The View from Sunday

Sabrina and 2 of her friends played "Faith of Our Fathers" in Sacrament Meeting today - a violin piano trio. It sounded great, although a little soft. They were more used to the acoustics in my music room compared with the chapel.

Hyrum learned a very important lesson in church today:

He can be a friend to both his Dad AND Darth Vader!

After taking Toto on a long walk around our neighborhood, Roderic grabs an apple, climbs up into a stack of 4 chairs, puts his feet up on the table and says, "Ah, this is the life!"

Indeed, it is the life!

And in case you're wondering, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now has 134 operating temples in the world. The newest is in Kyiv Ukraine!

Ryan Gibby and Gordon Roylance: at the Kyiv Temple to attend the Cornerstone Ceremony.

It's going to fall over

In July when we were all out of town (Ryan at Scout Camp and Malauna & kids in Utah), we had our floors redone. To prep for that, we had to take ALL of our pictures/decorations off of the walls in the entry, kitchen, dining, hall and music rooms. I decided it would be a great time to change things up in the main room. I don't have a recent before picture (you can see one from 2008 here), but here is the after:

The first thing Ryan said when he saw it (after more than a week of absolutely nothing on the wall), "It looks like it's going to fall over." Moments later, Hyrum copied and said, "Mom, it looks like it's going to fall over." Ryan laughed. Later that evening, Sabrina said, "Mom, it really does look like the wall is going to fall over."

They haven't said it in a while, so I guess they are used to it. Oh, and by the way, I love the look of my newly refinished floors (and the pictures on my wall)!

OUCH!

Leo has been slobbering quite a lot. I thought it was much to early for him to get teeth. I was wrong. His first tooth cut through on Thursday (8-26). 4 months, 26 days old. I am currently rethinking my stance on nursing him until he's 18 months old.

It's a good thing he is cute.

Sesame Street

Leo with his new Grover plush.

I have been a fan of Sesame Street for the last 30 years. I've encouraged each of my children to be a fan as well. I don't like all of the Muppets they've added over the years, or all of the sketches (Elmo's World, Baby Bear's Super Guy, Abby's Flying Fairy School, for example). I do like it when they have celebrity parodies (Norah Jones with Don't Know Y, Mel Gibson and Danny Glover with Lethal Weapon 3, for example.) This is a new one that cracks me up EVERY time I see it. I'd love to have it on my mp3 player. So far I've only found it as a video.

4 Months, and Growing

Leo is now 4 months old. He smiles on demand. Puts his hands in his mouth. Babbles and coos.

This morning was his check-up at the doctor's. He got two shots. He cried for the pain of the needle prick, but as soon as I picked him up, he was just fine. (Unlike all of my other children.)

Weight: 14 lbs 8.6 oz
Height: 26.5"
Head Circumference: 16"

Praying for Missionaries

For the past 2 years, my children have been praying, "And bless Uncle Colter on his mission." Every. Single. Prayer. That has been a hard habit for Hyrum and Roderic to break since my brother returned from his mission to Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 9. They are still praying for him daily! (Although now it is "And bless Uncle Colter that he can drive home safe" because he recently went on a road trip with my parents.)


They will soon be praying for Grandma and Grandpa Gibby and Aunt Meggan who will be serving a mission in Rochester, New York. They enter the MTC on August 30. They're really excited about praying for them because we get to take care of their dog, Toto!

picture from May 2007 - Roderic loves Toto

Snack Time

I have it in my head that if I know how to make a delicious snack from scratch, I should do that instead of buy it in a package at the store. Now that I can make these Granola Bars, I have a hard time buying any. We eat them fast, before any pictures can be taken. I even allow them to be made in the summertime and heat up the house with my oven. Yes, they are that good.

Granola Bars

1 c. melted butter	1 t. salt
1/2 c. honey	1/2 c. coconut
1 t. vanilla	1 c. crisp rice cereal
2 T. dry powdered milk	5 c. quick oats
1 c. brown sugar	1/2 c. mini chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, mini M&Ms or dried fruit (raisins, craisins, blueberries, etc.)

Mix all ingredients, in a large bowl, until all of the oats are coated in the honey and butter. (Batter should be sticky.)

Spray a 9x13 or 11x14 pan and put mixture into the bottom of the pan. Spread the oat mixture into the bottom of the pan until flattened.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes and cut into desired shape (rectangle). A pizza cutter works best. Store in sandwich baggies for a portable snack.