Fun Stuff

Most of the time when Mama/Papa Shinsel come out to visit us, wherever we have lived, they are always helping us...helping us move, helping us pack, helping us with a newborn. This time wasn't different, but we did manage to do some fun stuff.

While Dave was working on a beautiful outdoor table for the neighbors, I'll post pics when I get them, M&P took Link to Buffalo Beals, an animal park really close to Hickory. We saw all kinds of animals including a camel, and we even close enough to feed and pet some...have you ever pet a giraffe before? Lincoln loved the donkey, because he loves to say, "Hee Haw." The place had a great play area, so while Lincoln was climbing up slides, I decided to feed the llamas. I guess I was taking too long, because one spit at me. Gross! Have you ever smelled llama spit, if not it is disgusting.

After a long day of moving, the whole family and the Edwards went out to Sims BBQ. It is a family run restaurant in an old barn. They have live folk bands playing for the cloggers. Of course, I brought my red clogging shoes, and of course Lincoln, Rachel and I danced!

I convinced Mom and another friend to have a garage sale on Saturday. I didn't want to just give away some things I don't need anymore, when I could sell them (remember, husband just finished school and is still job-less). The weather was against us, it started raining at 8 am. We decided to pack it up at 9, when we did, a couple with 4 kids and no jobs came by and offered us 20 dollars for what we could give them to resell later. Mom loaded up their whole van and gave them back their 20 bucks. I saw them driving down the road and the wife was crying. I didn't know why until Mom told me what happened. So, it was all worth having the garage sale after all! Plus, Lincoln enjoyed the price tags.

On their last night with us, Dave smoked some ribs. I'm not a huge meat lover, but DANG, his ribs are good! After stuffing ourselves, we headed off to Glen Hilton Park, right by the house. We fed the ducks and nasty geese and watched Lincoln do all his park tricks. He barely needs help going down slides now.





It wasn't hard to say bye to M&P on Sunday, because we will be seeing them in just a week. The plan is to live out in Oregon until Dave finds a permanent job. That way we can pay our bills and also spend time with the family out West!

Changes...

There have been many changes at our house lately. We still don't know where we are going to be from week to week, but that's ok. I have decided to enjoy each moment, because Lincoln is so dang fun.

He has changed so much within these past two weeks. He is learning his numbers and colors already. At Wal-mart yesterday, he was screaming/counting the lights in the rafters, and he is getting really good at color games on pbs.org. It's no wonder why Dave was awarded the best dancer Senior superlative at La Grande High, because Link has recently picked up on his awesome dance moves. He moves both arms, bobs his head, and bounces up and down. The best part is when he pooches his lips out at the same time.

We have been having so much fun with Gma and Papa Shinsel in town. I have a ton of pictures to post, but will wait until we move out of the townhouse tomorrow and the garage sale is over on Saturday.

Lots to do...

Master Dave

Dave walked across the stage at UNCC to accept his Masters diploma in Industrial Organizational Psychology! He has worked so hard these past 2 years, and I know it has been tough trying to support a family at the same time. Master Dave sacrificed lots of sleep, staying up late to do school work, in order to spend time with Lincoln and me. I would have been the nastiest, grouchiest, meanist momma/wife if the roles were reversed, so thanks Dave!

New Crush

Besides Dora the explorer and Abby from Sesame Street, Lincoln has picked up a new crush. My good friend Deanne is visiting from Utah. When we saw her at church, Lincoln very willingly gave her a kiss, a real one too...right on the lips. The next day, Deanne came over for dinner, and Lincoln kept showing off for her. My favorite was when he dug through my bag (in a different room), found his sunglasses, and came strolling in the kitchen with them on his face. He knows he is such a dude with glasses on!

I don't get to see Deanne a lot, and it was so nice to spend some time with her. We grew up together (I have some great blackmail pictures of her in elementary school), and she was such a role model to me through high school. After her mission, we were roommates out in Provo, and we had tons of fun living together. She and her mom drove all the way up to D.C. when Dave and I got married. I just love this girl, no wonder Lincoln has a crush on her!

Love my mommas

I am so thankful today for all the mommas in my life. I have a fantastic mother, a fun mother-in-law, and a lively grandmother. They listen to all my complaints and give helpful advice. All three are great examples of strong, faithful, and loving women. I hope my kids love me as much as their kids love them!

One week away...

We are officially one 10 page paper and one week away from Dave being handed a diploma! I don't even know how to describe how excited I am about that. I think Dave's a little excited too! What's hilarious is that he recently said he wants to go to law school at some point....isn't that hilarious, so hilarious I think I am crying right now.

Dave got offered a contracted position at Fort Jackson, which is in Columbia, SC. He will be training new Army recruiters. The good news about this job is that he will start right after he graduates, but the bad news is that it only lasts until September. Actually, it is ok news because it will give us time to look for a great job.



Besides graduation, we have something else we are looking forward to...





We haven't seen these cuties since January. I know there is a little boy who will be excited to give his Grandma and Grandpa some squeezes!

Yeehaw

So yesterday my little cowboy and I went on a hayride with our playgroup...no joke! Lori (Nate's mommy) and her husband live out in the county and have a ton of property. They hosted a hayride/pancake breakfast, and we had an amazing time! Lincoln discovered he loved the chocolate chip pancakes: I think he ate more than all the kids combined.

He also loved the huge red tractor that pulled us around the property. Please check out his cowboy boots. Thanks again Aunt Kim!


All the kids and some of the moms were dressed up. Here is Payton posing on the tractor.


We would be at a playdate right now, but Lincoln is snoozing. He woke up early this morning and decided to go back to sleep at 7:30am. Right now he has been sleeping over 4 hours!

Painting Party

Lincoln and I have been so lucky to have good friends in both Hickory and Charlotte. Yesterday, we went to Christine's (aka Kaylee's mom) house. Even though Christine's husband is a clean freak, she planned a painting party. There was paper and pots to paint, but mostly the kids just painted themselves. A bright blue color spilled at one point, so Lincoln put a little on his belly, legs, toes, hair, and even his face. He got a bath right when we got home, but he still has some blue left in his hair. Thank goodness for non-toxic kids paint!