Hilary Sighting!

Stalking your sister on a mission has never been easier! I love the internet!
Here is Hil in a lovely picture from her mission's blog:In case you are Zuster Ekstrom stalker like me and you don't have that address:
http://belgiumbrusselsnetherlandsmission.blogspot.com/
ALSO, there is her current companion's blog:
http://zusterfritz.blogspot.com/
Both have yielded some excellent Hil material!
Soon (March 11, I think) she will have been "out" for a whole year! I can't believe it.
Only six more months, about, to cyber stalk before she'll be home. . . . .

GRUB SPROUT strikes again!

Or is that Cub Scout?? hee hee
SO, today was Isaac The Cub Scout's first Blue and Gold Banquet!!!
I know, how can he be that old?? I still don't know but here he is posing for some pictures in the kitchen since our camera is being borrowed right now.
The event itself was, er, ok. Our scouting program is in its infancy so things like fluidity of program are in the works.
Maybe I was just overwhelmed by my children sneaking off every second to run screaming and chasing each other around the gymn. . . Esther and the baby insisted on being in this one. . . .

Baby Names Blues

We have been having some difficulty settling on a baby name for this upcoming arrival. We have a theme of sorts with #'s 1-3: Old Testament names. Now we need another one. . . .
I have just been avoiding picking out a name before now- mainly because I have been extremely paranoid about this pregnancy and I didn't want too much attachment.
BUT the time has marched on, and there is an impending New Arrival on our doorstep, so it's time to choose!
So, I have been looking at various baby name websites and in the Bible itself and these are the names that I like thus far:
Miriam
Naomi
Noell
Miriam is my favorite right now but ask me next week how I'll feel! hah
Anyhow, feel free to offer suggestions. . . . .

Won't You Be My Valentine?

Despite the blatant commercialism of Valentine's Day, I like the idea of a day celebrating love.
(And since I am the Benevolent Dictator here in New Darbyworld, we will celebrate!)
We want to send love to our grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, parents, sisters, brothers, and friends!
So, MUUUUAH! A kiss for you!

And a hug from us to say WE LOVE YOU!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

My baby: all grown up.

They start out so small and helpless. . . . . One day they grow up and become Cub Scouts and you wonder how time flew by so quickly!
Here is my little boy, a Cub Scout, at his first Pinewood Derby!
Isn't he so cute?
I was a little miffed at his leaders. They had the boys "do" their cars in scouts so Patrick and Isaac didn't work together to make this at all- which I feel is one of the best parts of doing a pinewood derby car. Apparently there are boys in his troup whose fathers are not willing/able to help so. . . . . I try to be accepting.
Isaac's fans cheered for his car- yes, they even did it sideways.
Isaac getting his Bobcat with the traditional upside-down presentation. :)
Isaac's car did really well. . . I think. They didn't keep track of winners but he consistently beat all but one other car. Here he is with his award for the Funkiest Car.