who knew a DinOsAuR could edge?

Bev and Theresa came up for a weekend visit a few weeks ago and brought their edger along with them. Connor was all dressed up in his new dinosaur Halloween costume and was so excited to get to edge with Papa. They did a great job and I was amazed at what a difference it made in our yard--so beautiful! Papa swept our driveway, bought us a Dominos value card from a neighbor kid and Mimi delighted us with candy corn. Now does that sound like a good time or what? :)

5K Run/Walk for Breast Cancer

Yesterday, I got to participate in the 5K Run/Walk for Breast Cancer at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro, NC. I went with my friend Jami who was there to support a friend, Deborah. Deborah is currently battling breast cancer and has nine more weeks of chemo to go. I found it very inspiring and humbling to be there with survivors, family and friends honoring those who have passed and those that are still fighting. It was a great event and I'm so glad I got the chance to participate. Go Deborah!

first day of preschool!

Connor started his first day of preschool on August 30 at Mums here in Mebane. We were really sad to leave Orange Preschool from last year in Chapel Hill, but as soon as we saw the classroom we both got it excited! It looked so awesome! Even better, Connor gets to attend school with his best buddy and neighbor, Jaxton Peterson. We get to carpool together and listening to their conversations is hysterical. One day they tickled each other the whole way to and from preschool. :) A few days ago, Connor came in from school, dropped his backpack on the ground and said very seriously, "It was another BUSY day in preschool!" :) I think we are in for a GREAT year!

the bike

In early August, I was preparing the kids and I to drive to my parents home in Indiana for a week when my check engine light came on in our car. We were leaving in two days so I needed to get it checked out ASAP. I called my friend and neighbor, Jami, to see if they had a good place they could recommend for the car. At the local BP, I met Everett: a nice warm hearted man in his 60's. He seemed to be the one in charge of the shop and got me going with one of his employees, Jim. The little store was busy with activity and Everett seemed to know everyone that stopped in. It made me feel more confident in the quality of the shop to see so many long time friends and repeat customers coming and going. I sat next to a moving fan in the unairconditioned 100 degree store. I didn't mind though, I was sweating it out the same as the person next to me. Jim came out and gave me a detailed list of the things that needed to be fixed with the car and the expenses. I called Byron and we decided to go ahead with the needed repairs. I had been sitting there for a while, and knew I needed to get back to my friend who was watching my kids, so I asked Everett if he could check to see how much longer the car would be. I explained that I lived very close and it was no problem for my neighbor to come pick me up and that I could come back and get the car later. That's when Everett had his great idea (that's what he said at least, "Come with me, I have a great idea!") I followed Everett to a shed in the back where he pulled out a huge old red bike with a basket attached in the back. He told me happily that I could just ride the bike home and then ride it on back when the car was ready for pick-up. I figured I had riden a bike all over the streets of Tokyo, why not down the street to my home in Mebane, NC? So I hopped on the bike, waved goodbye to everyone and started on my way home.

The road that I needed to turn on out of the gas station was a busy one. As I went to pull the brakes on the handle bar, I realized there were no brakes! I held my breath and turned onto the road and prayed no one would hit me. I rode home with my purse slung over my shoulder, flip flops on my feet, signaling with my arms that I was merging into the next lane and turning. Hilarious. When I got to Jami's house, I brought her outside and showed her the bike. She was shocked and asked why I hadn't called her?!? I laughed and told her because Everett has said he had a great idea! We cracked up and Jami took a spin on the bike around the neighborhood while the kids and I cheered her on.

When Byron got home that night from work, it was time to go pick the car up, but there was no way that big bike was fitting in our car. I said I was happy to ride the bike back up, but there was one problem, a huge, gigantic thunderstorm was rolling in. I said I was going for it and pedaled as fast as I could up the hill back to the BP gas station. I wondered what people thought of me as I rode this big old bike in the blustering wind, on a major road with a thunderstorm at my heels. Pretty crazy I bet. I made it before the storm hit and tried to discreetly wipe the huge drops of persperation off my face as I paid for the car. Everett was so pleased that I had ridden the bike. He said he offers it to custmers all the time but no one ever takes him up on it. Imagine! I think I've made a life long friend in Everett and it's so nice to know I don't need to arrange for a ride when I take our car in to get fixed.

while the parents were away, the children played

As I mentioned, it was really hard for me to say goodbye to Connor and Kylene when I dropped then off with Theresa before Byron and I left for California. But when I heard what a great time they were having, I rested much easier.

They spent a lot of time outside playing with the new tractor,

feeding Princess,

playing with the Reese,

digging in the sandbox

and playing in the sprinkler!

they also had a fun time at the mall,

learning how to text,

riding the carousel,

and taking a ride on the ice cream truck.

They got to go over to the Parsons a few times to swim with Kylie, Logan, Baylee, and Hunter.

At the Zoo, Aunt Tracey spoiled the kids with rides on the train,

grain to feed the animals,

a comfy stroller and huge, cool zoo cups filled with cherry slushy. Connor still talks about those slushies!

They got to go bowling with their Uncle Jarom, and be loved on by their Uncle Logan and Aunt Codi.

When we were driving back home after picking up the kids, I looked back and noticed that Connor was silently crying in the back and wiping tears away. I thought he was happy to be back together, but it came out that he was really sad to leave Mimi and Papa's. Who wouldn't be?

When we pulled into our driveway, Connor asked if he could put his pajamas on. It was well past their bedtime and I was pleased that Connor was ready to head in the direction. I said, "Sure! That would be great buddy!" He then asked if he could then come down and watch a movie before he went to bed. When I told him no, it was time to go to bed, he began to cry and said, "That's what we do at Mimi and Papa's!" Ah yes, it really is living the high life at Mimi and Papa's. Thanks so much for showing the kids such a wonderful time!

Ben and Karin's Wedding

At the end of June, Byron and I got to travel out to San Fransisco for Ben and Karin's wedding. We left Connor and Kylene with Byron's parents in South Carolina. This was the first time we had been away from both of our kids over night. It was really sad to see the kids drive away with Theresa, but once we knew that the kids were happy and doing well, we felt foot loose and fancy free! It was so fun being together just the two of us again and we realized how much we have to say to one another when we're not constantly interrupted! :)

The first night in Oakland, we attended a dinner with the family and friends that had come into town for the wedding. We had a great time sitting with some of Ben and Karin's friends, Ben Tingey, his wife, Ben "Blue" and his fiance, Sammy.

The next morning we attended the wedding at the Oakland Temple where Karin's grandfather performed the sealing. It was so wonderful to be in the temple with Byron,my parents, sister, brother and their spouses. Ben and Karin couldn't have been happier or more beautiful!

We got to eat at In-and-Out on our way to Merced for the reception at the Rowan home that evening. The weather was perfect and we had a great time visiting and dancing the night away.
It was especially great to be with my parents and Ashley, Jon and Zach. (By this point though Byron and I were really starting to miss our kids.)

We spent the next few days in San Fransisco in a really cool hotel called the Warwick. We did Pier 39, rode on cable cars, visited Alcatrez (creeepy),

and did one of my favorite things of the trip, biked the Golden Gate Bridge from pier 31 to Salsalito.

When we got to the little town of Salsalito, we had lunch at a cafe and then loaded outselves and our bikes onto the ferry to take up back to San Fran.

Byron and I were the last of the couples to leave the city for home and the night before we left, Byron and I were treated to a showing of Wicked by my parents. It was stunning.

Byron and I had a wonderful time together and enjoyed just walking around the city and exploring new things. We also really enjoyed all the good food. We were dying to be with our kids again though and found it hard to think of anything else until we got to hug and squeeze them.

Itsn't that the picture of happiness? :)

rainy day

yesterday was such a gloomy, rainy day ALL DAY LONG. Blah. We went from super heat, to super rain, so we were housebound in the afternoon. we did have a fun time though. ABOVE: Kylene entertained herself with her babies and at one point I saw her walking around with necklaces around her neck, playing the harmonica and holding her baby. multitasking is a beautiful thing.

ABOVE: Connor posed himself like this and asked me to take a picture.

Connor and I built the coolest train track and town addition ever. The train track was a joint effort but the rest was all Connor.