Oh Deer . . .

I have seen deer in our yard every day for awhile now. They keep nosing around the garden wondering where all the produce went! Maybe they'll get it in their heads that my garden is not for them! Doubtful though, I've seen more than ever since the summer ended than I did during the summer. It seems like they are reproducing and sticking around instead of heading back up the mountain.

All I can say is that it will be war once spring comes around and I plant the garden! Maybe we'll follow the Indians' example and station our children in the garden to throw rocks at the birds and deer.

I have my family back.

I have a fun family. Jami and the girls spent some time with her family in St. Gorge while I hacked away at my final projects of the semester. Two weeks! Originally the plan was for me to drive down and get them sooner, but things popped up, and the school work was stressful. It seemed better at the time for me to not break up my studies, and to go get them when everything was done. The first half of their stay they had some fun (as you can see in the posting below). The second half they all spent it sick. My time was spent with the constant mental buzz caused by feelings of stress and being overwhelmed. I cleared my head on the drive down on Thursday and as I arrived I was met with big smiles, and big hugs. We are now all home in Salem. I am happy to have them back. Not everything is perfect though. There is still a bit of sickness, but there is a lot of love.

Plane Ride with Grandpa

Addie got to experience a plane ride with Grandpa today. She was quite excited about it. As soon as she saw the plane she told me she really really wanted to get in. However, after getting in, she wouldn't talk at all! I guess she was a bit nervous. She rode the tail end of the flight alone with my Dad to drop the plane off to get the oil changed and he said as soon as she got out of the plane she started jabbering non-stop again.

When asked what her favorite part of the ride was, she responded "the landing." I do think she enjoyed it though. I overheard her tell Ella that it was a lot of fun.

Here are some pics from the experience.

Addie helping with the pre-flight check.

Grandpa Glenn, the pilot!Wide-eyed Addie. Her expressions were similar to this throughout the whole flight. :)