Pioneer Week

We had so many ideas for Pioneer Day this year, that we made it into a Pioneer Week.

Here is the rundown of last week.

Monday: Made paper covered wagons.

Cameron supplied origami oxen.

Tuesday: Traced the route of the pioneers on our markable map (I love that map!)

Wednesday: Learned the song, "Little Pioneer Children" and drew pictures to go along with the words. (I can't find those right now, which stinks because Esther and William drew some great pictures).

Thursday: Before Cameron had to go to work we drove to Omaha and visited the Mormon Trail Visitors Center at Winter Quarters.

This is a typical bunk for the seafaring pioneers. Each family would get two beds total - that's some pretty tight sleeping.

Friday we planned to read pioneer stories from the current Friend Magazine, but we forgot

Saturday we attended our stake's "This is the Place" party. There were crafts, games and food. Good times were had by all.

Sunday (today) we watched Legacy to wrap up our Pioneer Week. We've had a lot of fun, and we all have a better understanding of what our predecessors went through for what they believed.

And So It Begins

About a year and a half ago Esther decided she wanted piano lessons. We tried a couple of times until it became apparent that what she really wanted was to push random keys and sing "beautiful songs." I gave up trying to really teach her and just let her do what she wanted until she was a little older. Today she again requested piano lessons, and this time the results were quite different.

Gypsy

Here is our seven week old Gypsy, the newest member of our family.

Happy Fathers Day

We've really loved having Cameron home with us this past month or so since he finished school. He starts his residency in one week, and we'll sure miss him. So for our Fathers Day Tribute here some things that only happen when Daddy is home.

10. Science experiments all the time.

9. Housework takes half as long.

8. Kids get to play with real tools.

7. Light bulbs are replaced quickly after they burn out.

6. Coat hangers and blankets become hang-gliders for animal rescuers.

5. The trash is at the curb every Tuesday morning.

4. Every time is story time.

3. Mommy gets to sleep in.

2. Scrap wood and spare rope become tree swings.

and the best thing about when Daddy his home:

1. The rest of us get to be with him!

Happy Fathers Day!

Coming of Age

William was in sore need of a summer buzz cut today, so we figured while the clippers were out we should give Alex his first haircut.

This video we took this morning will work as his "before" picture. He was showing off his new way of shooting darts without the complications of using a dart gun.

Alex watched Will get his buzz, then seemed a little bit excited for his own turn. He didn't cry or try to grab the clippers. About three minutes (and a bath) later he looked like this. Goodbye baby hair, hello little boy!

Home Sweet Home

Everything is unpacked! We're ready to live here now. The kids get back from their week at Grammy and Grandpa's house tomorrow, so we thought we should take a few snapshots while everything is in it's place. Tomorrow the kid tornado will roll through, and our new home won't be quite so picturesque.

So without further ado, here are a few pics.

The front of our house.


The backyard, complete with bunnies, quail, squirrels, and a nest full of baby robins.


The front room (with a little of the hallway and dining room visible)


Basement highlights - Cameron gets a workshop and the kiddos get a schoolroom. We actually just got those school desks at a garage sale here in Lincoln for $3. I have a feeling we'll get along with Lincoln pretty well.

We still have a few things to get done before we can consider ourselves settled. Eg. we're not planning on using Alex's towel for our bathroom curtain permanently; we do have bathroom curtains on their way. Also, Mt. St. Box erupted in the garage, and the disaster recovery crew needs to work on cleaning up the aftermath.

If you just can't get enough of our new house - we put a video tour on You Tube. It didn't seem like a good idea to post a detailed tour of our valuables, along with means of entrance and quick exits for all to see on the internet, so if you want the video tour you're going to have to ask us for an invitation. Feel free to do so, as long as you're not a criminal.

PS If you want to see the video tour you'll have to give me your youtube ID.

oops

I was just gearing up to post a plethora of pictures and videos from this past week, but alas, I just realized that I packed the camera cable. You'll all have to wait until we're settled in Nebraska before you see our pictures and hear from us again. Ta Ta For Now.