We're Home!

We finally got into our house! It is not completely finished yet, but it's close. For instance, we do have running water, but no sinks in the bathrooms. Teeth-brushing takes place in the kitchen. Front porch is not connected to any stairs yet, but that doesn't matter when the garage door is so nice and handy.

Heath surprised us by coming to town--don't think it was just to help us move, but it is nice to think so. He and Shanna and Sophia are in town, we plan on seeing them later on this week. Several others helped out, too, and found that taking all that stuff downstairs in cold weather is much easier than taking it upstairs in hot weather. John also hired two guys to move the heaviest stuff...worth every penny.

We are all sore and tired. At supper tonight, we passed around the ibuprofen along with the iced tea.

Just Some Thoughts

Luci has pink eye, what fun trying to get the eyedrops in--it's like wrestling an octopus.

Luci's become quite good at washing her hands....in the toilet. We really have to be careful to keep the door shut. She zoomed past John yesterday while he was washing his hands (in the sink, what were you thinking?!) and splash! Then while I was loading the dishwasher, she went to the other extreme and stuck her hands in the powdered dishwasher detergent. Aaack! Got to be careful with this one. At least she isn't washing my keys off in the potty anymore--that was last Saturday, and yes, the van beeper-thingy still works.

We watched the movie Cars last night. It just came out on DVD. It is a good movie. It made me cry! While JT was sitting there thinking how dopey his mom is, I was reminded of our family seeing 101 Dalmatians when it came out in the 60s--was it 1969? I know it was at Mt. Home AFB. We were all in the movie theater (our family made a pretty big crowd) and I remember being so embarrassed because A DOG MOVIE made my mother cry. Sheesh! How dopey is that?! Now I know.

Last night, Luci's allergies and sinus drainage made it impossible for her to be comfortable lying down, so we spent most of the night in the recliner....until that 3:30 a.m. run to Walmart. At that hour, you can really zoom through the store. We got some medicine to help with the drainage, and Luci got lots of attention from the few people who were there at the same time. Even the couple with matching nose rings thought she was adorable (of course).

Moving SOON!!!!!

Hi and Lois in the funny pages was all about us (Nov 8's strip). Lois told Hi that if they ever moved, they'd have to take the door jamb with them because it has the children's measurements marked on it. We have always kept the measurements of Bryan, JT and Luci on the door that goes to our basement. Open it up, and you see the growth from their Day 1--well, Luci's Day 2. This door has markings with their ages, height and important events, like, "Christmas 1996," "5th Birthday," "Daddy comes home from Afghanistan," "Luci comes home."

It was this door that let me know that Luci's birth length was identical to Bryan's and JT's length at birth, and her weight was almost exactly half-way in-between both of the boy's birthweights. Luci had those items recorded on the day she was found, which we think to be the second day of her life, so they are pretty accurate. Pretty remarkable, too, that they all match up!

When we signed papers around the dining room table that day last February, we told the lady buying our house that we'd leave the oven but take the door to the basement.

We are now looking for people to help us move our apartment items to the new house next Saturday, the 18th. It is also the day the big football rivalry takes place here--known as "The Iron Bowl." We placed a request for workers in the church bulletin promising we'd be done before the Iron Bowl starts. I hope. John's contacting the Direct TV people to come out tomorrow or next week to set up our dish so we can watch the game in our new home. Doesn't matter how the team does the rest of the season, you gotta win the Iron Bowl!

Haley's Here!!

Miss Haley Elizabeth was born October 23. Proud parents are Audrey and Thom. John and Bryan got to go visit and meet Haley, and here she is! She is a pretty baby, and looks a lot like Audrey. Here Uncle Bryan is cuddling his newest niece.

Big Sister Maggie kept Papa John pretty busy, too!

Next time, Papa, take more pictures! (please) Bryan got plenty of footage on the video camera, but that does not help show off the grandbabies on the blog.

FCC Group get-together

Drew and Lori hosted an informal get-together at their barn last Sunday. It was a gorgeous day, and filled with gorgeous little girls. Here are some photos of the kids. I can't remember two of the girls' names, so I am not labeling every one--I'm sorry I can't remember! I cannot find my list of FCC members--I am going to say that it is packed away (don't know if it is or not, but that is my excuse). John was at drill. One of these days, he will actually be in town for a meeting and get to meet the other dads who have beauties from China.

We also all got to congratulate and give our good wishes to Kathy and Greg, who leave Friday to get their new daughter! They are so excited.


Bryan and JT embarrassed me by pulling their chairs right up to the buffet. At least they waited until everyone else had had their fill.

This is Lori, our hostess, with Karlee.
The girls found the garbage can fascinating--they played music on it. Oscar the Grouch would be proud. Miranda, Luci and Christine.



Halloween!!!!!

I showed Luci this photo and it scared her!

JT's creation