Deep

The other night in the van, I borrowed Shann's chapstick. He must have been grousing about it, as Caden decided to stick up for me. He said, "Dad, you should give mom some of your tubes of chapstick, because you have a lot!" (This is true). I smirked at Shann, and he said to Caden, "Mom has plenty, she doesn't need any of mine".
Caden retorted, "But she is a girl, and girls just need more things!"

I thought this was both hilarious and somewhat insightful. Oh, how I'd love to know how that little brain works.

Catch Up

As I was about to post Christmas decorating photos, I realized I never posted this!

Down the Drain

Last night while Shann was helping Caden get ready for bed, Caden kept turning the water on and off, sort of playing with it, and wasting it. So Shann explained that we pay for all the water coming into the house...in the tubs, toilets and sinks. All the water we use, we have to pay for. And the more water we waste, the less money we have to do fun things, like going out to eat, and buying toys.
Caden looked at Shann, clearly flabbergasted by this new information, and said, "Does Mom know?"
So I'll now have my very own water police. Super.

Carrot Girl

While Caden was in Harrisburg this weekend, Shann and I went to our local parade with Lissy in her costume. We raked in the candy, as everyone thought she looked so cute. And Shann positioned us right under a street light so she could be seen! Every time a new float came by, we told her to stand up and wave and say hi! So we sort of pimped her out to get candy, and I feel a little bit bad, since she won't be eating much of it.
But hey, she's a carrot. We're just trying to keep her healthy. :)

An amazing sight

Today I met Shann's parents at Cabela's Outdoor World, where there are hundreds of real stuffed animals. You know, stuffed taxidermily. :) There are lions, alligators, bears, moose, buffalo, mountian goats, zebras, an elephant etc. etc. We were in the deer room, where there are not only more than 100 deer, but all sorts of other animals from this region, inlcuding foxes, otters, beavers, pheasant, mountain lion, squirrels, etc. An amazing sight. We were taking it all in, when Alyssa screamed, "Mommy, there's a pinecone!"

Obviously, each one of us is blessed in different ways through the spectrum of God's creation. :)

En Garde

First horsey ride!

This is my cousin Tamara's horse, PV. He is 30 years old! Just the right ride for a kid!
Both of them were SO excited to get on the horse. Alyssa was very anxious for her turn to begin! She cried as the horse carried Caden away from her during his turn!
Finally it is her turn!

Tam, PV, excited kiddies.

Fall Frolic

Last weekend, we drove out to my Uncle Dave and Aunt Pat's house to see them as well as my cousin Tamara, whom we hadn't seen in 4 years!
We found a few tree stands in the woods. I'm sure those hunters love visitors to their hideouts.

Daddy the pack mule.

Caden and their dog, Gretyl. Mom and Dad
Tam and I. So good to see you, Tam!

Proverbs 6:6

"Go to the ant, you sluggard, consider her ways and be wise".

I was convicted by this verse today. I have felt rather sluggardly lately, and the house shows it. So as I was cleaning the bathroom this afternoon, Caden walked in and said "Are you cleaning the counter?" I told him I was. He said "Woah, I think you clean the counter like once a year!"

So I think God has a sense of humor.
And by the way, please remember preschooler's time perception is a bit off.

Apple Picking!

While Grandma and Grandpa were here, we went apple picking to this beautiful orchard that has espalier apple trees. Instead of round - they're flat - trained along wires for easy picking! So cool.
Alyssa was Grandpa's helper. Caden helped Grandma.
She's on a mission!
The group!

Pulling the apples up the hill is tough!
Now home to make applesauce!

Lulu

I'm glad she's a girly girl, but I'm a wee bit worried about her fashion sense.

Sight and Sound

Last Thursday, we went to see In the Beginning at Sight and Sound with my parents (right) and Shann's parents (left). The show was great. Caden enjoyed it greatly as all of us did. One thing that I hadn't thought about was the introduction of Satan. We haven't talked much about him with Caden. The show really played up his character and then his fall and banishment from heaven. Caden said, "God took away his wings so he can't be on the Angel Team anymore". So I'm not sure if more questions are coming. I'm trying to be ready.

Beach

Many of you know the event that is going to the beach with children. All the gear that is needed: sunscreen, toys, towels, umbrellas, blankets, coolers, etc. etc. Neither Shann nor I are beach lovers. I like the idea of it more than being there I think. Salty, dirty, sunny, sandy, sharky. I'll probably like it better when our kids are older. Anyway, we packed it all up and headed down one morning while on vacation. As soon as we got there, Caden went in the water up to his waist. Immediately, he started crying - the salt water was burning his thighs due to some chafing that was happening. So Poppy took him up the pool to rinse off while Grammy walked 1/2 mile back to the cottage to get cream for him. After he and Poppy got back and the cream came, we had a few moments of fun.
Mucky feet. :)
We created a forest in which cars could wreck and dinosaurs could maraud. So fun.
After this fun wore off, Alyssa kept voicing her desire to "go to the other pool". So with Shann's view of beaches in general (see below), we decided to pack it up and go to the pool.
Fun ride back to the cottage in the golf cart! Yay, we're done!