Mexico

I blogged...if anyone is interested. We had the most amazing time in Mexico...I want to go back right now!

We have been "reading" the scriptures each evening before bed with Austin, Layla, Ryan, Nick, Grandpa, Grandma, and Laura (and Noah, a sometimes noisy but always incoherent participant), while Jason and Jessica have been soaking up the sun in Mexico this last week. It's been very interesting. Like Mike, I ask questions about the scriptures (we each read just one) that we read, and I'm amazed at the things even Austin doesn't understand as we read. We just thougt y'all could understand them if you could say them when we read scriptures years ago. To see if the kids were paying attention after Austin's scripture, 1st Nephi, 3:3, I asked, "So, how many fathers did Nephi have?" and Austin and Layla responded together, "Four!" So they were paying attention. Layla, Ryan, and Nicholas "read" by repeating the words after us (something we learned from Mike and Adrianne and their boys); Layla can handle phrases, Ryan two or three words, and Nicholas one word if he can pronounce it. If he can't pronounce it or doesn't want to, he says "wally" but like "oo-waah-lee" and the adults try not to laugh outloud, because he says it frequently sometimes. Scripture time is very interesting, all things considered.

I ran across an interesting website I thought I should share. It looks like a good free savings vehicle for kids (if the adults are saving money for them) and adults with a savings goal, currently paying 3.25% and if, when you reach your goal, you convert it to a participating company's gift card (best buy, Home Depot, etc), you can get up to an extra 6% on the total amount. It's www.smartypig.com . Check it out!

Love, Dad

Mom says, PS. Andy has a new post on his blog.

Scripture reading and an early morning conversation

A conversation during scripture reading.
Mike: Isaac, what did you hear in that verse?
Isaac: Arson
Mike: Yep, you heard, 'our sins.' What does sin mean?
Isaac: Idun know.
Mike: Sinning is when you do something naughty.
Isaac: Nike spitting
Mike: That's right.
Will: And, and, and, and, and like hitting.
Mike: That's right.
Will: Hey! Hit and spit rhyme!
Adrianne: They sure do.
Will repeats the next verse as Mike reads it.
Mike: Will, what did you hear in that verse?
Will: Isle of the king.
Mike: That's right. You heard, 'Isle of the sea."

Isaac tells Adrianne about the Book of Mormon early one morning

Neepfi tried to keel his brudder da Lamans. Idun know why ee did it, but ee tried to keel dem.

Family Reunion Book

Our family reunion book came in the mail today. What an incredible book! Nice job Adrianne! Sarah doesn't want to put the book down. She looked at every page with Laura, then brought it to me(Ralph), and we looked at every page, and when we were done she took it to Rebecca and wanted to look at it again. All I can really say though is what an incredible vacation! When is the next reunion scheduled? I know it isn't any time real soon, but I think I can still be anxious. Thanks again Adrianne for putting the book together. And thanks mom and dad for providing the books. I hope everyone is well!

Ralph

Water

We've been trying to work on our food storage, now that we have space to keep it in. It's kind of fun to watch your stock pile of food and toiletries grow. Now we need to work on water. In the past we have bought packs of bottled water. I don't know if this is the best way to go about it. I wondered how do the rest of you store water? What is the best way? In one apartment we lived in we would fill up all our empty milk jugs and add a bit of bleach to them. Was that good or bad? I've heard of people who use 3 liter bottles, but then we'd have to buy soda, and we don't. What do you suggest? What do you do??
Thanks for your help!!