Natalie's Talk--February 2007, 3 years old

So here is a blast from the past.
My father was talking about this today to a friend of the family. We searched for it in email after email. We finally found it, and I do not want to lose it--hence the blog.
Anyway, this was her first talk in Primary Sharing Time at Church. The children are given the opportunity to teach simple principles of the gospel and share their testimonies. Certainly she did not write this--I wrote it, in a poem-like rhyming way so it would be easier for her to memorize. She shared her own testimony (not this short one) after her talk. She had her talk completely memorized (this was a video of a practice run).
It is a hoot, to see this nearly 2 years later, and see how much her personality has NOT changed. We love her and her special gifts. She is certainly one special girl--blessed with a multitude of talents. Uncle Jim mentioned today, "I knew she was a special girl when after 45 minutes of talking with her on the phone I hung up and thought, I was just having a conversation with a 3 year old for the past 45 minutes."

Furniture

House since day 39 and House Day 49

So, today they were starting to put in the insulation. Next week brings it's completion and then drywall. So at this point--the exterior is complete, all electrical work and plumbing and heating and cooling work are also done. I never knew what all hides behind the walls of our homes. So here are oodles of pics, a sampling thereof. Check out the view too--from the kids' bedrooms. I am sooo glad we have a flood zone behind us, actually part of the city's Hazel Dyke system. We are in a development but have the country farm feel. Anyway, things are certainly moving right along. It is hard to believe that we will be in the home in the next 3 months.

House Day 39

So at this point the siding is near completion. Plumbing is done (except for fixtures of course).

Spider!!!

This pic is for Chris and LeAnn since I know how much you guys like spiders. So this afternoon Natalie spots a HUGE spider web with it's GIGANTIC maker by our deck. Needless to say, the spider was way too big for my liking and fearing that he may one day return to bite one of the kids I did what Chris and LeAnn might have done...

Princess Everetta

Yes, Everett was following his sister and Emma as they ran around the yard in their Princess dresses. How cute!

"Everett, Please put these socks in dirty laundry..."

Yup that's what I asked him to do. I guess he got to the bathroom, started playing around and then realized, "Oh, I was supposed to do something with these...Here is as good a place as any..." He was soooooo close to the basket too. And yes, I had the pleasure of fishing them out. Too funny!

Content Readers and Writers

Well since Natalie is now reading and writing--her brother joins in on the fun too. It is great fun to see how he mimics her every move...although we have warned her of the importance of choosing the right and doing good--to be a good example to her little brother.

Thirsty Boy!

Everett has been thirsty recently...not eating much at all, but drinking LOTS! He has enjoyed drinking from the sprinkler also. Enjoy the pics. Also, Natalie and our neighbor friends in her "pool". It is quite comical because the kids like coming over to get into "Natalie's pool".

Okay, Corri here it is...(with Dan's help)

Petra
3 joys
1. Daniel
2. Natalie and Everett
3. Missionary work

3 Fears
1. Kids getting hurt
2. Dan getting in a car wreck (he is a bad driver)
3. Being on the receiving end of a Murder (had a bad dream last night)

3 Goals
1. Be a good parent
2. Serve more missions
3. See the world--again

3 Obsessions
1. Ice cream. (In PA Dutch country this is called blood--you need it to function each day)
2. Editing (other's work, I have typos often becasue of laziness)
3. Shopping Dent n' Bent and seeing how much I WOULD have spent had I purchased it from Costco or Target, etc

3 Random surprising facts
1. I really want to see Machu Pichu
2. I don't want my kids to grow up too fast, I try to see each day as though I won't see it again.
3. I am so glad that of all the Princesses I was Pocahontas--I LOVE nature--especially since I am sure she didn't use a razor either!

Dan
3 Joys
1. Coming home every day--"Daddy!!!!!!"
2. Singing to the kids each night
3. Petra's kissing--I never tire of it!

3 Fears
1. Paralysis
2. Losing my family
3. My daughter growing up to be taller than me--a sure thing!

3 Goals
1. MBA
2. Serve many missions
3. Visit Ireland

3 Obsessions
1. Checking sports scores each day (we have no TV!)
2. Attempting to beat Petra (or Natalie) at Blockus , they are both fierce!
3. Sleep

3 Random Surprising Facts
1. I have lipsinc-ed to Barbara-Ann by the Beach Boys
2. I have hiked Pike's Peak
3. I have NEVER been out of the country....yet!

We tag... EVERYONE who has yet to do this...kinda fun!

Gettysburg National Military Park

We went to Gettysburg to see the new Visitor's Center and Museum, along with the battlefield. What an AMAZING experience. I have been there before but the new center and museum add such an unforgetable dimension to the battlefield/park. Not many good pictures, but a wonderful, spiritual experience.

Sunday Afternoon on the Horse Farm/HersheyPark

PaPa and Debbie came to visit this weekend. We took them to see the horse farm that we have been frequenting recently. Our neighbors own the farm and have over 50 horses, foals and all. We have a wonderful time each time. The setting is typical BEAUTIFUL PENNA.

And few of the other pics are from our day at HersheyPark.

5 year old run-in with the POLICE!

This is not a joke! A bit funny now, soon to be funnier as time passes on. Basically our 5 year old was calling and harassing the workers at Dairy Queen. Multiple times (policeman said it was near 6 times or more). Asking for pizza and bread. The policeman called (after a call from the DQ people), she hung up on him. Next day she calls again. Policeman calls home again and I answer. "Yup, it was our daughter." I figured it out. A little classmate had a party and brought in coupons for a free DQ ice cream. On the coupon was the number. So, our information was recorded on the police report. Along with my 5-year old's name. And a slap on the wrist and threat of something (???not quite sure what they would do to us???) YIKES!!! Drama--the first in what I am sure will be a plentiful ammount thereof.
Needless to say, naptimes (when this ALL occured--with the phone in her room) are now a thing of the past!
I required her to say she was sorry via letter/card (what else do you do to make reconciliation for something like that???) We LOVED the pic--her on the phone and the workers crying. I think she learned NOT to do it again.