recent photos

Tessa-



This tree behind the boys is amazing. I love the Spanish moss that grows everywhere here.

From Florida with Love ;)

I'm starting to realize why people live in Florida lately! The "snowbirds" are arriving for the winter and we are venturing outside at any time of day(finally). We enjoyed a beautiful outing today at the botanical garden with a friend!
I've been taking lots of photos lately. I'll post some soon!

Tessa Today

Tess is almost two months old. Here are some new photos of her!








She was telling me she was done with the photo shoot and ready for a nap....

School Days

Monday was Michael's first day of Official Preschool. so far so good.
Here's the photo for the record.



Jordan has a co-op class at home on Thursday mornings. Here's a photo of the Halloween class at our house.

Blessing Day

a Special day

All-Saints Day/Halloween

The Family association at Jared's law school organizes a parade (trick-or-treating caravan) to all the administrative offices.
Here are some pictures of the kids listening to Father Orsi before the parade. He started out his talk like this, "What is Halloween really all about?" One of the kids shouted out, "candy." Everyone laughed and he asked again-- this time to a Catholic child. and again the answer was "candy."
Oh well... I learned that Halloween has roots in a feast day commemorating saints and honoring deceased relatives. You can see religious costumes of some of the parents and kids who appreciate this part of the holiday. Michael and Jordan are sitting to the right of Father Orsi (Buzz Lightyear and Star trekie). Tessa is in the stroller next to Jordan.
There is a great group of families at the school and we love the activities we can take part in with them.
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This picture turned out really goofy so I had to post it. Jared is the only one posing. Jordan insisted on sitting down in front and Michael was shielding his eyes from a car's headlights. There is a speck of the Halloween moon behind them.
We went to a neighbors Halloween party and then trick or treating old-school door-to-door style.
Yes, Michael somehow got into Star Trek --and thus their choice of costumes this year. Thanks Grandma!

and Michael!

Michael is lots of fun! Today he turns five! He is ready to be five even if I am not ready for him to be. Michael is good at leading the show and being the oldest in the family. (We are trying to help him learn to ask nicely instead of telling Mom and Dad what to do --but we may have to change our method of parenting....)
I was proud of the good job Michael did with his part in the primary program last week. He really enjoys learning the songs and taking part in the lessons each Sunday. I am trying to prepare myself for next year when he will be in kindergarten.


Michael loves trying new things. He absorbs new information like a sponge right now. Preschool has become more fun for the teacher with the variety of information I get to cover.
Michael has a great memory and will ask me about a museum we visited once on a vacation or the hideout/play spot Gordon showed him in Logan several years ago.
Michael especially loves people and talks about all the friends he has made in every place we have lived. He misses all of you!


Michael has a really good sense of right and wrong. --and he usually can follow it. The other day -out of the blue- and amidst the commotion of getting ready for bed, I heard him say, "I want to do what God wants me to do." Michael reminds me to pray when I say that something is hard, "Heavenly Father will help you." I love to hear the occasional, really heartfelt prayers from Michael. He has a good heart.

(Michael's and Jordan's photos courtesy of Susie Hildebrandt)

p.s. Michael's comment in response to my difficulties of managing a household of three kids came a few days ago. I cut an outing short and when I lectured him in the car he said, "Moms are boring." I hope you get the picture that in our sunny Florida things aren't always that sunny. But we love it anyway and we'll keep trying to make lemonade out of the lemons....