Hayes

I think every mother of a little boy has exact copies of these next two pictures. There just is not a lot cuter than a little man in overalls with a lawnmower.

These photoes were snapped in one of the rare moments that Hayes wasn't headed for the street hauling his mower, mostly behind.

Given his tendencies to head for the road, we had to take drastic measures and put him behind bars. Such a moving plea for help!

Mason City Fire Department Open House

Everyone in the city got to ride on the top of a fire truck, if they were willing to stand in line for long enough. (Suckers!) Upon finding out that all 25 fire-fighters are volunteers, David thinks maybe he would like to try it. I'm not so sure now is the time of life for him to do that; since we have a few other things going on right now.

Elyzabeth had fire safety week at school and has been a fire fighter all week. She was the one that convinced us we had to go the fire station. It was well worth the trip just for the pictures:)

Too Many Distractions

Despite our original and primary intent of purchasing pumpkins, there were so many other things to do at Rawson's Pumpkin Patch. We got a little carried away.

Yes, Hayes is sitting on a chicken.

The real purpose--Finding the Perfect Pumpkin for Just the right price

So many choices just confuse a person!

Hayes under attack at the "petting zoo"

It all started out so innocently.

They kept getting closer,

and closer until Hayes went into a panic attack and hid in Dad's legs.

Project's I need my mom for

So my mom coming, and then leaving, has made me really think again about how much I love, respect and admire her, as my mother, as my sister in the gospel, as my dearest friend, as a wife and as the grandma to my children. I don't know who said it, but I can't stop thinking about the quote that goes something like this, "Everything I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother." Mom is an angel. My sweet David said it in those exact words when I got back from the airport. how many mother-in-laws get that kinds of a tribute? Mom has always been my truest friend, teaching me, guiding me, shaping who I became and who I want to be. I hope to be the loyal, supporting, honest, loving wife I have always watched her be. I want to be as dedicated to my callings and to the people I chance to serve and to the gospel as I have seen her be. I want so much to be the mother to my children she is to me. I pray my children will love me the way I have watched her love her own mother, and the way I love her. She taught me by example that her parents are some of the most magnificent people on Earth. I owe her more than I can ever even hope to give to my children. I am so grateful for her influence on me and on them, and I pray that we have her close for many, many years. I love you, Mom.

Mom watched our kids for us while we made the 6-hour round-trip to the temple in Detroit. It was wonderful, and so nice to not have to worry about whether our kids were ok or not.
My cute husband!

Hayes found a his best champion in Grandma. It took him all of two seconds to warm up to her, and by the second day he would go to her before coming to his own mother! I almost called him traitor, but I would pick her first, too.

Mom helped me get my chairs re-upholstered so that we have somewhere for other people to sit when they come to visit, besides on the floor. So for any of you that have not come for that reason, you now have no excuse:) They turned out fantastic, if I do say so myself. My mom just has a knack for making that happen.

The Stagecoach

The girls were ecstatic to find this stagecoach that they could be princesses in following the disappointment of not being able to ride in the carriage for hire without giving them our firstborn.

Frankenmuth

The big cheese outside of the Cheesehaus.

Hayes has gotten very good at turning around and going down stairs backward. He was careful to do so even over this 2 and a half inch step down off the cement into the dirt.

We had a lovely lunch at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant. The waiters were all in Leiderhosen (sp?), for real. It was very cool and the kids were so very good.

Frankenmuth

So again, this one should have been first, or is it last? Anyway, these some shots of this very cute town. In many ways it was a flashback to some of my European adventures, which was fun. It is very touristy, but at least we picked an off day. We only saw 3 other children the whole time we were there.

Bronner's-- the Largest CHRISTmas store in the world

When we left Bronner's, it felt like it should be snowing and we should be listening to Christmas music. It is a veritable mall of Christmas paraphanelia. Very fun.

Nativity Costumes

Grandma came bearing gifts; she made costumes for Mary, Joseph, an Angel, a shepherd and a wiseman, as well as swaddling clothes for a baby Jesus.

Who would have guessed that Mom and Dad would fit into the extra costumes?

Hayes makes one cute Joseph!

Elyzabeth's Family Home Evening

Elyzabeth wrote up her plan for FHE. If you look closely you will see all of our names and assigments for the nativity reenactment. Somehow she also managed to sneak her name written in exact mirror image--amazing!

Elyzabeth is always Mary.

Hayes, is, as the smallest, always the baby Jesus.

The angel, Lolee. She is such an imp, and so cute.

Hayes Around the House

Only ripped one page out of our Family Heirloom Book of Mormon so far.

But with a face like that, who can be mad?

Hayes' favorite toy. Don't worry, all you germ-people out there. Daddy scrubbed it thoroughly in hot water with anti-bacterial soap.

Hayes loves to help unpack the dishwasher. He first throws the silverware on the floor (see bottom of picture--by Lolee's foot) and then closes the dishwasher, finished or not.

Such a cute picture!

The girls are very good at their job of unpacking the dishwasher, though they don't particularly appreciate Hayes' help.