Utah

The boys were very pleased when they heard we would be taking off to Utah at a moment's notice.

What could beat spending quality time with their family?



They got ready for Thanksgiving with a little role playing with cousins.

Discovered new things about various kinds of dinosaurs.

They also tried their hand at some farming skills. They both did very well getting the milk. Negotiations are now underway as to whether we should have our own cow.



The boys returned home feeling a new sense of togetherness. They quickly posted this sign on their door. It says: Simon and Sam olnlea. Mom and Dad Keep Out. Clost.

Superstars

These boys have been doing incredible things!

Take this guy, for example. When he's not escaping from the ropes we tie him in (just kidding), he is potty training himself with almost no help from his parents. I'd been dragging my feet on this matter when one day Simon decided he was only going to wear underwear. He hasn't looked back since. He's done extremely well, even at night. After about 2 days he was an old pro with no accidents. Simon also takes to repeating each page of the stories I read to him, to commit it to memory I suppose. Later he reads the books aloud to anyone who would like to enjoy them. Himself especially.

And this guy has been reading whole books to himself, his parents, and his little brother. He likes figuring out what the signs say as we pass them on the road. Anyone seen Forget Paris with the elderly father-in-law? He also likes to go at mach speed on his two wheeler bike while making the appropriate sound effects to match his speed. These boys are superstars!

October

We had a great time with family visiting. We got to visit the pumpkin patch.


Went to Disneyland. This isn't exactly how you might picture it, eh?


Spent some time at the beach.

Riding ponies.

Comparing our hands and footprints at Graumann's Theater in Hollywood. I wonder if I should be concerned that my hand size was the same as Gene Kelly's and Tom Hanks. My children had the same hand size as many of the women, Rita Hayworth in particular.

Making silly faces. We love to hang out with our family.

Davy Crockett

Michael always likes to have an intriguing project to work on. And anyone who knows Michael will agree that he is extremely creative and resourceful. He's used these skills to create igloos, ice skating rinks, giant snow obelisks, and he's dried leaves to weave them into baskets and mats. This is just to name a few. General Conference weekend usually yields amazing results. While listening to conference in past years, a massive cardboard castle was erected, complete with painted bricks and second story tower. This time around, it was coon skin hats from the tanned skins he "tried his hand at". It's always an adventure to see what Michael's newest project will be. That's one of the reasons I love being married to him.

Lalomanu

On September 29th a powerful Pacific Ocean earthquake caused a tsunami on American and Western Samoa. The tsunami hit the Aleipata district particularly hard. Within this region, is the village of Lalomanu. This is where we spent roughly 2 1/2 months of our lives. This beach fale is where we stayed and is most definitely gone now. The military is now bringing aid and searching for bodies. The death toll is around 169, although there are still many people missing. One of the articles we read led us to believe that Sofia, one of the sweet little girls who liked to come over to play with us was among the dead.


We are thinking of beautiful Samoa and praying for our Samoan friends and their hardship.

Sunny California

There is something liberating about moving to a new place. For example, I don't have to consider whether or not to continue belting out the tune in my car at a changing stoplight when I'm driving in a city full of strangers. No responsibilities to think of...yet. Plus, there's a whole new set of local attractions and adventures to divert myself with. Here are some of the more recent: Feeding the goats.


Styrofoam swimming

Trail walking in the Back Bay area.

Checking out the local vegetation.

Capturing lizards.

Testing out fancy new diving gear while doing some boogie boarding.