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.