The 'Betcha Blink First' game.

Scary faces don't count!

Here are a load of recent quotes from the kids from this past month. Actually, most of them are from Austin. For some reason he has been on a roll when it comes to silly things to say.

I think adequate descriptions of my boys would be that Ethan is eager to please and Austin is a mini-hippie. After we had gone through Reed's Gold Mine, the tour guide asked if there were any questions. Ethan immediately raised his hand up, waving it around, desperate to participate. When he was called on his smile slowly flattened and he finally said, "uh...oh. Yeah. Never mind." Ask him what the original question was and he would have had the exact same response. Austin, watching big brother in the spotlight, thought he'd give it a go and raised up his hand The guide smiled (a sure sign he was used to these types of responses and said, "ok. yes. What is your question son." Without missing a beat, Austin responded, "Excuse me. Um. I love you."

When I picked up Austin from preschool he looked positively glum. Before I could say anything he said, "i'm sorry I'm in bad-newses." Confused, I asked,"Bad news?" "Yes bad newses. My friend couldn't play anymore so now I'm in a bad newses." A light clicked, "A bad mood? Glad to finally be understood he shouts out, "Yes...bad news!"

(a cute pic. of Jen and Austin)

Austin had a tummy ache the other day. He let me know by saying, "My tummy's bone is broken. My tummy is dizzy....it's so dizzying."

Austin couldn't find a toy and asked me to find it. I told him to keep looking and saw him sit down with his head in his hand muttering, "I have to use my brain now."

I love to go to Costco during the food tasting time. This occupies my kids and provides them with a mini-dinner at the same time. The other day after one of these bite-size snacks, Alaina took her plastic cup and tossed it into a nearby garbage from her seat on the cart. With the success of a garbage 'dunk' behind her, she exclaimed, "When I grow up I want to be someone who throws things away." "A garbage man?" I asked? "Yes! A garbage man." Concerned, Austin piped up and asked, "What about being a Princess?" She shakes her head, "no." Trying to 'keep her options open' (thanks dad) I reminded her, "didn't you want to be a butterfly?" But she's adamant, "No I want to be a garbage man because I'm good at throwing things away." Now, who can argue with that?

Before Austin does something, he likes to announce it. When he got too tired from the 2 minute walk from the bus stop back to our house he throws himself down on the grass & shouts, "I plopped down. I'm going to plop on the grass."

I was getting Austin dressed after his bath and had just put on his gray boxers & t-shirt when he gave me an impromptu hug. A moment later he Austin wearing a turned and looked behind him and said, "look at my bum." "Why? is something on it?" I asked, worried that I was going to find a unwanted surprise. "No, look at my bum." So I look and while I'm checking him out he, in all seriousness, says, "doncha think its cute?" And then I really check him out. "Yes...I do think it's cute," He sighs in agreement, "Yeah, it is cute."
It seems that Robert has passed down his infallible confidence. Which brings me to one of my favorite quotes...anyone?
Well chosen briefs I must say. Chicks dig gray. Nice. Firm. Buttocks.

Last week we had some of the most. beautiful weather we've had all year. It was getting up to the high 70's/low 80's with mild evenings and cloudless skies. Gorgeous. Sara and her family were going up to a cabin in the mountains near Asheville for her birthday, so we thought it was a perfect time for a mini vacation. The leaves are all changing into bright reds, oranges and yellows. So we decided to packed up the car & the kids and drive North.
However, on Friday we had a huge drop in temp. and it managed to rain on and off all day. For the weekend the weather barely got up to the 50's and got down to the low 20's at night. Fortunately we had checked the weather before leaving so we were able to bring enough to insure we wouldn't freeze completely but I was getting a little worried about the whole trip.
On Friday evening we got to Pisgah Campground, checked out Sara & Aaron's cabin, set up camp, had some hastily made camp stew & 'smores and got everyone into bed. We had the kids dressed in

double pajamas and kept their hats on their heads so that they would stay warm. After they fell asleep we overlapped their sleeping bags to help out a little too.

Regardless, the next morning was absolutely freezing. We dressed them as quick as we could and after breakfast we drove down to the Asheville Children's museum with Sara and the gang where we spent the morning. During the afternoon we joined Aaron and Preston fishing by a nearby stream. That evening Rob and Aaron went out to do some real fishing while I set up the fire for dinner. I have to say, I made a mighty fine, blazin', one-match fire. Hey...I was a Brownie. (okay...it took about 5 matches but only because the wind kept blowing them out before I got to the fire.)
After dinner and 'smores again we got the kiddies down and hung out around the fire until it just got too cold...despite the roaring fire.

The next morning we had a better plan. After the kids woke up, I kept them in their sleeping bags until Rob got the car going, the fire started, the hot cocoa ready and then one-by-one we loaded the kids into the car, dressed them and then brought them out all toasty and ready for the day. That morning was so cold that when Robert poured water from the pitcher, ice actually formed around the edge. It was crazy. We broke camp and visited with the Weltzes until noon.
At the point we decided to drive the scenic route home. The clouds had finally cleared and although it was still chilly, it had warmed up to the mid-fifties. We stopped at a couple of waterfalls we found along the way. One was called Moore Cove Falls and it took about a mile hike (round-trip) to get to it. It was just he perfect length for the kids. The Falls are probably pretty spectacular in the spring but during our visit there was only a light shower-like drop of water which made it fun to fun under and behind. After we played for a while and had lunch there, we hiked back down and resumed our trip home. It was really a spectacular drive. Amazingly enough, the kids are already planning their next camping trip. Now that we broke them into some extreme camping, Spring time should be a breeze.

Jen came for a visit last week. It was so fun to have her here. The last time that she came to visit I had just been put onto bed-rest at home. I was spending the majority of my time drinking water and eating protein (which also meant that my favorite hangout was the loo.) Needless to say, it wasn't a fun-filled weekend.

This time we thought we'd do things a little differently. We hung out with the kids, went to the Discovery Place, the Pumpkin Farm at Riverbend, Reed's Gold Mine and this po-dunk town called Hiddenite (named after the stone found only in this town.) We even had time to make some orange rolls. And despite our busy schedule Jen and I were able to do a lot of catching up. A lot of that was during the wee hours of the evening but we also talked a lot while we were out and about. During one of these drives she was telling me a story about some hot-headed golfers who got so angry at her when she walked on the edge of the golf course that they started hitting balls at her. Balls were whizzing by her head before she was able to get off the course. A few minutes later we heard a conversation between the twins that went like this: Austin - Who were those naughty men? Laina - What did they do? Austin - they were naughty on the green. Laina - Why? Austin - They threw balls from the green at Jen.
Even though they didn't have a clue what 'the green' was they managed to get a gist of the whole experience. I guess I should really start paying attention to what I'm saying in front of the kiddies.

Here we were at Riverbend Farm. The slides at that place are almost as fun as the pumpkin patch.

And here we are in this little town of Hiddenite which is about 1/2 hour nw from Statesville. We drove to this little mine and spent the afternoon sifting through dirt. That may not sound like a whole lot of fun but it really was. In each bucket we found all sorts of semi-precious gems. The kids loved finding the stones...well, who am I kidding? We all loved finding little treasures. It was a little addicting. We all got a pretty good idea how powerful the ol' gold rush crave would have been in '49. We even went down to the river to see if we could find anything there. That actually served as a literal cold splash of water in the face (the boys threw a huge rock right in front of me) and are passion cooled after about 20 min. of playing around in the water. But it was a fun new adventure for all of us and one that the kids are still talking about.

Here is Ethan next to his work of art, "Family Tree." After he drew the family he rushed back to one of Alaina's school projects of a family tree and copied everyone's names & the title. He was so proud of it. I thought it was pretty cool myself.

Last week Ethan was in a run-a-thon. He made it 28 times around the track which may not be surprising to those who know how much energy Ethan has but it still was pretty impressive. He looked like a real track star out there.

Look at him guzzling that water.

And here is a drawing the kids made of conference. I think this is President Uchtdorf. See how tall he is?

Lainy-girl. Every night after dinner we let her choose a book. We help her brush her teeth, dress her up in her pajamas and help her say her prayers. And then, basked in the purple glow of her night-light, we close the door and hope that she falls sleep.
But she doesn't go to sleep. When the door closes her evening has barely begun. We hear a stream of chattering as little stuffed animals are gathered on a blanket for a tea-party or are pranced around in a little dance. We hear made up little songs that seem to go on forever. Every half an hour or so we watch her crack open the door and try to sneak past us to more interesting places in the house. The moment we call out her name she shrinks back into the doorway with a harrumph and stares morosely out in hopes that some kind, passing soul will come back and play with her. After enduring her imploring gaze for a few minutes one of us cold-heartedly scoots her back and closes the door.
As the hours pass by, the noise behind the door becomes more sporadic as sleep finally pulls down on her eyelids and she reluctantly drifts off to sleep. And that is where we often find her. Sprawled out next to the door or haphazardly stretched out on her bed. But she is no longer cozy in nightclothes. Instead we often find her redressed in some crazy outfit down to her socks and her most favorite black church shoes.Night after night the interesting outfits are carefully taken off of a sleeping baby-girl and pj's are once again put on. Every once and a while it is obvious that Laina has hit a frustrating realization that many of us experience...a closet full of nothing to wear...and we find her stark naked. Apparently she is not one to compromise her style just because her mother has yet to buy her anything up to her standard of chic. She'd rather go naked.

Now that, I'm not going to blog. But here is another doorway picture. She has been favoring the grey skirt and black shoes these nights.
Last night we thought she was asleep and went in ready to capture the night's escapades on film and instead this is what we found.What makes this picture funny is what the flash made impossible to see. She was laying here, silently, nose to the door frame with only her night-light on...just waiting for someone to open the door. And here is a better view of the fashion du jour.She's ready for the boy to honk his horn so she can sneak out the window and PARTY! She's just about 11 years early. Can anyone say, "trouble?"

Fall is in the air. The temperature has been settling in the mid-70's during the afternoon which has made for some pleasant outdoor activities. I love this time of year despite the gnawing feeling that winter is quickly approaching. Unless it is a Hawaiian winter, I'm not so keen on that season. But Fall always amazes me with its colors and perfect coolness. And there is no better place for our orange pumpkin, Indian corn loving months than here in North Carolina. Crisp, clean-aired mornings, warm sunny afternoons and cool evenings. I love it.

A few days ago conditions were perfect for an afternoon stroll. There is something about kids pulling a red-wagon down the street that makes me smile.

And of course, Princess Alaina could be found bird-watching or volunteering for the neighborhood watch or checking out the cute 6 year old that lives down the street. I'm really not sure what her actual intentions where, but she was quite insistent on 1. being pulled and 2. having her trusty binoculars.
Of course, Austin was quite happy to oblige her highness...as always.

A few nights ago I was throwing together a pretty great dinner. We had meatballs, salad, watermelon & apple crisp. While I was making dinner I was also trying to keep the three monsters in line which got harder with every passing minute since they were dying of hunger and practically withering away before my eyes. (Ah...the drama!) All I remember after that is doing a quick clean up and throwing dinner on the table.

As fate would have it, dinner proved to be a bit hit with the kids and the hubby. In fact, I didn't think twice about it until the next day when Robert opened the freezer and started laughing. Apparently I lost my brain somewhere about 5 years ago, 'cause I don't remember doing anything this silly before I had kids.


Apparently you can freeze eggs. Just usually not with the shells still on. ;)