has items stored in there as well, and Haley noticed some decorative swords.  She asked me why there were swords in the shed.  I told her that our landlord must like swords. She proceeded to tell me the REAL reason they were there: "To kill the Lamanites!" I guess we need to have some FHE lessons on brotherly kindness and love.

Image from http://lds.org/liahona/1994/10/captain-moroni-defeats-zerahemnah?lang=eng

As per Roger's and Nathan's request, here you go! 






This storage shed is awesome!  I've realized since moving that I need a lot of storage in my house.  When we eventually buy/build a house, we'll need lots of storage space!  We really don't have that much stuff (considering there are 7 people in our family), but there are lots of things that I am holding on to that I don't want to throw away yet--like all my twin baby girl clothes.  (Just let me know sisters when you are expecting twin girls!) I want to give them to someone I know instead of donating them or selling them.  Aren't you proud Mom?


Love the swing!!!


Keep in mind my other rental places that I've lived.  I do not decorate the places we live in (and I should, but I don't) and we generally live in older places.  Some of the finishes aren't that great, but it's fine. We're renting.




So I was going to be fancy, smancy and not have the TV in the living room.  Well, the house is a bit smaller than our last one (about 2500 sq. feet to now 1340 sq. feet), and with the fireplace not even in working condition, we went ahead and stuck it in there anyway.




Patio area off of the dining area.  The table and grill are our landlord's.


The bar thing that you see to the right and the window opening--that goes into the dining area.


The dining area leads into the kitchen/laundry.  Kitchen to the left, laundry to the right.


The other corner of the kitchen.


Shanna wanted a picture of her shoes.




Needed some storage solutions!


Our wheat and powdered milk and whatever else we canned--in the bottom of our closet.  Well, it fills up more than just the bottom of our closet.






Now up the stairs.  To the left a bedroom, to the right, a playroom.














The room even comes with a gun closet!  Woo hoo!  You can see we have an extensive collection.

First Day of School

Yesterday Clark and Cal started school. This is Cal's second school that he's attended and Clark's third. So far things are going okay.  Switching schools is always hard, especially on the older kids. I am very pleased with their new school.  The teachers, principal and the ladies in the office all seem great!  Out of the four years that my kid(s) have been going to school, the start of this school year was very anti-climatic.  Guess it's better that way?  Maybe it's because our friends back in Missouri have already started school or maybe it's because we've been anticipating the new school year for so long (if that makes sense!). Monday night we had a little party--suggested by Clark.  Lee also gave all of us priesthood/Father's blessings and that was wonderful.  I am thankful the power of God is here on the earth and that my husband is worthy to exercise that power.  

Clark and Cal yesterday morning





Lee forgot to take a picture of Clark by his classroom.  Maybe later we'll get one.  While Lee walked the boys into school we waited in the van.  When he got back we took off to get some errands done.  We first went to the DMV to title and register our vehicles, along with getting new licenses. We didn't have the proper identification to prove that we lived here--aka: the right piece of mail. When I received the change of address notice from the post office of course I chucked it in the trash.  That was dumb!  I brought some other mail envelopes with us, but they were the wrong ones.  Anyway, the lady was so nice and somehow worked her magic and got us everything anyway!  After that Lee stopped in at the local public TV station to find out about how to "advertise" with them or whatever they call it.  While he was in there we went to the pond behind the station and looked at the geese.  (I think they are geese!)









It was pretty cute watching Elden chase after this one.





For some other random pictures....  On Sunday I did the girls' nails and I got the idea of letting them paint mine.  It was very fun.  Shanna did the pink and Haley did the gold.


These next pictures are from Haley and Cal. Here's Elden out on the front porch that we LOVE.  There is even a swing!








Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying school or that all is well with your kids in school. I personally am glad my kids are in school and not myself.  Maybe someday I'll get a Master's degree.  Someday. Maybe.