Gone Green

Our house was built in the 1950's. Our furnace/boiler appear to be from the 1950's as well. Being native Texans and knowing we were going to have to survive a Boston winter, we decided to replace our old oil furnace with a new natural gas furnace. We made our decision and paid the down payment for everything 2 months ago. At the time we calculated out how much fuel we would need until the new furnace was put in. We have been extremely careful in the amount of hot water we have used and haven't turned the heat on at all

Well, last Friday, "the beast" ran out of oil. So, we sponge bathed while my family was here (just like times on my mission to Brazil...a third world country...we live in MA!). Christian fed "the beast" some diesel fuel and that seemed to satisfy its hunger, but I'm afraid the diesel fuel was a mere appetizer. We are having a difficult time finding an oil supplier who will put less than 100 gallons of oil in "the beast" as we wait out the time it takes for the Massachusetts' bureaucracy to sign all the papers and give the ok to get working on things.

The Beast I

The Beast II

So, we've gone green. It is only -9887263487659830987 degrees in our house. There is no end in sight. The full fledged New England winter is approaching. I'm sure Al Gore's house is nice and toasty warm.

I guess my point in this whole post is...lets not elect a president who is going to turn the whole United States into a bureaucratic mess as things are here. You can't get anything done in this state without having papers pushed around a billion times and having fees added on to everything.

Vote Ron Paul! I know he is technically out of the race, but I'm going to write him in! There, I did my civil duty for the day. Your children will thank me.

Our First Visitors!

My Dad and sister came to visit us over the weekend! I had such a great time with them and my family. I was seriously bummed when they left this morning. The fall days felt so warm with everyone around. Only 61 more days until Park City! I think we are going to make a paper chain.

Stay tuned for photos from the trip.

Catching Up...With Photos...Few Words

We went apple picking with some friends.

The adventure included a hayride pulled by a tractor.


Daniel waved to everyone beauty pageant style.

I ran an all woman's 10k this morning with some friends. It was so fun. I actually pushed the boys. Christian doesn't get Columbus Day off from work, so I brought my cheering squad with me. They both enjoyed being in the race and not watching the race.

We went to Topsfield Fair last week. They had an elephant you could ride. Daniel was not interested in riding the elephant, but he was interested in riding on...

the tractor and backhoe displays.

Sunday morning shoulder rides

General Conference Weekend

General Conference weekend started Friday night with....

Split Pea Soup (warms the body and soul)

After the warm soup, we set up the tent (in our living room because we are afraid of sleeping out in the cold), and made tea light candle smores.


Saturday and Sunday morning, we had some delicious brunches (crepes on Saturday, quiche on Sunday)

Then we all snuggled with blankets on the couch and listened to conference. Even the farm animals and tractor gathered to hear the prophet speak (pictured below). In between sessions on Saturday we played a family kick ball game with some friends and on Sunday went for a walk.

General Conference was such a refreshing break from the routine of life and I found such hope listening to the messages.

In All Our Glory

Monkey See

Monkey Do

David vs. Goliath

1. Draw Goliath


2. Throw rocks at Goliath

3. I don't know where the sword comes in to play, but we had to bring it out. We really "likened the scriptures" on Monday.

One Day....

...all these leaves are going to change colors and fall down (hopefully on my neighbors side)!