Darn Chiggers

What itches like crazy, takes weeks to go away, and itches like crazy?

"Son, them's chiggers." -Dad's co-worker to dad. You can ask him about HIS chigger story...

Nothing like chigger bites here in Texas, that's for sure. Last week at Heather and Dane's open house, I was attacked by chiggers. Strangely enough, no one else got chigger bites except me...

Well, what are chiggers exactly?
"Chiggers are tiny, six-legged wingless organisms (larvae) that grow up to become a type of mite. Chiggers are found in tall grass and weeds. Their bite causes severe itching.Chiggers bite humans around the waist, ankles, or in warm skin folds. Bites commonly occur in the summer and fall months."
https://health.google.com/health/ref/Chiggers

I've had chigger bites so many times before in the past, I knew exactly what they were when I saw them. Well, I was itching them like crazy before I realized that I had them. I have memories of getting them at girls camp and applying fun shades of nail polish on them. It's usually best to apply caladryl, but nail polish works too. (Not as well, but more fun!)

Its been about a week and they are mostly gone, but the itch doesn't go away till they are completely gone.

"Welcome home!" - Dad

Gee thanks.

Sittn' in a Tree

Howdy! Long time no see. My job has been keeping me busy for the past two weeks or so since I have been here last. It has been going great; oh the stories I could tell you already about my experiences there... But alas these stories will have to wait till a later date.

Until then, other exciting things have been going on here in Texas. As many of you may know, my sister Heather has found her perfect match, and is engaged to the man of her dreams. They have both flown here from Utah for him to meet the family and to get the wedding plans put into motion.

We are so happy for them! This afternoon, a sister in our ward (who is very much so better at photography than myself,) took Heather and Dane's engagement pictures. I tagged along for some practice and and to help make them smile and act natural. It was quite the task to get them to loosen up, but I think we got some excellent shots. These are a few that I took, but I do not believe any of mine will be used for their announcement.

It was fun for me to practice, however I'm not very good at taking pictures of people. I prefer taking pictures of objects, flowers, or scenery in general, if that makes since.

Anyways, tonight is their open house (which I plan to take pictures at as well, to be posted later) and we are so very excited for them!

Carrot Cake Kinda Day

Well, last night's monopoly game was quite the game.

I don't want to talk about it.

But we took pictures.

Well, mom really wanted pictures.

Picture #2: Spencer questioning the motion.

Picture #3: Spencer and Dad waiting for mom. ("She's the one who wants the picture, where is she?")

Picture #4: Well, didn't get it quite right..

Picture #5: Precious!

Well today, everyone slept in and the kids all stayed home from school because we were all up so late last night. (That would have never happened when I was there age!)

Oh well.

Well I made carrot cake today. Complete with homemade cream cheese frosting. Yum...

It was that kinda day.

Especially after last nights game...

"And in the Morning, I'm Making Waffles!"

Today we celebrated my little brother's 18Th birthday!

Not so little any more I suppose.

After family home evening last night, mom, dad, and I decorated the house for his birthday. Something we do in our house, is we tape up balloons in our entryway. Every year, we put up as many balloons as the birthday person's age.

I'm glad I was in college when my dad's birthday rolled around.

Regardless, I was out of breath by the end of the night.

Today while he was at seminary, I got up early and made waffles for breakfast. Good thing I'm a morning person. It was really fun, I enjoy cooking in the kitchen.

Tonight, I believe we are going to eat his favorite dinner and treat, and then later on play his favorite game; Monopoly.

Oh boy.

We'll see who wins this year.

Summer Work

Today is Monday, the beginning of a new week! And what a better way to start, then to finally get a job!

Day #14 at home: I get a job!

I will now be working at the day care job that I have previously mentioned.

On Thursday and Friday I start training in the morning, and Friday afternoon I actually start working! Its a Monday through Friday job, and I'm really excited to get started.

The day care school I will be working at, started here in Texas and has been well known as "Austin's best child care for 11 years."

"[This day care] began as a mother's dream... [they] opened the doors...with a vision of providing the highest Quality Care and Education for young children. Today, [the school] is the largest, most respected Early Care and Education provider in Central Texas! Our Trademark Curriculum has received national recognition, and we've become known for our highest standards of family service and the degreed, credentialed educators that welcome your child each day. [This school] is a warm, friendly place where your child's individuality is valued and respected in a safe, secure atmosphere of caring teachers and friends."

Well I'm really excited to get started and especially grateful I have been able to find a job. Things are looking good for me here in Texas :)