Getting a Boost

Our school district arranged for a mobile vaccination clinic to come to our town this evening.

All of the staff and their equipment travel around the state on this bus.  Rather efficient, don't you think?

They set up shop in our middle school gym tonight, so Phillip and I made appointments to get a booster.  The J and J vaccines we received back in spring aren't very effective against the omicron variant, so I'm grateful to have some additional protection from a Moderna booster, especially heading into the holiday season when COVID numbers tend to go up.

A Family Feast

Well folks . . .

. . . you know it's Thanksgiving Day if we're using dumbbells to cook a turkey.

Before dinner even started, I felt grateful that my family helped me cook again this year.

There's something special about sharing a feast with the people I love, and it feels even more special knowing they helped me prepare it.  Thanks guys!  I love you!

Hanging with Friends

The kids got off school early for Thanksgiving break, so they decided to spend the afternoon with their friends . . . 

Arcadia

Caden

Brielle

and Colter.

 We love hanging with our friends!

Choosing a Good Path

 We're excited to have Red Grandma and Uncle Andrew in town this weekend . . .

. . . for Todd's baptism!  We're so proud of Todd for making this important commitment to follow Jesus Christ!

After Daddy baptized Todd at the church, we all headed to Chick-fil-A for lunch . . .

. . . then went for a hike at the Andres sculpture park in Brookline, New Hampshire.  

Here and there along the network of trails, you can see sculptures that are quirky . . .

. . . or thought-provoking, like this boat sculpture that reminds us you can't choose how rough the water is, but you can decide how to navigate it.

The Not-So-Epic Chasm

The weather has been getting chilly lately . . .

. . . but today was unusually warm and pleasant . . .

. . . so I took the kids for one last hike this afternoon before winter arrives for good.

We decided to explore Tophet Chasm, which sounded pretty epic . . .

. . . but turned out to be underwhelmingly swampy (the kids nicknamed it "Dagobah").

Since there wasn't much to get excited about in the "chasm," Joy climbed a big hill with Anna, and asked me to take some epic pictures of them instead.

What shall we call this inspiring photo?  How about "Confronting Destiny!"

Paint Harmony

 After a few days . . .

. . . of letting strangers with paintbrushes take over our dining room and kitchen . . .

. . . the plastic came down . . .

. . . and the pictures went up!

We replaced our kitchen counters way back in February of 2020, and were just making arrangements to have someone paint the walls when COVID shut everything down.  I've always felt that the backsplash tile and colors of the kitchen and dining room seemed out of sync with other rooms in the house.  I'm so glad those rooms finally harmonize with the rest of our home.

The Power of Drop 7

 As soon as I learned that Anna and Todd's age group were eligible for COVID vaccines, I made appointments for them at a local pharmacy. 

Like their older sibs, they brought squishmallows along for comfort.  Todd was still really nervous though, so when it was his turn to get poked, I opened a game called Drop 7 on my phone.  He suddenly forgot there were any syringes in the room.  A video game with numbers!  For Todd, that's the perfect entertainment combination!  I'll have to remember that when he and Anna go for their second dose in December.

Painters and a Party

 Last night . . . 

. . . I took one last picture of our blue dining room . . .

. . . before painters arrived this morning to give part of our main floor a makeover.

They won't be done until sometime next week, but at least the funky blue tile in our kitchen is finally gone!

While the painters were priming our walls and doors, Anna and I headed to the store for some last-minute supplies . . .

. . . for Todd's birthday party!  We held it outdoors (because of COVID, and also painters), and kept it simple (because Mama is party-challenged).  The kids had a great time playing tag and "Fishy Fishy Cross My Ocean," tossing Eddy in the air, and then eating some yummy birthday cake. :)

Doors and Dumplings

We didn't have any set plans this Saturday afternoon . . .

. . . so Daddy replaced the basement door . . .

. . . while the girls made gnocchi (Italian potato dumplings I learned to love as a missionary in Uruguay).

With both gnocchi making and door replacement, the process is simple, but it always takes longer than you think it will.  The end result is worth the effort though!

Who Wants Some Flompy Cake?

 Guess whose birthday it is today!

Todd is 8 years old!  He wore his favorite shirt to school . . .

. . . then when he arrived home this afternoon, we kicked of his birthday celebration by chucking our jack-o-lanterns down Compost Hill.

Todd requested a cake in the image of his favorite toy Flompy (it rhymes with "jumpy"), so I baked a sheet cake and Joy decorated it for him.  Nice color matching, Joy. :)

Todd's birthday gifts included a handmade card from Anna.

I thought her message was really sweet.

Looks like Todd did too.  

Happy birthday, Todd!  I'm so proud of you for being friendly to the kids at school, and for working hard to think of things you are grateful for when you pray every night.  I love your cheerful smiles and your big hugs!

November Is Here

The vibrant fall colors . . .

. . . are beginning to fade to brown . . .

. . . and so are the hydrangea flowers.

We're starting to bundle up indoors . . .

. . . and the big kids have stomped Daniel's Halloween costume.  

It must be November!