It's Beginning To Look A Little Bit Like Christmas!

Kris helped pick out our Christmas tree again this year.

He went for a ride on the Polar Express,

where we were entertained by charming elves

and waited on by handsome young men.

Mary Louise and Scott joined us for the ride as well!

He helped decorate the tree!

One Thing I ♥ About Kris

is how he truly cares when he knows I am worried or concerned about something. 
I spent an inordinate amount of time looking for something I need for Seminary tomorrow. Something I moved several weeks ago from where it should have been to a place I thought it should be so it would be more convenient. I will find it eventually, but not in time for tomorrow. I hadn't said anything out loud to Kris until this evening, and he immediately began helping me look. He had many suggestions of where it could be, but so far no success. I have called off the search mission and am working on Plan B. But my heart is full for his quick response to help me and his sincere concern.  I need to try harder to be more like him. What a lesson in Christlike service.

One Fine Day in October

The full moon at 7:15am yesterday!

Today has been one of those perfect fall days in the southwest - a crisp, cool morning and perfect shirt-sleeve weather day.   Kris and I spent the morning running errands, and as always, he was great company.

He enjoyed having the windows down on such a lovely day. Part of the time he had his face in the wind, grinning happily.  I told him he reminded me of Jack and Theo when they get to go in the car except his ears don't flap, and he thought that was pretty funny.

Sadly, this is how the Rio Grande looks right now. We usually have water through October for irrigating, but this year they closed the run-off from Elephant Butte in mid-September because of the draught. It's pretty tough for the farmers and ranchers right now, and the prediction is that it won't be better for at least 2 or 3 more years.

October means a new ristra!

Vintage Kris and Alma (I didn't subject him to another picture today). Kris has a solid friendship with Alma, who cuts his hair, and Ruben, who owns the barbershop. He still complains, "No more haircuts!" when I tell him it's the day of his appointment, but he's always happy to see his friends at the shop. Today he regaled them with stories about his favorite wrestlers, making sure Ruben knew that other sports are a waste of time.

We headed to Cracker Barrel for lunch - Chicken & Dumplings made him smile! He liked all the fun Halloween things in the gift shop, and kept finding cute things he wanted to give to his great-nieces and nephews.

Keven made sure Kris signed his tax return in plenty of time for the October 15th final due date!

Clam chowder for dinner led to a trip down memory lane and how much Mom loved Mo's at Cannon Beach for their clam chowder.  Kris gulped his down in record time.

Bonus picture: last week we were favored with a visit from Ben & Avery. Kris was thrilled to get to hang out with little Miss AJ!

Traveling Man

Our ten-day trip to Cleveland and Salt Lake (flying) was followed by another trip to Salt Lake (driving) a few weeks later.  Kris seemed more than content to be back home enjoying the comforts of his room and routine after we finally made it back from round two. All in all he was a great traveler and didn't even argue with the TSA agents on the 1st trip; he seemed to really enjoy the road trip, and made sure he rode shotgun at every opportunity. 

 

Soren gave Kris his phone to listen to music while he soaked up some sun.

Kris was singing along with Elvis and earned himself a sunburn, but never complained.

With Mitchell before Mitchell's  baptism

Aubree and Kris meeting Tanja & Brad's back door neighbors

More sunshine, waiting for WAFFLES!

Kris: Oh, put that camera away!

Me: (snap, snap, snap) OK

(But he LOVES to look at this blog and see his pictures, so I don't really, I just get sneakier.)

Putting in his two cents worth

Kris waited patiently for me to share Jill that day.

And he never complains when I take pictures of him holding the babies!

Shopping Trip

When Ayrel & Ben were in town Ben was kind enough to help Kris pick out a new pair of much-needed shoes:

Several days later as we were getting ready to go somewhere I asked Kris if he would like to wear his new shoes.

Kris:  Nah. Not my style. Too (mumble-jumble-something-or-another). My shoes are fine.

Me: Well, maybe in a month or two then.

Most Sundays while we are at church Kris empties all the trash cans in the house, Isn't that so sweet??! so I usually leave the kitchen trash for him.  But because we were having company for dinner and it was pretty full (and smelly) I took it out one Sunday morning. When I opened the lid on the outdoor container I found sitting on top of everything Kris's new shoes! I'm sure there was an audible gasp. And then fits of laughter. And then the realization that if I had not taken out the trash that morning I would have never figured out what had happened to his shoes....the empty box was still in his room. 

A "thumbs down" after all - but thank you, Ben!

I am happy to report, though, that last Saturday we went to Wally's World for our (almost) weekly shopping trip - he happily picked out 2 new pairs of pants, a 6-pack of underwear, and some soft fleece-lined moccasins ( for going out to the mailbox). And a wrestling magazine. And a bag of York Peppermint Patties. Oh, and of course, a case of Dr Pepper. It was a good shopping trip for him,  and he has been exceedingly content ever since.  Maybe one day we will find some new shoes that fit his style....

What Goes Up....

Monday morning was a perfect day to head up Little Cottonwood Canyon for a hike. Kris was happy to jump in the front seat of the van to keep Brei company while Keven and I entertained the kids in the back. We met up with Soren and Rachele and their crew, and off we went!

After crossing the bridge Kris joined in and threw rocks into the stream with everyone else. I remember watching him do that with dad when he was little!

We hiked up the mountain about a mile

and stopped to throw some more rocks into the stream.

He enjoyed sitting in the sun while the rest of us relished the coolness of the shade from the aspens and firs. It was a lovely hike, and we shared some good memories of all the time dad and mom spent on trails, and how much they loved the mountains as we hiked back down the mountain.

That afternoon we headed to the airport, and Kris spent the rest of the day and much of the evening walking through airport corridors with nary a complaint. What a trooper!

Baby Pro

 

 Proof that once in a while Kris will let Avery's dad and mom hold her:

 

Just for Fun

Jackson Skyping with Tanja & Brad - pretty hysterical

Oh, look who's holding Avery!

Meeting Miss Avery Joy

Early this morning - way before it was bright - Kris and I left El Paso for Cleveland. How fortunate that we were able to make both flights non-revving without a hitch, and we landed in Cleveland by 2:30pm. Easy breezy!

Kris is more than content to hold Avery, feed Avery, talk to Avery, and nap with Avery. I think she adores her Uncle Kris already!

He was pretty happy to see Tofi & Jackson too!