After returning their burnt orange Dodge Challenger (Stephen’s dream car) to the rental car return, we drove home and stayed up late into the night talking. David and Tammy had brought Silas a new friend, the Leapfrog learning dog Scout. Silas loves him! We eventually connected Scout to the computer so he could “learn” Silas’s name, favorite food, color, and animal. Silas was so surprised and happy when Scout said his name for the first time! (It melts my heart every time I hear Scout say, “Silas.”) Uncle David and Aunt Tammy also introduced Silas to bubbles for the first time. Bitty Boy didn’t quite know what to make of the sudsy stuff, but stared wide-eyed as the bubbles floated past him. And, while Silas wasn’t at all interested in a piggy back ride, he was giddy about Uncle David’s crab rides. Our short time together was spent touring the AZ Historical Society Museum, Goldfield Ghost town, walking in the park, eating out, playing Settlers of Catan & Telestrations (a hilarious new game David and Tammy introduced us to), and discussing church planting and Christianity. The brothers even sang a duet together in church. Thanks so much for coming to see us, David and Tammy!

The video and nearly all of the pictures were shot by Uncle Tim, and the music was written and performed by him too.

We love you, Grandma Moody!

Click here to view the embedded video.

So, when I saw an adorable do-it-yourself wall ruler, I knew it was perfect! This way, if we ever move, we can take all our markings with us. I followed this tutorial (and this one was helpful too). Off to Lowe’s we went!

I have never stained wood before in my life, but it was super easy. We chose the Golden Oak color of Cabot stain. After one coat, I decided it looked great (plus, I didn’t feel like doing a second coat). Since I wanted the ruler to hang on the wall, I began the measurements at 6 inches and continued up to 6 1/2 feet. The Sharpie paint marker was just like using a regular marker. The numbers are what completes the look though. I love the way they turned out!
I colored the backs of my numbers with pencil and then traced them onto the board, leaving a graphite outline of the number behind.

(can you see the extremely faint outline of the number 6 above?) After three quick coats of Polycrylic, the ruler was done.

Stephen found these great interlocking hooks that guarantee Bitty Boy won’t be able to pull the ruler off the wall. I also used a 3m Command strip at the bottom of the ruler so it wouldn’t budge when pulled on by little hands. We hung the ruler in our entryway just off the kitchen.

Silas Clark is officially 2 ft. 7 in. We marked all of our heights using this artist pen from JoAnn’s. The plan is to mark each family member’s height when they come for a visit. That way Silas can compare his height to his aunts and uncles and grandparents. (I have a sneaky suspicion he’ll be passing up Aunt Charis first!) What a fun way to bring our family a little bit closer. Can’t wait to see how Bitty Boy grows.

• unexpected phone call from my sister friend—in the middle of the day


• mailbox full of cards from family—and not one piece of junk mail


• friends coming over for dinner and games


• playing “chug-a-chug-a-chug-a-chug-a CHOO! CHOO!” with Bitty Boy


• surprise dinner date with My Man—tonight!


• email from my friend half a world away—in Papua New Guinea


• chic, comfy flip-flops from the cutie I babysit


• My Man’s boss bragging on Stephen over dinner


• Baby running excitedly to give Mommy a hug

Our Saturday morning began at a very early 6:30am (thanks to our effective alarm clock—Silas Clark). A breakfast of Strawberry Stuffed French Bread and Orange Julius was a fun way to start the day. We piled in the car for a drive around the White Tank mountains on the very secluded Sun Valley Parkway. Wickenburg was our destination as Amy hadn’t visited the quaint, authentic western town yet. By happy coincidence we were visiting Wickenburg during its famous Gold Rush Days celebration! A parade, panning for gold competition, rodeo, carnival rides, arts & crafts vendors, and BBQ lunch made the town swarm with people wearing all sorts of western garb. In case you’re wondering, the BBQ lunch was dee-licious! We topped of the afternoon with homemade ice cream from the Chaparral ice cream parlor.

Our three day weekend was filled with shopping at Arizona Mills, driving to Dobbins Lookout at the summit of South Mountain, exploring downtown Phoenix and the state capitol grounds, playing fast-paced Rummikub (great idea, Amy!), watching movies, making and eating sweets, and getting in some super fun aunt/nephew time!

Grandma was pretty amazing herself—raising four sons, volunteering for various community organizations and serving as president of the Pittsburgh Women’s Club for one term and vice president for two. She and Grandpa loved to travel, and they visited over 100 foreign countries. That love of travel was passed down to their children and grandchildren. I’m sure that’s where I get my wanderlust. I don’t think I’m capable of picking just one place to live for the rest of my entire life.

Apparently they were both musical. Though the above picture was staged, Grandpa played the piano and Grandma, the violin. One of my uncles plays the banjo, and if you know my dad at all, you’re well aware that he plays about thirty instruments. My sisters and I grew up in a home full of music and instruments, and we’re continuing the tradition.

Here’s the Manka clan back in the day. See that handsome dude on the far right? That’s my daddy. Yep, sideburns and all!

Although Grandpa and Grandma are gone, their love for learning, travel, music, nature and science—just to name a few—is mine to keep.

One afternoon we took off for South Mountain Park and Preserve for a little hiking. Since we weren’t feeling very ambitious, and the Buick’s low fuel light had just come on, we picked a short hike near the park entrance. Although it didn’t seem like we had climbed much in elevation, after just a bit of hiking, we had a nice view of the valley and downtown Phoenix.

Silas and Jon took advantage of a lot of nephew/uncle time together. Jon gave him piano and drum lessons. We even had a cookout (in January!) Jon’s last night here.

On Friday, the guys toured the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson. Nothing like a bunch of planes, jets, and rockets to entertain them. Dad—via Jon’s suggestion—found a Vietnamese restaurant to try for supper. The previous night Jon had introduced all of us to Boba tea (creamy tea with tapioca pearls mixed in), so Dad was up for a supper of Vietnamese food. My favorite part was the spring roll appetizer with peanut sauce. Fish sauce was a new sensation for our American palettes. I think we all agreed that Vietnamese food was a success.

Afterwards we explored the adjacent Lee Lee Oriental Suparmarket which was filled with strange and wonderful (and some unappetizing) cuisine choices. In the meat section we found chicken legs, pig snouts, blood, hearts, pig ears, eels, squid, and octopus! As we shopped Dad commented, “One thing about it, you get to know your animals.” To which Stephen replied, “It’s like a dead zoo, Dad.” Thankfully we came home with relatively normal purchases like a pineapple orange, pomelo, sesame snacks, mango, etc. and left the balut, anchovies, and tongue in Tucson.

Our week was filled with enjoying Christmas presents. Tammy gave Stephen the popular game Settlers of Catan, and Tim, Ben, Stephen & I became immediately addicted. We even rang in the New Year playing Settlers. My family gave me Rummikub and Buzzword which made for a game-filled week. I instantly used my beautiful platter from Jon for our Christmas brunch. Best of all, Mom and Dad bought us some porch furniture which means we can enjoy being outside finally. Can’t wait to use it!

The days were warm and clear and perfect for visits to the park. At Arizona Mills mall Silas rode the carousel with Grammy and Daddy and visited the pet shop.We had plenty of help around the house. The dishes “magically” disappeared after each meal. Stephen even had help installing his radiator hose.

Holidays are still holidays without family, but oh, how glad we are they came!

Surprisingly, I’ve seen more Alaskan license plates here in Phoenix than I’ve ever seen before. (And when you travel all over the US every summer playing the license plate game, you get to be pretty good at spotting rare license plates.) I’m not surprised that Alaskans would come to Phoenix to escape their winter, but I am surprised that they would drive their vehicles all that way.

Charis is having her Alaskan Adventure, and we get to hear crazy “only in Alaska” news—like a bear cub walking on the produce at the grocery store! She’s taking advantage of her time in the Arctic by enjoying kayaking, salmon fishing, hiking, and such.

While on her way home for Christmas break (she teaches some adorable kindergarten and first grade students), Charis had a layover in Phoenix—of all places! She came for just under a day, and we had a merry little Christmas together. Silas is now the proud owner of a stuffed moose, who was quickly dubbed “Morris” by Stephen. Silas is really into stuffed animals these days and loves giving them squeezes.

We had a happy visit and can’t wait to hear more “News from the North” after she heads back to The Last Frontier.