Zombies? No, just sick kids.

Our Primary Sacrament Meeting Presentation was today. I didn't count, but I would estimate that 1/3 were not there due to sickness. If they had all been there I don't know where everyone would have sat--we would have been piled on the piano and down the aisles. Unbelievably, the Nielson kids were all there. Scot missed school all last week, and Maggie missed Friday. I'm looking forward to a busy non-kid-sick week. There is too much going on, including finishing up some Halloween costumes and (of course) partying with the ward, school, and neighbors. I'll try to have some good costume photos in the next couple days.

I was going to give you a clue of what everyone was going to be, but when I just asked them they've all changed...again. So, they may be a mass of mystical, hand-cart pulling ladybugs or tinkering elephants wearing top hats. Your guess is as good as mine.

P.S. The Primary Program was great!

Tour of Kirtland, Ohio

Grandma Charlotte visited us a couple of weeks ago. What a fun time we all had, especially visiting early church history sites in Kirtland, Ohio, and the surrounding area.

We started with Lake Eerie.
The rain had stopped just that day, so we didn't stay very long due to the windy chill. It is strange seeing such a large body of water that is not an ocean. Maggie wanted to know where the sea shells were hiding. If it comes from a lake, is it still a sea shell?

Here are all the kids at the visitor's center in Kirtland. Love the beautiful mums! At first we had a little difficulty getting a spot for a tour. They didn't tell us then, but it turns out that President Monson was there the same day, and they were trying to arrange things around his visit. How cool is that? Perhaps not as cool as actually seeing him, but we'll take what we can get.

The Kirtland Temple. Unfortunately, our group was too big to go up the the 3rd floor, but we still enjoyed walking up the steps to the 2nd story.

Perhaps our favorite place was the John Johnson farm. It was just our family on this tour (and Paul was behaving--first time all day). This is all of us on the front steps where Joseph Smith preached the night after being tarred and feathered.

I'm grateful to have visited these places, especially with my family. I learned a lot, and being there sure makes church history come alive. Next summer we look forward to going to more sites--hopefully Palymra and Niagara Falls. We'd love for someone to come go with us!

Annoying? Too bad.

A few phrases have surfaced this week that I thought you all might enjoy. Most of them are Paul's, but I couldn't resist adding something from Maggie.

Paul is improving his social skills. Now instead of just saying "no," he answers with a polite "no, thank you." Does this mean he gets out of putting his coat on, washing his hands, or going to bed? "No way" --which unfortunately has also become a possible response.

One morning I was brushing Maggie's hair for school. This is never a pleasant experience for her. Snarls are just not fun. She and Amy had been playing and talking on their way up to my room where all the hair stuff is kept. Maggie settled on the chair and I started brushing her hair. Immediately Maggie's mood changed and she turned to Amy: "You just keep talking and talking and talking!! It's really annoying me!!" If only I could use this phrase as well.

With all the older kids in school, Amy and Paul have been having fun hanging out together. On the way to swim lessons at the YMCA they were telling each other knock-knock jokes. Paul liked to summarize the whole joke by saying "knock, knock...banana who! hahahaha!" At least Amy waited for a "who's there?"

A final phrase from Paul. I really hope I didn't inadvertently teach it to him, because it drives me crazy!! I thought "no way" was bad, but this taunting, teasing phrase is way worse. Ask Paul to clear his plate or put his blanket away, he might respond with a smirk and a "too bad!"

In Paul's words, I'll "be right back" with some new posts this week about my mom's visit and our trip to Kirtland. "See you later."

September Highlights

Our highlights for September:

• Chipper/shredder marathon weekend. Scot's the one in the chair "observing." --no flash photography, please.
• Labor Day family hike. I think I'm finally recovered.
• We enjoyed dinner and ice cream with my brother, Erin.
• I met all the kids' teachers at the school.
• I took an impromptu drive with Amy & Paul to D.C. area for Quinn's baby shower. Hated to give up the rental car.
• Brian & Scot attended the Stake 11-year-old Scout Day Camp.
• Two friends helped celebrate James' birthday with a trip to the movie theater. The popcorn shaped cake failed, so we just stuck cake & ice cream in popcorn bags. The kids all took turn destroying a party hat pinata, and goodie bags with microwave popcorn & candy were sent home in popcorn bags.
• Paul practiced to hit James' pinata. He overcame many obstacles, most of them being his hat.
• Brian and I went to the Louisville Temple and were actually able to attend a session.
• Maggie turned into Nannie McPhee. She did finally lose the other front top tooth. Not sure if the Tooth Fairy has made it here yet.
• We bought a tree for the front yard. We'll get around to planting it in October.

It was pretty busy around here, getting through the first month of school and transitioning to fall. We are looking forward to General Conference and a long list of items to accomplish between sessions.