We're Home!!!

Well we finally decided to come home. Our day trip to Seattle turned into a big week trip. Seth's dad is home from the hospital and recovering. He is in a hospital bed in his living room for the next six weeks. Imagine that you have two broken legs and that's about how Dale is feeling. We were a little reluctant to leave as Dale can not move in and out of bed on his own, but Seth needs to get back to school and work. I made up a sign-up sheet for the brethren in their ward to help Dale move around, so hopefully they can get help when they need it.
Weston and Koper loved the trip. We had to bribe Weston into coming home by telling him we were going to Grammy and Grampy Zirker's house. He wasn't too thrilled to go to our house. A couple of our neighbors were outside "waiting" for us when we got home, so we had a nice welcoming committee.
While in Seattle I decided that I don't like Seattle and that I'm having all of my babies at Gritman. Many people have said it before, but I finally experienced the longing for that small town feel. While Dale was in the hospital, he had 20 different nurses and 10 different doctors. Each time they have a question, they talk to a new doctor. Dr. Shupe has finally retired from Moscow Family Medicine, so I have to find a new doctor for the kiddos, but that's okay, Moscow Family Medicine is small and I have a couple of other doctors that I already like. So, sorry Seth, but I'm staying here, even if we don't ever get a Target. (Yeah, I know, we'll probably still end up in Seattle, but at least I can state my opinion.)

Our Family needs some variety...

-Kevin and Dad have the same tree
-Dad and I have both been painting
-Erik, Kevin and I have been doing sprinkler blowouts
-Yesterday, we took our kids to a farm just like Kevin's family

We need to mix it up a little!!!

As I stated, this weeekend we took the family up to Fort Collins. The Von Forell's have sold their house and will be moving by the end of the year to a new home in Johnstown (much closer to us!!!) Tina's family and Lindsay came over from Utah and the girls spent Friday and Saturday morning packing boxes. Saturday after side work of pulling bushes with Tyler, we met them in FC and toured the farm. It has become a yearly tradition and the kids have fun. There is a petting zoo, hay ride and of course a corn maze. This year they even added pig races!

Friday night is party night! We have some families from the ward coming over to carve pumpkins and hang out. By "some," I mean about 50 people. The Zirker's never do anything small. I'll let you know how it goes.

Brant

Do we have the same kind of tree?

It's Done!!!!!!! (almost)

One more little spot Signs of fall

Closer up

Even the patina of the fountain matches the new paint

It was a good week. I painted every night after work and finally on Thursday evening I finished everything but a little spot above and around the kitchen window that I can't reach with a ladder, my arm, or anything else. I guess I'm going to have to have Mom hold the ladder while I climb it and do this last piece. I hope my life insurance is paid up. Everything has turned out great. We love the color, the new roof, the light fixtures, windows and window trim. Now Tracey wants Shane to put in new windows, Sandi wants new light fixtures, and Dan wants to paint his house. Isn't it nice to be a trend setter? I took Saturday off and now this week we will tackle the new door and screen door. I've never done one before so we'll see what happens.

Saturday, Seth and Lacey (actually Weston and Koper) were invited to Scott Billy's daughter's first birthday party at the East Side Market Place. Since they were still in Seattle, Mom and I went down. It was nice. Several friends and family were there. We ended up staying for almost an hour talking to Joe, Scott, Scott's father-in-law, and Dana Rand.

Today was Stake Conference. We took Grandpa since Uncle Chuck and Aunt Brenda are still on their church history tour. Grandpa said he enjoyed it. There were good speakers and much to think about. When we got home Joe was dressing out a deer in his garage. Shane and Zack aren't home yet but they went hunting too. I just don't think I could do it. I would have to be pretty hungry.

The leaves are all turning colors. The drive up 3rd and along Hayes is really pretty. Lots of reds, yellows, and oranges. Yesterday I cut of all the ground cover in front and peonies in back and hauled them to the recycling center. I also cleanup up in the garage and hauled a load to the dump. It's amazing how much accumulates while you are painting (cans, rollers, paper towels, rags, plastic liners, etc.). I checked all the fluids in the cars and fertilized the lawn. I think we're ready for winter.

Keep those blogs and pictures coming.