Happy Halloween!

We're hiding from all the kiddos so we can selfishly eat all the Halloween candy we bought a few weeks ago. Who am I kidding? The candy is almost gone already.

Here's the promised picture of my Big Jim's boat.

Here's something else that makes me happy lately:

We had Big Jim over for dinner tonight (for fried fish) and he told me he put his Christmas tree up today!! I couldn't believe he beat me!! I'm thinking I'll tackle that in the next week or two.

catching up

Yes, I know it's been a while.
Not much new to post (plus I don't have my camera with me, so I can't add pics). We're in Missoula right now, just ate some hot fudge sundaes. Yummm.
Oh, Big Jim bought a boat last week! I'll take some pictures to post when I get home. He bought it with all the ski and tubing stuff. We are SOOOOOO looking forward to spending a ton of time on the lake this summer!!! (Crap, now I need to start losing weight).
Let's see, what else this week? We voted. I painted the downstairs family room (half way). We watched a scary movie (The Strangers, it was pretty good). I made some kick butt French Dip sandwiches. And, that's pretty much it.
The weather has been perfect lately. Crisp, cool, fresh. We're starting to notice a big difference in the sunlight though. The sun comes up around 7:40 and sets around 5:30. Once daylight savings time ends, it'll be dark around 4-4:30. It makes us want to sleep all the time!!

The Jims went on a trip

54 years ago Big Jim went on an Alaskan hunt with a friend named Charlie. They lost touch for many years then Jim looked him up and they reconnected a few years back. Charlie and his wife Lynn live in California. This week they were traveling through Washington on their way to Canada so Charlie and Jim decided to meet up in Olympia. This was only the 2nd time they had seen each other since this 1954 trip.

This week. (Jim looks weird because he's trying not to blink)

This is where my Jim lived from 0-3 years of age in Port Townsend, WA. This was their house. They rented this house on 40 acres for $80 / month. Ahhh, the good old days.

And sadly, Olympia is also where Jim's older brother is buried. Joey was Jim and Sandy's first born. He tragically drowned when he was 4 1/2 years old. He would be 46 now.

House Update - 1 door down

We have resumed working on our house. As mentioned several blogs ago, we bought the moulding for our upstairs. Jim's been working on it for the last couple of weeks and I finally got around to painting a few doors.

Here's what the doors looked like when we bought the house (and still do downstairs).

And here's what they look like now, with Jim's primo trim work.

It looks so much better now. Crisp and clean. Jim has a lot more trim to nail up, and I have lots more painting to do, but it feels good to be making progress.

We have about 150 unfinished house projects going on, but I've been itching to start creating a craft room downstairs. I've got to get rid of my makeshift craft area before Christmas anyway since that's where the tree goes. That's a legitimate reason, right?

More Books

For me, Autumn is the perfect time to cuddle up with a blanket, something warm to drink, and a good book. The last few weeks have been in the 50's which I think is just about the perfect temperature. Here are the last few books I've enjoyed:

This book was super cute. It's written from a dog's point of view about his owner. The dog (Enzo) is old and thinks back on when his human was young and how they've grown up together. He's obsessed with thumbs and watching TV. Here's a little excerpt.

I admire the female sex. The life makers. It must be amazing to have a body that can carry an entire creature inside. I mean, other than a tapeworm, which I've had. That doesn't count as another life really. That's a parasite and never should have been there in the first place.

Very cute book. I highly recommend.



I'm partial to any book about the Tudors. I have many, many, MANY books about this intriguing family.

This book was based on Queen Elizabeth's life as a child and her relationship with her father (King Henry VIII) and her sister (Queen Mary) and several of her father's wives.

I realize not everyone is interested in this era, but I absolutely loved this book.

Two More Birthday Shout Outs

Last week was Jeremy's and Jacob's Birthday. This week is Brandilyn's. What's up with you guys growing up? Do you realize that if you keep getting older than so do we? We must stop this! You're supposed to be little forever!!

Like this...

OK, I guess I have to let you guys do your thing.

I wish we could be around you more as you grow up, but even though we don't get to see you very often, you are in our hearts always.

Happy Birthday Kiddos. We Love You.

Couldn't resist

Turn my music off then crank up the volume first!!!

Happy Birthday Jeremy!!!

Jeremy Dale,

What happened to this little boy?

Where is this little guy who played with us in the park and got insanely dirty?

Today you are 16 years old. It seems amazing to us that you aren't this little boy anymore.

Nope, you're on your way to adulthood. Big responsibilities lie ahead but we hope you'll remember to have fun too.

You are such a wonderful person Jeremy. Our prayer is that you enjoy life to its fullest. That you stay true to who you are. That you live a life full of faith. That you lead other people by your example. That you find true love and happiness.

We love you buddy and miss you tons. We hope you know how much you mean to us. We are here for you always.

Love, Jim and G

Moulding, Haircuts, and Scrapbooks

This morning we got up and had coffee as usual, then headed to Home Depot to get some base and door moulding. Very exciting!!! Will update with pics as we start hanging it.

For no real reason I took this picture of our over abundant apple tree.



Then this afternoon we both got haircuts then ate dinner and watched the VP debate. I worked on my Vacation scrapbook from when Mom, Alan, and Brandilyn were here while watching. Jim even helped with some of the painting.