Mattatoullie Birthday

He is 4. . . 1, 2, 3, FOUR!

I can still remember when he used to suck on his fist. . .thumb side. . .till is was chapped and raw. I can still remember when he used to call his big sis NAUNIE. Cute little boy. Now he calls his big sis by her name minus the first A, he still needs a cup of strawberry milk before bed, and Big Fat Monkey is still a bosom buddy.

Now he loves trains, and volcanos and can't wait till the snow sticks so he can go skiing and sledding. Loves loves loves his bike and can't wait to go back to Yuma to visit Nanna and Papa!

Here's the birthday boy.

Here's the cake:

Here's where we went:

First Day of School (A Whole Month LATER)

Well now is a good time to get caught up. Here are the little Riddles on their first day of school.

VERY READY.

VERY EXCITED.

VERY MUCH NOT ANY TEARS. (from me or them. . . does that mean I am heartless?)

I think it means we were all VERY ready for this. The last couple of months have been absolutely crazy and scrambled up. School means schedule and stability. Both VERY good things!

And don't forget their 1st Day of School Breakfast Requests:

Green Eggs and Ham (sans the ham)

Purple Eggs and Ham (sans the ham and a little more grayish blue than purple)
Nothing like a good nutritious morning breakfast!

Catch the Drift

Well I was actually online looking for fall discounts. . . and stumbled upon this wonderful little blog. She is chock full of great giveaways and such. Check her out for a chance to win some passes to Thanksgiving Point's Barnyard Boo, or Cornbelly's Corn Maze and so so so much more!
Or just click on her cute button to the right!

I Love Your Guts!

Funny story. Mom and Kaycie and a few lucky others. . . accept my apology for telling this story yet again. But somethings are worth a few tells.

Me to Matt: "Matt, I love your guts!"

Matt to Me: "Mom. . . you love my guts? Why do you love my guts? Do they smell good?"

Me to Matt: "Um. . .ok. . yeah they smell good!"

Matt to Me: "Mom, do my nuts smell good?"

Me to Matt: choke, cough, cough. . ."Your nuts? Matt, where are your nuts?"

Matt to Me: "Right here!" pointing to his knee caps in a very matter-of-fact tone.

I laughed my guts out!

Canning these. . . gonna use these!

My mother-in-law is gardening queen. We are canning tomaters tonight. . . and peaches very soon. I am going to use these lovely labels/tags on the ones I manage to canoodle from her pantry when we are done to give to some lucky ladies!

p.s

canoodle –verb Slang.
caress, fondle, or pet amorously.

While the word canoodle can be appropriate regarding the goodness of home=made treats such as canned tomatoes and peach jam or applesauce (which we will be doing very soon as well), it does not mean 'sneak' like I thought it did. Learn somp'n new everyday!

No Place Like Home!

I think I am the last one of anyone who knows me to see this. I read the book last summer. . . loved it and looked forward to seeing it on stage. Quite a bit different, but so enjoyable. If you haven't read the book --- DO!

I know I know. I have been so WICKED. It has been since MAY!!! But life has a way of throwing you curve balls. . . nasty ones.



But then I can't really say for certain that it has been really nasty. . . maybe the ball was magnanimous pitch. . .one that would help me move forward in the game and take a base or two.



What did we learn from this marvelous musical. . . most times things aren't how they appear to be. Always another side to every story. . . maybe the Lord is inviting me to see His side.



Nonetheless, we find our little farm house, upside down and alll disheveled, but in a warm and happy place; that we can be greatful for indeed. In my heart of hearts I always knew we would land in Utah again . . . didn't anticipate the twister that would drop us down here. But we are greatful for the adventure, and are waiting to find our yellow brick road. Well. . . maybe we are already on it. . . the gold is just a bit faded, so I have to look harder for it's happy hue on the path beneath my feet.

SOLD. . . Wait, WHAT!?

well there isn't a sold sign on it yet because the sign has only been up one day! First people through made a full asking price offer.

Guess the timing was right.

We found a small place to rent until we figure out what to do in San Diego. Chuck will be working over there starting the same week we close on the house. I am hoping the answers will come quickly after that. I don't want to be separated for long, and I would like to get settled before Alaina starts kinder.

Wish us luck!