Fall! Finally!!!

We had extended summer weather this year. Every day I look at the forecast in anticipation of seeing those highs dip into the 70s. It seems to have taken forever, but we are finally getting some decent weather. We have been spending hours at the park, walking on the greenway, and playing outside. My housework has been suffering because I'm trying to soak up every single minute of the delicious autumn goodness while I can. Housework can wait.

Here is a quick run down of our October:

Sidewalk chalk for HOURS!

I ran in two 5K races this month with my friend, Brooke. Our times improved by almost a minute for one run to the next. Izzy also participated in her first race ever (a 1K). So proud of her for finishing. Can I just say, best running weather ever!!!

Getting ready for Halloween by decorating our annual Haunted House.

We went to Honeysuckle Farm on Saturday. So fun to spend time together as a family. We enjoyed all the activities and came home completely covered in dirt.

How do I get on the other side of this fence?

The corn maze. Do we look lost or what?

Hay Ride

The Corn Popper

Picking Pumpkins from the Patch

FOUR!!

Four years ago we moved to the small town of White House, TN. Four years ago, Justin began his training in anesthesia. Four years ago my bestest little friend in the world was born. I never have to worry about finding anyone to play barbies, ponies, or princess cards with, because I have my Isabella Dawn!!

She wanted an Ariel Birthday this year.

Present #1: A beta fish named Tinker Bell

Present #2: Flowers from Dad

Present #3-?: All this stuff, most of which is wrapping. She had a great time.

10/10/10

I know this is a little late, but I'm going to manufacture the date so it LOOKS as though it was posted on time. I can't drop the ball now. We only have two more years of this. So with no further interruptions, I present to you the number 10 (thanks to Wikipedia for making this message possible):

• Ten is a composite number, its proper divisors being 1, 2 and 5.
• Ten is the sum of the four first numbers (1 + 2 + 3 + 4), of the square of the two first odd numbers and also of the first four factorials (0! + 1! + 2! + 3!)
• A polygon with ten sides is a decagon,
• en is the base of the decimal numeral system, by far the most common system of denoting numbers in both spoken and written language. The reason for the choice of ten is assumed to be that humans have ten fingers (digits).
• The Roman numeral for ten is X (which looks like two V's [the Roman numeral for 5] put together); it is thought that the V for five is derived from an open hand (five digits displayed).
• The atomic number of neon.
• The number of spacetime dimensions in some superstring theories.
• The Ten Commandments of Exodus 20:2-13 and Deuteronomy 5:6-17 are considered a cornerstone of Judaism and Christianity.
• People traditionally tithed one-tenth of their produce. The practice of tithing is still common in Christian churches today, though it is disputed in some circles as to whether or not it is required of Christians.
• There are said to be Ten Lost Tribes of Israel (those other than Judah and Benjamin)
• The Bible records 10 generations between Adam and Noah, and 10 generations between Noah and Abraham
• There are ten cents in a U.S. or Canadian dime, itself one tenth of a dollar. The word was shortened from decime.
• The denomination of U.S. paper money bearing a portrait of Alexander Hamilton, America's first Secretary of the Treasury.
• In ten-pin bowling 10 pins are arranged in a triangular pattern and there are 10 frames per game.
• In American Football, 10 is the number of yards the offense must advance to maintain possession in four downs.
• In Basketball, 10 feet is the height of the goals. Also the number of players on the court (5 on each team).
• The title of quite a few albums, including recordings by Pearl Jam and LL Cool J.
• The number of violin sonatas composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
• A collection of ten items (most often ten years) is called a decade.
• A decapod crustacean has ten limbs.
• Something that scores perfectly is "a perfect ten". A person who is attractive and physically flawless is often said to be "a ten", from the idea of ranking that person's appearance and sex-appeal on a 1-to-10 scale.
• Counting from one to ten before speaking is often done in order to cool one's temper.
• In astrology, Capricorn is the 10th astrological sign of the Zodiac.
• The designation of United States Interstate 10, a freeway that runs from California to Florida.

Some of my own favorites for the number 10: the easiest multiplication tables to learn, always loved the song Ten Little Indians, so proud when Izzy learned to count to 10 without skipping any numbers, running a 10 minute mile is equivalent to running 6 miles per hour (my goal for the 1/2 marathon back in April).

That’s all I have. Let me know if you think of any more!

Our Traveling Summer Extravaganza

So, you know when you get so far behind on blogging that you don't really want to blog, but you know you have to and you better just sit down and get it done or you'll never be able to blog again? Well, I finally got off my lazy bum and got it done. Hurray!! The following posts include a small fraction of the pictures from my own personal camera. I plan on acquiring more great picts from my family. I hope that you enjoy what I have!

Many moons ago, Amy and I decided to embark on the journey of a lifetime. Amy's van packed with her four children and my two children (all under the age of 8) traveled across the U.S. (well to Utah and Idaho) and back. My parents traveled out with us, which was soooo nice. One the way back, just us. We definitely had a memorable trip. I don't know that I slept more than four hours a night and being perpetually tired makes two sisters at two a.m. too silly. It was hard to be away from Justin for so long, but I'm glad I made the effort to survive for three weeks away from home. Thanks Measers, for the great trip and AMAZING memories!

For your browsing pleasure, I have divided this trip into several posts. Please view as many as you like, and feel free to comment. Happy reading!

• The Wonderful World of Oz
• MY FAMILY!
• Utah State Hey! Aggies all the Way
• Hangin' with the Hardens
• Way to go, Idaho
• The Caddy's in Pine, AZ
• Driving Mishaps
• Fantastic Friends

The Wonderful World of OZ

To anyone who has driven across Kansas, this would look like a familiar site:

It goes on FOR-E-VER!!! At first we're like, "Oh wow, look at the open space! It's so wonderful to see the whole sky from horizon to horizon." After while we're like, "Oh man, more open space. How long do these endless plains last? Will we ever see a mountain?"

To combat our open-space blues, we made and unscheduled detour at an Oz museum. It was a very fun little place in a very teeny-tiny little town. The town park was a small plot of grass with a bench (bug Amy if you want to see pictures). Their collection of Oz memorabilia was very extensive and quite impressive. If I wasn't chasing around an 18 month old, I may have been able to enjoy it more.

Preston, Maddy, Amy, Garret, Izzy, and Mom at the entrance.

Izzy, Garrett, and Jackson with the lovable Tin Man.

Amy and I proclaiming ourselves joint rulers of the Emerald City.

When we got back in the car we still had pry 100 more hours of this:

MY FAMILY!!!!!

Oh my goodness it was great to be with my parents and see all my siblings. I wish I would've pulled out my camera more. I'm relying on my mom and sister for more pictures of our time together.

The first half of our stay in Utah, I was the only one staying at my parents house. It's was great getting my mom all to myself. I did get to spend lots of time with Aubrey and her sweet little Ari, Amber and her two boys, and Daniel and Ally. Our main goal each day was to purchase some shaved ice with cream drizzled on top. YUM! I don't know why I did not take any pictures of this. I must have been too busy stuffing my face.

It's the second year in a row that all my siblings were able to congregate in one area. I feel so blessed that this happened. I love them all so much!!!

Relaxing (or belaxing as Izzy would say) at the pool.

Amy and Garrett

Ally and Wes

Amber and Jordan

Arianna

Me and my dude

My Grandpa and Grandma Shimer came down from Idaho for Aubrey and Steve's sealing and to see all of us. I was so happy to play some games and spend some time with them.

Grandma and Izzy

Grandpa and Izzy

With some of their great-grand children

Utah State Hey Aggies All the Way!

Daniel and Ally joined me and the kids for an afternoon galavant to Logan, UT. So nice to be back in the place I called home for 4 1/2 years. I really experienced some of the best memories in this place. If I could go back to any time in my life I would pick my years in Logan.

The Beautiful Logan Temple

The "A" where you become a true Aggie.

Around Campus

Old Farm, Apartment Q-2. Need I say more?

Hangin' with the Hardens

We had so much fun with Justin's sister Amanda and her two boys, Alex and Benjamin. We were able to play at their house a few different days. We also spent one morning at this place called The Treehouse. My kiddos loved their cousins and Aunt Amanda!

Aunt Amanda and Wes watching the dog, Charlie.

Izzy and Benjamin are only a few weeks apart. I really love this little guy!

Alex was super helpful with Wes, always looking out for him.

We made the kids dress up like colonial times in the "oval office."

Grandpa Ole brought this super fun water slide over to Amanda's.

The kids enjoyed the creative cupcakes Amanda made.

Wes loving on his Grandpa Ole.