blogging

So today I spent a little time helping my mom create a blog of her own. I also taught her how to read everyone else's blogs and how to leave comments. I have had such a great time reading all the relatives' blogs, seeing pictures of the little ones (as well as the big kids), and reading about what everyone is up to, and I am hoping that Grandma and Grandpa will also enjoy seeing how you all are growing and learning and having fun. I can't figure out how to get the "&" thing off their name. Any ideas?

Lynn and I celebrated our 28th anniversary yesterday. We have been married longer than we've been single. In some ways it seems like just yesterday, and at the same time it seems as though we've never NOT been together. We had a yummy ham dinner which we shared with Gma and Gpa and Travis. Gpa did a tender thing: he looked up stuff in his autobiography about me, my mission, Lynn, our engagement and wedding, and Travis' birth. It was fun to hear him read with some emotion about those precious memories. We also laughed over Aunt Kim's experience having her picture plastered all over the news in connection with Sex Education! Funny story from the past.

Molly Phair gave me a good idea. At a book club discussion she had the idea of filling a jar with slips of paper that we've written things we love and appreciate about our husbands. I thought that was a cool idea, so for over a month I've written down the things I am thankful for that Lynn has done for me. I put them together on a poster and gave it to Lynn yesterday. Thank Heaven for good loving husbands! For marriage. For covenants.

Projects

Grandma Lovelle has been sewing up a storm! She made 4 aprons using a cute pattern I found called "Flirty Skirty". I think the apron would look a lot flirtyer on young skinny girls, but we of the older more comfortable crowd can pretend! She also shortened a bunch of skirts for me. They all used to hit me around the ankles, which is not very flattering given my height to width ratio, so she cut off several inches and made them all MUCH more attractive (all things considered). Happy day!

I also wanted to post a picture of a super fun paper project. Aunt Kris and Melissa taught Grandma Velle and I how to make these adorable tic tac covers. We made lots of snowmen covers and several spring type covers. I think the possibilities are limitless. I've heard there are different colored tic tacs, which would be a fun variation too.

Sewing with Molly

Brad and Molly spent the week after Christmas with us. Brad went hunting as often as he possibly could. What a passion! Molly had fun sewing a blanket for her sister, Sonja. Jessi made 4 blankets over the Christmas break. And Molly and I finally finished our bags. They are made from the same pattern that Jessi and Jena used for theirs. It was so fun having the kids here with us! We loved having Jessi here, and enjoyed getting to know Richard.

Daniel and Linda's Wedding

Lynn, Grandma, Grandpa, and I went to Daniel and Linda's wedding this past weekend. Everything went really well. Uncle Mark and Aunt Sherrie are always such great hosts. We loved spending time with them and with their family, and having Uncle Lee and Aunt Kim there made it extra special. The sealing ceremony was short and to the point. The day was sunny but cold. Linda's family mainly spoke Spanish, and I tried to carry on some conversation with them, but I always freeze up and get frustrated that I can't remember how to say things anymore. I thought I'd share some pictures from the day. Gavin was adoreable in his little tux.

Our First Grandchild Enters the World!

The top picture shows Logan just chillin' in his cramped living quarters. Brad, Molly, TJ, and Alan were over playing games, waiting patiently for Logan to join us for a wild round of speed scrabble. Good thing he didn't join us that night; he probably would have put us all to shame! Jessi, the picture of Jena's hands on her belly is for you. Don't you just love the manicure?! Her toe nails match! She was going to be pushing in style! I love the second picture. It's how every woman feels who knows she's in for a wild ride!

Here's Logan Joshua, just fresh from Heaven. He weighed 8 pounds 8 ounces, like his grandpa Lynn. His eyes are blue so far, and he has a bit of dark hair. We can see some of Josh in his expressions, but think he has his mother's nose. (It's hard to tell - most babies look just the same, small and scrunched up.)

So far the things we can tell about Logan are that he likes to sleep a lot, and he loves to keep his hands up by his face. We have inadvertently taken several pictures of Logan's manhood, and trust me, he has plenty of it!

Travis and Lynn arrived Friday evening, and both were eager to hold Logan. Travis is going to be a really fun uncle. Travis is doing photography for the high school newspaper, and he was able to bring the school camera with him. So far he has taken about a million pictures of Logan. I'll have to put some of Travis' pictures on the blog, too.

I just want to tell everyone I see that I have the most beautiful and precious grandson in the world. We were at the checkout stand at the grocery store today, and the lady didn't ask how we were doing, so I said, "You're supposed to ask how we are doing, and then I will tell you that we are extremely happy because we have a brand new grandson!" The checker just happened to be a great grandmother, so she understood! :)

You know that whole "multiply and replenish the earth that ye may have joy and rejoicing in your posterity" thing? Well, this is it! Joy in Jena and Josh, joy in Logan, joy in the rest of the children. He really knew what He was talking about!

Caughtcha!

Oh Fall, lovely fall. It's just so beautiful. Perhaps you won't find this picture attractive, but I just love the changing colors of fall. This picture was taken on a rainy day a few weeks ago as we were getting serious about leaving summer behind for another year.

Lo and behold! Caught her red handed (or would that be green mouthed?). I was on my way upstairs, looked out at the garden, and there she was, eating away merrily. This picture was taken a few weeks ago when we still had a garden. It is all gone now, and Lynn has rototilled the ground for the winter rest.

Just recently I was doing some canning, it was late and terribly dark outside. I had a big bowl full of apple peels that I needed to throw on the compost pile, but it was too dark, so I just set the bowl outside at the end of the front sidewalk. When I went to empty it in the morning, the deer had taken care of that little task for me. Oh great - now I'm feeding them from a bowl! What next???

There was a buck in the driveway recently, too. Maybe he'll hang around for the hunting season. Doubt it.

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