Ode to an Armrest

After dealing with Will's Saturn being a LEMON for the past 2 years, we have both decided to trade it in and get something more reliable. Nothing against Saturns just the previous owner had not done the preventative maintenance and it is 12 years old now. 11 months after we bought it, it needed a new transmission, since then we have also replaced the alternator, the starter, brake pads and rotors front and back, new tires, etc.. It has been the never-ending money pit. William probably won't like this post, he hates it when I trash talk his car.

So I have spent all week car-shopping (pre-owned) trying to decide what make/model would best suit our family. We need good gas mileage since Will travels so much for work, comfort in the interior for our roadtrips (trunk space etc), low miles on it, and the magic affordable price as well.

I can't believe how many cars I have test-driven that don't have good armrests!! I'm used to being able to have my hand on the steering wheel while resting my arm on the armrest but could not do that in the Honda, Toyota, or Kia models I drove.

Anybody have any favorite cars for us to try?

Announcement

The Herrington Clan would like to make the following announcement… Stephanie is pregnant.

Stay tuned for additional news and or commentary on this subject.


‘S Rioghal Mo Dhream
William E Herrington

Halloween Recital

I still teach piano lessons. These are most of my current students at our first Halloween recital ever. I've always done Christmas recitals in the past but there are always so many things going on with schools and churches that I thought we'd take it easy this Holiday season. They all had a blast learning spooky music to perform, and of course dressing up for the occasion.

Halloween Pics

The only pictures I have of Ben in his costume are at his Preschool Party. I forgot to take any that night before we went trick-or-treating. For the moms out there (who are asked to volunteer at class parties, Primary activities, etc) I thought this game was a great idea for little ones. By using a sticky lint brush the kids try to pick up the balloon and carry it back (relay race) The kids really enjoyed it and it works for all holidays and events.

Making Halloween crafts with his school friends

Snack time is always a favorite! Ben discovered he really likes Rice Krispy Treats.

These are his teachers, Ms. Rebecca was a cat, and Ms. Elise was Raggedy Ann. As each child arrived that morning they all asked Ms. Elise what her costume was! None of them had heard of Raggedy Ann :)

Ben as Jerry the Mouse with his cowboy friend also named Benjamin. They all have to spell their names on their papers so when Ben transferred into the class they decided he would go by Ben and the other boy would be Benjamin. So my son only has to spell 3 letters so far, but they are starting to learn how to write and recognize their last names after Christmas break. Good luck with Herrington little guy.

Pics of the New House

This is our new split-level house. There is a spacious laundry/furnace room in the sub-basement. The garage and office are on the bottom level. The living room with the bay window on the front of the house is on it's own level with vaulted ceilings. The kitchen/dining room, 3 bedrooms, and the only bathroom (with double sinks) is on the top level. The bedrooms are small, but the garage and yard make up for it! We were paying for a storage unit before we moved since I kept all of the baby clothes/gear. Yea storage space!

We got the largest truck that U-Haul has and filled it to capacity thanks to our friends in the Red Bridge Ward and their awesome truck loading skills. Every inch was utilized in the truck and we filled both cars as well, so the new time we move I think we're going to need a semi or something :)

The yard is not fenced in, but that makes it look even bigger. There is a five-year-old boy who lives next door and the boys love playing outside together. Unfortunately we have to mow all of it so we will be investing in a lawnmower in the spring. I love looking out the kitchen window while I wash dishes, the first home we've been in with a window by the sink.

And it's great living on a quiet street with sidewalks for the little guy to ride his bike on!

Bathtime Fun

Ben loves spikey hair! I bought him gel and got his hair cut pretty short, but it is so thick and heavy as soon as it dries it falls back to normal. SO now spikey hairdos are great for after baths. Will discovered Ben's hair will do this look if you brush it straight back.

We are So Behind in Posting Pictures!

Ben's first day of preschool in Kansas before we moved