Autumn Afternoons And Handprints

(Nicholas and Mr. Nielson doing hand-prints in the new concrete)

We caught four more mice today.

When I say "caught," I mean, like, caught and killed.

They are sure adorable, with their little ears flopped over and their bucked

 front teeth are still attached to the cheese in their doom trap. 

It's sad, really, but necessary.

Last night, Mr. Nielson and I lay in bed and heard a distinct "slap."

 and we both knew that it was the mouse catcher.
It was midnight, but doggone it. Mr. Nielson was going to get to the bottom of this

mouse infiltration problem in our basement,

so he put on his Uggs and went downstairs to our chokey.
Upon examination, it was discovered that a pipe was not insulated correctly,
and the mice were coming in like we were inviting them over for dinner.

I know you think this is gross, but I also know YOU have something lingering 

around your house, too, whether it be rats, mice, scorpions, 

cockroaches, flies, ants, or the worst for me are flying ants.

I hate flying ants!

 Or perhaps this?

(The kid's hands. Our to follow. Oh, and Jimmy's)

Mr. Nielson has been digging a large hole in our backyard

to safely put our trampoline in the ground.
(Goodbye stitches!!)

 And he poured concrete for a shed. 

 He's been working really hard, and I like it.

 He looks so manly and handsome, shoveling dirt. 

It's so manly!

Unfortunately, pouring concrete means, Jimmy will probably 

walk on it while it's drying and

Nicholas will throw rocks at it, and Ollie will shoot his bow and

the arrow will "accidentally" get in it.

Fortunately, pouring concrete will also mean leaving our handprints to remember the 

autumn afternoons when Mr. Nielson worked really hard in 2010.

I went to the grocery store today and saw an assortment of pumpkins. 

I went crazy. Ollie, Nicholas, and I picked the plumpest, 

happiest-looking pumpkins we could find. 

 Then I smooshed them in the back of the trunk

and drove home with the car low-riding.

Oh yeah.

Today, I decided it was time to bring out the Halloween decorations, 

and the girls and I have planned Saturday as the day dedicated to 

Halloween decorating. I'm probably more excited than they are!
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Also, to note. I will be speaking at BYU on September 30th. 

 If you are around and want to come, please do. 

 It would be a pleasure to have you.