Construction began!

The day has finally arrived!  After purchasing the lots, selling our house, moving into a rental, getting our house plans finished, and trying to get a construction loan (in the mist of the mortgage crisis)......WE FINALLY BROKE GROUND THIS WEEK.  Now, we are praying for NO RAIN and completing the house in 6 months.

First day of clearing trees.  I am not a "tree hugger", but it was sad to see some of those big pines come down.

Picture of where the house will be located on the lots.  That is facing the back of the house and rear driveway.

The truck loaded with some of the pines.  Lorem and I counted the rings on one of the logs.  44 rings!

The dirt!  The kids love to climb in the dirt. So much fun.  Lorem is so excited about the house.

Santa

We ran into Santa yesterday at Newk's.  I was surprised that Guy sat in Santa's lap.  Guy wants a train set and Lorem wants a Princess Barbie.  Lorem does not believe in Santa, but after seeing him yesterday...she said to me, "Mom, I think that is the REAL Santa!"  

She loves to read!

Lorem has become an excellent reader.  I am amazed at the long words she knows at first sight.   As her kindergarten teacher told me last year, "this is not the same school system you went to as a child.  We start reading in kindergarten."  Lorem loved to read from a really early age.  This a picture of her at two years old.  This is the shelf her books had been.  We had to put her books up in the closet and bring them out for reading time.  Otherwise, there was crying and begging for us to read a book.  Honestly, she could sit in your lap and listen to you read for hours.  She is growing up so fast!  She was trying to read a book to Guy last night.  Guy is a different story!  I love those kids!

Madagascar 2

Saturday we took the kids to see Madagascar 2.  This was Guy's first trip to the movie theater.  He made it to the end (eating the entire way.)  He was so excited.  He was talking to the movie and yelling out "yeah."  Lorem loved it too.  She said it was better than the first one.  Fun times!

Halloween

Lorem was Cleopatra for Halloween.  She loved it.  She told everyone that she was an Egyptian Queen.
Guy was a turtle.  He did not like the costume.  I don't have a good picture of his entire costume.  Here is one with his turtle head.

MORE CAMPING PICTURES...I REALLY DID HAVE FUN!

Roasting hot dogs over the campfire!  We had Smores after supper.  What camping trip would be complete without Smores!
Lorem and Guy being silly.  They love their new chairs.  

Camping

Alot has happened since the last time I blogged.  I feel like I am just "catching my breath."  We have been busy with house planning, fall parties/festivals, birthday parties and a camping trip.  The weather has been so nice.  We have not taken a family camping trip since Guy joined our family.  I love camping, but I am not a big fan of tent camping.  Brad and Lorem love it, so I go with a smile on my face.  We all slept in a small tent together.  Guy was rolling all around the tent like a "steam roller."  Lorem was talking like crazy in her sleep.  Yes, she even talks in her sleep.  Too funny....where is my shy kiddos.  They both take after Brad.  Anyway, here is a picture as we are leaving to go camping.