Little Helpers

Jack and Gavin got to help wash Link this morning. It was pretty funny to watch. They were both a little unsure at first, but they got the hang of things really fast.

Gavin playing in the suds

Jack liked rinsing his tail

Gingerbread House with Mimi

Jack wanted to decorate a "gingerbread" house with Mimi this week. When I was a kid, my mom made these graham cracker houses for us to decorate every year. Jack loved making it, and he has loved sneaking pieces off it too...

Coming Home

Meet Link: circa 1998.

When Ty was 15 years old, he raised a black lab puppy for Guide Dogs for the Blind. For the last 12 years, Link has been a seeing-eye dog for a blind man. A few months ago, he was retired. Two weeks ago, we got a call asking if we'd like him back...

 Meet Link: circa 2010.

 When we got the call, we both knew the answer was an enthusiastic "yes!" Ty has always dreamed of the day when we would have a dog in our home. I've never had a pet in my life, but I instantly felt like this would be a great blessing for our little family. As most of you know, I will soon be going without Ty for a couple months, and I honestly feel like a dog to watch over me and Jack is a gift from heaven.
And not just any dog...

...but a dog that has already been a part of the family for years. 
And today, he got to come home.

Lowe's Workshop

We took Jack to a Saturday morning workshop for kids at Lowe's for the first time. He loved it. He got to make a cute little snowman picture frame and they even gave him his very own apron. He thought he was pretty cool using the hammer all on his own.

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a relaxing holiday weekend at my parents' house in Florence. Most of my siblings (and all of the grandkids) were there. Ty checked out some great camera lenses from work and had lots of fun playing around with them. Other than that, we mostly just ate and laughed.

 

 

Mom and Dad prepared a great meal. I'd have to say that my Dad's stuffing this year was just about the best I've ever tasted.

Brock and Jack

Nine of the thirteen grandkids

Dave and Chad having a little boxing match

Sam and (terrified) Dave

Me, Jennie, and (sleeping) Clayton

Fall Sports Camp

Today was the first day of Jack's sports camp. It is only once a week for four weeks, but I think it is going to be perfect for him. He was very excited about going into the community center and getting his picture taken for his ID card.

Today was soccer. The class is for kids between 3 and 5 years and it was very obvious to me that Jack was the youngest (though not the shortest). It was hilarious. I was covering my face most of the time because I didn't want Jack to see me laughing at him. They were learning how to dribble and then stop the ball with their feet, but Jack couldn't quite figure it out. Every time he tried to stop it, he just ended up kicking it more and so he chased the ball to the other end of the gym. I think it will be really good for him to learn how to listen to the coach and follow instructions.

This is the only picture I was able to get. As soon as I took it, Jack ran over to me saying "I want to see it! I want to see it!" So, I decided that the camera was too much of a distraction. Next time: basketball!

Happy Halloween

We had a great time with all our Halloween festivities last night. Our dear friends Chris and Annette Stevens are moving in a couple of days so we volunteered to take Sage for a few hours while they packed. We are so sad to see them go and know for sure that Jack is really going to miss Sage. The kids were supposed to carve pumpkins together, but it kind of turned into Ty carving pumpkins while the kids danced in the garage to a Baby Bach CD. Precious.

Then it was costume time... Where did Jack go?

We went to our ward Trunk-or-Treat that night and Jack got to see all his friends in their cute, cute costumes. It was a lot of fun and the ward did a great job of setting up fun carnival games inside, too.

Jack with his medieval cousins: Ethan, Gavin, & Trevor

If you haven't gotten it by now, Ty was Mr. Clean. Can you see the earring?