A Super Surprise visit from Grandma and Grandpa Hale

We usually are able to Skype my parents on Sunday evenings. This Sunday, however, my parents were supposed to be in Cancun Mexico. I had read an email Saturday night stating that their flights had been canceled due to Hurricane Ida. I had wondered what they were going to do with their time-off. Surely they wouldn't just go back to work! When we skyped them tonight we asked about their canceled trip and plans, and they asked what our week looked like. The only thing on our calendar (truly) was feeding the missionaries on Tuesday. Saying that, I asked, "Why? Are you guys heading this way?" "We're thinking about it!" was their reply.

Music to my ears!

This is going to be a fabulous week!

Annie Jane is 8 months

Oh our sweet little girl is getting closer and closer to being 1 year old. She is now 8.5 months, butterflying across the floor (no army crawl...it's the butterfly stroke) and finally realizes that she can 'look' for us if we're not in the same room. Although she 'tires' easy from her strokes (at least that is what she makes us believe.) She is captivated by Ethan's every move (Brian and I both have asked Ethan to 'leave the room' when she's eating...or to play right next to us so she'll keep looking forward) She pouts like he does, screams with glee like he does and almost laughs like he does. She absolutely adores him. And he absolutely adores her. So do we. She is such a joy. Her eyes continue to shine bright blue. I love it, they are so pretty.
Annie Jane just confirmed yesterday that she really can drink out of a bottle, if necessary. I had a primary activity down at the San Diego Temple, and was gone for about 2 feedings worth. Brian fixed her an 8 oz bottle and she downed it like it was second nature. Before yesterday, we've been working with her for about 2 months...bottles and sippy cups, trying to get her to catch on, but all she would do is take little sips or gnaw on it. This is a very good progress, and so convenient now that she's older. Annie Jane Earl, I love you!
Here are some pictures I took to capture that '8 month' moment.

Pumpkin Patches

Our own cute pumpkin bumpkins!

On our way home from the Train Festival, Brian took a new road in Fallbrook that led us past a Pumpkin Patch. Yay! A field full of pumpkins...we chose 2 to carve and Ethan chose his very special one too. It was a perfect way to end our Saturday fun.

Train Station Fun

This past weekend we took a family trip to Poway (50 minutes South) for their 13th annual 'Train Song Festival". It is Brian and my 6th year anniversary...and though this was an event that focused on kids, I knew we'd have fun. We needed somewhere 'free' to play. Ethan is so in love with trains, and the event offered a trip on a 1907 Baldwin Steam Engine around the perimeter of the park. We bought tickets (Golden tickets like on "Polar Express") and rode in the very last car of the train. We witnessed a "train-robbery" ...which upset Ethan, but when we were all 'saved' by the sheriff, he was good to go again!

In the last car of the train, we got the best view...hind sight is 20/20, right?
"We couldn't see where next we'd be... just where we'd traveled last!"

The whole park seemed to be a 'train depot' theme, and there was a Templars building that had a sign that said it served as Poway's first High school. Inside was a room filled with Electric Train Tracks, and model buildings. Ethan was fascinated to watch those model trains go round and through tunnels, etc. In front of the building was a sculpture of a pioneer woman waving a welcome to the passengers arriving at the station. It seemed this park was very dedicated to preserving the 'pioneer' spirit. We loved it!
We ate our packed lunch in the park, behind a stage where we could listen to performers sing all sorts of train songs. There were some great climbing oak trees, and Ethan got a little taste of that 'boy-kind-of-fun'

It was here I decided what he would be for Halloween: a train conductor. He had the white shirt, overalls and neckerchief...his outfit was complete once we bought the hat (see picture below). I am loving these years when 'goblins' 'ghosts' and 'monsters' are not a part of his vocabulary, especially in his land of make believe.

Ethan, Annie Jane & Mom in front of the Templars Building

Annie Jane

AJ is crawling now! It is so, so fun to watch her go from place to place. I guess I shouldn't say 'crawling' . . . it's more like a dolphin swim. She raises herself up on her hands, pulls her knees underneath her and leaps forward, catching herself on her belly! When she does get on her knees, she rocks back and forth a lot. I've tried several times to upload a video of this little butterfly stroke, but it won't take. Bummer!

Big move coming!

I never thought I would be so excited about moving...and dreading every minute of it. Brian and I have finally found a place where we feel will give our kids the 'adventure' little kids need...picking up rocks, running in grass, watching the fire in the fireplace at Christmas time. We found a home to rent in Fallbrook, CA. It's about 25 miles north of where we live now, and the scenery is much quieter. I've attached some pictures so I can always remember my excitement when I found this listing and just happened to driveby when the Landlord was there wrapping up some cleaning chores. I brought Brian back that same night for a tour and 2 weeks later (although it feels like it's been a month) we were approved. The whole process was like a grueling job interview.
What do we get...
rose bushes
lime trees
garden
3 bedrooms
2-car garage
dead end street
and enough room to grow while we're there.
Now it's time to do some de-junking. 3 years of accumulation must be weeded through. That part...I am NOT looking forward to. I'm also not looking forward to
friends that are now 40 minutes away!
the beach that is now 50 minutes away
a release in my YW calling
It's the first time I have ever put 'family first' that has a result that seems to 'uproot' everything else in my life that is good and constant. It's exhilaratingly depressing. The Lord has answered our prayers, but I look forward to His strength to help me adjust to new surroundings (again)

love the green blinds? . . me too!

fireplace in family room

view of backyard from patio doors

A Sunscreen lesson

I mentioned last week we spent the Saturday with some friends (Lamoreaux family) swimming in their neighborhood pool. Today, Brian Lamoreaux gave a great analogy I wanted to remember. (And since I was at the pool too, it made it personal) While at the pool, Carrie and I probably reapplied Sunscreen 2-3 times. We both would ask our husbands if they wanted to reapply but they both said "No! We're fine." I guess Brian L. got pretty burned and Carrie told him, "I don't want to hear any complaining...you should've reapplied". During Sunday school the class discussion opened up with a question about why we thought those early apostles and witnesses to the Book of Mormon left the church. Brian quipped his experience about the sunscreen and then tied it together with the fact that even though he's read the Book of Mormon before and has gone to the temple before, he needs to constantly 'Reapply' those practices in his own life, lest he rely only on that 'first layer' to protect him from harm and temptation.
As witty as Brian L is sometimes, his analogies certainly hold some weight to them!