Just don't think about it.

I found this bug in my kitchen sink the other day. Ugh! I wanted to scream and run away but I also wanted to get a picture of it. I put an end to it's life after I took the pictures, and washed it down the sink. I try not to think about how many more of these things could be lerking in my house as I walk through the basement or walk around in the dark. Yuck.
Here's a closer look...

Looks really bad

Here are some updated pictures of Harmonie's head and face. The bump went down, mostly, and the blood drained down to her eyes so it looks like she has two black eyes. She looks pretty beat up. She keeps hitting her head and getting bonks and scrapes. I guess that's all part of being a kid.

The first picture was taken on the 14th and the second picture was taken on the 16th. Fortunately, it will all heal and she will be back to normal soon.

New Nature Preserve - well it was our first time!

After our lunner today, we went to a different nature preserve for a Sunday walk through the woods. It was a bit longer of a drive but not bad at all. We were excited to see lots of different animals: snapping turtles, birds, frogs, and muskrats. I loved listening to the wind blow the grass and the birds singing. The little green leaves made a fresh scene through the woods. It was a very nice day for a walk, and we all wishes we had brought some water so we'll remember that for next time.

We saw our first snapping turtle in the ditch as we got closer to the preserve. It was very exciting so we all piled out of the car to get a closer look - and no one fell into the ditch!

I should have looked at the map a little closer before we headed out.

Open field at the beginning of the trail.

Sweet Domonique waiting for the guys to use the potty.

Snapping turtle on the side of the trail.

Kevin told us to listen to it hiss when he touched the back of the shell.

Instead, it jumped and shot it's head back towards him.

We all jumped and decided to leave it alone.

What an amazing creature.

Little bit of flooding in a field.

Fab Five!

Younger three with their driver.

Can you see the two frogs?

They were all looking.

Here's my stick.

Me see.

Yikes!

Much more open feeling.

Not even sure we were on the trail.

Make sure you look up!

Beautiful green.

I heard that... and it had to hurt!

I was answering the phone when I heard the loud noise.

I knew someone had just run into a door.

Then I heard the crying.

Poor Harmonie had run straight into a solid wood door.

Instant bruise and swelling.

Put some ice on it... next time I'll use more ice.

Did you notice the yellowish old bruise next the the blue/purple one? She is really good at hitting her head a lot. Fortunately, she recovers quickly and none of them have been serious. She will heal.

Marissa is one year older!

Marissa's birthday fell on the second Thursday of the moth, which meant I had a Relief Society meeting conflict. When I mentioned it to her (2 weeks before) her response was, "Can I go?" So that pushed her birthday party to Friday night. We still had pancakes and ice cream the morning of her real birthday and we sang to her throughout the day. She opened Grammy and Gaffa's card, too.

Since the RS meeting included dinner, Marissa and I did not eat with the family (but I still prepared dinner for the others). We headed off and enjoyed some time together. (I took my camera to get a picture but ended up not getting it taken.)

Friday evening, Marissa helped make her birthday dinner - chicken and wild rice soup. Grandma and Grandpa Nichols showed up a little before Kevin. We got cameras and candles ready after oooing and ahhhhing over the cake. We sang as Kevin brought out the cake (which was a bit tricky for him because the cake was heavy on one end of the board) and then she enjoyed blowing out the candles one at a time for the first few and then she blew the farther ones out all at once. It was funny.

The presents were under the end of the table so I gave them a number and asked her which number she wanted. It was a different way to do it and it worked out fine. She enjoyed all the gifts and attention. She received: a watch, two movies (Frozen, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), two books (Anne of Green Gables, Grimm Brother's Tales), a scrapbook kit, Calvin and Hobbes book, and shoes from Gpa and Gma Nichols. Her sisters made her some things out of yarn: a scarf, book mark, and corking snake thing. I think it was a successful party.

We all enjoyed watching the movie Frozen after the Nichols left. It is definitely a Disney movie with all the singing - not as action packed as Pixar movies. It was a good movie and it was fun to watch the kids get into it. Then it was time for family prayer and off to bed with talk of this part and that part of the movie. And so good night everybody!