MP3

For my birthday, James and the kids bought me an MP3 player. I was very excited. The problem is, I am not at all tech-minded so I don't know how to use the thing. James has walked me through it twice. I will admit that he is not always the most patient teacher when it comes to this kind of thing. He views a lot of things as 'intuitive' when they really aren't, at least not to someone like me. I, on the other hand, want to yell 'duh' at him a lot when he's taking care of the kids. To me, it seems intuitive that you would only feed the baby a few items at a time. Otherwise he will either stuff them all in his mouth and choke, or throw most of them on the floor. This isn't intuitive to James though. I'm not sure if some things are obvious to some people naturally, or if it's more a matter of experience. But I digress . . .
I decided that I really do want to use this MP3 player, so I'd better start actually learning how. Today I started by RIP-ing a bunch of CD's. (ripping? RIPping? There is no good way to spell that.) I taught myself how to create folders and how to put the right music in the right folders, and also how to re-name said folders when the computer just randomly gives them dumb names that don't mean anything. Yay me! Tomorrow I plan to spend way too much time finishing the RIP process. Then I'll make James teach me yet again how to upload it all into the device. (I said upload and device just to make myself sound like I know what I'm talking about.) Maybe by my next birthday I'll really know what I'm doing.

Taylie's Baptism

Taylie turned 8 on October 22. She was baptized on Halloween. I wanted to dress her as the Bride of Frankenstien (all white!) but James said it wouldn't be appropriate. Drat.
Monica came down from Idaho with Bridget and Brooklyn. (Eric was in Houston for some business trip.)

Melanie and her children came. They actually stayed for trick-or-treating. David, Amy, and Michael also came, as did Grandma and Grandpa Kitchen.

Aunt Liz came to the baptism and brought Grammy.

Taylie designed the dress herself, and a good friend of mine (with way more talent than I've got) did the sewing. She had Taylie's measurements and the picture Taylie drew. Turned out beautiful, didn't it? I think Taylie might have a future in fashion design. The baptism was a great experience, and something that Taylie will remember for the rest of her life. We are so proud of her!

James and the kids made this slide show as part of my birthday gift. The kids chose which pictures of themselves would be included.