Last is First

Hi All!

It has been so long and so many of you have asked about our travels this past month...we have been gone nearly a month and have seen some wonderful things. You've all asked about our experiences in Australia and I have promised to tell you all and show photos; however, since they are on Devon's memory stick, I don't have access to them at the moment. We have over 400 photos from our trip, and there is so much to share. So, you'll have to be patient and I will begin with the last and move backward to then...so are you ready for Canada? This was an unplanned and last minute stop, but we were really glad to have gone to Niagara Falls. It was spectacular and absolutely worth the extra travel time. On our way home from New Hampshire, we decided to take an alternate route through Buffalo and over to Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada. There we stopped and had Tim Horton's donuts and hot cocoa. It was very cloudy and rainy that day, but the kids and Cooper-the-dog really enjoyed our explorations. Here are a few photos for you to gaze at. We were a bit anxious about crossing back to the US, since we heard the immigration officers were hard-nosed. But the man was really nice and told us he loved to visit Niagara Falls. Apparently the falls froze over back in 1848 and tourists were able to walk over the falls and recover artifacts from the riverbed. They stopped allowing tourists to do that in 1917 when three tourists died. There is a website that is really cool with lots of interesting facts and really spectacular photos. Check it out: http://www.niagarafallslive.com/Facts_about_Niagara_Falls.htm

Niagara has a very rich history as well as a major tourist attraction. My mom and dad honeymooned there in 1973...

Anyways, we got some video of our own for you to see.

Afterwards, we drove through Ontario into Michigan and then south through Indiana and back the way we always travel. Next time though, we hope to take the car Ferry across Lake Michigan straight into Milwaukee. That would be something!

Until next time,
Sonia XXOO

Faye's Slumber Party

Faye turned 7 this past week! Her birthday was on Saturday November 24th, but had her first slumber party on the 23rd. She and her friends were so excited that they slept maybe 5 hours that night. They kept waking up and talking, whispering, laughing, and telling stories. Some were scary stories and they kept coming into my room exclaiming that there was a man outside our house-the Grim Reaper! They all woke up around 4 am and just couldn't get back to sleep.

They had fun. I will never have another mass slumber party again. It was alot of work and you'll never get any sleep!

So I've posted some photos.

Devon wasn't able to be my helper this weekend because his grandmother had died and attended her funeral in Preston, ID.

Faye was upset when she heard this news.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Cole/Poole family. We hope you feel god's love and peace during this time of grief.

Sonia XXOO

Cast Away

I'm happy to report Andrew has his cast off!! wooooohoooooooo!

I'm also noticing a huge improvement in his attitude, which is big for me. He smiles and laughs and his just glad. He is experiencing a bit of soreness, itchiness and skin irritation-all normal according to the doctors.

We have a couple of more weeks of cautiousness-making sure he won't fall down the stairs or get pummelled by the dog-so that he doesn't break his leg again.

But he can take baths-HALLELUJAH!- and swim and next week he can try to stand! I'm so pleased let me tell you.

I'm also getting ready to take a long trip with Devon across many oceans and continents to visit my husband's parents in Australia. They are serving a mission for our church and we are truly excited to see them in action! It will be summer there, so I'm looking for some summer outfits that -ah hem-fit. I can't wait to see them and visit Brisbane! I want to see a kangaroo, the great barrier reef, see the temple...so much to do!

So that will be after Thanksgiving. And after Faye's birthday....one thing after another huh?

Love you all, Sonia XXOO

Andrew in the News

Hi All!

Andrew was featured in Wauwatosa NOW last week when a photographer came to take photos of the students participating in a Teddy Bear picnic. No doubt he was singled out because of his cast, although you can't see it in this picture. Hope you enjoy! He is adorable!

Sonia XXOO

So You Think You Can Dance

As part of Faye's birthday, I bought tickets to go see the SYTYCD Tour. Faye and I went to the Bradley Center and watched our favorite dancers dance on stage. It was really good! We saw some old dances and some new dances. We also got popcorn and a pretzel to share. Unfortunately, it was late and a school night, so Faye and I left at intermission and rode the bus home. We got in at 10pm and Faye went straight to bed.

Maybe we would have enjoyed it more if she was a bit older. And maybe she'd enjoy it more if she wasn't so tired! Either way, we loved to watch the dancing. We have that both in common.

Sonia XXOO