She's One!

Time flies. She's already one.

What do you get a girl who has all the clothes and toys she needs? The kids had plenty of ideas. They wrapped up her favorite things, some were already hers, others were theirs that they excitedly gave her. The kids had a blast, and Camryn loved her presents. She loved the car from Grandma which she opened first, and the kids couldn't get her to open anything else. After hiding the car, the kids got her to open the rest of her presents. She loved her puppy (stuffed, because Mom said no to a real one), blanket, and we discovered she loves baby dolls. She was so gentle. Happy Birthday Camryn!

The kids had to blow out her first candle, but on her second try she blew it out herself.

Loving Iowa

We are loving Iowa. A fresh start, new habits, new experiences for our family. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1.5 mile commute
Half-day Kindergarten with Mrs. Abbey
Nightly board games. (Our kids are fast at Dominion, and Taylor and Bryce can be found playing Risk until Mom says it's time for bed. Fun that our kids are old enough to play board games.)
Smiling kids in the morning in footy pajamas
Hot chocolate
Using the fireplace
Cute winter clothes on the kids
Fall leaves
Snow!

Cute Candids

Ever wonder if you should fix the problem or get the camera? I decided the germs from the trash could last another ten seconds for the camera.

This one is for Mindy. Taylor wanted lots of different pictures, in different places around the house with his bear "Teddy Cracker."

As always, Dakota with a smile for the camera, and Camryn, always wanting food.

Matching skirts. Thank you, seamstress Mindy!

Happy Halloween

Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your hair. We all loved the wig, although it was off by the first trunk at trunk-or-treating. At least it was on long enough for the picture. Taylor wanted to be Flynn Rider, frying pan and all. Unfortunately Disney doesn't make the costume, and I don't sew.....so Spiderman was second choice.

Moving

With three weeks to decide where to live, move, and start a job, I was very grateful for movers. The kids weren't. They wanted to pack boxes. In protest, they began packing up their room, all by themselves. I couldn't help but leave it packed.

Defense!

Dr. Daines defended today. Congratulations, Bryce! Thanks to Mom, Dad, and David for making the trip out. All that's left is revising the thesis.

Bryce with his mentor, Rui.

Preschool

While we only participated for about a month and a half, Dakota loved preschool. It was held twice a week, we rotated homes and taught one week out of the month, and every attendee was within a 3-minute drive. Dakota was definitely sad to leave her preschool friends: Mitchell, Summer, and Camille.

A few lessons I've learned

1.  Downsizing, unpacking, and finding homes for everything is almost impossible. My new motto: when in doubt, throw it out.

2.  After a week, I don't need the things I thought I had to have: second car, microwave. Convenient? Yes. Necessary? There is a lot we can be just fine without.