Monday, December 27, 2010

Christmas Day

The first picture of Kim and I in YEARS....
and I took it myself.
All the Grandkids out of order. All the Grandkids in order...by ageAll the kids out of control!
It was hard to get them without someone blinking or looking the other way, or making a wierd face.

Pickles!

Santa brought me Pickles!
Santa also brought a huge barrel of pretzels, kind of like the ones you get at Costco.
Sammy saw the pretzels and was staring at them through the container.
He started to slowly lick the outside of the container as if he would actually taste them through the plastic.
He cracks me up.

Nativity

This is my favorite Christmas decoration.
Jared made this in Sunday School
when he was only 5.
For Jared to sit long enough and glue something was a huge deal. I think that is why I love it so much. And it goes along with his personality. You know, Mary glued to a 2x4... I will never forget him carrying them out the door in paper lunch sacks and handing them to me saying "here, these are for you". And off he ran. So Jared.

Christmas Cat

Toby is a pretty cat...and huge. He looks a little dorky wearing a red ribbon.
Not too masculine.
But it made Daphne happy.
Atleast she didn't make him wear baby clothes like she did when they were little.

Our Children

Everyone is dressed and ready for Christmas Eve service. I think that is what I love most about this time of year. The church services always sound prettier at night. Victoria and Kaleb were very involved in the Children's service with singing and being a reader. It was a noisy service and very packed. It was beautiful to see all of the parents bringing their little ones to partake with the service and just feel the Joy of Christmas ringing out. There were these two little toddler girls dancing in the aisle. It was sweet. And all the little kids dressed in their Christmas best. I have never seen so many beautiful dresses in one place. I think Victoria is determined to get our money's worth out of hers. On Christmas eve she had already worn it 4 times. It should fit her next year too.

I was very pleased to catch the two seconds of sweet faces before any shoving began.

Henry

Awhhh...he actually looks cute.
Bad dog isn't supposed to be on the couch. Sneaky.
He is probably think that if he hides among the christmas pillows we won't see him.

Elf Interviews

During the last week of school before Christmas I am always looking for something fun to do. So we did a creative writing project where they applied for Elf jobs in Santas Workshop. They had to write up a letter for an application, get a reference letter from someone and go through an interview. They actually took it seriously and really thought out which job they wanted to apply for and why. It was hilarious.

Jared's name was Bob Fish and he applied for Warehouse Supervisor and claimed that no child would see into Santas Workshop while he is on command. He could see all camera monitors at the same time. Past job experience was guarding nukes in Russia and working in Area 51, which he can't talk about.

Kaleb's name was Big Jim Hefty and he applied for Santas Personal Trainer. He claimed that since he could train athletes for the Olympics that he could get Santa slimmed down from a night of high cookie consumption.

Daphne's name was Lea Frost and she applied for Barn Assistant. Her experience of withstanding extreme temperatures and knowledge of reindeer would make her perfect for provinding healthy and dependable transportation for Santa on the big night.

Fall Has Arrived

This is proof that Fall has finally arrived...the week of Christmas.
Hopefully Winter will find its way and give us atleast two days before Spring sprouts.

Learning to Ride a Two-Wheeler

Last Spring Victoria was so close to riding a two-wheeler but then it got hot and who wants to run along side a bike in 110 degree heat. She has been speeding up and down the street on her bike with training wheels with them barely touching the ground so we took them off and headed to the park. And you can't learn to ride a bike without Daddy running along side holding onto your seat waiting for the right time to let go. She was getting a little tired here and was starting to crash a little too much. I think it may be time to quit. When Kaleb was learning, we came to the same park to practice where there was plenty of room to maneuver without hitting cars or trash barrels. He and I worked on it for quite a while and of course the only pole around he must have run into it atleast twice. The one day that Kirk took him to the park to practice, I was at work. I got a call at work from Kaleb to tell me that he did it. I wasn't there to see it! So the very next day we all went so he could show me what I missed and he rode his bike AND ran into the only pole around! Jared stole Kaleb's bike (which is actually Jared's old bike) and took off. The dogs would love nothing better than to break loose and run, run, run. The problem with that thought is that they probably wouldn't stop and have to go meet every person or dog they see.

Christmas Cookies!

Daphne started making cookies while I was at work the other day which sparked a few others. You can't have Christmas without homemade cookies.
There was a time that I was all alone out in the kitchen baking away but now I have two daughters who are eager to help.
They do an excellent job.
More importantly, I have greatfully handed over the task and allowed for their own creativity in the kitchen.

Monday, December 20, 2010

The Nursery

The Birthing Center where I work is closing permanently next month. I am not happy about it. Not only was it the perfect job to juggle with Homeschooling the kids but it was my perfect job to get away and take care of premies. So now I have to start all over and find a new job. One that is further away and is going to take more mental time. Blah, Blah, Blah!
Isn't this the sweetest little baby you ever saw?
I was once an adrenalin junkie taking the more difficult patients with the most machinery used to keep the child alive.
But now I just want to feed premies and newborns. And take care of the baby in C-sections and deliveries.
But now I and 99 other nurses have to leave and find jobs in an economy where there are shortages of jobs! UUGGGHHHH!
Well, God has a plan...right?

Dr. Jarman

We have been seeing Dr. Jarman and his "girls" since I was pregnant with Victoria! He worked a miracle with Daphne's teeth and created and enhanced a beautiful smile. He knows he has job security when he looks at all of our kids. He even checks on the other kids to see how they are doing knowing that he is going to see us for a very long time. I always tease him that how come he doesn't drive his hummer to work or "how is that summer house coming along?". He insists that he isn't rich off of our money and that he doesn't have a summer home. Braces are so expensive and I am thankful for tax returns. And Jared's braces will be coming off very soon. Very exciting.
Dr. Jarman teases all the kids. He always asks Jared how his girlfriend is which gets Jared all frazzled because he doesn't have one. He teases Daphne extra. He usually flips her long hair back up over the chair and over her face when he finishes with her teeth. So she usually looks like Cousin It. It is pretty funny as she is digging herself out of her hair. They even share a birthday, Oct. 25th.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Winter Wonderland Festival

It is that time again for Arizona's rendition of snow. Our friends had their winter festival at their church. Victoria and Hannah had fun sliding down a snow hill, jumping in a jumpy thing, pony rides and a petting zoo. Kaleb and his friend Zach hung out on the snow hill almost the entire time.

Hannah just walked up to this chicken and picked it up holding it out for Victoria to hold. She wasn't too sure if she wanted to hold it. These were the skinniest chickens I have ever felt. You could totally feel their breast bone through their feathers. They are skinny probably from getting a ton of exercise from little kids running after them trying to pick them up. The ducks kept huddling in this corner next to a pole thinking that they were hiding from all these little kids. The bunnies stayed in between the goats feet. They were all so tolerant. This is probably the only glimpse we had of Kaleb. He was off with his friend Zach all evening. These two are just down right crazy girls. Kelly and I found time to sit a moment when the girls were in line to get a balloon animal. We were both ready to go home and sleep. Our beds were calling us.

Cooking Club


Only 3 were able to get together for December's Cooking Club this month. The girls baked chocolate peppermint cookies. They tasted really good. It is amazeing how loud little girls can be even when there are only three.






Tale of Despereaux

Kaleb and I have been reading the Tale of Despereaux. Kaleb has a soft spot for mice and mouse stories. He was inspired to sew a mouse like Despereaux. So we found this pattern online for free. I just wish I could remember where I found it so we could give credit to it. He sewed this all by himself. He is getting pretty good at it.

Outdoor Games


This gives new meaning to outdoor games.
In our house it means playing Horseopoly in the front yard on the coffee table.
I think what was really going on was the boys were supervising Victoria playing in the front yard with the two little kids a couple doors down.

Thanksgiving

My Mom was feeling a little short around the kids at Thanksgiving.
She said either everyone was growing taller or she was shrinking.
It is probably a little bir of both.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Zeus

This is my cousin Kathy's little dog Zeus.
He was trying to get these snowballs off his face by rubbing his face in snow.
It only made it worse.
He couldn't see and was doing the Stevie Wonder thing when he plays the piano.
The picture below...he had snowballs collected between his front legs
and was walking wierd.
Poor little guy. He still likes the snow though.
He is so cute and tiny.

Monday, November 29, 2010

WE WON!

We are so excited! We won the Cake Pop book giveaway from The Giant Blog of Cooking, Crafting and Other Fun Activities. We can't wait for it to arrive in the mail! Stay tuned for some yummy pop treats.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

A Giveaway from "The Giant Blog of Cooking, Crafting and Other Fun Activities"

My cousin Kathy told me about this awesome giveaway,
This book from Bakerella
All you have to do is become a follower of
The Giant Blog of Cooking, Crafting and Other Fun Activities
Make sure you leave a comment at the end of the post
and share their blog on your blog, Facebook or Twitter.
If you mention that you heard about this from me we both get an extra entry into the drawing.
These sisters are celebrating their 100th post on their blog
and giving away the cute and fun book.
I would love to win it myself but if I were to I will definately share it with my cousin Kathy!
I have gotton quite a few awesome ideas from this blog for yummy treats to make. I can't wait to try a Taco Soup recipe that I just found on their blog.
So Check It Out!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Who's that Girl?!

The Braces are off! Whoo Hoo! No more rubberbands! Hello Popcorn!
With a new smile, a million dollar smile (by my calculation if you add in broken brackets, an expander and gasoline) came a new look. She's not just a pretty girl. She is beautiful...as usual.
Look at those layers in her hair. Can you believe it?
This is a bag of loot that the orthodontist gave her with helium balloons attached to it.
All the yummy candy that has been on the "no-no" list for these
past 5 years.
No more cut up apples and
where's the corn on the cob?

Monday, November 22, 2010

Cute Book

This is a very cute book that we borrowed from the Library. It is about a cow named Emmadine who felt like she hadn't done anything spectacular with her life that she could share with her Grandcows. So she signed up for an expedition to Antarctica with Admiral Byrd so she would have something to tell her Grandcows.
The funny part is her pig friend Georgetta knitted her an "uttermuff" to keep warm.
An "uttermuff".
I didn't know such a thing could exist until today.
It is definitely what every cow needs when they journey to Antarctica. Wouldn't want to freeze that milk now.

Rain!



We had a treat after church on Sunday. Rain! In a matter of minutes Victoria planned out her next activity.
This is what happens when you live where the sun is perpetual. There are few opportunities to use
Hello Kitty rubber boots, a princess umbrella and a winter coat.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Stuffed Pumpkin

Well, it isn't quite the pumpkin soup that we were going to make. We decided to make a sweet treat instead. We added pineapple, apple, cinnamon and walnuts and ate it right out of the pumpkin. It was fun and tasted pretty good.


Victoria's Pillow

Victoria was trying her hand at some embroidery skills. I am so excited that she really wants to do sewing. She sewed the button on all by herself. She did an awesome job for being as young as she is. She even guided the strips in the sewing machine. I ran the pedal.

Crazy Hair

Victoria built this make shift tent in the living room and decided to sleep in for 3 nights in a row. She was very pleased with herself. I kept expecting for it to flatten out and be laying on top of her in the morning but it never did. It always amazes me how when you are little how easy it is to sleep right on the floor without a pad on the floor. I definately would not make it lying on the floor like that. Aahh the joys of childhood.


Grass?

Kaleb brought this truck in from the backyard.
Why is it that grass always grows where you don't necessarily want it to.


Trunk or Treat

Well, we didn't transform the van into anything. Not enough time. But Daphne and Kirk did come up with this little haunted house. Daphne sat there playing her violin entertaining all the little kids. The house became a photo spot for toddlers. They were the perfect size.Kirk and Kaleb hungry for a giant chocolate chip cookie.Jared was not identified until Pastor Shari recognized his watch. He and his church friends are quite a crew. They had alot of fun just being goofy. Hoola-hooping It always amazes me how good at hoola-hooping Kirk is. I can't do it that good.
Show off!