Eli's Garden Prayer Fulfilled!

As you recall a couple of posts ago I mentioned that we planted a garden and Eli prayed there on the spot that it would "grow tall tall tall, even taller than Daddy."

Well today Eli had to give a talk and he spoke of this story, so I took a "reenactment" shot of him pretending to pray.

And here he is in front of the grown-up garden.

Taller than Daddy!

Summer Road Trip

Wednesday we road triped to Marysville, Ks for the unveiling of a Lifetile mural by author/artist Rufus Butler Seder. The mural was in honor of the first Pony Express stop west of St. Joseph, Missouri. We had lunch at the Wagon Wheel and attended the book signing at the RX drugstore. Very fun day.

Check out this movie about Scanimation to get a better idea of how Rufus's murals move:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOTqX8ddLwg

Girls and Their Art

Just a silly shot of the two girls. It was their idea.

And some art by each. The one with the Cyclops is Owa's, who was able to tell me what each picture was. I didn't speak to Addi about hers. Both very creative. Eli asked for the music (my CD) to be turned off today. Amy said, "Clayton, our son doesn't like music." I said it's going to be a long 18 years or however long he's in the house.

Spring Day by the Garden

It was a beautiful Spring afternoon and I (Clayton) came home to the kids sucking the "honey" out of the honeysuckle growing wildly at our fence. What a blessing to have honeysuckle in one's own yard!




We planted a garden this year. The spot was all cleared and dug and churned by hand, with the help of the three pictured here, of course. They also helped plant. Tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, beans, and carrots. Eli wanted to say a prayer that it would grow and wouldn't get all eaten up by little animals. When I said it would be alright he said OK and folded his arms and said it right there and then. So I'm looking forward to an abundant crop.



Just a close peek at what's growing in our lawn.

The Next Generation of Song Writers

The quads wrote a new hit: Up there, down there, everywhere I see a bear. That's it repeated endlessly!

Our Portland Christmas Adventure

Life is only just now settling down after our return from visiting Clayton's family over the Christmas Holliday. It wasn't until this Friday that I sent our Christmas Letter out. It beats Valentine's Day (last year). Honestly it isn't all my fault this time. We had our cards ordered and they were supposed to arrive at Tom and Kaaren's house the Monday before Christmas at the latest. With the huge snow storm that hit the area the mail DID NOT come for several days and was seriously backed up when it did start coming, so I didn't get the cards until a week and a half after Christmas and by then I lost all my momentum. I have to say that the storm took us back to what felt like the olden days. Kaaren and I had to walk to the grocery store because it was almost impossible to drive. We bought the last of the bungee cords which we used to tie down our groceries. Clayton flew in a couple days after the kids and I and by this time the storm had gotten much worse. He had a lay over in Denver and while there Southwest canceled all flights into Portland. He was very lucky he was able to be rerouted to Seattle. Once they he rented an overpriced car due to the high demaand and drove 30 mph all the way to Portland. I was so happy when he made it because there was a time when I didn't know if he would be able to get in. His bags didn't arrive for a whole week. He borrowed a few things from Bryce and was fine.



This is our rescue party. Britt, Bob, Jason, Logan and the dogs met us on the way back. While at Safeway Kaaren and I ordered the Yummiest corn beef sandwich with a delicious olive tapenade.











Logan, Caden, and Eli getting ready to jump off of Courtney and Jason's "old house". They just moved this week before the house gets bulldozed. A LDS Church will be built on this property this summer.

Letters to Santa

We wrote letters to Santa today:

Dear Santa,
I love the presents. I like going to your shop. I like you. We are going to be in Oregon and you have to know we are going to be in Oregon. I have a dinosaur book and our grandma's name is Kaaren and she has a tree house. There are no such things as monsters. You have to come soon. I want a remote control toy airplane and dinosaur. I like when you come. I have birds and clouds in my room. Birds wearing glasses.
-Eli Bryce Pixton

Dear Santa,
I wish to get a boy flower, pink flower, purple flower and a black flower. I also wish for a real bird that is not scared of me.

Love,
Olivia

Dear Santa,
We are going to be in Oregon this year but first we will have to pack. I want a pretend cake and remember I said I want a princess dress. I also want my own stickers. I want a pretend play Christmas tree too. I want lots of presents but remember Owa wanted a flower and I want a butterfly. And make sure you give mommy and daddy something too. Give her a ring and him a tie. Remember my name is Addison.
Love,
Addison (thanks to Addison)