Life After Duplex

You probably think that now that our duplex is done, renters are in, and Pearsons have ridden off into the sunset, Stan and I have nothing to do with our time. Nonsense.

We are catching up on all of the very important things we've been missing.

We've been working hard, encouraging Megan to not be so cute. As you can see, we need to work harder at that project.

 We have broken out in a sweat trying to get Hailey to eat less ice cream

and Makayla to eat more ice cream. Makayla! Real people like ice cream!

We've diligently slaved to understand why Hailey is terrified of flies, ants, and tiny bugs, but in love with worms. Still working to figuring that out...

But we've found a more efficient way to give Makayla her bath, wash her clothes, and water the lawn.

Now that we have a little extra time, Stan and I have taken to stalking Megan. She tells us she is working concessions at the fair, and the thought of Megan working was so intriguing we wanted to check it out.

(Just kidding Megan! You are a workhorse!)

Megan told us she was cooking elephant ears. We searched the booth and she wasn't there.  Thank goodness--Megan is so tiny I don't know how she'd wrestle an ear off an elephant.  They told us Megan was flipping burgers. 

Nope, not here. Shelly, Amy, Jessica, and Ashley, do you remember the aroma of deep-fat cooking oil that clung to your hair and clothes for 6 3/4 months after you worked the fair? That odor is still alive and well. Megan has been bringing it home everyday for me to get all nostalgic about.

 Good news: the smell of the cooking oil makes the rest of the fair smells seem pleasant.

 Someone suggested we check for Megan here. Surprisingly, she was nowhere to be seen.

All this looking around is hard work. We took a break.

 That break sharpened my senses and I spotted a familiar ponytail in the "We Deep-fat Fry Everything" booth.

 Ta-da!  There she is, ready to fill her pores with grease vapors!

I think Megan was a little surprised to see us.....

Well, I think you can see the pace of our days post-duplex haven't changed much. We are just as active and busy as ever!

Practice Run

Since Megan will soon be leaving home, I thought I'd do a dry run and see how it feels.  I took Megan down to Idaho yesterday and left her and

it made me feel weepy!

I felt better seeing how cute Brinlee looks wearing the 1/2 lb she has gained since I've last seen her.

It also was fun to eat at Cafe Rio with Backmans (and Meggers)

and Pearsons.

However, after checking out cupcakes at The Cocoa Bean, I decided we should stick to frozen yogurt at Kiwi Loco or Twizzle Berry.

On the way  down to Idaho, Megan and I spotted an adolescent bear playing around right at the edge of the road. I pretty sure it was a black bear (not a grizzly), even though he was brown. Unfortunately this isn't him. Traffic was heavy, there was no where to pull over, and we didn't see him in time to snap a picture as we passed.

As I drove back home, I looked everywhere for him.

I searched high

and low

to my right,

and left, even stopping at the exact spot we saw him. I called and called him, waving a roadkill skunk to entice him, but he didn't appear. I was so disappointed.

 Stan promises there will be wildlife next week on the Jones family Alaskan cruise. Some of it will even be the kind of wildlife I can take pictures of....

In the meantime, Nanny Jones, remember not to make eye contact, smile, or exchange phone numbers with Idahoan males!

Brimful of Brinlee

We are just sitting around, enjoying the cuteness of Brinlee.

Before Brinlee could leave the hospital yesterday, she had to pass the car seat test. She had to sit in Krew's old infant car seat for at least 1 hour and remember to keep breathing and, well, living. Sometimes small babies have a problem with car seats.

Brinlee passed, but we're all a bit worried that she is going to outgrow her car seat soon.

Here's Brinlee in her cute "going home from the hospital" outfit.

Brinlee practicing her ballet moves.

Ashley and her entourage tried to escape the hospital this way, but got a scolding from the nurse who sent us all back to the room until someone could take Ashley out 

this way. Apparently you become an invalid after giving birth.

When we got back to the Pearson's, I dug Rover out of the trunk for Krew. I think Krew will keep him.

Ashley's cousin, Crystal, was also due to have a baby on June 29.  Easton was born just after midnight today.  He's 8 lbs 13 ozs, a bit bigger than Brinlee.

Here Easton is getting ready to slap Brinlee for sticking her tongue out at him.

There's nothing as sweet as a newborn, is there?

What do you think? Ashley, above at 2 weeks, Brinlee, below at 2 days.

My Bags Are Packed, I'm Ready To Go....

Little Pearsonette decide to make an early debut. She was suppose to be coming next week, but decided to come tomorrow instead. Modern technology leaves few surprises in the delivery room-the Pearsons know to expect a girl, and have had enough ultrasounds to see exactly what she looks like (more or less). How clever is my newest grandchild to figure out how to pull a fast one on her parents already and come early?

This isn't a picture of baby Pearson. This is Ashley, proof-positive that my baby can't possibly be old enough to have a baby. This picture is from just a few short years ago. I can remember those pajamas she has on--the first of many hand-me-downs from big sisters. I can remember those big-starting-to-turn-permanently-blue-green eyes, taking in the world. I remember taking this picture with my trusty 35 mm film camera and running it to Albertsons for one hour development.

Ashley, 2 weeks

It's a good thing I finished the baby quilt early--minky on the back,

and flannel on the front. A little warm for June, I know, but baby Pearson lives in Rexburg, the only place on earth dependably colder than Billings.

I've got a traveling companion as I head down to do the Grandma thing. Side note to every teenage boy in the world: all of my teenage daughters have gotten one of these from you at some point in their dating history. Several of my girls got several from several different young men. Over the years we've had ginormous bunnies, dogs, bears, and cats gracing the bedrooms of various daughters from smitten boys. Helpful hint: Instead of buying an overpriced dog the size of an elephant, buy a double scoop ice cream for me. You should know it's crucial to have your girlfriend's mom like you. Trust me, you'll spend less and get further ahead if you figure that out early.

This is Rover. He belonged to Megan, via last year's boyfriend. I'm taking him to Krew. Krew can be a trifle ambivalent about me. If the dog doesn't make him love me, I'm taking him for ice cream.

I'm leaving Stan and Megan to finish things up at the duplex.  Today I arranged for carpet to be put down the steps, replacing the ratty 30 year old carpet that was there. If you think that fan at the bottom of the stairway isn't doing much to dry out the remnants of the flood, you're right.

Stan put up the rest of the drywall. This isn't the lovely new color we've painted the bathroom- it's the lovely color of drywall.

 Here's the future window, cut into the drywall. It's over the future toilet.

Here's the future sink cabinet, still gracing the kitchen, scheduled to be put in Friday night after Stan does the texture on Wednesday and Megan paints on Thursday.

I hope someone remembers to water the yard while I'm gone.

daylily

I hope there are still flowers blooming when I get back.

siberan iris

And most of all, I hope someone keeps an eye on adventurous Megan.

Megan, living yesterday's Red Lodge adventure

Baby Pearson, I can't wait to see you!