The Auldridges

Yeah, it’s been a while. But hey–I didn’t go 17 days with no post like some people I know.

As you read last, I had strep and I had it bad. I can’t remeber being in so much pain before. After my throat stopped hurting, I realized it had also infected my sinues which caused some nice headaches until everything drained out. I didn’t wake up and feel like a person again until Wednesday the 16th–8 days after noticing symptoms. Between being knocked out like that, and then trying to play catch up, I haven’t had much time to worry about the ‘ol blog. But I’ll work on filling you in. I suppose a lot has happened, so I’ll try to organize it well.

Shari’s family in town
During the extended weekend that I was sick, the 10th through the 14th, all of Shari’s immediate family was in town. This includes her sister Jennifer and husband Ron with baby Cierra, and her brother Jeph and wife Heidi with baby Grant. Since Shari’s parents live in the area, this means the whole Guinan family was together again, with all 5 grandchildren. It has been quite a while since such a gathering. We had a good time just hanging out, and having great meals together. We also had a Thanksgiving dinner, 1 of 2 for us (one of like 40 for Jeph and Heidi ), since everyone was together and it’s that time of year. Barbara did a great job keeping everyone fed and comfortable and we all enjoyed each others company. Those new babies are really cute, and extraordinarily well behaved. They were so calm and peaceful the whole visit. I hope to have some pictures up soon.

Gabriel’s baptism
The same weekened that the Guinan family was gathered, Gabriel was baptized and took confirmation vows. All of the Guinan family mentioned above were present, along with my parents, my sister Hilary and children Shannon and Ethan, and my brother Ike and wife Angie. Unfortunately, my sister Emily lives too far out of town to have been able to come, or she’d have been there as well. So Gabriel, being 8 and having taken the classes to explain the churches beliefs and the mebership vows, was baptized into the convenant family of Christ and confirmed through public profession of faith in Christ. We were very proud, and know that he will contiue to grow in faith by the grace of God.

Getting things back in shape
So with all the activities going and on me having been very sick, things got pretty behind as far as household work goes. We spent this past weekend working very hard to get back on top, but there is still plenty to be done. Saturday I got the lawn taken care of for winter. I got all the boys stuff in the shed, pulled the old dead foliage out of the landscape beds, pulled the dead plants out of the vegetable garden, raked and mulched leaves, trimmed, and dropped some grass seed in bare spots to work into the soil over the winter. It all looked very nice when done, mostly because it all in such desperate need of being done. Shari spent that day deep in the holday baking that she does as part of Christmas presents–making the house smell of delicous baked goods. As far as the inside of the house goes, we worked on laundry, the kitchen, and keeping up with messes created by 3 boys. There is still much to be done though.

I think that covers much of the goings on. If I think of anything else, I’ll drop a note. And, as mentioned many times past, someday Shari will let me show her how to write in this thing and she can keep it up to date when I can’t. We’ll see.