Mr. Gerald Toad's Many Rides

Have you met Mr. Gerald Toad?

Mr. Nielson found this little sweetheart lizard

 at the ranch a few weeks ago and brought him home.

He has been such a joy in our home!

Nicholas has enjoyed this lazy lizard the most.

I'm considering making a calendar of the amazing places Nicholas puts Gerald. 

For instance, today, he took Gerald for a ride in his toy Ram monster truck,

and he became Gerald the Red Neck:

Or, I've seen Gerald relaxing as the skipper on the yacht:

Or Gerald in the Spidey Heli:

 

 * * * *

And, recently, Claire had a darling birthday party,

I can't wait to share more about it!

Building a Fire

During the BYU football game last Saturday I felt cold.

The weather outside was typical wonderful October weather: rainy and cold! 

So I asked Mr. Nielson if he'd use the delicious smelling 

cedar and pinion wood that he had just cut himself at the ranch

to build me a fire to warm me up.

Of course, he jumped at the opportunity because he loves to make me happy, 

and also because it's fun to build a fire.

 I sat on the couch and took pictures of him doing it.

Then Charlotte woke up from her afternoon nap, and

soon enough the boys wandered in.

They plopped in front of the fireplace and Nicholas played with his dragons, 

and Oliver played Legos.

Shortly after that, the girls (plus cousin Lydia)

 came in to play with their paperdolls.

This is exactly why fireplaces are so magical.

It brings people together.

Now you know why I LOVE cold weather!

(And October).

 

Here is me watching the game and staring at the cold fireplace