The Wonder of it All.

So, Wonder...the fish...made it through three weeks of driving to and fro, hither and thither, near and far. He was doing great--until we put him in a fish bowl full of Durham city water. Now, I cannot prove that the water killed him (and I even let it sit in the bowl a few hours before adding him, as was recommended), as Zac pointed out to me that we don't know Wonder's exact age at time of purchase (what 6 year old says that?!?), so he might have died of old age.

Either way, we had a funeral service where the kids drew pictures of Wonder. This was their idea, and the pictures turned out nice. Unfortunately, you can't really see them (see below). You kind of can if you click on them and make them even bigger, but the colored pencil just didn't show up. Chayce's is of Wonder blowing love bubbles (pink, heart shaped bubbles out of his bowl), and Zac's is of Wonder just chillin' with his cool rainbow colored rocks. Then, Wonder went on that swirly ride that only dead fishies are lucky enough to get to ride on. Too bad they don't really get to experience it...given their dead status. Farewell, Wonder!

Nature Walk Shirts

1. Take a solid colored t-shirt (one that fits your wee one). Darker colors work best. Put cardboard or layers of paper inside to prevent the bleach from soaking through.

2. Have your cute kids put flowers, leaves, and sticks that they've hunted for or found while outside playing onto the shirt, however they want.
For example: Payge's--but I helped her a little, hence the peony petals in a circle at the bottom. Yes, I got to see them bloom twice this year! Once in Indiana in June, then in July in Idaho.
3. Spray with bleach (while still lying flat) Use paper towels to blot the nature items so they don't drip onto the shirt when you remove them. Remove them quickly, dunk shirts into cold water as soon as the surrounding areas start to lighten.

4. Let dry, or wash in the washer then dry. Done!!

Thanksgiving Point

Before we headed back to Rexburg for my class reunion, we spent some time in Provo/Orem with friends and family. Stephen's aunt took all of us to Thanksgiving Point to see the Museum of Natural History that they have there. We had a great time!



First, we took in a 3D movie called SeaRex, all about the evolution of creatures on the earth, and the HUGE amphibians that lived in the water, even before the dinosaurs. Very cool.

A dino foot compared to a Payge. She really was in a good mood, but tired.


Here, the kids are playing in the "Erosion Table". Running water, sand, and little plastic dinosaurs can keep kids busy for long periods of time.







Using paint brushes to dig up fossils in the sand pit. Fun!


A face painting booth (yes, she requested her arm, so she could 'watch') was available, because it was the 10th anniversary of Thanksgiving Point. T'was a party!

Montpelier Reservoir

Not sure what to say about this...except that it was a gorgeous day, the water was high along with the sun, and we played hard.

Paper Toys!

I'm in love. With paper. And this fun website: http://www.thetoymaker.com/2Toys.html . Enjoy! We just printed off and made the fairy furniture, cute!!!

North Carolina

Well, well, well. We're here. I can't totally say we're settled (I'm writing this as I WAIT for my children to get dressed so I can go to the grocery store for the first time)...

Oh, um, I stopped writing due to the need to assist those getting dressed. It's been hours since I started this post, and all I've done is

Take three. Third time's a charm, right? Perhaps. Right now, tummies are fed, older 2 are playing legos, and the third is supposed to be napping, but instead she's yelling about how she doesn't want to take a nap, despite the rubbing of eyes and inability to follow directions.

Tomorrow, we're going to try to make friends at a play group. This time of year, though, the playgroup takes place each week at someone's pool. A different one regularly, or so it seems. I'll have to see how trying to make conversation AND watch three novice swimmers is going to go. Might as well try, right? Plus, if I can drive for four days with three kids, I really can do anything--or so I'll tell myself.

Once I find the camera (it's here somewhere...) I'll upload photos of the rest of our trip.

Grandpa Tueller Had a Farm EIEIO!

MOO! The cows right after we gave them more feed.

Zach walking with Grandpa.

Those calf bottles were as big and heavy as she was! She did a good job.

Cow watching. Fence climbing. Life loving.

Payge meeting the twins. Aren't they cute!!?