Sunday with Grandpa

My mom has recently been back to West Virginia (the 4th time this year). Grandma D has had heart trouble among other things, and was in the hospital for a while. Usually conversations home are held in the majority with Mom. While she was gone, I've had more of a chance to catch up with my dad. I've called to check on him, and had him up for Sunday dinner. I went and hung out ALL afternoon and evening one Saturday. I've enjoyed talking to him more.

Stereotypical men would play whilst the wife was away . . . watch sports all the time, ordering pizza, leaving the house a mess until the last minute . . . Well my dad's not stereotypical. Every time I've talked to him, he tells me what he's been up to: taking apart the air unit to have the motor fixed, working in his garden, mowing the lawn, readying the furnace for the cold season, working in his garden, making vegtable soup (extremely delicious . . . I got to taste it!), canning, yes, canning, drying apples . . . . What a guy! My hat off to you DAD! You're my hero. I love you DAD!!

Here are some pictures from when he came up for Sunday dinner and played Mormon Bridge:

The leaves are changing . . . I love the fall.

Another drive? That must be what Princess was thinking.








We went for a drive with Grandma M. Grandma sat crunched in the middle of two car seats. What a good sport!




















We went up Monte Cristo. Nearer the top, the aspen trees were not only yellow, but also orange and red! It was beautiful.


The contrast of the pine trees was outstanding.








Little One and I took turns wearing Princess' new sunglasses that velcro in the back. He tried not to let me get his picture . . . whoops . . . did I post it on my blog?

Little-isms

Little One turned on the T.V. today (Sunday) to watch Veggie Tales. The channel that was on was race cars. He commented: "Why would people even want to race on Sunday? They could be killed. That's ever worser than going to church."

Later, when we had peanutbutter filled cookies after dinner, he said: "You know why it's called filled?" I answered ". . . because they're filled with peanut butter." But he said, "Nope, it's because you eat so much you get filled up."

What a dang cutie. I love the perspective of the untrained mind of youth.

Pics with birthmother

Today we went and had pics done with Princess' birthmother. I thought ya'll might want a peek. Here's the link: http://mystudio.kiddiekandids.com/viewshare.asp?c=00220626878A4X9GR

We're Crazy . . . and we won't do it again.

A few days ago we went on a drive Captain Engineer has been dying to do for quite some time. We all loaded into the new truck to cruise Skyline Drive from Bountiful to Farmington. It's a dirt road with bumps and thumps for the first couple miles. After that it got pretty cool . . . seeing a hawk flying right next to the road. The trees were beautiful, and the views became stunning.

It was so cool to be above the Bountiful Temple.
Then the road turned and as we rounded a corner, the road narrowed. It was only wide enough for one vehicle, and it was not a one way road! We met some four-wheelers who assured us we were on the right track. Little One and I got pretty apprehensive on the "Oh, Earl" road (That's what my mom used to repeat several times on such roads with steep drop offs, or on scary bridges swaying in the breeze). But we were fortunate enough NOT to meet another truck going the other way. The road widened and went down the other side of the mountain for a little ways where we saw several brave campers who actually brought trailers with them!!
Princess slept most of the way. The road switched back down the canyon into Farmington where we saw the breath taking view of the sunset over the Great Salt Lake.



We were Safe at Last!
Small Print: Road not recommended for those faint of heart, terrified of heights, or with no sense of adventure.

Smart Cookie Already

Little One especially likes to call Princess the Baba. "Goodnight Baba." "What's a matter, Baba?" Last night as he said goodnight, she echoed him: "ba ba ba ba . . . "

She responds so well to Little One. He gets her to laugh more than anyone else. He was sneaking up on her the other night and saying "BOO." She would laugh and laugh.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

We have a new foster placement. Her birthmother wants to give her up for adoption, and actually picked us (unheard of in foster system). Her birthfather has 7-8 months to get it together. Her birthmother doesn't believe he can do it. We'll see how it turns out.
In the meantime, we get to enjoy this sweet girl. She is very good - natured. She's blonde hair, blue-eyed, and nearly 20 pounds. She's 5 months old. We're enjoying her and her smiles.
Littel One's doing really well. He loves having a little sister, and being the big brother. He's so good to her.