Snow and Art

Brrrrrrrrrrr! Look at our snow! Ok, it's not as good as Emily's snow, and technically it might be sleet, but we count that down here!

Art Project: Four Color Schemes

Monochromatic, Tertiary, Complementary, Triadic (from left to right, I think)

Art Project: Illusion of motion

Art Project: Underpainting and Perspective

Art Project: Interpretation of Song: Dreamland Express by John Denver

So, I really had a good time with this art class. Some things were frustrating, like being able to get the paint on the paper nicely. But it was fun and I enjoyed painting. Maybe it'll be my new hobby :)

Decorating the Tree

I love putting up the tree! I love all the ornaments from years past and the stories that go with them. The kids had so much fun getting them out, looking at them and putting them on the tree.

Paul's new favorite past time is watching football. It's so funny how he gets hooked on something. He watches it, reads about it, plays it, anything.

Bekah Turns 7!

The pictures are backwards! Oh well. I can't believe my baby is seven. She is so smart and cute. I am so thankful for this little girl that God has given me.

Bekah and her friends got to ride ponies at the Christmas Festival in Bertram. Alyssa is on the right in the background and Taylor is on the left. They absolutely loved it!

Here are the girls just after we got on the train. They were wide eyed as it started (none of them had been on one before) and it was so cute. On the ride back the volunteer in charge of our car told them how they could hide inbetween the seats. He called it the cave and of course the girls loved that.
Here is Bekah with her stash of office supplies from Granny and Grandpa. She loved it all and her friends all wanted to share in the loot!

Bekah is getting used to new glasses. Apparantly she is blind and we never knew! She never complained about not being able to see. Anyway, we think she looks super cute!

Aunt Amy and Nana gave Bekah a bunch of cool girly stuff for her birthday. Bekah especially loves the Hannah Montana slippers and High School Musical hat. Let it be known that she has never seen either one of these shows.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEKAH!

Halloween

OK, this one's a little blurry. We trick or treated with cousins and had a great time.

All the cousins: Jacob, Caleb, Zach, Paul and Bekah. Aren't they cute?

At school we have a book character parade (no Halloween celebrating there). Bekah was Cinderella and even though we have several Cinderella books she insisted on using her teacher's book.

Here's Bekah's class lined up on the wall waiting for the parade. I didn't get a picture of Paul but he was happy about that so I guess that's okay. He just wore his football jersey and carried a book about football.

I must say, I have been enjoying the candy but I wish it would go away. It's a love/hate relationship!

Seriously! Really!

So, we got a notice on the door from DHL saying they had attempted to deliver a package. It needed to be signed for so they could not just leave it. We are not home during the day so I called the service number the next morning to make other arrangements. After being routed through the automated system, I received a message that the number was no longer a working number and to please call this other number. So, I hung up and called this other number which led me through the same system and to a message that said this is not a working number and to please call this other number (which was the number I had just called). So I tried a few more times during the day and received the same message.
Needless to say, I was getting a little heated at this point. When I got home, there was another notice saying that was the final delivery attempt. Knowing the service number was "not working", I hopped online and found a live chat option. Here is the transcript from my chat with the "shipment specialist":

Paul: Welcome to DHL Live Chat. How may I assist you today?
Peggy: Hi Paul, I tried to call dhl this morning concerning a notice on my door. I can't get through to talk to anyone. I get a message that says not a working #, call this # and then that number says the same thing.
Peggy: We are not home during the day to receive packages and I wanted to make other arrangements. Today I received a second notice and I don't want that package returned to sender.
Paul: I'll be glad to help you with that. Please give me a moment while I check the records for you.
Peggy: thanks
Paul: Please confirm us do you wish to pick up the package from the service center.
Peggy: is there another way to receive the package? The service center is not close to me.
Paul: The next delivery attempt will be made on the next business day, barring any unforeseeable delays.
Peggy: the notice I received today said it was the final attempt. Does the local office have a number I can call?
Paul: Due to security reasons I am unable to provide the contact number.
Peggy: So, what about the final attempt notice?
Paul: You can also contact our customer service at 1-800-225-5345. Once you contact our DHL representative will be glad to assist you further.
Peggy: That phone number does not work. It leads me through a bunch of questions and ends with "this is not a working number please call 1-800-225-5345", which is the number I just dialed.
Paul: Its the customer service number.
Peggy: But it does NOT work. Where do I go from there?
Paul: You can re try the number once.
Peggy: I have called the number several times today. IT DOES NOT WORK.
Paul: You have the option to pick up the package from the service center.
Peggy: What's the deal with the service number that does not work?
Paul: I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
Peggy: Paul, what country are you in?
Paul: We are located in Tempe,AZ.
Peggy: Where is my local dhl office so I can pick up the package?
Paul: The service center address is 2631 KRAMER LANE, AUSTIN, TX 78758. It will be open till 7:30 PM.
Peggy: So, why can I not talk to somebody using the service center phone number?
Paul: I sincerely apologize. Due to security reasons it is not possible for me to provide the service center phone number.
Peggy: I am not asking for a phone number for the local office. I am asking why your 1-800-225-5345 does not work.
Paul: Please give me a moment while I research this for you.Paul: Due to some technical error it might not have been working. However I request you can re try after some time.
Peggy: I will pick up the package by tomorrow afternoon at the office in Austin.
Peggy: Please make sure to note that so they do not send it back.
Paul: I will forward the message not to return the shipment to the sender.
Peggy: thank you
Paul: I have forwarded a message to the service center not to return the shipment.
Peggy: later
Paul: Is there anything else I can help you with?
Peggy: no

AAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH! I know it's the blasted service number...I've called it a hundred times today! And what's the deal with the security reasons for the local office to not have a phone number? Good Grief!

Here's another funny...When I went to pick up the package, I notice their motto is "Anything, Anytime, Anywhere". Then I notice a sign that listed like twenty things they would not ship. Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha!

p.s. The title of this blog comes from a hilarious segment of SNL. It's on on Thursday nights on NBC.

Funny Story

So, there a radio station that I listen to that's doing a big mamogram push for Breast Cancer Awareness. They have stories about women who've had breast cancer and lots of "spots" to tell women to go get a mamogram. They say to tell your friends, neighbors, and bosom buddies.
Get it? "Bosom Buddies"? Ha! I think that's hilarious. I just got it today.

So, one of my five classes is finished! Hallelujah! I feel so free. I feel like now I have time to study for other classes and today I managed to mop and vacuum. I'm loving it already.

Other news: Paul is very into football right now. He likes the Oklahoma University Sooners and the Green Bay Packers. Don't ask me why. It's actually kind of dangerous to be a Sooners fan here because they have a huge rivalry with UT.

Bekah's birthday is coming up next month. I think we are going to take the train from Cedar Park to Bertram. She's always wanted to ride a train. I asked her what she wanted for her birthday and she said Hannah Montana stuff and other stuff she likes, such as Post It Notes. Isn't that hilarious? I must admit, I'm a post-it note fan myself :)

One last thing...I have the best friends and neighbors! They have been so sweet to help me get the kids to school and watch the kids while I'm in class. Thanks Brianna and Suzanne! You guys are the best and I am so thankful for you!

Out of the mouth of babes...

So, Bekah and I are driving home from church last Sunday and here's our conversation:

Bekah: What's that?

Me: What? That store?

Bekah: Yeah.

Me: That's Cashway.

Bekah: What do they do?

Me: They sell wood and tools and paint supplies and stuff.

Bekah: Are they expensive?

Me: A little bit. Not too bad. The people are very nice.

Bekah: They should lower their prices. Then they would make more money because people would buy more stuff.

I think Bekah should be president.

Shelves

Tim built me shelves! Don't they look great? I'm so excited to fill them up with food storage and stuff.

My Super Hero!

We had a great lesson in our AWANA class last night. For those who don't know, this is a program that teaches kids to learn Bible verses. Our verse was 1 John 4:14, I think, and talked about God sending His Son to be our Savior. My friend and I team teach this class and she took that verse and taught it in such a unique way.

She had the kids name their favorite super hero. Then she drew a picture of a super hero and a person at the top of a building. She asked the kids what the super hero would do. They said, of course, that the super hero would save the person. Then she applied that thinking to how Jesus saves us from our sin.

The kids loved it and by the end of the night, the knew that Jesus was their Super Hero and Savior. Isn't it great that we have our own personal super hero?!

Crazy Life!

Well, I didn't think life could get this crazy! It's insane at our house right now. The kids are in school and having a grand time. We looooooovvvvveeeee their teachers. Praise the Lord for that! We have been so blessed every year. Bekah would go to school on Saturdays if she could. Paul is quite that enthusiastic but I do think he likes his class and I know he likes his teacher.

I am taking five classes, Design (an art class), Intro to Visual Art, Philosophy, TX Government and Math for Elem Teachers. It's a lot of work and I don't have as much free time because only one is an online class this time. Plus, they are not at the campus that is closest so I am spending a lot more time in the car, which I do not like. I will not be registering late next semester!

In addition, I am volunteering in the kid's classes and my friend's K class. I was going once a week but that seems to be too much and not leaving enough time for studying and housework so every other week is going to be the new schedule.

Well, it's about time to go clean the kitchen and make dinner before class!

Utah Trip June 2008 - Part Two

We stayed with Tim's brother Jason and family for several days and had a lot of fun with them. We drove the Alpine Loop which gives great views of the mountains, especially Mount Timpanogas. Below are Paul, Bekah and their cousin Zachary.
Family photo.
Mount Timpanogas
Here we are hiking the trail to Timpanogas Cave. It was hard! Very steep mile and a half long trail with cliffs on one side. We were constantly watching the kids and telling them to stay on the safe side of the trail.
Tim, Paul and Bekah high on the mountain.

Part of the trail actually cuts through the mountain.
The kids made it to the top! Here they are at the cave entrance. You can see the elevation on the trail. We started about a thousand feet below that, I think. Do they look tired?
This was the next day as we recuperated from the hike! Tim and Jason talking about who knows what.
Bridal Veil Falls.

Paul and Zach at the bottom of the falls. They are in the background climbing up.

Utah Trip June 2008 - Part One

We got up early June 14th and started our journey. We like to start early and get to our destination relatively early which allows for swimming in the hotel pool and possibly some sight seeing. We found these great lava beds along the freeway in New Mexico and had to stop and check them out. The kids picked up samples to take home.

The scenery in New Mexico and Arizona is amazing. I think this big rock mountain was in Arizona. We attempted to see Four Corners but the indians are charging too much to get in and it didn't look like anthing special so we opted not to do that. That led to a drive through Arizona. Normally we'd cut up through Colorado from New Mexico.
More interesting land formations along the freeway.
This is a natural arch just before getting into Moab. See the tiny figure below the left of the arch. That's Tim! You can see how big the arch is. Tim said it was a straight drop off the other side so I'm glad I didn't go all the way up.

Yellowstone Day Six and Seven

Thursday we hung out and took the kids into town for souvenir shopping. I guess I didn't take any pictures this day. Oh, as I recall, some people did go into the park early and were rewarded with some geyser eruptions. Anyway, it was a nice relaxing day to end the trip.

Friday we got up as early as we could and headed out. We drove all the way to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Perhaps the reason for no pictures was because it was miserable to drive that long! It took so long and we were all just ready for it to end. We did have a nice hotel room and we stayed two nights.

Sunday we drove home and it was another long drive but we were home and that was nice. It was a wonderful vacation and we loved it. I have neglected to mention the fabulous time we had in Utah prior to Yellowstone. Stay tuned for more info and pictures!

Yellowstone Day Five - Dyer Reunion

We all met Wednesday night for dinner. It was so great to see all my aunts, uncles and cousins...not to mention my grandparents and some family friends. I hadn't seen some of them for at least fifteen years! The following pictures are from that evening.

Our family, in our lovely t-shirts that Emily made for us.
Bekah, Alexis, Meghan and Cherith. They loooovvvveeeddd the huge field of flowers.
Dana, Gramma, Grampa, Cherith and Ellie.
My Aunt Alison is taking the picture (we got tired of waiting around) and my cousins Jonathan, Keagan and Wesley.
The whole gang! I'm not even going to try to get everybody's name in here :)

Mom and Marian, who has been a friend of the Dyer's forever.
Uncle John and brother James.
My uncle Andy, aunt Kristen and cousins McKenna and Keagan.
My uncle Joel and his wife.
My cousin Hannah and her precious baby.

Yellowstone Day Five - Old Faithful

The Dyer Clan at Old Faithful. This is where we met up with Dad's family, although we had seen them earlier in the week.
Emily and I trying to get a picture of us and the pool behind us. Well...we at least got us!
Old Faithful
Can't remember the name of this pool but it sure is pretty.
Another geyser erupting. Really neat area.

Yellowstone Birthday Party

Tuesday night we had a birthday party for the kids. They all exchanged names and had fun choosing gifts for each other. Of course, Dan and Paul got each other rocks. It's so nice that they have similar tastes! :)




Instead of birtday cake we decided to do s'mores. The kids had a great time. We were all extremely exhausted after this long day!