Life in a Northern Town

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Homeswapping

I told Rich that what I want for my birthday is a membership to a homeswapping site on the internet. He thought that was funny, but I am convinced that's the best way to take our kids to see our favorite parts of the world. Rich said it would be so cool if there was an LDS homeswapping site, and I agreed. So today, just for fun I googled LDS homeswapping and VOILA! There is a site, although it's just starting up and there are no homes in the U.K. yet (where we want to go). I registered in hopes of finding a New England or D.C.-area exchange for our Yellowstone adventure home. Go have a gander by clicking HERE--spread the word, register if you're game, and if you know anybody in the U.K. who might want to come play City Slicker in the wild west for a few weeks, tell them to register, too!!!

Summer Family Holiday, part 3

On Friday, my bro Matt came to Livingston with his boys Sam & Jake, and Lisa's boys, Cody & Tyler. They arrived while I was at work, and when I got home, everyone was heading out to camp at the ranch. I was about an hour behind them, picking up some things for the campout and getting myself & James ready. The sky continually threatened rain, but nothing ever realy fell...

Here's the boathouse ...

...and the rest of the ranch under threatening skies

James fell asleep on the way out to camp (it was 8pm, in his defense).

Our favorite pyro had the fire going (Cody & Marshall)

Another fabulous sunset (and a UFO)

the moonrise

That's me lounging in our new Cabela chairs, laughing at Cody's Mexican accent.

Sam pushing James in the little car

***

Cody started the fire early the next morning...apparently the kids were FREEZING in their tent (poor little skinny folks)

Ally & Jake eating their cereal, fireside.

Cody & Tyler

Cody forgets his belt...

Sam & James enjoy some Saturday morning cartoons in the new camper.

Nana helped Grandma Melin clean out the root cellar (jars from 1980)

Sweet Sam eating breakfast

James, Sam, & Jake throwing rockets

Nana swinging James

Papa tempting James with a peach

Amie & Matt

***

I had to go to work, but everone else went swimming at CHICO!

The gang in the pool (about 99 degrees...not so refreshing!)

Papa Mark & Jake

James

Cousins waiting for treats

There are some super cousin buddies when we get together with the Postums

Heidi and Jake are inseparable, and Sam & James are getting that way, too. Here are Heidi and Jake on the way home from CHICO...

...my thoughts exactly!

***

Thanks again for all the fun, guys!

Come back soon and FLOAT the river!

Monday, July 06, 2009

FLASHBACK: Primary Activity May 30th

Jessica Holm (daughter of "Aunt Debbie", my valiant first couselor & amiga) posted some sweet pix of our activity day, "I Am A Builder"--CLICK HERE to see them. We used the ideas at THIS link and customized them for our ward. It was a WONDERFUL activity--Debbie was in charge and it was awesome and memorable as usual!

For our fall activity we are planning an applefest at the ranch...saving 16.9 oz bottles for each child to take home some cider, brainstorming ways to make it a gospel theme (I like "When We're Helping We're Happy" with a theme of working together...we'll see).

Some Addie Wisdom

Yesterday I let my bro and nephews play the wii when they came in from camping around 11am. I was in bed (coughing) and Addie was laying next to me complaining about being bored. [I make the kids at least TRY to Keep the Sabbath until after naps in the evening (you know--sundown-to-sundown--we call this our Jewish Sabbath and it works pretty well, as long as we START it on Saturday night), so it was unusual to have the game going and she was jealous].

"Mom, can I play the Wii when they are done?"
"No. It's still Sunday, even if we stay home sick."
"Why?!?!"
"It's time to think about Jesus. Does playing the wii help you think about Jesus?"
[looong pause]
"Well, when we play wii we can make people, just like Jesus makes people, so we are trying to be like Jesus."

TOUCHE, my lass, touche! I told her that was a good try, but she would have to wait a while (we played Book of Mormon Go Fish instead). She's a clever one!

Summer Family Holiday, part 2

Thursday (the 2nd) was the big Parade and kick-off for the Livingston Roundup. We started the day by staking our claim (with camp chairs) along the parade route and picking up some ice blocks and treats. At about noon, we went ice blocking with Nana and Papa while Daddy Rich finished up work at the office...

Nana was brave...one of the first to slide down the hill!

Abby wiped out!

Ally, James, Me and Abby watch Belle and Addie slide

Heidi at the bottom of the hill

Isabelle and Heidi (again)

Ally gives it a try

Addie was so good at sliding!

Papa even took a turn!

Cute Little Belle

Belle, Addie, & Ally hitting the bottom of the hill

This is a picture of Addie from the Picnic. I forgot to post it with the picnic pix, but I love it because it's a sweet, natural smile from her--great shot, Papa!