Girls are more work!!

We got our pictures taken yesterday.  I actually made sure the kids had hair cuts (OK, so I asked Layne if he would do it) and made sure to have all the matching clothes laid out and ready to go.  I totally get that in most households this would be a given.  Our family?  Not so much.  I was feeling pretty good about the whole scenario...until we woke up late.  Who does that?  Apparently us!  We quickly got ready and headed out the door.  While we were getting ready I was reminded once again that girls are more work than boys when it comes to getting ready.  The boys just needed to get dressed.  Their personal hygiene consisted of brushing their teeth and making sure there were no signs of breakfast on their faces.  The girls?  The same applies...plus...you have to do their hair and deal with what to do about the band-aid that is showing on the knee because their skirt doesn't cover it...and then we were just so glad that after a bit of a struggle Megan decided to cooperate and wear what was included in 'the plan'...well, except for the socks.  She even chose something to bring so she could change as soon as she was done.  Somehow boys clothes are more straightforward - you pull on some pants and throw on a shirt.  It's not that hard.  (They did complain about the fact that they had to wear 'Sunday clothes' on a Saturday - but, that's a whole different post.)  Girls clothes are somehow more detailed - there seems to be more to think about when matching clothes and styles.  (The fact that most of their clothes are hand-me-downs forces us to get a bit more creative.)  If I were good at it - it might not be that big of a deal.  But, I'm not an expert and most of the time I don't pay enough attention to those things.  Throw in the fact that my daughters are having a really good day when we get to comb their hair all in one sitting...and when they get themselves dressed, it's just coincidence that the outfit matches.  Phew!  It was a rough few minutes at our house.  Hmm...can't wait until they start wearing make-up and actually care about how their hair is done and rather they match or not and what styles their friends are wearing.  It's only going to get more dramatic.  We're going to have to brace ourselves!

Jonny was baptized August 2nd!!

The big smile says it all!

We are proud of him and his decision.  We had a great day.  It was nice to have family and friends around to support him.  Thanks to any and all who helped and were able to come.

One Month Later

We have a new van!!  Exactly one month to the date (June 18, July 18) - we purchased a new van.  As the story usually goes - we had almost paid for our other one.  But, we love this one and we're glad we have it.

The kids think it's great too!

Seats adjust however we want - kinda like musical chairs.

Still not sure about the color - we're getting used to it.

I love being able to just put the groceries in - so nice to have space in the back.

As usual, Layne did his research and found a great deal.

Where's Dad?

Megan just asked me where her Dad was.  The kids do this often because they like to have him around.  I'm used to answering, "He's at his school.".  I can't really do that anymore.  My husband is no longer a student.  I have to keep reminding myself of that fact.  It hasn't sunk in yet.  He's been a student since the day we met.  (Yes - it's been awhile.) So, from now on I need to answer, "Daddy's at work.".  

Here's a picture of him when he first started hanging out in the 'dungeon'.  It has no windows!   I'm glad I'm not the one that has gone there on a regular basis for the past 8 years.  He's a trooper!  Yes, his postdoc is in the same building.  (I don't know why he can't work in the one closest to us with all the windows - it is, after all, the official place for BioEngineering students to work.)

Where to start?

Since I wrote last - we've had lots going on.  Here are some things I could write about:

Our family vacation

Our family visiting us here

A family (and friend) baptism

Last night's FHE

Our family outing today

Stuff the kids have said/done

Layne's employment saga

Summer happenings

People moving

Our move???

the list could go on and on...and on and on...

Where to start?  Hmm...

Any requests?