Sleeping

All of my kids are very funny sleepers. This pose was too cute. We were at my parent's house for Thanksgiving and Dayton had been up most of the night coughing so he was quite tired. Everyone else was awake but him. I went to check on him and found him sleeping in this pose. He looks quite relaxed.

Mackenzie's "9"

I find it hard to believe that Mackenzie was baptized just a year ago. Time certainly has flown by. This year Mackenzie's birthday was the day before Thanksgiving so we had to drive to grandma and grandpa's house on her birthday which was not the most fun thing she could have thought to do but grandma Dayton and Grandma and Grandpa Toone had made her yummy meatloaf, twice baked potatoes and a turtle pumpkin pie. Grandma and Grandpa Dayton gave her a huge bean bag. She was thrilled. We let Mackenzie open her present from us on Tuesday night so she could decide what she wanted to take with her to Ohio.

When Mackenzie was about 2 1/2 years old she did something very sneaky. She loves to hear this story so I thought we'd document it. I was cutting Nathan's hair in the bathroom and Mackenzie was very quiet. We hadn't seen nor heard from her in quite a while so I went to investigate. And this is what I found. I had made a cake the night before and then covered the part we hadn't eaten over with a large mixing bowl. Well, Mackenzie had pushed a chair over to the counter and taken off the bowl and proceeded to consume as much cake as her little hands could hold. She was not the least bit concerned that she was a total mess. She was quite proud of her feat.

Mackenzie is a total girl. It has been so fun for me to watch her develop into her own unique, charming person. She has a love of life. She is a magnet for friends. She has the best facial expressions of anyone I know. You never wonder what Mackenzie thinks because she is always willing to tell you, whether you want to know or not. She is not a morning person. She loves to give hugs. She loves to be helpful. She has a temper. She is beautiful and we are so lucky to have her as an irreplaceable part of our family. We love you Mackenzie...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Turkey Play

Dayton's first grade class performed a "Thanksgiving" play for the parents today. It was quite cute and each of the kids got to make their own mask and help create some part of the scenery. Dayton is a chicken and he and two of his friends made the orange silo. It amazes me how extroverted our shy little Dayton has become. Once upon a time he wouldn't even make eye contact with someone who said hello. Now he had no problem standing up in front of a room full of adults to act in a play.

Veteren's Day Program

This year the first graders at our elementary school honored our veterens with a program. Dayton and his fellow first graders all sang great songs, some complete with sign language. Dayton had a very special part to play on this day. He was responsible for carrying the base of the flag from one side of the gym to the other so the flag could be displayed. He was quite proud of the awesome responsibility he had been given. I must admit that the veterens day program is my favorite. I get super emotional, but that is not why it is my favorite. I am so grateful for the sacrafices that men, women, and families have made for my freedom. I have so much respect and gratitude for those who serve our country. Dayton did a great job.

The Floor

I have hated our kitchen and front entry floors since the first time I saw our home. So...this weekend we decided to do something about it. We installed new flooring. It looks so good. I love the color, I love how it feels on my feet, I love how easy it is to clean, and I love that there are not massive chunks out of it. It was a big job and there were some pretty tricky cuts to get around door frames but we did it and we are so excited.

2008 Election

I teach piano lessons to a girl who came to my house the other day and after seeing the McCain/Palin sign in my yard said to me: "Sister Page, we are voting for Obama." I told her that was the great part about living in The United States of America. We are each able to vote for who we think will be the best choice for our country. She gave me a look of "yeah, but we are right and you are wrong so I don't know if I can come here anymore." It was a funny experience for me.

Nathan decided to vote before he left for work and was in line for just about 2 hours. I decided to go right the kids left for school and I was in line for about an hour. I was amazed at how patient and upbeat everyone was. There were people in line for over 2 hours and I personally didn't hear one word of complaint.

Well the results are in and although I did not vote for President Elect Obama I am grateful to live at a time when history has been made.

Our kids each participated in mock elections at school and each voted for McCain so when I told them the results of the election this morning there was mixed reaction. Alexa kept punching her bed. Dayton refused to get out of bed and Mackenzie was convinced McCain would win her election at school.

I am still interested in politics and I look forward to watching what changes will take place. If nothing else, from this election cylce I became a fan of Fox News.