Fun With Nephews

We've had some fun with some of our nephews lately.

I took my three older kids and Tara's two oldest to the library for a Harry Potter Party last week.  It was a fun time.  Although, we did have a LONG time to wait in LOTS of lines.  Good thing we were just at the small town library and not one of the big city ones.

First, all the kids got tickets for the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9 3/4. 

We finally got to the platform (the entrance for the kids' section) and the kids were sorted into houses. 

Abby, Matt, and Brett were sorted into Ravenclaw. 

Emma was sorted into Hufflepuff. 

And Cody was sorted into Slytherin.

They each got some galleon coins to pay for their activities.  They made postcards for the Owl Post, created their own wands, attended a Potions Class, drank butterbeer, and had a Honeydukes treat. 

It was a fun day.

We also got to see Pete, Genica and Brayden this week. Millie was all up in Brayden's business over everything: "No, Braynen! My turn!" or "No, Braynen, my bee (blankie)!" or "Pe'er, (points at Brayden) Braynen!"

Of course, I think he liked pushing some of her buttons too. 

Finally, about five minutes before we left Mom and Dad's house to come home I got a picture to remember the three minutes the two of them got along:

We loved seeing them, even if Millie tattled on Brayden every five seconds.

Now we need to have some fun with our other nephews too!!

New Arrival!

Congrats to Shelly and Josh on their upcoming addition to their family! We all love you and want you to know we are so excited to meet our new niece or nephew!

More Pictures From Abby's Baptism

I thought I'd post some of the pictures Jabon got from Abby's baptism and BBQ. I put most of these on Facebook, but I know we have a few family members that look here but not Facebook.

Abby in her baptism dress

Millie.

Genica, James, Peter, Shelly, Grandma Pearl

Mom, Lori, Genica

Brayden fell asleep munching on Poppa

What a cutie Grandkid 11 is!

What A Laugh

Does anyone remember when I carried around my planner and kept comic clippings in it to pull out and read when I was bored? I'm still not sure if I was a nerd or brilliant.

Anyway, I came across them the other day and thought I'd share some of the ones that pertain more to my current phase of life:
Motherhood.

And I think each of us have been in this situation at one time or another (either as the parent or the kid):

Of course, I can't upload comics without posting something from Calvin and Hobbes, the greatest comic strip ever. This one is one of my favorites:

I thought I'd just share these. Hopefully they made you laugh. If nothing else, they gave you something new to read.

Announcements

Just in case anyone needed reminding....

Peter and Genica are having their baby soon. Genica will be induced February 24. HOORAY!!!

If we are still in this ward in June, Abby will be baptized June 19th. We'll let you know if the date changes.

Heather and James are getting married in Glacier Park on August 19th.

I'm just putting these dates out there. Everyone is welcome to come hang out with us in June. We'll let you sleep on the floor.

I do think it's funny that each of these events happen around other special events: Our new nephew will be born just after JC's birthday. Abby will be baptized on Pete and Genica's anniversary. Heather and James are getting married on Lori's birthday.

I guess some dates are special all the time, for lots of reasons. Josh just guesses some dates just come around once every year.

Where The Wild Things Are

Phoenix Zoo, January 9, 2010....

Fun!

Homeschool Exercises

In case you haven't heard, I'm homeschooling the kids for the rest of the year (at least). I'm finding lots of unconventional ways to teach the kids. It's kind of fun. Matt is reviewing colors and numbers by playing Uno. Cool, huh?

Emma and Abby are going to be doing some writing exercises. First they will write out their journal entries and we'll work together to clean them up and correct spelling, grammar, etc. Then I'll let them type them up.

The trick is, they've been asking me for a long time if they can have their own blogs. I've been putting them off, but now I think we'll try it. Their blogs will be extremely private. Invitation only. I'll be sending out emails to invite people to read them. If you're interested, let me know. Of course, if you're reading this, there's a good chance you're already on my list of people to invite.

I'm not sure how long they'll do this, or what they'll write or anything. But, as long as the security is there, I figure it will be a good practice for their typing/internet skills. And in today's world, even 2nd and 3rd graders need to begin learning that.

Aw, Gee...

Brett uses the phrase, "Aw, gee," a lot. When we were staying with Tara I'd often hear:

"Aw, gee, Matt's taking a long time in the bathroom."

"Aw, gee, I'm really getting hungry for lunch."

"Aw, gee, Millie/Ashton is crying."

I nearly laughed my head off when today as I was watching the boys for Tara I heard Matt say, "Ah, gee..."

I don't remember what he was talking about, I got lost in the realization that even little kids pick up habits from those around them.

Ah, gee.

Poor Baby

To Lori:

I hope you feel better soon. I wish you had some more conclusive information from your surgery. Someone once said, "It is a mathematical fact that fifty percent of all doctors graduate in the bottom half of their class." So, I guess we can't expect every doctor to be like House. Or even Doogie Howser (do you even remember that show---Mom and Dad never allowed us to watch it).

Keep up on your meds and let others help you with the boys---I wish I could be one of those helpers. Sportscaster Bill Walton said, "I learned a long time ago that minor surgery is when they do the operation on someone else, not you."

I love you and I hope you recover quickly so you can have lots of fun on your cruise!!!