My Little American Girl

Lucy is a big fan of the American Girl doll's and books. I'm a big fan of the books as well because Lucy has learned a lot and loves history, in part because of the books. She got the Kit doll for her birthday a couple of years ago. She looooves Kit. (She got a haircut a few months ago and took her doll in and asked for the same haircut. Kit has gone on several vacations with us. Kit gets played with a lot.) As you can imagine, she was very excited when, last year, she heard they were making a Kit movie. It came out this July and we have been meaning to go, but life is busy and hectic. Anyway, we finally made it last Saturday. Kit and Lucy both enjoyed the movie very much.

A Fitting Tribute

Did anyone else read about this? In the bay area (San Francisco?) a ballot initiative to rename the sewage treatment plant after George W. Bush will be on this Novembers ballot. It started as a joke, but the joke spread and now it is on the ballot. The name is to honor the man for the way they perceive he has turned everything he's touched to crap. I find it hilarious, because of course I couldn't agree more. I'd vote for that. I bet Fox news will throw a fit about this one.

Backpacking in the Sawtooth Mountains.

Our friend Weston invited Rob to join him and his buddies on a big backpacking adventure. Backpacking is Rob's all time favorite thing to do and he was very excited. He had a wonderful time, and thoroughly enjoyed the break from the daily grind in such a beautiful place and he enjoyed the company. Although, as you can see, he needs to get some new hiking shoes. Any recommendations?

Filthy!

Yesterday we (my parents, Maren and kids, Katy, Max, and the Wieses) went up Big Cottonwood Canyon for a walk around Silver Lake and picnic at Moss Ledge. It was much fun, with plenty of marshmallows to be roasted, and lots and lots of dirt to be wiped off on my pants (thank you Clara). The combination of the low light and my craptastic camera made most of my pictures turn out blurry, darn it. We ended up having a dirty contest, because he who is dirtiest had the most fun, as everyone knows. The competition began in response to poor Finn who isn't much of a chap for being dirty. (In fact when he saw a bug he said he thought he should eat inside). Anyway, he succeeded in getting dirty, Tucker of course had no problem whatsoever, and I ended up faring pretty well on the filthy front. Clara, however, won, hands down. Rolling in the dirt gave her an unsurpassable lead. Anyway thanks to everyone who came and got dirty and had lots of fun. Max summed up the picnic as we were hiking back down to the cars. "This was so much fun. I'm so glad I got to come. I just love the outdoors and I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't." Amen Maxwell.

A Very Nice Evening

Yesterday my sister Katy, who is an organizing nut, came up to help me clean out some closets. In the evening as we were hauling junk to the trash I noticed her car had a flat. We were on our own, and set to work changing it. A neighbor noticed us struggling to figure out what to do, and came and helped. Although grateful for the help we were a tad disappointed because we were figuring it out and it would have felt like quite an accomplishment to do it on our own. I'm pretty sure we could change a flat easily now. After that we drove over to Wheeler Farm. It was a beautiful evening. There was a very cool breeze blowing off the creek, the temperature was cool and pleasant, the animals were active and fun to observe, and I particularly enjoyed the vegetable garden. One little calf was lots of fun, running around the field, kicking up his feet, and chasing back and forth with the kids. The best part easily could have been the mountains; they were unbelievably beautiful as the sun began to set. It was a perfect way to spend an evening.

Entrepreneurship

A few days ago the kids set up a table on the corner to sell water. It started as a joint venture but Lucy and Anders lost interest quickly (who wouldn't when customers are scarce and it is nearly 100 degrees). But Tucker has stuck it out and sets up shop several times a day. He has spiced up the table by adding flowers and he is trying to convince a sibling or parent to help attract customers by busking (he thinks maybe if Anders banged on a bucket like a drum, it would entertain/attract the customers). A few neighbors have been nice and purchased the warm water, reasonably priced at 1 cent. He did make ice cubes but he gets so hot he ends up pouring the pitcher of water on himself and then is left with luke warm tapwater. I have to admit I have been spending quite a bit of pocket change on the water. That kid claims he is going to be in business every day until the end of July. We'll see if he keeps it up.

Did You Notice....

Did you notice the countdown for residency is now under a year!  (Too bad we actually have an extra year after residency of fellowship).  I can almost, barely, vaguely see a teeny, tiny, eensy, weensy glimmer of light.