Eden's Vehicle Aspirations

Nathan here.  Eden informed me the other day that she likes, even prefers, trucks.  When I asked if she would consider having a truck as her first vehicle when she gets to be a teenager, she answered in the affirmative.  Very quickly she added, "A pink truck.  With unicorns on it."

Texans in South Dakota

So I have a lot of catching up to do!  We're going to go back to last summer and gradually, over Christmas break, I will try to bring this blog up to date.

Last summer Lee (Nathan's dad) and Derek (Nathan's brother) came to visit from Texas.  We had a great time with them and did lots of fun stuff.  Hopefully they had as much fun as we did!

We went to the Old Courthouse Museum and took a trip on the Oregon Trail:

And we went to Lake Alvin to swim and picnic.

And Palisades:

We're Moving!

For about three years, Nathan and I have been thinking about the idea of moving to the edge of Sioux Falls, maybe on a little acreage, preferably something near the water.  We've looked at dozens of properties online and looked at quite a few in person.  Two years ago we actually made an offer on a five acre property right on the river, but the deal fell through due to the inspection.  We've kind of discovered that the places we like are out of our price range, and the places in our price range are not places we like.

Anyhoo . . . about two weeks ago one of Nathan's colleagues brought a new property to our attention.  It was way too expensive, so neither one of us thought anything of it until our friend mentioned the owners might be open to renting.  Nathan did a little digging online and then called the owners, and it turned out this was true.  After some negotiating, we have signed a lease and will be moving to our new place in two weeks!  We'll be there for at least a year, maybe longer.  We're keeping our current house and renting it out for the year.  The new house is quirky (it's round) but also charming, but best of all it's on a five acre lot right on the river with fantastic river access.  It really is quite beautiful.  Eden and I have big plans to hatch ducklings and adopt turtles next spring and summer.  It's at the end of a paved road, which means good driving during winter but not much traffic, and (one of my favorite little details) it's right across the street from the Sioux Falls Polo Club.  Actual polo is played there during the summer.

If you'd like to see pictures, check out this site.  And if you want to help us move, just let us know!!

Sleepy Talk

I just went downstairs to check on the kids.  They've been in bed for about an hour.  Eden, sound asleep, was wrapped up in a fleece blanket and getting sweaty.  So I unwound the blanket and covered her with a lighter blanket.  Just as I was kissing her, she started to talk, but I don't think she was really quite awake.

"Mama, I like your . . . I like your . . . I like your . . . "

She rubbed her face and tried again:  "Mama, I like your . . . I like your . . . "

She paused to gaze into my waiting face.  One more try:  "Mama, I like your . . ."

Pregnant pause, and then,  "I like your . . . I like your brain."

And all quiet.  Sleepy girl.

Happy Birthday Dear Yaya!

Nicknames

Last night we went out for dessert with Amah (Nathan's mom).   This is the conversation we had in the car.

Eden:  What's my nickname?
Me:  Well, sometimes I call you "Sweetness."
Eden:  I think you should call me "Sucker" because I suck my thumb.
Z (yelling):  Yes!  Suckerrr!
Amah (trying not to laugh): Or, maybe we could call you something else.  Like maybe "Bright Eyes."
Eden (contemplating this suggestion as she sucks her thumb): No . . . I think you should call me "Sucker."
Z (absolutely delighted):  Sucker!  Eden's nickname is Suckerrrr!

2nd Grade

Z's 2nd grade school picture.  I like it!