November 11, 2012

November 11, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

Monday M was off work, and B-man was home from school.  It was so nice to have such a relaxing day together.  We did some work around the house, and just had a quiet day.  In the afternoon we delivered some coats and blankets to a drop off spot.  Our stake was helping in a multi stake effort to send items needed to victims of Sandy.  It was encouraging to see how much can be gathered in a very short amount of time.  We also went to the library.  The boys were all excited to go pick out their own books.  J declared that he wanted a "airplane book and a shark book."  He was thrilled that we found both.  We then headed home for dinner and FHE. 

Tuesday was election day.  We were all excited about it.  B-man was off of school again and we decided to go do something fun.  I ran to the grocery store, then we went to vote.  No long lines for us.  Then we drove to a little museum not very far away that we had never been to.  It is a farm museum, and has lots of information on Loudoun county and its farming roots.  M knows someone that works at the museum and she gave us free passes to get in.  All the boys loved some horses that you can climb onto and pretend to be riding.  After the museum we treated the kids to lunch at Costco before heading home for naps.  B-man had piano lessons that day, and is doing great.   M had interviews at the church and while B-man was at piano, and then after we ran around in the gym while he got his meetings in.  I need to do that more often when it is too cold outside.  That evening M went to a friend's house to watch and celebrate as Virginia voted for Romney.  Except it didn't really work out that way.  He came home before the media could call it either way, and we were disappointed (a huge understatement) when we woke up  in the morning.

Wednesday B-man was back at school and we were back to the usual routine.  That morning I had a friend over with her kids so we could catch up and the kids could play.  J and RM were both very territorial, so apparently we need to have more people over. 

Thursday I took the same friend to the airport.  Of course J was super excited for an excuse to go to the airport, and I was grateful that RM stayed awake until we got home so he could nap.  The rest of the day was really quiet.

Friday M was home.  Everyone is excited when M doesn't have to work.  B-man was very excited for his Veteran's day assembly at school and wore his Cub Scout uniform.  It was very cute how excited he was.  He loves military anything right now.  We had a busy morning.  I ran to the grocery store and then we went to take the little boys to a bounce house.  They had earned free passes from a clean check-up at the dentist.  We had to make them promise not to tell B-man...  So far so good.  RM is fearless and will climb up any slide to go down.  They both also loved a little train that you sit in and get pushed in a circle.  After they expended a bunch of energy the "free play" time was up and we stopped at a nursery on the way home.  We have some big plans for our yard, we are getting very close to being able to install some new trees at our house.  Small trees that will hopefully grow quickly...  We also stopped at Costco so M could get almonds for a coworker.  He is his office's almond supplier.  We then went home and had a relaxing afternoon, enjoying the slightly warmer temperatures.  That night we had pizza for our family party and then watched "Rango" as a family.  All the boys loved it, and no one was crying because they were scared, so it was a success.

Saturday I forced to be a productive day.  We had temperatures in the sixties and work that had to be done on the house and the yard.  I started off going to garage sales.  I hit one garage sale with a ridiculous amount of stuff and super cheap prices.  I got 25 articles of clothing (including a Timex watch for B-man), brand new Heely shoes, a Wii fit, and a brand new skateboard for $11.  It was awesome!  Seriously such a blessing.  Then I ran home to meet M at B-man's swimming lesson so he could have his goggles.  I took the little boys home with me, but J was NOT happy about that.  He wanted to be with his dad.  While J decided to be happy I started cutting the holly in our front yard.  It is big and beautiful but needed to be shortened a little to be more in scale.  I think M was shocked when he drove up and saw me with the big hedger electric tool working.  B-man actually helped quite a bit too.  I think he likes using power tools.  I gave M the job to prepare our front door trim to be painted, so he was sanding and caulking so we can paint on Monday.  I also spray painted our house numbers and door bell so they will hopefully look fresh and updated.  I love spray paint.  I also trimmed the roses and finished the weeding in the garden beds.  I was so grateful to have some warmer weather to get the jobs done!  That night we had pancakes and bacon for dinner, and then we enjoyed a calm evening.  I think the boys were tired from all their playing outside all day.  That night M and I watched a few "X-Files" before going to bed.

Today has been a good day so far.  Sacrament meeting went really well.  Primary was okay.  The kids were squirrely!  I hope they still like me...  Hopefully M will be home earlier today, and we will have a fun dinner on the grill to enjoy this nice weather!

We love you all!

The C Crew