Update

We just got back from an action-packed adventure to Utah. While we didn't blow a tire this time around, we did visit with almost every member of each of our families. (I visited my sister a couple months ago, so I've seen everyone this summer sometime.) The big news was that Bryan's youngest brother Andrew left for Ghana on Thursday. I've never seen someone more prepared for missionary service than Elder Lindsay.


School starts next week, so I need to hurry up and take care of the school supply list. Auditions for the choir I was in last winter/spring are coming up again.

Bryan's hand is still in a splint from a fractured metacarpal bone in his right hand, which happened about three weeks ago while playing church basketball. I have since banned him from the sport. I have been doing all the dishes, and I can't pawn off the diaper changes to him when he's home. But I do actually feel bad for him because his work productivity has gone down, in the form of typing with one whole hand and a thumb. And his atrocious handwriting is even more atrocious now. And then we went on vacation for 9 days (including two spent driving), and all he could do was remotely access his emails, reply to texts, and hope for the best. I don't plan to see him much this week while he catches up.

Like I said, Caleb starts school next week (full day!). And I really think it will do a world of good for Savanna to be the oldest kid around during the day. She's ready to shine! Joseph is walking/running, and now he's climbing on things and even climbing on stools to reach things previously out of reach. I need to re-babyproof.

More soon!

Year In Review

Okay, maybe not the whole year. But it has been a long time since I uploaded pictures, and here are some of my favorites in random order:

Sometimes we call him "Joyseph."

Falling asleep in the car. I think this was after Bryan's grandpa's funeral.

Patriot

On the way to Utah for the funeral.

Dear friend,
You never returned my phone calls and caused me a lot of frustration before you moved away.
But I forgive you, because you gave me this recipe. Oh, and the freezer raspberry jam that you couldn't take with you. Mmm boy.

Patriot and parade.

This is when we went camping. Yes, it was actually as bad as I expected. The kids did just fine and slept through the night. It was the multiple trips (for me) to the bathroom and the territorial hawk that kept me up most of the night.

Joseph is this helpful every day.

In which our friends came at the end of April, and we didn't feel like making dinner. Instead we got a pizza the size of a car.

Just, awesome.

In which we got to the end of a very long day with no fun for the kids, and then we stopped to visit Grandpa. All was right with the world.

See? More help!

Camping, building memories. Caleb, Savanna, Joseph? You better remember this because I went through a lot to make this memory.

Savanna's first haircut, which somehow gave her permission (in her mind) to then cut it some more. And then some more. I don't have a picture of the current hairstyle unless you look really hard at the previous picture.

Why do kids love boxes?

Our friends that came in April.

My haircut. Which now I'm trying to grow out again because I just can't stand to have hair in my face or on my neck. I should either go super-short, or long.

Savanna as Buzz Lightyear.

Please? More?

Two holes in one

This happened today.

Pause

You want an update, do you? Well, just pause for a second while I get Joseph up from his nap. (I get that from my kids: they are convinced that you can pause life and push the backspace if things aren't going your way.)

Where was I? Oh, yes. Let's start with Joseph. Walking. Getting more and more stable every day. Likes to show off how talented he is at walking. He also talks a lot. We can only understand a few words, and his inflections sometimes clarify the gibberish. He is still always into everything. He makes lots of messes and only occasionally finds enjoyment with putting things back. He also loves to amuse other people. Making people laugh is in his genetic makeup, I guess (not from me). He is also very picky. You'd think that a kid who seems to be a people-pleaser would find great encouragement in words of praise, but no. I'm having a hard time getting him to eat a balanced diet. Even though he doesn't like to eat food, he likes to sink his 12 teeth into bare flesh. Clothed flesh will also do just fine. Still smiley as ever. He comes to give me hugs frequently throughout the day, but spends most of his time being independent and exploring any non-babyproofed spot in the house. I will make it a goal to download some videos and pictures tonight. Wish me luck.

Savanna. Still changes her clothes five times a day. She thinks she can sneak her wet-in pants into the laundry without me knowing, but unfortunately she can't distinguish between a basket of clean laundry and a basket of dirty laundry. Recently she also sneaked into my room, found some scissors, and cut her hair (for the second time). We found the evidence all over the floor. I will also try to post pictures of this later. My friend fixed her hair, sort of. The snipped spot is not really salvageable, just disguiseable. I don't really like the hair cut, but it is better than shaving her head.

Caleb is creative. He is always making projects and drawing pictures and anything else to entertain himself and me. Today he made a reusable scavenger hunt that I tried out three times. Caleb loves to play outside in our cul-de-sac with Bryan. They play all the sports. It really is a good set-up. Even though the south side of our house is right next to a fairly busy road, the cul-de-sac goes downhill away from the road into a flat-ish surface. And since our driveway is a pretty good hill, all the balls roll back into the middle of the cul-de-sac, ready for more play. Caleb takes Savanna on adventures in our house and in the backyard, but more often then not they end up in screaming matches and "I'm gonna tell mom!"s. Oh, well. I didn't get along with my brother until I was 17 and he was 18 and we finally had some of the same friends. Teaching them to get along is going to take a loooooong time, I think.

Not much is new with Bryan and me. We're just trying to figure out how to pass the time this summer in a small town with few options.

103.1°

It literally took 48 hours for Joseph's fever to break. After about 36 hours, I became especially concerned when I set Joseph down on his feet and his legs buckled under him. I took him to the ready care, got right in, and the doctor diagnosed an especially bad ear infection. We started antibiotics asap, but were up half the night trying to make him comfortable enough to sleep since the acetaminophen only seemed to be shaving off a degree or two. This morning, our happy Joseph is back! Hallelujah!

I Kid You Not

Tonight, while we were getting Joseph ready for bed, he said his first sentence.

Bryan is my witness.

"I duh-joo ma!" in a sweet voice, followed by a sweet smile.

Okay, I admit it, being a mom has some rewards. :D

Pizza Party or Bust

(By Bryan)

Today when I picked Caleb up from soccer practice, he asked if he could do chores to earn some money.

I asked him what he needed the money for.

He then showed me a flier, which said:

Golden Champions
Parent/Sibling Game &
End of the Year Party

Date: Thursday, May 6, 2010

Time: Game will be at 4:15 and after we will
head down to Pizza Hut

***Kids will be responsible for paying for
their own food

I chuckled inside; and I was touched that this sweet little kid would do anything to go to this party, even pay for his own dinner.

Because I'm such a good dad, I said, "You know, Caleb, I could probably pay for your dinner."

To which he defensively replied, "No, Dad, it says the kids are responsible!"