Decor

I might do this in more than one post.  I was only able to upload so many pictures at at time.  We've had lots of questions about our house.  I thought I would share some photos of what we inherited.

Beautiful butterflies on the bathroom wall (a set of three...can you see the dust from where you're sitting?).  It's quite the yellow bathroom - the photo below (yellow shower curtain) is across from the butterfly wall.  
Jacob found this little spot first - he thought it was a bit like the lofts he saw at his cousins' house this summer.  They are actually far from the same idea - but, whatever works.  Yes, they did climb in using the door handles.  Hmm... (One of his requests for a new house was to have a loft in his room.)
The kids' bathroom is VERY YELLOW!
We even have a fireplace.  I think we've used it once.  Better work on that - although, it is gas...so, we'll just try not to think of the money going up in smoke when we use it.
Who can resist wagon wheel lights in the kitchen?  There are two of these beauties hanging over our heads every day.

A Williams Cousin

We have added a cousin or two the last little while on 'my' side of the family (with more to come).  We are thrilled.  But, I do have to say that we are so very excited to have a Williams cousin!  Our kids have been the only grandkids for a decade and they're glad they now have at least one cousin on both sides.

Congrats to Jeff and Dascha!

Callie Mae was born last Thursday.  Our boys were doing a 'Williams cousin dance' in the kitchen last night when we finally had a chance to talk with the proud father.  We've been playing 'phone tag' and were lucky enough to connect last night (after getting updates through messages and happy grandparents). They've been staying at the hospital and a bit concerned about the little one that came early.  But, we're hoping she'll be out of the NICU soon and home where she belongs.

Sorry - no photos yet.

The Yard

I'm not sure I want to share a front view of the house online - but, I can tell you this is what the girls found first in the back yard.  Lovely, isn't it?:}  They were fascinated by it.  The fountain has been turned off and the statue is in the garage - it's not exactly winter friendly.

Double Duty

We were asked to do a musical number for church today.  At least, I think we were.  I've gone over the conversation in my mind and I don't really ever remember being asked.  But somehow, someone, in our new ward started a rumor that Layne and I could sing.  I think it was just a desperate - we have no choir and a few people that do it all - so, 'let's get the new family to do it' attempt.  So...somehow we were committed to sing (it started out as a duet - but, we  'forced' our kids to do it with us).  

This past week we had a counselor in the Bishopric stop by one evening.  He asked us to speak - we laughed out loud.  So, the beginnings of a family event in Sacrament Meeting.  We obviously had the kids do something too.  They each came up with a sentence or two to share.

So...I spoke, the kids each spoke, we all sang our song (A Capella) and then Layne spoke.  It was a bit like the family programs they did ions ago when the whole family did the whole Sacrament Meeting.  (I hadn't seen that done for awhile - I don't know if it's not done anymore or student wards tend not to do them because the children are generally younger.)

People were kind and had nice things to say - but, I doubt we'll ever be asked again.:}  Layne joked with someone after that being done was the best part.  (He gave a great talk.)

I do have to leave a note about the kids.  The boys didn't want to say anything.  Jacob said he didn't like to do it - it makes him nervous to get up in front of people.  He also tried to make the point that they had not been asked directly to speak - we had.  I think he's glad he did it.  He can memorize pretty quickly.  He also speaks quickly when he's up there - but, he went up, did it and was done.  I was pleased he did it anyway and found out it was OK.  Jonny read his and seemed pretty confident about the whole thing.  Megan and Rachel seem to think it was fun to be part of it all.  Although, they were the two most distracted.  Layne and I each held one of the girls while we sang.  We didn't do a microphone because we thought it would be too distracting for the kids.  So...no one accompanied us and we had no microphone. Sweet!  Makes you want to be there doesn't it?  (We're just glad Layne's great with keeping everyone on key.)  The kids did pretty well with the singing too - good effort.  I was glad the boys stood still and did it - not real loud - but, they still got up there and did what they could.  Megan sort of sang and Rachel was a bit wiggly - but, not overwhelmingly so.  She seems to like to sing.  We'll see what happens with that.

Already?

Earlier today Megan mentioned something about wanting to get a lunch box.  I asked her if she wanted to have one so she could have lunch at school.  She seems excited about that.  I'm not ready to have her be at school all day.  I told her that if she were gone all day, I'd miss her.  She gave me a compassionate hug and then the usual kiss on the cheek that follows.  She told me she'd miss me too.  (Then, I had a hard time finishing the story I was reading to her and Rachel - I was actually a bit weepy about the whole thing.)  But, I don't think it's enough to change her mind.  She keeps getting more grown up every day.  I just want her to stay 4 for longer than her next birthday.  I love this age and I don't feel like I've spent as much time with her as I'd like before she's gone all day and then it just goes downhill from there.  At least with the boys - I felt like I'd spent time with them and knew them before they were gone all day.  Megan and Rachel have spent part of the last few years in someone else's care (when I coop). We haven't done as many things together - outings, reading, playing... Time marches on - this time I feel like it's marching on without me. Better do something about that.  (This is all with full day Kindergarten in mind.  Maybe we'll just stick with the half day - although, I think she's ready for the full.  Is it fair to decide solely on what the parent wants instead of what the child needs?:})