And Then There Were Three

Onion Ring has officially flown the coop, as of this past fall.  It has been very different to have just three boys at home!

Shortly after he left, Buttermilk Sky saw something funny online and called out, "ONION RING!!!" before remembering that Onion Ring was gone.  At first we laughed and then we all went to our rooms and cried in our pillows.

But there has also been some rejoicing.  Buttermilk Sky now has his own room and he has the jeep all to himself, and Eggs on Toast and Junior haven't been tackled in their bed for a long time.  Strangely, there has been a lot less screaming, and arguing.  I'm pretty sure there is some rejoicing on Onion Ring's side, as well, especially when he hears about all the work his brothers are having to do (...basement remodel...).

For the next two years (well, now actually one year, seven months, and two days, but who's counting?), Onion Ring will reside in either western Ohio, eastern Indiana, or northeastern Kentucky.  He is currently in northeastern Indiana, working hard to serve and teach others about Christ.  So far, he is loving it!

Hello, Unc!

Two years ago, Uncle Blake departed from his home and life as he knew it, and began a new life as a missionary for the LDS church.  Having finished his service in Missouri and returned home, we were eager to see him again.  So we took a little (11-12 hour drive--aagh!) trip to the Far Grandma and Grandpa's house a few weeks ago (sadly, sans Brandon--he was very busy at work).

It turns out that Uncle Blake served well and had an excellent time being a missionary (except for when he face-planted onto the asphalt after a brief flight off of his bike and then had to have a new tooth implanted into his jaw).  It was fun to hear about his experiences and we also got to hear him speak about it at church service.

I think Blake was a little disturbed by the fact that he and Onion Ring are now the same height.

It was fun to take some time off of school and the normal routine and play at the Far Grandma and Grandpa's house.

We got to visit Great Grandma Norma.  She showed us a slide show of her trip to the Arctic where she saw a lot of walruses, birds, and polar bears.  It looked like an awesome trip!

This is Uncle Mountain Man Tyler and Jessica.  Tyler (along with his cross country teammates) is preparing to enter a mustache contest.  When contest time comes, he will shave off everything but the mustache.  I can't wait to see.

Great Grandma Ellen even came!

She got her 90 year-old self onto a plane and cruised on over to stay for a few days.  She doesn't look much older than 75, does she?

Welcome home, Blake!

Goodbye, Unc

This week we said goodbye to this fine young man (I mean the one with the suit--I know there are other fine young men in this photo). We fed him a big, fat burrito...

...and then left him here, all alone.

Poor boy.

Actually he wasn't all alone. There are lots of people at the Missionary Training Center. And, actually, he isn't poor, either; except maybe in evil.

But he is lucky! Lucky to be a missionary for the LDS church, because, in my opinion, that's a good thing to be.

Aww, my baby brother! I remember so clearly holding his tiny newborn body. Now look at him. We will miss him (the boys are very sad they won't see him for two years) but we know he'll have an amazing time halfway across the world in Missouri and Kansas.

Our best wishes of great success to Unc!