Inflation

Today's post is brought to you by guest blogger Christian.

In July 1946, Hungary witnessed a record setting case of hyperinflation with prices doubling every 13.5 hours at their peak. Until this morning this remained the worst case of inflation in world history. I was getting Anna dressed for church this morning and picked out what I thought would be a suitable dress. I guess she's been growing a lot lately and so alas, it was too small, so I retrieved another from the closet. During this time interval though she must have outgrown this too because it also proved to be too small. After the third dress wouldn't fit around her (not so little anymore) arms I began to wonder if this was hyperinflation on a baby girl scale. I ran to the closet and returned with a wheelbarrow full of clothes, hoping that they had not been rendered insufficient in the interim. I finally got her dressed.

I used the rest of her dresses to wallpaper her room, as they had lost all face value since the hyperinflation of 2010.

PS, Anna weighs 18 pounds, which is a 64% increase in three months.

Welcome to Our Home

The remodeling/decorating is complete.
I'm so pleased with the results...but I loved the journey.

The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.
-Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Progress and improve upon and make beautiful everything around you. Cultivate the earth, and cultivate your minds. Build cities, adorn your habitations, make gardens, orchards, and vineyards, and render the earth so pleasant that when you look upon your labors you may do so with pleasure, and that angels may delight to come and visit your beautiful locations.
-Brigham Young

Special Thanks:

Amy, Guy, and Marie at Lowe's
Daniel, James, and Anna...who were neglected
Christian who thought he would have to rescue us...but didn't
Mom

Bathtime

I was taking care of Anna. The boys were in the tub. Christian was downstairs tidying things up. James starts yelling at the top of his lungs,

"I want that blue thing."

He was referring to a bath toy.

But he is a little plugged up from a cold and what Christian heard from downstairs is

"I'm pooping!"

I think Christian made it up to the second floor in three steps. There is nothing like the threat of having to clean that mess up from the tub that will get you moving fast.

Bringing It Back

Sometimes Christian and I reflect on our pasts and share stories of when we were teenagers. We mostly feel the retarded tingles when we have these conversations as I'm sure all of you have experienced reminiscing times past.

One day Christian was trying to convince me of how "cool" he was in high school. He was the proud owner of some bright orange Converse high tops, he had racing stripes buzzed on the sides of his hair, he pegged his pants, he still knows all the lyrics to "Ice Ice Baby", and he owned TWO hyper-color t-shirts.

I drew the line at the hypercolor t-shirts. I'm sorry, but those just are not cool. Allow me to explain why

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See?!?!?!?!?!?

Now you are all probably wondering how does he still have a hyper-color shirt? Some good friends of ours got in on this conversation and decided to gift him one. I don't know how good of friends they are now, because both my boys think the shirt is cool and now they want one.

I'm afraid I have lost the battle. But I had to post this...just for the record. Because when my kids grow up and tell stories about their hyper-color shirts that give them retarded tingles, they will know that Mom was right.

I'm Back

I just finished one of the best vacations I have ever been on...but I didn't go anywhere, except to Lowe's. I went to Lowe's a lot actually. I went on a house project vacation and my mom was my vacationing partner.

Here are some pictures of what went down around here in the last couple of weeks. Stay tuned for the new and improved photos to come (we get our new counter top tomorrow...I can't wait).

Leaf Harvest

We had another bountiful leaf crop this year.
We are bidding adieu to yard work and taking the projects indoor.
We have some big projects planned.
The first casualty of our indoor makeover

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my nose.

You can just call me "Rudolph"

(I'm glad I plucked my eye brows recently)

Back By Popular Demand

I wasn't going to post anymore of our family photos. I was feeling a bit narcissistic. But then my brother asked to see more pictures...and I jumped at the chance.

I can't decide which ones to print off.

I Know It's Overkill....

...but I just love these photos.
I can't help myself.
I had to put more up.
They make me smile.

I love my life!

Family Photos

Dear Ellen,

I LOVE the photos! Of the sample you sent, I couldn't decide which ones to put up first so I think I put almost all of them up. You do wonders with the camera...even without your magic lens...plus, you are the funnest photographer we've ever had. Thank you for capturing the moments.

love,

The Hahns

A Summer Fling

It was 770 today. I did what any rational person would do and scratched every commitment we had on our calendar and headed to the beach for one more summer fling. Some of the days note worthy happenings are:

1. While driving to the beach I got honked at for about 10 seconds straight and then had the bird flipped at me for about 4 seconds as the upset driver passed me. All that for driving on the dotted white line. Try explaining that to your inquiring kids. Such kind and refined folk in these parts.

2. James tripped running away from a wave. The wave caught up to him. It was cold.

3. As soon as I opened the plastic grocery bag containing our lunch about 30 seagulls flew over, and that is no exaggeration. They got no lunch from us. Daniel valiantly fended for our little piece of beach. James tried to chase the birds off too, but he is not fast enough to get them to fly away.

4. Both James and I were facing the ocean, seated on the sand. James was sitting about two feet in front of me. I was feeding Anna. With no fore thought for his actions, James took a fist full of sand in each hand and threw it behind him...where we were. Now Anna has a 25 inch frame that carries almost 15lbs on it which is quite conducive to folds and crevices. Getting sand out from under about 3 chins and little ears is no easy task. Poor girl. She was a sport. She didn't complain one bit. I complained for the two of us. I still don't think James realizes he was the one responsible for that.

I love those kiddos. I love those 770 days. Farewell beach. We will miss you but will be back to play on your shores as soon as 770 comes again. Hopefully sooner than later.

Seasons

(the view from my bedroom window this morning)

New England has the most stunning season changes I've ever experienced (and I've lived in 10 unique places). It kind of makes you reflect on the seasons of life. Today a little nephew was born into our family. Also today, my neighbors father passed away.

I feel like I'm in the summer of my life. I think it is early summer...you know, when the sweet strawberries are being eaten, but there is a lot of growing to be done before the harvest. I hope the fall of my life is as golden as it is in my backyard.

(the view out the back)

Let's Go Fly A Kite

It was a blustery day on Friday. A little too gusty and blustery to fly a kite, but I'll be darned if we didn't try our darnd'st to get it up.

In Love

It is gorgeous out here these days. Things have cooled off. My kids come in from playing outside and they smell like "chill". I love that smell on kids...the smell of good 'ol fashion outdoor play.

I can't decide which season I like the most. Every time I welcome a new season in I'm convinced I am in love with it the most. I love the gathering of Fall, the enjoyment of the fruits of Summers' labors, bringing all the memories home.

Welcome Fall!

James

James gave Anna a wet willy during church.

He woke up in the wee hours of the morning crying because he wanted to put on his monkey suit.

Lucky for him, he is too cute to be upset at.

All Black and Blue

James is three for three this week. I wonder what will happen tomorrow. Maybe I'll wrap him up in foam tonight before bed so he is padded from the get go tomorrow.