Rachel and I raked some leaves in the back yard last week, and we'll have a lot more to do once all the leaves fall. Oh well - just another thing that comes along with home-ownership... The cool weather this last month has been great, but now the cold weather is starting to move in. Our house has been pretty cold in the mornings and we turned on the heat Saturday morning. The temperature was down in the lower 40s this morning, and it will be even colder tonight.
We had a late night Friday hanging out with 3 couples from church. Saturday was spent getting the house ready for the cold weather. We finished adding some weather-stripping to our windows, caulked the inside of our windows, and installed a programmable thermostat (fun job and a lot easier than I thought). I even bought some outlet/switch insulation - pre-cut pieces that go behind the covers and around electrical outlets and light switches. We've never had (or paid for) gas heat before, and all you hear is how expensive heating costs will be every winter - hopefully what we did will help with our heating costs, but we'll just have to wait and see...
Monday, October 27, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Great cartoon
Not an endorsement for one candidate over the other - just thought it was really good... (click for larger image)
Thursday, October 23, 2008
"Ignite" Marriage Retreat
Last weekend we traveled to Hot Springs for a marriage retreat with couples our age from the church. Back in the spring, they announced the dates of the retreat and had a contest to come up with a name. Our name won, and the weekend was called "Ignite."
It was a great time to get away, spend time with friends and meet many other couples. The speakers were some of the pastors and wives from our church staff - they all were really great. It is so great to have leaders that are "real" people that are open to share everyday experiences and willing to answer any questions and help any way that they can.
Harry Bates, the 20s-30s couples pastor, opens the weekend and introduces Abe Smith, one of our worship leaders
Tye Hefner - pastor to young couples without children
Couples were put in one of five groups and given a large plastic Tupperware container. We had 30 minutes to come up with an interpretive dance using whatever we found in our container.
Here is a part of our performance
They based the competition on the TV show "America's Got Talent"
Another picture of the judges - our group was second place
Saturday night Adam Roth, our church's youth pastor, hosted Family Feud
Most couples were glad to have a weekend away from the kids, but Ryan and Samantha had to bring 3-week-old Rowan along.
Ryan and Samantha
Scott and Tamara
The view from our room - Lake Hamilton
We could not go to Hot Springs without visiting McClards BBQ - some of our friends came with us and were glad they did...
Lily stayed with her grandparents for the weekend, and she had a big treat waiting for her when we got home
It was a great time to get away, spend time with friends and meet many other couples. The speakers were some of the pastors and wives from our church staff - they all were really great. It is so great to have leaders that are "real" people that are open to share everyday experiences and willing to answer any questions and help any way that they can.
Harry Bates, the 20s-30s couples pastor, opens the weekend and introduces Abe Smith, one of our worship leaders
Tye Hefner - pastor to young couples without children
Couples were put in one of five groups and given a large plastic Tupperware container. We had 30 minutes to come up with an interpretive dance using whatever we found in our container.
Here is a part of our performance
They based the competition on the TV show "America's Got Talent"
Another picture of the judges - our group was second place
Saturday night Adam Roth, our church's youth pastor, hosted Family Feud
Most couples were glad to have a weekend away from the kids, but Ryan and Samantha had to bring 3-week-old Rowan along.
Ryan and Samantha
Scott and Tamara
The view from our room - Lake Hamilton
We could not go to Hot Springs without visiting McClards BBQ - some of our friends came with us and were glad they did...
Lily stayed with her grandparents for the weekend, and she had a big treat waiting for her when we got home
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Happy Birthday Lily
Lily is three years old today! She says thank you to Grandma and Grandpa Barnes for the birthday card and Wal-Mart gift card. We'll go buy some treats this afternoon - hopefully they will have squeaking tennis balls!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Fun At The Fair
The Arkansas State Fair opened on Friday and runs through this weekend. A few weeks ago a "welcome new homeowner" letter came that included tickets to the fair! Yesterday we went with Karl, Robyn, Ross and our friends Brian and Maria.
Brian and Maria getting started with lemonade and a turkey leg
Brian trying to shoot his way to a prize
I had to try a deep fried twinkie - it was great
Eating a gyro and smoked turkey leg
Ross found a spot to color on the wall
We saw sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, turkeys and chicken
Ross did not like the smell of animals and cried when this didn't help
The girls made us go on an upside-down ride together
And it didn't look too bad...
But as soon as we started moving I knew we should have done this before eating
Brian and Maria getting started with lemonade and a turkey leg
Brian trying to shoot his way to a prize
I had to try a deep fried twinkie - it was great
Eating a gyro and smoked turkey leg
Ross found a spot to color on the wall
We saw sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, turkeys and chicken
Ross did not like the smell of animals and cried when this didn't help
The girls made us go on an upside-down ride together
And it didn't look too bad...
But as soon as we started moving I knew we should have done this before eating
Friday, October 10, 2008
Rachel's haircut
Rachel had her hair cut yesterday. It always makes me a little nervous wondering whether it will turn out good or just OK. I was surprised at how good it looks and Rachel loves it too!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
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