Atlanta News

Well, gas is still scarce, but luckily I found some yesterday morning so I should be able to get to work until the crisis is over. Peter is a handsome boy and is very well behaved. Of course, he hasn't quite figured out how to do anything besides eat, sleep, and cry when he's hungry. Tracy's parents have been staying with us and they've been a huge help. Tracy's Dad likes projects, so he has already gone to work and built a nice shelf system in our pantry, giving us about 2x the space we had before!

Birthdays

Well, little Noah is now a year old, and boy is he a loveable bundle of trouble. He's a daredevil climber and seems to have a radar for the most dangerous thing in any room. We had a small gathering on his birthday-just us and Mom and Dad. It was monkey themed for my little monkey. I subjected everyone to a healthy cake(I've been on an anti-processed sugar kick). It was sweetened with orange juice. I think it tasted alright, but I'm biased. The Bigneys had a second cake for him on Sunday. Actually, they made whoopie pies, which are big cakey chocolate cookies sandwiched together with cream. Noah seemed to have fun being the center of attention. I'll see if I can figure out how to post some videos of the big day(s).

Janelle Update

I am home from Virginia and Phoenix - made it in Saturday afternoon. That was a long, exhausting trip and I am glad to be home. I worked hard with Heather at the Phoenix Scrapbook convention, but I also enjoyed it. I got to teach a couple of the classes and have to admit, it was more fun than teaching computer software. I just love the creative design side to scrapbooking.

I am missing my nieces and nephews and trying to figure out a way to see them more often!!!

News from Covered Bridge Canyon

Howdy to everyone… I hope this finds you all well, happy, and gainfully employed, given the precarious state of the economy. Congratulations to Kurt & Tracy on the safe arrival of Peter Rockwood Griffiths… 8 lbs 13 oz, 21 ¾ inches. Mom & I are planning a trip to Georgia for Thanksgiving and blessing him the Sunday after. In fact, we are using mapquest to plan a trip to Indiana by way of Branson, MO to visit Rex & family leaving home about 12-13 Nov, after election day. We’ll stay in Corydon for 5-6 days… then down to Dacula for Thanksgiving week… then back to Arizona by way of Clinton, Oklahoma where we lived the first 2 years we were married… we hope to attend Church there… might see some of the members who were there 40 years ago.

We are having the exterior of the CBC house painted this week. We’re also in the midst of remodeling the Kitchen. It’s a mess right now… with cabinets on the floor and all but 4 chairs of the old counter removed. We have new microwave and electric range with ovens to install… and a new refrigerator. Right now we’re cooking on a hotplate and the old microwave. We got the ceiling sheet rock repaired in the TV room where it had been damaged by leaking roof and swamp cooler. Also, purchased several new light fixtures.

Anyway… we’re doing quite a bit of renovation… with help of Steve, Alex, Melissa, and Chad… Thank you very much (Mahalo nui loa)…!

Grandma G. seems to be doing quite well… gaining back her strength little by little. Thanks to Lisa, Leslie, and Jenny for visiting and checking on her regularly to help with laundry, housecleaning, and shopping for her… and occasionally bringing in KFC, In and Out Burgers, Fish & Chips, etc. She still hasn’t felt up to attending Church… and doesn’t get out of the house much. Pat & Spence are planning to be there with her for Thanksgiving… and, we will be with her for Christmas/New Years… and probably stay until April, before returning to Utah.

Mom’s shoulder has not been bothering her so she hasn’t felt the need to have the operation to remove the calcium deposits that were causing her so much pain a couple of months ago. We celebrated Noah’s first b-day last night… he had a grand time ripping open his gift packages… and eating his cake.

Baby Peter

Peter was 8 lb 13 oz and 21 3/4 in long. That makes him our 2nd largest baby after Thomas (Mr. 10-pounder). Everyone is doing great, although we could all do with some more sleep!

Writing Blog Posts

I've been using Windows Live Writer to post entries to the blog. It is much nicer than the online editor! If you are on Windows, I highly recommend checking it out.

Today is the Day!

We will be at the hospital at 10:30 am ET to start the induction. Everyone's excited! Tracy's Mom came into town this last Thursday to help out. Stay tuned for pictures and such!

#2 Son on the Way Monday!

Tracy will be induced Monday morning!

Porkypines

The other day in the car Ivy was reminiscing about her kindergarten fieldtrip to the zoo. She said that at the zoo they had porkypines. "And you know what else?" she asked. "Baby porkypines don't have any porkies!" 

Janelle (a.k.a. Aunt Nellie) update

Hey all - I am really starting to get into the groove of blogs. Helped along by the fact that I actually have to train on them as part of one of the applications I do.

This week is prep week - trying to get ready for an online training tomorrow morning (6:30 a.m. - yuck!) and a week long training in Virginia Sept. 16-20. Next Thursday I am going to Phoenix with Heather (Jensen) to help with a scrapbook fair. I will get to see Grandma, so I'm excited.

Meanwhile, my calling as single adult rep in my ward and trying to get a side-business going (as a "designer" for Heartstring Designs, Heather, Carl & Sharon's company) take up most of the time that I am not at work. It's been pretty busy - but then it always is.

I have decided my fondest dream would be to be independently wealthy so I could do whatever I wanted during the day and not have to work. Anyone volunteer to become rich enough to support the rest of us?