The 10th Year Memorial in Memory of Christopher

We got ready for the 10th Year Memorial at Pat and Chickie's. Barry's sister, Melissa, was in town for the event as well and our plan was to go out to the cemetary in the morning to remember his life. His boys, brother, mom, and dad would all meet us there. Silas and Emmitt were styling in their matching shirts.

Auntie Mim and Leesie-Claire

Yaya and the baby Statue of Liberty

She is signing, "more, more" with a very appropriate questioning look. I think Yaya had sugar cereal.

Auntie Punkin, Uncle Jack, and Alvin.

Silas and Grandpa Pat enjoying a cloudy walk.

Me and my baby.

Mommy Had More Fun...Like Girls Just Wanna Do (Thank you Cyndi Lauper!)

This past weekend was "Boo-Jah" at Addy New Life and we helped out with the games. You know I love to dress up, so I found the most outrageous 80's character around and patterned myself after her.

I was Cyndi Lauper...and as it turned out, so was my friend, Stephanie. We decided to have a Cyndi Lauper-off on the running bungie game. Whoever could run the farthest while being pulled back by the bungie cord, and place her velcro marker on the line nearest to the end of the run, won.

My Cyndi Lauper twin was a fierce competitor and in the end, our markers overlapped each other in a dead tie. I think the outfits were also equally stellar, although, Stephanie's white socks with dress shoes really added a classy touch!

Has anyone seen Nacho Libre, the fanastic, manly luchador?

Look, there's my little puppy, Emmitt! The Bunny is London, a friend's daughter.

Waking up to Snow!

At 7:15 Silas walked up the stairs to go to the bathroom and to make sure I was up. He is instructed to wait until "the clock says seven" to get out of bed and he does a great job! His clock may be set a little slow so that "seven" comes closer to 7:15, but I can't be sure...

We sleepily moved into the livingroom where I noticed a strange thick frost out the window...nope snow! On October 29!

Silas was elated and said he was going out (it was still dark as you can see in the picture!). As Silas told me that "Christmas is here!", I pulled on jeans and a hat over my pajamas. Out we went to make the first snowballs of the season and lay on the cold ground to make snow angels.We couldn't find the sled, so we settled for bringing in some extra wood and went in to get warm.

Later, I bundled up all three for their first snowy romp, but the twins were not sure about the new precipitation and cried almost the entire time.

They were so sweet and snuggly that I had to get close-ups.

Motorcycle Dudes and a Little Lady

Kylen, Evie, and Lydia came to visit us today! It was great fun to see the cousins play and help the men load wood. The boys got a kick out of having the same jammies.

Pumpkin Patch Love

The Warren Family Clan took the short trip to the Addy Pumpkin Patch this week. Silas picked out the "perfect pumpkin!!", which was something we read about in a book from the library. He was sooo happy to pay for them and load them up in the van.

The next day, Grandma and Grandpa came out to the house to look at our septic problem and we took the opportunity to carve up a couple holiday decorations. Silas wore his "motorcycle dude" costume and LOVED the carving and quickly named his jack-o-lantern, "Pumpkin Pie"!

Is This Me or What?

This photo has caught the eye of a couple friends who have suggested that the picture is actually from my photo shoot with my uncle and cousin the day of my wedding. Rather than ask my family, I've chosen to promote the mystery by posting it up for discussion.

Actually, although the resemblance to our wedding photos is striking, the only detail that makes me wonder if this attractive photo displayed on Spokane CD'A Living Magazine is really me, is the thick flip flop shoes and the date that the photo ran, which was Jan/Feb 2005...conveniently after our 2004 wedding.

So, what do you think?

The House

Some friends and family have not been able to see the house yet, so we thought we'd post a few pictures to catch everyone up. We feel REALLY humbled and blessed to have such a wonderful house. We love living out on a piece of land, so near town, and we are excited about all of the landscaping potential! Thanks to everyone who has helped us move in, get stuff installed and fixed, and painted...thank you. We hope our home can be used for great things and many gatherings for years to come.

The back of the house.

The view from the front porch.

Diaper Heads

What fun can be had with a couple of swim diapers and two little baby heads? Take a look and see!

Emmitt actually liked his and wore it for about an hour after we were done playing. :)

In Memory of Marshall; who came and went

Barry's dream dog, a purebred German Shepherd, came to live with us after we had about 1/4 of our hours complete to pay him off. We made an agreement with the breeder to work for her in lieu of cash. The dog tagged along behind us as we organized and sifted through her massively overcrowded possessions, trying to help her simplify. It was fine work, and well worth the prize of a beautiful and obedient German Shepherd.

The kids LOVED him, especially Elise. She crawled around the house, constantly trying to peek out of a window, or plaster her face to the glass door to see the "doo-doo". She would scream, laugh, and tap his head as I said, "gentle".

A couple days after we got him, he began to act sick. The next week was consumed by watching his liquids, checking his hydration, giving him homeopathic mixes (as instructed by his breeder) and taking him to the vet for fluids, antinausea meds, and antibiotic to fight any secondary infections. Throughout the week, I was sure that Marshall would make it. He was so strong. He was beautiful. He was mine.

When he died I was with him and for the previous hour had known that it was coming. His body was ravaged by the parvo. His heartbeat was irratic and his breathing labored. Still, the moment of his death scared me and was so shocking in it's finality. He was suddenly just a body, without life, without personality, without breath.

Silas had trouble sharing my attention the week of Marshall's illness. He began acting out and (I believe) became resentful of the dog. When we bleached our home and porches, and the following day when we went to the gravesite to have a ceremony, Silas seemed relieved.

The ceremony was even a little fun, having a three year old involved help keep the mood light. We began with a prayer, thanking God for Marshall and the time he was with us. We preceeded by each placing picked wildflowers on the grave and saying something nice about the dog. Silas said, " Marshall, I wish you weren't dead."  Poor kid.

We asked Silas which song we should sing together, to which he replied, "The Zacheus is too little one". So we sang, "Zacheus Was a Wee Little Man", and closed our funeral. Marshall will remain with us and in his grave as the perfect dog that came and went in a week.

East Valley 10 Year Reunion

This past weekend was the East Valley High School 10 year reunion. There was a cruise on Lake CD'A, a park day and a bar night. I went to the latter two events, but I only have a picture from the park. There were more people at the evening events, I think those without kids felt like they shouldn't do the park thing. It was fun to reconnect with friends.

Why Do We Let 3 Year Olds Do Mutton Bustin'?

Silas showed his cowboy colors this weekend at the North Idaho Fair. He wanted to mutton bust, so we paid the fee and turned on the video camera. Poor guy had no idea that the sheep are not as friendly as the neighbor's horse. We did try to warn him, but he had his mind set.


Here's the little buckaroo post-bustin'.

Zip's and the Park

We enjoy the Chewelah park so much. Whenever Barry's parents are with us, we get to go to Zip's after our play time. Silas and the babies love fries...