Oh, How Quickly a Week Goes By!

For the past week, we've enjoyed hosting Shawn's grandparents. Carly and Isaac have really enjoyed the extra book readers. Recently, Isaac especially has turned into quite the bookworm. This was them the other night getting personalized book reading before bed. Of course, they loved it.

First Day of Preschool

All decked out this morning--new outfit, new shoes, and her favorite teddy bear. (It's "teddy bear week" and they were supposed to bring one.) I had the easiest time ever waking her up this morning. No complaints at all.
Daddy stopped by while on duty to wish her well. It was good too because he helped keep Isaac occupied with Grandpa and Grandma while we slipped away.

Her backpack all loaded up with supplies.

In front of her school

Walking in with Momma. I'm glad that she enjoys holding my hand lately. (Isaac does not enjoy it currently.)

First table activity. I didn't stay very long, just a few minutes and I wasn't the last one to leave. The room was still full of lingering parents when I ducked out. I've been where the teacher is before and I don't really like having an adult audience so much, so I "kicked myself out". It was a lot harder leave her classroom than I thought it would be though. I've left her several times before for various reasons, but I guess it's always been with friends or family. Never with people we've just met once. So maybe my hesitation was a bit justified. But I know that most of my hesitation was just the realization of how quickly she's growing. It may sound cliche, but it really does seem like I just blinked and she suddenly appeared at four years old. I didn't cry though and neither did she. She was way too excited. And I was excited for her. I can tell I was a bit anxious though by looking back at the pictures I took. I can tell I rushed them and didn't take my usual time with them. I guess I was the nervous one this morning.

This was her when I picked her up after school. She said it was a great day and that she had lots of fun. She said she made several friends, but just didn't remember their names. That's OK, there's plenty of time this year to learn names.
After school, I took her out for a little Momma-Daughter lunch. I'm really glad G&G are here, because I was able to leave Isaac with them during this time. (And I'm also glad they're here for many other reasons.) This was a special time for just us girls to hang out. I really enjoyed getting to focus on my sweet girl--who is growing up WAY to fast.

A New Lesson in Sharing

There is a lovely young woman here in Juneau that I share a few things with. The two obvious things are our hair color and our first names. But in the very near future I'll be sharing many more things with her...nieces and a nephew, in-laws, and a last name.
That's right folks. It can only mean one thing. Lee and Rachel Alderfer are officially engaged. I'm sure there are a few of you out there who thought Lee would never find someone to marry. But there are probably more of you who didn't think Lee would ever find someone who would put up with his...ummm...shall we say..."gaseous characteristics"? Well I think he found these things and more in Rachel. She is a great gal and I know he feels very blessed to have her in his life. And I'd say he is blessed indeed.
Apparently the proposal was yesterday atop the glacier after a helicopter ride to it. I haven't seen her ring yet, but we'll see her tomorrow and you can be sure I'll check it out. Also for those who are wondering the last I heard, the wedding is being planned for January 2nd in Juneau.

Since I don't have a picture of the actual proposal, I found this one that was taken of them last January. I felt like the background made you feel like they were ontop of the glacier. And a years time from this picture, these two will be hitched! I'm looking forward to sharing many things with you, Rachel, even our names. It is going to be a bit weird when we call each other though, huh? Answering your own phone, but the caller id says you're calling yourself!
I know it's a bit early, but "welcome to family" and definitely congratulations to you both. We pray for God's blessings on your marriage as you serve Him together.

Silly "School" Pics

Little brother wanted to join in on the fun too. Apparently, this is how we all look when we smile and say "cheese". I believe he's confusing a smile with his game face.

Facebook

Well, I went and finally did it. I joined facebook last night. So if you are on facebook and would like to connect with me there, send me a friend request and I'll see what we can do. Ha!
But don't worry I'll not giving up the blog. I still really enjoy it. And I know the grandmas would have a fit if I ditched the blog. So no worries. I just thought I'd let you all know about my latest venture.

Mischief is His Middle Name

Apparently, we need to change this boy's middle name.

Over the past few days he's seemed especially mischievous to me. This was how I found him yesterday when I was trying to make dinner. Fortunately he has a sister that knows better. Which means, yes, she did tattle on him. Before scolding, I decided it needed a picture. I asked Isaac who did it and he answered, "Isaac did it." He even pointed himself out in the police line up. He had actually dumped several bath toys into the toilet, but at this point the duck was all that was left. We are so lucky he didn't flush!
Aside from making sure he doesn't have free reign of the bathroom, here's a couple of other extra mothering duties he's given me:

*keeping an eye on the back door so he doesn't take off on the wet grass in his socks
*keeping an ear out for the opening of the pantry, refrigerator, or freezer doors
*keeping an ear out for a screaming sister who he likes to practice his linebacker moves on
*keeping a VERY close eye on him when he's in the front yard as he likes to bolt out into the street from time to time

I know there are more things that I do specifically for Isaac, but right now that's all I can think of. It's a good thing he's as cute as he is.

She is SOOO Ready!

Carly starts preschool on Wednesday. She'll be going to a private Christian preschool near our house three days a week. She's been looking forward to school all summer. She was a bit bummed that we didn't continue the playgroup during the summer. And I think you can basically say that she's counting down the days. I'm already predicting that she's going to be bummed on Wednesday night or Thursday morning when she realizes she has to wait a day before she goes back for the next day.
The picture above is her posing with her school supplies and a few new clothing items that she got to start the year off.
The pictures below were from the open house at her school last night. She got to meet her teacher and see some of the other kids that will be in her class. She wasn't nearly as nervous as I had thought she might be, but she was definitely not completely relaxed. I'm just glad she didn't completely clam up and cling to Shawn or me.

posing on her circle time spot

finding her cubbie with a pretty nervous look

more at ease with brother and Daddy

The child we were most surprised with at the open house was actually Isaac. He just jumped into the school setting without any fear. He was quick to play with the toys at different stations. And he just generally seemed to understand what was going on. Shawn and I found ourselves looking at each other with surprise and wondering why a boy not even yet two-years-old, seemed somewhat ready for preschool. He's definitely a smart boy.
This picture is proof of his intelligence. He had been sitting on this chair, but apparently decided he wanted a table. So he handed everything to me piece-by-piece, hopped down, and then reloaded everything onto the chair as if it was a table. He even tried to tuck his napkin partially under his plate. I really don't know where he came up with this idea. I didn't suggest it and I don't remember ever suggesting this to him before. I guess he's just that clever.

The Budding Artist

Shortly before Shawn's parents came up for a visit, I tried to get a few more touches done in the little miss's room. Until then, we really didn't have much on the walls, so she and I tried to tackle that before visitors. So we went to Joann's and got some canvases for her to paint on . I got the idea and basic design sketch (which I altered slightly for our purposes) from my scrapbooking magazine, Creating Keepsakes. I gave the little miss the paint and a few ideas about what to do in each box. She made the final decisions though and is so proud of her work. I think she did a great job. So now these panels are hanging above her dresser. They really help to finish off her room.

This is a name board that I made for her room while she painted her canvases. The letters are not freehand, but wooden that I painted pink. The white board also has a thin green boarder line. The flower was a pre-painted wooden piece that I got at a craft store, but I changed the leaf and petal colors to match her room better. I think the name board nicely finishes off her bulletin board over her desk.
Here's some picture of the painting process. First, I penciled in the basic sketch and we picked which colors would go in each spot. I put a small swipe of paint in each spot so she wouldn't forget what we had decided. That way it was a little more like a paint-by-number for her.




I think she did a great job and she truly enjoyed it. I guess we'll have to brainstorm future painting projects for our little artist.

Summer Canning

Over the past week, I've dabbled in some canning. When Shawn's parents came, they brought some fresh berries from Oregon. We ate the blueberries fresh, but with the blackberries I decided to make some pancake syrup. I found a recipe on my favorite online site, www.allrecipes.com and made it the other day. Then I water bathed the jars to seal them. Then a few days later I made some rhubarb jam, also from the allrecipes website. We've got quite a bit of rhubarb in our backyard, but I didn't want to use up all of our rhubarb in just one recipe, so I went over to one of Shawn's co-workers and harvested her rhubarb. She has a GIGANTIC patch that she inherited when she bought her house and she never uses it! So I helped her garden out this summer, and gave her a jar of jam--pretty good deal huh?

Up next, some strawberry rhubarb jam with fresh rhubarb from our garden.

Welcome to the Decade, Dear

Yesterday, was a milestone day for Shawn--he turned 30! We all tried our best to make it a special day for him. He had to work, so the real party was last night. But we did surprise him with a giant cookie and some balloons at the police department. We had the receptionist put it all in the patrol/briefing room so he was sure to see it.
Then last night, Lee and Rachel joined us with Shawn's parents for dinner, presents and cake. We all had a good time and I think Shawn enjoyed his birthday. At least I sure hope he did since we all worked so hard (well mostly me, Carly and Diane). Carly has been so excited about Shawn's birthday. She's been making cards for him for the last several days and yesterday she even got Grandpa to help her cut things out. Yes, that's right. She was able to convince him to "craft" with her. I should have taken a picture of it. She also packaged up a nice gift for Shawn to open--her elmo doll, his hat, a book from her bookshelf--you know special little things she found around the house.

This is Shawn opening up a gift that Carly, Isaac, and I all worked on. We filled in the openings of a picture frame for him. A picture of each kid, and another opening for a handprint and a short message--Carly wrote hers by copying what I wrote, "We love you, Daddy."


A new toy for the birthday boy. Shawn is enjoying figuring out his new iPod touch.

A happy man with his favorite meal, sweet and sour MOOSE meatballs.
Shawn you are such a wonderful husband and father. Your family is blessed by you. We're so glad we can celebrate this special day and you. All three of us love you very much--as well as many others. Happy Birthday, honey. We hope to celebrate many, many more birthdays with you.

Picking Posies

I was so glad that I found this daisy patch at Amalga Harbor the other evening. It kept the kids occupied while Daddy and Grandpa filleted halibut and put the boat on the trailer. And it gave me a great setting to get some pictures of them--we can never have too many!