Jill's First (Frost) Birthday!!!!

Here's a little recap of Jill's very happy first birthday. We got up to find Snow! Jill loved her oatmeal and apple sauce birthday breakfast. We bundled up and ran some birthday errands. Then we came home and made a birthday sign. Jill was so excited for dinner and cake. She had no doubts about how to handle the situation. For her first b-day Jill received a beautiful crocheted doll that Daddy has already named "Betsy," some yummy foam letters for the bath tub, and a cute cute cute dress. Unfortunately our refrigerator magnets only came with one "H" so we had to get creative. "Snappy Birthday, Jill!" (Birthday out-takes can be found to the right.)

Holding Our Breath

This has been an interesting week . . . month . . . year for my family. We have seen so many blessings that our struggles don't seem that great (after the fact).

Many of you know that my mother was treated for cancer in the last 12+ months. She responded well to treatments and was in the recovery stage until about a month ago when her doctors found a group of cancer cells they think somehow survived the first two rounds of treatments. Now, after a short hiatus, she's scheduling round three.

My sis also found out this year that her new baby, just born last week, would need open heart surgery upon arrival. Our new nephew is doing well, even though his new body is giving him his first earthly workout.

As I watch my family work things out and know I'm too far away to lend a hand, or a hug, or anything else of great consequence, my prayers get longer, and my blessings become so much more pronounced. I'm so grateful for my sweet little family here in Idaho. Jill will be 1 next week, and we just can't wait to help her celebrate. We have everything we need, and some extras, like the fall leaves being so beautiful this year. (And no snow yet, thank goodness.)  I'm most grateful for the blessing of having the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and knowing that although life comes with its special challenges, He will strengthen us as we learn about Him and His love for us. We will all someday return to His loving arms and live forever with the ones we love. What a great blessing indeed.

I hope you all know that I'm thinking of you, praying for you, and loving you, even though I can't be there to help you paint, or make you dinner, or watch your children as you recover. And I miss you oh so very much!

Trick or Treat

In true Halloween spirit, We dressed up this year and went trick or treating . . . kind of.

First we it the local Farmers Market, tried all the free samples, and took a piece of candy at each booth to fill Little Red's candy basket. Then we went home for a nap and lunch. We rounded off the day with a nice relaxing Trunk-r-Treat at the church.

Then Jill hung out with a baby sitter while Matt and I went to a couples Halloween party. Too fun. We learned some important things this year.

#1 Jill likes candy.

#2 Matt and I compete much better when we are on the same team.

#3 Bouncing ping pong balls so they stick onto a slice of peanutbuttered bread is not as easy as it sounds.

Happy Halloween

Oh, Yes I Did!

I crocheted goulashes for Jill.



Would you like some?
Here is a free pattern.
Better hurry, the rainy season is coming .

Bird's Eye View at the Zoo

Once or twice a year our zoo invites families with babies to come to the zoo for free. If you have a kid in a stroller, you don't have to pay.
Thank you Cassie for inviting us to go to the Zoo with you and Caleb during baby week! I don't think we would have made it without the invite.

Jillie checks out the lounging lion.

We noticed that, as Papa lion lounges, Mama lion keeps tabs on everyone.

Mom and Jill AND the Zebra Family.

Jill loved the pretty pink flamingos.

More Veggies

Here we go . . .
We have GIANT pumkins in our garden. I'm super excited to carve them up next month.



And a few green pepers. . .

and tomatoes (mostly green still)

And here is a random picture of Jill in a basket that I thought you might like.
Smile Jill!

 

Little rabbit

Our little veggie queen has been loose in the garden all summer long. She only has two teeth, so she's not really eating these, but she's really enjoying them anyway.

Here is one of our cabbages. We picked it last week and made the most delicious coleslaw.

And we got a bag full of cucumbers. Just enough to restock in bread and butter pickles (our favorite).

And our carrots look pretty normal, with a few exceptions. Some of the boys in our Sunday school class called these "radioactive carrots." They definitely took on a life of their own.