Thanksgiving Trip to Florida

For a recent report of our Thanksgiving visit to Florida, see my sister Emily's blog (November 2013 - December 2013...she created a number of posts).
http://ernstfamilyfun.blogspot.com/

Fall Outings

Fall in Tennesee is AMAZING!  I think it is what it is supposed to be and it lasts for 3 months and not just a few weeks.  We've had some great outings.  Actually, "we" in this case really means David and the kids.  I am absent from most of the outings due to fatigue!  Here are some of their fun trips.  I get enjoyment out of looking at the photos, hopefully you will, too!

 David took the kids to the races in Bristol.  This really is quite a "cultural" adventure!

 Down by the track.

 A trip to the ATV shop.  I think they went to get a replacement key for our 3-wheeler and ended up staying a while.

 Labor Day at Natural Tunnel State Park in Virginia.  They met other friends and took the Elders up with them.  Great times.

 Beauty Spot--William really liked this view as he expressed his joy and delight at the sight as he got out of the van and "took the Lord's name in vain".  Um, yeah, we are working on that one.  I guess he has been watching too much TV with me!!  Sorry, bud.

 Great friend--Joel with sweet baby Daxton.

 William loved hiking.

 

Mosers hanging out and enjoying the evening.

We've got such great friends and live in such a beautiful area.  I am so grateful for all that we enjoy here.



KK 6

 Katherine's Birthday party with some of her friends.

Yummy cupcakes--purple frosting with pink sprinkles.

 

Katherine is 6!  She is a character.  What a fun little person and lots of spunk to go with it.  She really wanted to have a big party and invite lots of people.  This just really isn't my thing, but she was pretty excited and after putting it off for a while, I finally gave in.  We made invitions for her to take to school and to give to friends on the bus.  We also e-mailed and called a few of her friends from church.  Well, luck was on my side when she forgot to pass out the inviations at school--they just sat in her backpack for a few days!!  So it ended up just being a small group and a perfect little party.  She got a darling crochted hat from a friend--which she LOVES and is ticked that they aren't allowed to wear hats at school.  She also got a craft set that has kept her, Peter, and Grace busy for hours.  Also, some stuffed animals to add to her collection and some used library books from Mom (not too excited about these!).  She is a really fun little girl.  We love having you in our family, Katherine!

PERFECT!

Here is Peter at his baptism.  What a great person.  He was excited and happy to finally be able to be baptized. He adds a lot of energy and enthusiam to anything that we do.  He is very good at keeping his things organized and is a whiz at school.  It is also really fun to watch him make touchdowns and grab flags at his flag football games.  We are happy and blessed to have him in our family.

Bed Rest

I have put myself on bed rest!  These last few weeks have been so exhausting and painful.  I just lay around all day and watch movies, or sit at the computer--basically, William, Clark, and I have become major COUCH POTATOES.

We've certainly racked up the Netflix hours.  Here are some of my opinions on different shows.

Veggie Tales--really enjoy the witty plots and clever, fun songs.  FIVE stars!

Calliou--HALF a STAR.  I can hardly stand to watch this one.  The sappy voices and story lines are just too much for me.  AND the music is annoying.

Authur--I've always liked Arthur--the books, artwork, and videos are great.  FOUR stars!

Little Bear--this is OK.  Cute animals.  THREE  stars.

My Little Pony--for some reason William really likes these.  Kind of annoying, but OK since they keep him quiet while I blog!  THREE stars.

Monk--this is a great TV series about an OCD detective that works for the police department in San Fran.  Some great characters.  Unfortunately, we can't seem to find this anymore.  It just seemed is disappear from Netflix--does anyone know why?  This is also the series where William has picked up swearing--so maybe that's why it has mysteriously vanished. I think we need to invest in something that blocks language!  FOUR STARS.

America--The Story of Us--this is on the History Channel and has been incredible.  It starts with the the early settlers of Jamestown and the Pilgrims and moves through the Revolutionary, Civil and World Wars.  It is amazing to see how transportation has really changed our lives.  I have really enjoyed watching these.  FIVE STARS--I am almost through with this series and wish that there were more!

Call the Midwife--nurses in England in the 40's?? that deliver babies--mostly in sad conditions.  This was TOO much for me in my current state.  I could only watch one of these and that was enough.

What are some of your recommendations for movies, TV shows, and also books.  I want to get several books down-loaded on David's kindle to take to the hospital--What are some of your suggestions?

I take this couch potato stuff seriously and would LOVE recommendations.  We also have BYUtv--have you watched any good forums or devotionals?  I mean they are all "good" but any that really stand out?
Thanks for helping me out!

Run Like the Wind

Eastman Road Race - 3K

 Michael, Eliza, Parker, David, and Grace (not pictured) ready to run the Eastman Road Race

Eliza in the blue shirt...she beat all of us

 

Almost there! David cheers Michael on.
 

Peter ready to race.
 

William hitting the "runner's wall"!

Northeast State Honors 5K Glow (night) Run

 

Eliza painting Parker with glow paint

 

 Just back from the night-time "glow run"!

Mud, Sweat, & Cheers 5K Obstacle course
http://www.kingsportphotos.com/Sports/Running/2013-Mud-Sweat-Cheers-Adults
This 5K consisted of running through tires, jumping over barriers, climbing over a rope bridge, jumping over large, round hay bales, climbing a huge hill, and climbing through the mud pit. It was a blast!

David going through the mud at the end - he dove into the mud pit.

 

Right after the 5K - before we cleaned off

With friends from work. David's shirt was white.

 

Cleaning up under the fire hose

 

After cleaning up
 

 Mud, Sweat, and Cheers Run--David, Parker, Michael
Michael got 1st place (out of 1) in his age group in the 1 mile run.
They LOVED this one.

 

 

We've had some fun this fall running around.  Notice that I am absent from all photos.  I did go to the Eastman Run--because they were serving a pre-race pasta dinner!!  David has really gotten the older kids into running with him.  They have had lots of great times and a few sore muscles. 



Eastern Idaho State Fair

There is nothing quite like a day at the fair.  I grew up doing 4-H with our horses and also entered a few cooking and sewing projects.  I loved working at the Prime Steer--our ward booth that sold great burgers and pies.  The highlight had to have been walking around with my siblings and saving our money for the coveted "Grab Bags".  They were $1 and mostly just junk--but it was cool junk and we opened each bag with great anticipation. We would also wander through the buildings and get all of the FREE stuff.  I have wonderful memories of going to the fair.  This year my Dad has a few old tractors that he has had restored that were on display, so we had to go and check them out!  The fair wasn't "officially" open--we were a day early.  It was fun to see a few animals, wander around, and Debbie (my sister) treated us to some nice cold water to combat the heat of the day.  We also stopped at Artic Circle on the way home and checked out some property.  It was fun to spend the day with Debbie, Pieper, Naomi and Dad.