Kind of a strange title to begin this e-Mail with but as you will see a little further down, it probably fits.
We can't believe it's already been two full weeks of school. Taylor and Aubrey (and Heidi) are adjusting to the routine. Taylor and Aubrey are really trying to stay on top of their assignments and seem to be adjusting well. They both seem to like their teachers.
We've had a busy couple weeks leading up to school as well as the first two weeks. Every weekend has been packed with something. A couple weeks back we went up to Logan for our 17 year anniversary. Heidi's brother and sister-in-law were kind enough to give us a gift card to the Providence Inn and then they also watched the kids overnight so Heidi and I could relax. We also went and did a session in the Logan Temple before and ate at Maddox on the way up.
Last weekend we had a yard sale. We first posted a few items on the KSL classifieds and sold one thing right off. Then we sold another thing at the yard sale (that we had posted on-line) and another a week later. The yard sale would be considered a success considering we sold a lot of $1.00 or less items totalling about $40. Adding in the big things we made a little over $100.
This past weekend (yesterday) we went back up to Logan and helped Heidi's parents get their yard ready for fall. We filled 15 garbage bags full of branches, leaves, etc. We thought about stopping at Maddox on the way up but didn't end up stopping (we figured we shouldn't stop every time). Also, it was getting way late because we only had to turn around 3 times to get something we had forgot (and it was Heidi and I that had forgot so we couldn't be too mad).
I also got a new calling. I think I already mentioned it but I am an Assistant Clerk responsible for finances. Today was our first Fast day and they said it was going to be long. However, I think we did it in record time processing close to $35k in just over 1 1/2 hours. I also had to get to church early because we were having a Stake Audit before church.
Tomorrow I get to work in our yard. Taylor is going to mow the lawn and I am going to fix a ruptured sprinkle line--only the main feeder line. I am suspicious that the city broke it because I noticed a city barricade on the curb the same day I noticed the leak. Any way, for fun and excitement on the holiday we might go to the McDonald's Playland in Bountiful. I bet nobody can top that.
Here are a few pictures we have taken since the last time we posted. They should also help explain the title.
Bridger enjoying a Dairy Queen ice cream cone (we all enjoyed DQ items as well but we were much more refined in how we ate ours so we didn't take a picture).
Thatcher making a pattern with his food. As a special treat Heidi made chocolate fondue and Thatcher enjoyed playing with his items better than dipping them in the chocolate. We thought it was rather creative.
Taylor earning his Life Scout award (plus 10 other merit badges 6 of them from Summer Scout Camp). He was also credited for wearing his scout shirt the entire camp. And I mean the entire camp--they don't think he took it off except maybe to sleep.
Here is Aubrey's wart on her knee. It started to develop several months ago. We bought some freeze-off stuff and I applied it about a month ago but no big change. I also accidentally applied it to some of her skin. When she complained (and Heidi got after me), I said that I wanted her to look like me and my hand--see next picture. By the way, it is still there so we might have to apply it again. This time I hope to only apply it on the wart.
This is a picture of the scar left from the wart that was on my hand as a child. I call it my "button" and when pushed it causes my tongue to come out. When I explained to Aubrey that it was the result of a wart--like hers, she told me she thought it was a button. When I told her that was a joke, she couldn't believe I had tricked her all those years. Remember, she is 10 years old and still believed it made my tongue come out. Watch what you tell your kids.
This is a planter wart on the heal of Bridger's foot. Heidi and I couldn't figure out what was on his foot so when Heidi took him in for a check up she had them look at it as well. They then put some freeze stuff on and said it might swell up a little. A LITTLE! Are you kidding? It swelled up a whole heck of a lot. After him limping around for two days and it hurting, they finally said Heidi could take a sterile needle and release the pressure. When she did a ton of puss oozed out (I'm trying to be descriptive here) and it looks much better now. There is still a sore there (and the wart) so we might have to go back in again. Poor little Bridger limping around. :(
When we were up in Logan we were searching for Monarch Butterfly caterpillars. We found this fuzzy guy instead. In one day he has now lost all his yellow fur and it starting to build a cocoon.
We did end up finding a Monarch caterpillar. It was a big one too. We have it in a jar and hope it turns into a beautiful butterfly. Then we will eat it. Just seeing if you are still reading this long post. Then we will release it.
This is Thatcher on his first day of Preschool. He was rather excited to go if you couldn't tell. Then, because he got to go last year (which was a year earlier than all the other kids), he got to be the leader most of the day. Also, on his second day of preschool he found a wasp on the ground and picked it up. It, of course, bit him and he started howling. The teacher didn't believe him when he told her what happened. This was after preschool so Heidi was right there and took him home and gave him some Benedryl. The swelling quickly subsided and there isn't even a mark. But, he is really afraid of any flying thing outside.Well, I've gone on way too long so I will end. We hope you all don't get warts.
Love Jeff (and family)
