Busting Boilers

Joshua is really into trains (especially Thomas the Train).  We went on a campout this past weekend with my side of the family.  I will post pictures as soon as Lindsay gets them to me. 

Anyway, we went on a few little hikes and Joshua found himself getting quite tuckered out.  It was funny because as we were hiking, he'd look to me and say things like, "Mommy, my puffer-belly is broken and my smoke stack isn't puffing smoke anymore (as he pats the top of his head).  I need more fuel (food)."  Or, "my engine isn't working quite right.  It's broken."  Then, after I'd give him something to eat, I would ask him if he was working again.  Then, he would move his arms at his side like a train starting up and go, "chugga chugga choo choo!" then he'd run away from me acting like a fast train.  "Look, Mommy!  My puffers are puffing!"  Then, I'd say, "you're a very useful engine, Joshua!"

On the way to the camp ground, we took the Beeline Highway.  At one point, the highway is very steep and winding.  My two year old got very nervous and remembered all of the many times that Jon Mark has dramatically reacted to my driving (Jon Mark will grab the handle at the top of the car, pretend to scream and declare, "we're gonna die!").  Joshua has often pointed out stop signs to me and reminds me often to stop when the light is red, all because Jon Mark annoyingly does those things too.  So, here we are driving on the highway and Joshua declares, "We're gonna die in the car, Mommy.  Daddy says we're gonna die in the car."  I told him we weren't going to die and that I had everything under control.  He wasn't satisfied with that, and whenever we want to add emphasis to a word (for example, N-O- spells no!) we spell it out.  So, he repeated, and in his attempts to add emphasis by spelling, said, "Yes, Daddy says we are gonna, T-R-S DIE!  T-R-S!"  This was followed by MANY different phrases such as, "Watch the road!"  "Don't go off the street."  "Are you out of control?!"  "Make the wheels stay on the car.  Don't let the wheels fall off!"  "Are we gonna die in the car?!"  Two years old, and already he is back seat driving!  ARGG!!!

Mercedes loved camping.  Although she couldn't get down and get all kinds of dirty like her brother, she did love being held all the time.  She slept all night long two of the nights we were there.  One night she woke up cold, but after I snuggled with her in my sleeping bag, she slept peacefully.  And, I must admit, I did enjoy snuggling with her all night long.  She doesn't kick and turn like Joshua does.  He is horrible to sleep with. 
It was a good trip.  I will have to post more about it when I get some pictures.

Jon Mark wasn't able to go with us because he traveled to OH to find us a house to live in.  He found one, and it turns out that we will be next door neighbors to some old friends of ours from our BYU days.  Small world.  I am thankful for this tender mercy of the Lord.  I am nervous as it is about moving away, but it makes it easier knowing that I already have friends there!  WOOHOO!