Great finds

I finally painted this cool table I got in Sierra Vista right before moving. It's from the Salvation Army and I couldn't pass it up. I discovered that I have a great fan of sanding. She's great at distressing! I put it between the two red chairs in the front rooms. The old windows are up against the wall because they are too heavy for my 80 year old plaster walls. Oh well, I like them there too.

The umbrella was a find from Sunday on the drive home from church. I guess it didn't sell in their garage sale, so they dumped it. Great! I needed one for my patio. It's crazy the way people toss things out around here.

From Trash to Treasure

I've wanted to paint this bookshelf for the past two years or so. It's in the boys room. I really like the way it turned out. It really brightens up their room.

These crates are one my favorite finds. I saw an ornate art deco type dresser on the curb one day on one of my walks. I didn't like the dresser but behind a door of the dresser were these drawers. I painted and distressed them and now they hold tablecloths, art supplies, and extra binders and folders.

The woman that lives in the studio apartment behind us is moving and gave me this for Wes last week. It really unifies the room because it matches the bookshelf.


And yes, I did get a whole gallon of red paint. Home Depot discounts paint every day either because people don't come pick up their order, don't like the color, or have some other complaint. If you want some paint, but don't want to pay the price, check Home Depot. I paid $5 for the gallon of their highest quality stuff.

Christmas List 2009

Because some people have had trouble finding this or getting this or whatever, I'm posting it here:

... buys for ...

Liz Susanna

Andrea Sallie

Sallie Andrea

Jenny Liz

Shelly Jenny

Jen Shelly

Susanna Jen

Willie Rusty

Brent Ray

Ray Mike

David Q

Q David

Mike Brent

Rusty Willie

Andrew Hanalei

Scott Aiden

Claire Aubrey

Warren Garrett

Wes Warren

Maddie Scott

Zach Sara

Carina Claire

Aiden Kate

Aubrey Maddie

Chase Zach

Emily Andrew

Kate Alex

Sara Wes

Boyd Carina

Alex Emily

Garrett Chase

Hanalei Boyd

Rip Stick

Zach got a little something yesterday:



When he got it, he wasn't very good at it. Now, to use his words,
he's 'pretty good.'

Missionaries

When we moved here, and awaited our new callings, I was surprised to hear from my children that the feeling was unanimous: of all the past callings I'd had, working with the missionaries was everyone's favorite.

They were all so pleased when I was asked to lead the ward mission here in Burbank.


Elder Sheets of Wyoming, pictured here on the right, recently was transferred to Palmdale. Like all the missionaries we've had the opportunity to work with and get to know here and everywhere we've been, these young men are truly inspirational. Having them in our home and around our family is one of the blessings of having this assignment.

L.A. Fires

We just wanted everyone to know we are safe. We have had several friends and family members call and email to see if we are okay. We are very appreciative of your concern for our family. The fire is heading to the Santa Clarita area, close to Magic Mountain. It is also heading to Palmdale area. We know families who were evacuated over the weekend and we pray their homes will be spared. We don't know of anyone having lost their home, but we know many people have from reading the news.
The air quality is pretty bad and the kids are being kept in for recess and lunch recess. They even eat in their classrooms.
Maddie and Wes have to go from class to class of course, but other than that, they are also staying indoors. That includes P.E. classes.

Thanks again to all of you. We love you and miss those of you who are far away.

2007 Christmas Concert

Here's a old picture of Zachey-Boy I just found.

He's shown here with some of his old buddies: Chandler, Ali, and Haylee (sp?)
This shot of Chandler is superb. He's the young man on the left with the tambourine who looks like he's just arrived from Liverpool.

Big thanks to Marnie Goulding for the photos.

First Day of School

Carina and Zach are all set for another great year.
And the sunflowers we planted are ready to fall over.


Andrea, Carina, and Zach are trying to walk to school more often.
It's only three blocks, and most mornings are gorgeous.

Carina's year so har has been interesting. She was initially in a 1st/2nd
Grade combo class, then it became 1st Grade only, and now we learn
that her teacher is expecting, and her replacement starts in December!
We are anticipating further developments . . .

Zach has settled right back in. His teacher this year 'doesn't yell.'
Which is a plus.


Not pictured:

Maddie started 6th Grade, and is making the adjustment to having several teachers. She has chosen to discontinue her flute-playing in favor of the French Horn. The instument is quite a bit larger, but she hauls it home each day with very little complaining. She's re-connecting with friends from last year, and has the added bonus of going to school this year with some girls from church who had been at another elementary school last year. Together at last . . .

Wesley is a big 8th-Grader, king of the heap. One of the perks: he has his locker in a primo location. He is being kept very busy, with lots of homework, even on weekends (or at least the two we've had so far.) He's managing without Marshall, who has promoted to 9th Grade.

Kung Fu Wisdom

"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. But Today is a gift. That's why it is called the Present"  -Master Oogway

Water Polo Signoff

The last game of the water polo season was held in Palmdale Saturday.
The kids pulled off another comeback victory, and had a great time.



We've been surprised at how much Wes and Maddie both enjoyed
the sport, in spite of all the grueling workouts.
They are definitely game for playing again next summer.

Verdugo Hills Summit Hike

Wes, Maddie, and Dad hiked almost 8 miles round trip to the top of the Verdugo Hills on Saturday.
The kids were real troopers, and Strudel gets the award for taking more steps than the rest of us combined.



The Lane kids hiked the lower part of this trail with us several months back.
That's DeBell golf course below.



Hiking out of Stough Canyon

Some Boy Scout Troop had hauled some Adirondack Chairs about 3 miles up to a vista overlooking the San Fernando Valley.
It was relaxing to sit on them and take in the view, but, boy, was it hard getting out of them.

Near the summit, the scrubby vegetation gave way to some impressive pines.
Crescenta Valley in the background.

The Keystone Days

Wes and I were looking at old photos. We love doing that. Isn't this a great one? Scott is the winner in this pic. Check out the eyes and brows!

More Arizona Friends

Last week we had a great visit with the Dahl's. We used to live down the srteet from each other. They had their annual family reunion and then came up to see us. We were especially excited to see their new baby. He is such a cutie pie and so sweet and smiley. We had dinner and then went up to the Griffith Observatory(one of our favorite places) It was fun to be together again.