Winter!

At 7:45 this morning, Jacob was putting on his work clothes and headed outside to finish stacking our wood. We had mentioned last night that we couldn't attend the school's "Santa's Workshop" fundraiser until our work was done. Tell you what, give Jacob a job and some motivation and that boy is on it! We were very grateful because as you can see it started snowing this afternoon. Nothing major, just beautiful snow that won't be canceling school. This evening we participated in the town's Christmas Festival of Trees. They have a tree decorating contest and gingerbread contest as well as all kinds of decorations, and of course Santa. We decided to walk up to avoid the parking dilemma. This was fabulous until we realized that on the way down the wind was no longer at our back. Andrew and Samuel were frozen by the time we got home. However, we all enjoyed the walk - it really felt great and it was a fun way to enjoy the snow.

Andrew and Grandma

Helping PopPop

My dad did all kinds of household projects for us while he and my mom were here. One of them involved some plumbing. Helping PopPop work is always a favorite pass-time for grandkids. Andrew is loving this "helping opportunity." Seems to me he's a lot more comfortable under there than PopPop. Thanks again!!


More wood!! I don't want everyone to think that when you come to my house you have to help stack wood - however, if you come anytime during firewood season it's a good chance that wood hauling will be a frequent activity. Thanks to Christian, Robyn, Daddy and Pop for all their help stacking 3 cords of wood on the Saturday after Jacob's baptism. What would have taken us days hours upon hours to stack was finished in an hour and a half (thanks to Grandma also who took the car for an oil change :-)). Andrew wants you all to know that he is not taller than the wood, but PopPop is.

Maine again

Catch Grandpa!!

Aaron and Samuel enjoyed getting in trouble (and causing trouble for each other) all week long. Today they truly enjoyed climbing all over everything.

Grandma and PopPop

Grandma and Andrew

Rachel

So, it's impossible to describe how much I love this place. It is, perhaps, my favorite place on earth. We were blessed with a beautiful day. You'll notice that most of us are without coats. We stopped at the Stonewall Kitchen store on our way to the lighthouse. The adults had a great time testing all the samples they had laid out. Everything from chocolate covered pretzels, to salsas, to jams were available for the tasting. The children happily played in the grassy area next to the store. And thanks to Adam and Christian's willingness, Robyn, Grandma, PopPop, Grandpa Green and Aunt Bethany stopped at the Kittery Outlets without children. It was a truly fabulous day.

Cousins here for the baptism

Jacob's baptism was on Friday, November 20. Christian and Robyn came with their family, Grandpa Green and Aunt Bethany came and Grandma and PopPop were here too. Things couldn't have worked out better with their travel and things went smoothly. It's hard to describe a baptism, but we were grateful to have family around.

Happy Birthday, Jacob!!

Our Jacob is eight years old - I can hardly believe it. We had a party for him the Saturday before his birthday and he thought it was great (I guess that's what counts). I was reminded how much I like birthday parties at the park or beach :-).

It looks odd, but tastes great!

My parents have been here for two weeks and we canned chicken - twice. I'd never done it before and if you like canned chicken from the store this is FABULOUS (even if you don't like canned chicken from the store). Anyway, our chicken was obtained from several different stores and as you can see, you are what you eat. Apparently (so far as we can figure), the chickens on the left ate marigolds and it turns their flesh orange. I must say that if I'd seen chicken like this the first time it would have turned me off forever. However, the taste is the same and it's a great thing for food storage.

Our new shed

More storage!!! Now we can get one car in our one car garage.

Builders

The boys were very pleased with their building skills. These foam letters haven't received much
attention since the older guys learned their letters. Notice Sam - he spent the whole time sobbing as the boys wouldn't let him destroy their creation until we'd taken a picture.

Happy Halloween!

Here they are - A WWI Flying Ace, a dragon, a clone and an opinionated 2 year old.

Samuel learned a new phrase for this special occasion. It only took two rounds of "treaters" at our door for him to catch on to this great game. Instantly he disappeared, grabbed his pumpkin and the next time the doorbell rang he ran to the door, turned and faced me and said "trick or treat" with the group. He was bitterly disappointed in his mother's unwillingness to cooperate is this most exciting game.

Sunday Best

I guess this is the best I can expect after a five hour church day. At least they're smiling. Samuel loves the suit but refuses to wear the tie. Andrew was wondering... when Sam's suit gets bigger can he wear it :-)? Fortunately I found a sport coat buried away and Andrew is wearing that and an old Joshua tie. He seems to be happy.

If you look really closely you'll notice that Joshua is in socks. He ran in the house so fast and changed that he missed the, "We're taking pictures" announcement. However, I wanted a picture of our beautiful Japanese Maple.

Thanks Grandma

We found ourselves in a PJ bind tonight. Fortunately Grandma had sent us some new ones. Thanks!

HELP!!!

So one day I was in the kitchen doing dishes and I hear a little, "Help!!" I look over and Samuel had gotten himself stuck in my stock pot. At first he was really scared - but when he figured out that I would save him it became a great game. I had to take the "trap" away after the fifth or sixth rescue. I wasn't popular, but I'm getting used to that.

Bubble Wars - Thanks Grandpa!!

The boys had a great afternoon having what they called a bubble war. Thanks again!

Please note - it's OCTOBER 15

You are not dreaming (or nightmare-ing) that's really snow and it's STICKING!! I can hardly believe it. I actually don't mind snow, as long as they don't cancel school for the stuff. Anyway, apparently we are skipping fall this year and heading straight into winter. I'm glad y'all didn't choose this autumn to come leaf peeping.

Along with winter comes the need to heat. I was aware that rain (it's snow, not rain) was on the way and so the whole family pitched in and we've got a good stack inside ready for the weekend.

Samuel LOVES hauling wood. There was a brother in our ward who sent out an emailing asking for help with his wood and I almost sent Sam - he's that good. The kid doesn't get distracted and is distraught when the deed is done. In fact, he sneaks out of the house in order to run over to the wood pile to get more wood.

OH!! The torture!!

Pack Meeting

Joshua officially received his Wolf badge last Friday night (although he's been finished since May). We had Pack meeting at our house and had a great time. Since there are only 4 Cubs in the Pack it wasn't a big deal to have them and their families for a simple bbq and meeting. Here's Joshua pinning the "Mom pin" on my collar.

Joshua with Bro. Jones.

I personally love the stocking feet - you can't do that at the church building.

Snakes and Intruders (or are they the same)

So, it was cold enough here yesterday that I had to break down and light a fire. It was 61 degrees in the house and Andrew and Samuel were frozen. Out to the woodpile I went. As I lifted the first logs of the season I discovered 3 or 4 baby snakes hiding out under the wood. Anyone who knows me well knows that snakes are not my friends. I don't like them. I acknowledge the need for their existence and am grateful for all the critters that don't continue on in this life because of them, but I still don't like them - at all. Starting around midnight I had horrifying nightmares about snakes in my woodpile. Usually I can just tell myself, "It was just a dream, it's not real." However, this time it was real - there really are snakes in our woodpile. So all night long I have been dreaming about these snakes. It was a very disturbed sleep and poor Adam had to put up with my jumping out of bed and starting awake all night. That is until he heard some very suspicious noises from outside. He went to the window and told me to dial 911. Four people were standing outside our house. One of them was walking around to the back, they were all dressed in dark clothing. Flashbacks to last fall when a guy walked up the basement stairs into our kitchen raced through my head. I called 911 and they sent out the police. Adam and I huddled for a minute or two just watching these people imagining the worst. What did they want...we're totally outnumbered...will the police get here in time...sshh don't be to loud, we don't want them to take off before the police get here...should we have bought a gun last fall...even if we had, one against four isn't good odds...

Then we hear - "It's Alexia!" Relief flooded our systems. We ran downstairs to let in Alexia and her friends who had stopped on their way up to Maine for a little rest. We actually knew they were coming but had totally forgotten about it - things don't make much sense at 4am. We greeted everyone as they entered. I had stayed on the phone with 911 and was able to tell them right away everything was all right. I saw the police cruiser pass by as everyone filed in. We were safe the whole time but despite that sleep has not come easily to me this night. I'm a little wound up while exhausted at the same time. I decided to come do something productive instead of lying in my bed waiting for sleep to come (it probably would be riddled with snakes if it did come, snakes and intruders, one in the same :-)).

They can see clearly now...

After complaining of headaches for the last few weeks, we decided to take Joshua to the eye doctor. As long as we were at it I made an apt for Jacob. Turns out both boys have the EXACT same prescription. Both are near-sighted and both needed glasses. I apologize here and now for passing on my eyes. However, I think the realities of being able to see clearly are sinking in. Joshua is very reluctant about the whole thing and Jacob can't wait to show them off at school tomorrow. I must toot our own horns here and say I think they both look great!

Oops, a few more vacation pictures

This just cracked us up. Waterton was so exhausting. We rarely stopped and I think this picture says it all.

Samuel and Uncle Steve enjoying ice cream in front of our hotel room in Waterton.

This is the "bunk room" at Grandma and PopPop's house. Jody and I went into check on the sleeping angels and discovered Tanner fast asleep on top of Jacob. Both boys are sound asleep (even though Jacob's eyes are open, trust me, he's asleep) but Jacob is realizing there is something not quite right :-).

Last of the Utah pictures

Backyard bbq at Grandpa Green's

Jacob loved the smores

Jack loved everything

Olivia, Grandpa and Aunt Bethany

Great Grandma Green
This was at a Green family reunion on July 3. When Samuel saw Grandma walking in he was pretty convinced that she needed help with her walker. He "helped" her all the way to the table.