Do I Like Santa?

Joann apparently thought sitting on Santa's lap was a very serious occasion. She told him she wants blocks for Christmas. I'm afraid she just couldn't think of anything to ask for (she already has blocks). Although since then, Joann has been picking up toys in the store and saying, "I want __ for Christmas, Mom." This morning at breakfast she told her dad, "I want ponies for Christmas. Three ponies!" as she held up two fingers.

Thanksgiving

We got together with two families from our ward for Thanksgiving and we had soooo much good food. Joann and I made this banner in honor of the occasion by hunting treasures all over the neighborhood: acorns, holly leaves, sticks, etc. It was good fun.






I'm afraid to say that Joann's favorite part of the meal was the crackers, without the cheese ball. We need to work on her tastebuds.

Silly girls.

Helping Daddy Study

This is Joann's idea of helping her daddy study. Notice she even shared her two comfort objects, Puppy and her fuzzy blankie.

Decking the Halls

We put up our decorations really early this year. I told Joann about our decorations and she couldn't wait. She was a big help, as you can see!

Good Quote

I like this quote about Creation on my sister's blog.

Family Pictures

Our friend Melanie took some family pictures for us at a nearby park. Didn't she do an amazing job?

I'm a Sick Girl

Here's Joann playing sick. "Pretend I'm a sick girl, Mom. I need medicine." So we pretended the medicine tasted really bad and Joann came up with a list of ingredients to make it taste better: strawberries, raspberries, sugar, and icecream.

Love it

Just a cute photo to remind me what a sweet thing it is to have a family; it's the biggest blessing God has given me. I am grateful to know that I can spend eternity with them because we are sealed together with power from heaven. I am humbled by the greatness of men like Joseph Smith, who helped that power come back to earth. How blessed I am for it! I am sure I would not be quite so nice to my family without that knowledge. The power and direction it gives me is invaluable. Look at Joann's chubby hands and Devin's strong brown one; how could I live without knowing I have them forever?!

Fall

Fall is spectacular in this state. I am so grateful to live in a beautiful place and to be able to share the beauty I see with Joann. Both of my parents always commented on the beauty of the earth, and I'm glad they fostered that appreciation in me. This is one of the reasons I love to take pictures, I think.

Southern Accent

Trick or Treat

The pink fairy flew from house to house. She said, "Let run and walk and run!" Her bucket got heavier and banged into her leg as she ran, but no one else was allowed to hold it. "I have so much candy, but I need SO much more!" A neighbor asked her how old she was, and she said, "Three."

Keeneland

We took Amber and Mom and Dad to Keeneland and the weather couldn't have been more beautiful. Even Amber was in short sleeves. Some of the guys betting asked which horse the baby liked. Joann said, "The green one--no, all of them." She did not want to leave.

How to Get Joann to Eat her Dinner

Let her sit on her handsome daddy's lap.

Puppy

This little guy is very dear to Joann. He gets taken care of very well, as you can see.

Halloween Playgroup

I got no good pictures, but they'll do. We had a fun party at a friend's house. We did crafts and had snacks and treats. Joann kept her wings on the whole time. I hope we didn't fill her costume-wearing quota.


Sweet Lady Eden.

New Chairs

We got two new chairs at a garage sale for a great price. They are green with dark blue, and they match our couch cover. It will be so nice to have enough seating for guests, when I can get the rest of my house presentable, that is. Devin's parents and sister, Amber, are coming for a visit this weekend.

The Pumpkin Patch

We picked a very chilly, but sunny day to go to Boyd Orchard with Andrea, Ashton, and Abby. I kept offering Joann her second sweater, but she kept refusing. Then I said, "Joann, if you wear another sweater, it will make you warmer." She let me put it on her. Why do I assume my daughter is just refusing because she's two, and not because she doesn't understand? She is one smart cookie. Anyway, we fed the goats and played on the swings and Joann tried the slide, but there were too many strangers watching her for her to like it I think. We got some very yummy doughnuts and also got lost in the beautiful countryside on the way home. Overall, a very fun day.

This is Why She Loves Him

Devin made paper elephants with Joann one morning. She was so appreciative that she would reach over and pat his arm and say, "I wuv you." (That's what she's doing in the first picture.) I could do crafts with Joann all day long and it would never be quite this special. Ah, the power of Daddy.

Pintos

We've been trying to eat more vegetables and fewer carbs. I made this up, and I don't have a recipe--only a list--but it was really good. Saute chopped onion, carrot, bell pepper, and tomatoes, add cumin, garlic, and chili powder, and some salt. I had some pureed cauliflower, so I added about 1 1/2 cups of that, and a can of pinto beans. We ate it over lettuce with cheese, avocado, and pineapple. You could also eat this over rice. I think I'll put corn in it next time.

Way to Go Dev

Devin has worked very hard for 10 weeks and lost 30 lbs!

Playing Outside

We enjoyed the fading summer sun.