Yesterday I was just finishing Serra~V~’s spa  (sponge bath).  I don’t put her in the tub everyday, instead I have a little tub that we put on the changing table for a wipe down.  Anyway, I turned her over onto her belly to do up the buttons on the back and she grabbed the side of the tub and pulled it over on top of her.  She was drenched, and so was everything else on the table.  She gasped when the water hit her and then continued to try grabbing the tub.  She is into everything she can get her hands on nowadays.  One of her  favorite pastimes besides the jumper is her walker.  She zips around the hard floors from corner to corner grabbing at anything and everything, including plants.  She knows how to steer the thing and she is quite content in it.  Last night she was gliding happily about when Brian got home and as he greeted her excitedly her little legs started hopping and running and she was at his side in no time.  We sure do love her.

At about 8 this morning Serra~V~ vocalized from her room that she was up and needed to be gotten, and so I brought her in to cuddle with us.  After a few minutes a knock came on the door.  I peeked to see who it was and it was our little Japanese neighbor.  He was bringing by a treat for Serra for Halloween since they would not be in tonight.  Oreos.  She will sure enjoy watching us have them, I’m sure.

Today is Brians day off and as it is Halloween we will make a few trick-or -treat visits to friends and family.  We are also entering her in a costume contest at Smiths grocery store.  If we win, we go to Disney World,  all six of us. 

Happy Halloween to all.

We had our Ward trunk-or-treat last night.  Here are some circus folk we met.

Saturn news.  The battery tested fine and so we thought…uuh ohh…alternator?  starter?  Those are pricey.  We took it to the Pep Boys that has done a bit for us on the Saturn for reasonable rates and even though the battery was testing good it wasn’t.  We bought it there and although not under warranty they didn’t charge us for the diagnostic.  So a costly fix turned into a cheap fix.  We are giddy with relief. 

~V~ has learned to kiss.  It is very cute.  She practices making the lip smacking noises and then when a face gets close she sucks on it until the smack is produced.  It’s a little wet but delightful.  We have moved her into the crib officially and it is going well.  She has long since outgrown the bassinet but I have had a hard time letting go of tiny infancy.  I knew it was time when I noticed that she was hanging on the side and trying to pull herself up.   I have taken the bassinet down and it will soon head back to storage.  She woke up a lot her first night in the other room but is doing well now. 

MILESTONE…..

Serra~V~ just rolled from her back to her belly without any prodding.   Then she started crying cause she didn’t really want to be on her belly.

I was just reading through a journal entry from the first week I moved back to CA after I graduated.  We were at Serra’s Middle School Culmination and there were multiple American flags.  When we stood to say the pledge, Doug said, “I pledge allegiance to the flags…”  I thought that was amusing.

The Saturn is not running.  We hope it is just the battery.  Brian was able to get it home with a jump last night.  The battery is only 2 years old or less so we are worried it might be something else.  Keep your fingers crossed.

We had a great weekend up at the cabin.  Carpet had been laid before we got there around 2 am Saturday, so there was a nice clean place to put everything.  Serra~V~ had a hard time settling down after being cooped up in the car for 6 1/2 hours.  We didn’t sleep much.  Saturday, Brian worked all day with everyone else, and they got most all the Pergo laid on the main level.  What a difference it makes on the level of dirt.  The ladies of the group kept track of the kids most of the day, and kept the boys fed and watered.  

Everyone was there from the Anderson group except for Holly, so I have included a few pictures of what has been done.  There are major improvements.

Sunday morning before we left, Eric and Brian helped Dwaine with a leak in the roof and drywalling the basement.  There is still a lot to get done but it looks as though we will close it up for the winter after next weekend. 

The drive back was hard on Serra~V~ even though she had Grandma in the back keeping her company.  Brian got serious dirty looks when he put her back in the seat after a gas station stop. 

This is the master bedroom. It is pretty big but the camera doesn’t zoom out at all.  But you can see all the nice wood and carpet. 

Here is view out of one of the upstairs windows.  And to the right is looking at the main room with the floor laid.

Two different kitchen angles.  Camping takes on a whole new meaning when you have a fridge, microwave, stove…basically a completely working kitchen.

Here is the old wood stove.  You can see where the floor stops and the firewood closet.  This is all in the main room. Above it is the loft, which now had carpet as well.  Next year when it is all done we will get some better pictures, but  for now this will have to do.

Maiah and Serra are 6 months apart and are definitely buddies.  They would play together and giggle at each other. 

Here are all three girls.  They were all giggling at each other and then Maiah decided to touch Serra’s face.  It made her fall over. 

Serra in her winter gear and Grandma in heaven with her two youngest. 

Here are some cute ones of Erica.  She knows what she likes.  Honey-nut Cheerios and Chocolate glazed donuts. 

In response to Julies comment…memories are due in one month.  The 15th of November is what I said, I believe.  If you don’t get them to me by then, you are out of the family.  Kidding.  It would be nice for me to have them by then though, so I have time to do something nice with them.  Otherwise, you get what you get. 

It looks as though we will be up at the cabin this weekend.  One last hurrah before it takes snowmobiles to access it.  It is nearly complete and the whole Anderson Clan will be there minus Holly.  It will be a short trip, with work in between and a long drive at both ends, but we have Harry Potter #1 & #2 to make it fly. 

Serra~V~ had a busy day today.  First we did Halloween pictures with her two costumes.  The monkey is a riot. The little water sprite outfit was originally scheduled as just a 6th month picture since before birth, but it falls on Halloween so she has two costumes, I guess.  They are very cute and will be available for viewing on the 30th of this month. 

After this we went to the doctor for the 6 month check-up.  Whoa Girl!  She grew 4 inches since her last visit 2 months ago, and added 2 1/2 pounds.  She tips the scales at a whopping 19lbs 8oz and is now 28 inches in length.  She is now off the charts in both categories.  My back aches at the end of the day for a good reason.  I must say though that with her being able to sit up now, she enjoys playing by herself for longer stretches.  The other part of Serra~V~’s day was not so  great.  Part of the visit was shots and she was not pleased with that.  It breaks my heart to hear her cry like that because I know she is hurt.  I think it hurts her feelings too, that I would let someone do that to her while I hold her hands.  Very sad.

Serra~V~’s favorite activity of late is the jumper.  SHE LOVES IT!  Brian saw her in it for the first time last night and couldn’t stop laughing.  In fact, I haven’t heard him laugh like that in a long time.  It got V all excited even more and she started jumping even higher and harder while she giggled along with him.  It was quite a sight. 

Brian made it back fine.  Now he’s back at work.  I am nearly finished with the monkey costume.  The monkey is done and now the hat and vest are nearly done.  I went ahead and tried the suit on Serra~V~ and nearly died laughing.  Here she is. 

She can’t sit up in it.  I think she was wondering what was so funny as I sat there laughing at her. 

On Sunday we tried real barrettes for the first time and here she is with those in.  They stayed in all day. 

Brian took off yesterday evening for Park City.  AGAIN!  to help with the cabin.  It seems the more they do up there, the more there is to do.  What started off as a two week project has turned into a monster.  It is sure going to be nice when all is said and done.  They have acquired power, and because of that have a fridge (I don’t think that will improve their quality of food as there is no woman present to make them eat their veggies) It does keep the sodas nice and cool though.  They also have a TV up there which enables them to have football going all day.  Isn’t that nice.  Wish I was there.  I really do.  There is nothing better than snuggling when it’s really cold.  I should have told Dave to stay away from Brian.  (Dave-Amyjo’s friend) She will visit on Saturday.  I think Dave was a little disappointed that she wasn’t waiting up there for him last night.  Brian said it is pretty chilly up there, I bet it is really pretty too. The cabin is surrounded by quaking aspen.  Tomorrow night I am going to Brian’s friend, Spencer’s birthday party.  It’s going to be weird being there without Brian.