New Home

This is our third house we have bought, and I have learned that the first year in a new house is always expensive.  It seems like there are several pressing and time-consuming jobs that can't be put off.  The biggest one in our new home has been the deck.

Amid my unpacking, classes, and internship I have also managed to sand and paint our deck once Nathan rebuilt the balusters.   This weekend I have 56 more balusters to paint before Nathan puts them up, and I can call it good for the year.  And just in time, because winter is getting close.

We took a couple trips out to Crater Lake, but I am yet to see it up close.  There is only one trail down to the lake which is quite steep.  The first time we went, it was too cold for our little ones.  I came completely unprepared not even thinking that we would need jackets in July.

The second time we came, Danielle and Nicole were done only halfway down, so I hiked back up with them, leaving the boys to go on.  Nathan was kind enough to take pictures for me.  Next time, I am leaving the kids at home, so I can actually make it to the lake.

That won't be happening this year, though.  Snow fell in September and the lake is already closed.  I didn't realize till we went to the visitor's center that Crater Lake is the 5th deepest lake in the WORLD.

Connor was the only one crazy enough to swim in the snowmelt.

It was more than a little invigorating.

Nathan celebrated his 39th birthday.  He had his traditional enchiladas, refried beans, chile rellenos and for dessert:  carrot cake.  We had a great time with the Garretts that weekend.

Amid everything, we worked on the deck in all our spare time.  It has the same square footage as our first house.

I did it in sections, and finished the side by our bedroom first.  This picture really doesn't do it justice, but it did look a lot better.

And what a view we have every morning.  This fall has brought fog over the lake nearly every morning.  The leaves have been turning, and I count my blessings every day when I look out from our new home.

I will have to take an after picture on this side.  We are close.  We should be done this Saturday.  Then I can put my attention to other matters.  Like finishing my Lifespan paper or taking a few quizzes.

Connor is 11!

Connor's 11th birthday was the first one that we celebrated in our new home.  We were just barely moved and not even unpacked, but I managed to get the kitchen unpacked enough to bake him his requested poppyseed birthday cake.  I tried to make this cake several times in Alamosa, but every time it over-rose and then fell.  I finally gave up.  I was so happy to finally be at an altitude that I could start baking cakes again, and it turned out perfectly!

Connor has matured so much over the years.  He is such a good reader and is curious about so many things.  He also is thoughtful and thinks of things that he can do for others.  When we go to the library, he makes sure to find books for Brandon, he cooks for us constantly.  He made us dinner tonight and last night and is great at cleaning up as well as cooking.

He is persistent even when some parts of school come a little harder for him.  He has such a good heart and prays for those things that he sees around him.  He is talented musically.  For his birthday, we got him a guitar, and he has been taking guitar lessons.  He does this, partly in his grandpa's memory, though we bought it for him before he died.  One of his sorrows was that he could never show his grandpa his new guitar and play for him. 

Connor likes to go outside and explore.  He also loves to help with outdoor projects.  He spent many hours fetching tools and helping rebuild our deck as well as painting the fence.  He is a very loyal friend.

Connor has a strong sense of right and wrong and is a rule follower.  He is bothered when other people don't have that same sense.  He is interested in architecture and spends a lot of time building things out of legos, cardboard, paper, wood and whatever else he can get his hands on.  He is the designer on he lego robotics team and loves to design bridges with blocks.

For his birthday we took a few of his new friends here in Klamath Falls to the Lava Tubes.  He has quite a sense of adventure and loves to explore caves.  The harder they are to climb, the more he likes them.  He is a wonderful boy, and I love him.  Sadly, he won't be a boy much longer; one more birthday will introduce him to the Young Men's Program.

My dad's funeral

My mom's 60th birthday was the day before my dad's funeral.  We had a lot of family show up for the "celebration."  The kids had a great time playing together, and it was nice to reconnect with family, even under the circumstances.

How are they growing up so quickly?

Garrett and I pushed swings for quite some time.

We barbequed sausages and had a huge spread of food that everyone contributed.  The weather was nice for July.  My mom was named Julie, because she was the third daughter born in July.

I was glad that my mom's sister and sister-in-law were there to give her support.

I saw people step in to the role that my dad would have taken.

It was a great comfort to see my Uncle Wes, because he reminds me so much of my dad.

The funeral itself was absolutely perfect.  There was a huge crowd who came out for it.  They set up enough extra seats for 800 people, and they still had to set up 5 more rows for the overflow.

I loved seeing my Grandma Teddy.  I'm sure she never expected to attend this funeral of her step-son.

I am thankful for my own dear, sweet family.  They were and are a huge comfort to me.

This was the hardest part for me.

I still loved seeing the cousins together.  They reaquainted themselves this summer.

Somehow time passes.  My mom came to visit for her first time last weekend.  It was very peaceful and restful for all of us.  I am grateful for both my parents.  I had to write a narrative this weekend for my Life Span class about my early childhood years, and I recognized that I am who I am today, because of them.