Sunday, January 2, 2011
A Blistful Week Off!
Week-off Top Ten
10. Dad's Beard
We all had the week between Christmas and New Years off, and took advantage of every minute. It's been a long time since Steve took that long off of work and decided to grow a beard to prove it. I didn't especially love kissing him with his red beard, but I loved what it stood for - time off!
9. Whitney Behind the Wheel
Whitney got some good driving time in this week, as she works toward her drivers licence. She got her first freeway and canyon miles logged.
8. The Book Launch
My famous sister launched her second YA novel this week. The launch party was amazing!
7. Brick Films
Steve L. made some impressive brick films with his new Christmas web cam.
6. Merit Badges
Daniel had a goal to earn all 4 Historic Boy Scout Merit badges that were only available until Dec. 31st. He finished the last 3 this week.
5. Jump Start Passes
Dad gave all the kids Jump Start passes for Christmas - certificates for 3 hours of his time and up to $10 towards materials to work on a project of their choice. He and Whitney built a cat tower, he went shopping for and installed Steve L's new camera. Daniel chose to work on merit badges and Janey went shopping for a used mirror for her new dance studio. Ellie and Dad bought a new cat bed. Connecting with the kids was the goal, and they all enjoyed their one-on-one with Dad.
4. Painting
What I wanted to do most this holiday was paint! I painted 2 accent walls in our home and spent an afternoon with my artist brother learning an under-lay technique for a landscape painting I'm attempting. So much fun!
3. Movies
We took the kids to see Narnia one afternoon and then on New Years Eve it was so cold, we spent the day at the Dollar flick. We saw the Guardians of Gahool, went to In and Out Burger for lunch and back to the dollar flick for Secretariat. To quote Janey, "Best day ever!"
2. Cross Country Skiing
Steve and I spent a morning Cross Country Skiing up Millcreek Canyon. We had such a great time, we rented skis for the kids and went back New Years Day.
1. Playing with Kitty
The biggest surprise has been how much we've all loved playing with and snuggling our new cat. Steve and I often keep playing with him after the kids go to bed. Poor guy still doesn't have a name, as their are seven different opinions, but he always answers to Kitty.
10. Dad's Beard
We all had the week between Christmas and New Years off, and took advantage of every minute. It's been a long time since Steve took that long off of work and decided to grow a beard to prove it. I didn't especially love kissing him with his red beard, but I loved what it stood for - time off!
9. Whitney Behind the Wheel
Whitney got some good driving time in this week, as she works toward her drivers licence. She got her first freeway and canyon miles logged.
8. The Book Launch
My famous sister launched her second YA novel this week. The launch party was amazing!
7. Brick Films
Steve L. made some impressive brick films with his new Christmas web cam.
6. Merit Badges
Daniel had a goal to earn all 4 Historic Boy Scout Merit badges that were only available until Dec. 31st. He finished the last 3 this week.
5. Jump Start Passes
Dad gave all the kids Jump Start passes for Christmas - certificates for 3 hours of his time and up to $10 towards materials to work on a project of their choice. He and Whitney built a cat tower, he went shopping for and installed Steve L's new camera. Daniel chose to work on merit badges and Janey went shopping for a used mirror for her new dance studio. Ellie and Dad bought a new cat bed. Connecting with the kids was the goal, and they all enjoyed their one-on-one with Dad.
4. Painting
What I wanted to do most this holiday was paint! I painted 2 accent walls in our home and spent an afternoon with my artist brother learning an under-lay technique for a landscape painting I'm attempting. So much fun!
3. Movies
We took the kids to see Narnia one afternoon and then on New Years Eve it was so cold, we spent the day at the Dollar flick. We saw the Guardians of Gahool, went to In and Out Burger for lunch and back to the dollar flick for Secretariat. To quote Janey, "Best day ever!"
2. Cross Country Skiing
Steve and I spent a morning Cross Country Skiing up Millcreek Canyon. We had such a great time, we rented skis for the kids and went back New Years Day.
1. Playing with Kitty
The biggest surprise has been how much we've all loved playing with and snuggling our new cat. Steve and I often keep playing with him after the kids go to bed. Poor guy still doesn't have a name, as their are seven different opinions, but he always answers to Kitty.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Christmas 2010
Christmas Eve morning, we took the family out to breakfast and then hiking up Millcreek Canyon. We climbed up above the yucky inversion in the valley and enjoyed blue sky and and sunshine! That evening we enjoyed a lovely Christmas Eve dinner with Noreen's parents.
Christmas morning was a delight. Everyone received some fun gifts, but the best one of all was our new kitty. Steve and I picked him out at the shelter on the 23rd and successfully hid him in our bathroom for 2 days, until Christmas morning. The kids had been begging for months for a cat, but didn't really think we'd get one. That's what made the surprise so fun. Steve and I would sneak upstairs and play with him, and then make sure there weren't any cat hairs on us to give it away. Our kitty is a nine month old boy, who is very affectionate, mild mannered, and great with the kids. Boy did we luck out! We haven't been able to agree on a name yet, but we all agree that he's adorable! 
After an enjoyable morning at home, we got to travel to both sets of Grandparents' homes and continue the Christmas Celebrating. We hope you all had a wonderful and memorable holiday too!
Christmas morning was a delight. Everyone received some fun gifts, but the best one of all was our new kitty. Steve and I picked him out at the shelter on the 23rd and successfully hid him in our bathroom for 2 days, until Christmas morning. The kids had been begging for months for a cat, but didn't really think we'd get one. That's what made the surprise so fun. Steve and I would sneak upstairs and play with him, and then make sure there weren't any cat hairs on us to give it away. Our kitty is a nine month old boy, who is very affectionate, mild mannered, and great with the kids. Boy did we luck out! We haven't been able to agree on a name yet, but we all agree that he's adorable!
After an enjoyable morning at home, we got to travel to both sets of Grandparents' homes and continue the Christmas Celebrating. We hope you all had a wonderful and memorable holiday too!Sunday, December 19, 2010
18 Years!
Steve and I snuck away early on Friday to celebrate our 18th Wedding Anniversary. 18 years! It's hard to believe the time has passed so quickly. We went window shopping downtown, to the movies and out for some German food for dinner. Steve got us a hotel reservation downtown, and I packed a snack basket of our favorite foods. After about the 10th call from home with some urgent question or concern (ie. I can't find the hair clips for my costume, Ellie won't brush her teeth, or I'm starving, can I get a snack (at 10:30.)) I realized we hadn't gotten far enough from home! Oh, well, it was fun to celebrate so many wonderful years together, even with interruptions.
Dancing Queen
Janey's clogging team performed to the fun song "The Devil went down to Georgia" at the holiday concert. It's one of the numbers that they will take to competition this spring. Grandparents came to see her, which made it extra special. Her Dad especially loves to see her dancing, and she can sometimes talk him into doing her kitchen chores while she clogs for him to his itunes.
A Christmas Wish
Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas, from our Home to Yours!
Janey and Ellie watching Dad's German Nativity Pyramid spin.Sunday, December 12, 2010
It's Begining to Look A Lot Like Christmas!
Christmas parties, Christmas concerts, Christmas dance recitals, Christmas movies, Christmas Devotionals, and making Christmas gifts were all highlights this week. I took the girls to see the Nutcracker, Steve L. did a great comedy routine at the Ward Christmas party and Dad and Whitney enjoyed singing the the Stake Choir for the devotional. What a fun time of year!Sunday, December 5, 2010
NaNoWriMo Queen
Whitney participated in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) again this year. The goal is to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. Here she is typing word number 50,000 on the last day. Way to go Whitney! Can't wait to see you published!Chicken-cicles
Here's a picture of Whitney digging out our chickens after 14 inches of snow. We've had the greatest snow weather this year! Several storms and several inches of fun stuff!Aunt Bree to the Rescue!
Whitney had a semi-formal dance at school and I had Steve's fancy work party on Friday. I picked her up from school and we went shopping in vain for cute outfits. We stopped by Aunt Bree's and when she found out our dilemma, she dressed us both and did Whitney's hair and makeup that night. We should have stopped there first!Nothing like a makeover to make you feel great! Thanks Bree!
Festival of Trees
We took the kids to see The Festival of Trees this year. Hundreds of trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses and crafts are donated and sold to benefit Primary Children's Hospital every year. The kids favorite tree was titled "A House Divided," decorated half BYU and half Utah!
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