Here's Us Lately

Julie, Camille & one of our favorite people -- Camilla Johansen who has served as a missionary in our ward for almost a year. 

The Morley's, Duffany's, Hardts, Jensens, Sylvia Centoz, Troy colby, McHoods, Walkers & others came for Sister Johansen's goodbye party on August 21st.

Lydia freqently finds herself with "nothing to do".  I suggested she decide what to be for Halloween. She came up with Red Riding Hood, Poodle-skirt girl, Butterfly, Chinese girl, Cowgirl, Doctor, Princess & Cow.

Lydia decided to go with doctor for that day.

Lydia & Eve -- aren't they charming.

Eve, Lydia & Camille

Books are Camille's new favorite -- reading, eating, demolishing -- there are so many ways to enjoy them.

Camille and her brownie really hit it off.

Jack the Chihuahua -- our dog for (less than) a day.  Alex came home from work earlier this week with this puppy that he'd been given as payment (long story).   Cute but not for us.  The kids wer sad that we found him a new home the next day. 

Lydia & Eve show off the dresses, purses & hair bows made for them by our friend Shelli Allen. 

As for other, non-pictoral, happenings of the last few weeks . . .

We had a fun Labor Day weekend.  Saturday, the 3rd we went to Bounce U -- a play place with lots of what Alex terms as "Big Bouncy Fun Things", aka bounce houses, slides, etc.  We had a great time although Eve strongly objected to having to wear socks the whole time.  Alex donated to the bloodthirsty Red Cross and then that evening Alex & the boys went with Grandpa Matheson to the UofA football game while Julie & the girls had fun with Grandma Matheson.  Sunday was church and a nice stay-at home day. On Monday we went swimming at Basha pool and joined a big crowd for a fun party at Glade & Laurie Smith's home.

Lydia started a ballet class.  Julie hosted a couple of potluck lunch get-togethers for friends.  Eve started her 'Joy School' preschool.  She is very, very, very excited about that.  Camille practiced crawling and opening cupboards and ditched her pacifier once and for all.  Carter and Brad can usually be found with their nose in a book from the Warrior's series by Erin Hunter.  Alex loves football -- luckily he loves us more though.

Yesterday, Sept 10th, Julie spent all morning helping with a stake girl's activity day.  In the afternoon Brad had a great birthday party (yep, he's 10 in just 4 more days).  The Allen boys, Ammon Steele & Trader Swapp joined us for a swimming party at G&G Matheson's home.  As we drove back to our house it started to sprinkle.  The sprinkles turned into great big rain drops which then turned to hail.  It hailed off and on for about 10-15 minutes and then gave us a good rain.  It was one of those soul satifying storms that makes me want to dance in the rain.  Alex & I put the kids down and then for our date ate Blue Bell icecream (on sale at Basha's for $3.99) and checked out Old Spice Man commercials on YouTube (our Portland friend Jason Bagley writes them).   It was a fun day.