Just Hanging Out!

How has your January been?

Januaries (is that how you spell it?) are usually slow at this house but this year it has gone by so fast!  The only difference is that since we have 9 am church (yeah!!) we have lots of time in the afternoon to hang out.  It is so refreshing and so, so, so nice!!  We now actually get home long before we would of normally left.   It's amazing how much time it gives us to play games and do nothing!

I threw this picture in because no matter how many times we ask Seth to have manners (especially taking small bites at dinner, not burping or farting at the table, etc.) he doesn't get it.  Sam tells me that's because of 2 two things:

1.  He's a boy.

2.  He's ten.

Anyways...Luke loves to pull this cupboard out and make food.  He thinks it's his little private space.

 Playing games.  This is Sam's favorite game and we finally gave in to him and played.  The rest of us don't like to play it much, can you tell?

 Kathryn wanted a treat and decided to make Gorilla Poops all by herself.  She did a great job!

Silly Putty

 We got bored the other day so we decided to make some silly putty.  I loved silly putty as a little kid and thought my kids would too.  The only problem was...food coloring.

 The recipe didn't call for food coloring but the kids wanted to color theirs so I thought why not? 

 This happened, that's even after washing them a whole bunch.  We all had colored hands for 5 days but we did have lots of fun making it, if that counts for anything!!! :)

Surgery...Again!

 Thank heavens it wasn't a broken limb and was actually scheduled but this guy had a tonsillectomey, adenectomy, and tubes in his ears this morning.  It should help immensely with hearing, talking, and loudness.  We had him all prepped to go and he was looking forward to it--we tried to make it not so exciting.  Then he woke up this morning and couldn't eat or drink.  we weren't scheduled to be their until 8:45 am so after only one temper tantrum we made it.  This is us waiting for the doctor.  He is not too thrilled but then we pulled out his Legos and it was much better.

 This is him right before we headed home.  He did really well coming out of anesthesia, crying minimally (at least compared to the little boys by us) and once Word World came on and after two rounds of pain killers he was great.

 He came home to a package from Grandma that he loved and promptly wanted to eat.  After 2 scrambled eggs and 4 yogurts he was a very happy boy--at least as long as we give him his pain meds every 4 hours.  Wish us luck he continues to do so well and that this is worth it!  We sure love him though!!!

Interruptions

I read this quote today and man did it change my perspective.  It's true, so very true and hopefully now I can remember this perspective as Luke asks for milk for the 16th time, Seth asks for the 13th time why I won't let him play the Wii when his homework isn't done, Kathryn wants to talk to me while I am on the phone, and Sarah is crying for who knows why and wants me to fix it even though I seriously have no idea what to fix.  Hope it helps at your house!

INTERRUPTIONS

"When you are exasperated by interruptions, try to remember that their very frequency may indicate the value of your life. Only people who are full of help and strength are burdened by other persons' needs. The interruptions which we chafe at are the credentials of our indispensability. The greatest condemnation that anybody could incur - and it is a danger to guard against - is to be so independent, so unhelpful, that nobody ever interrupts us, and we are left comfortably alone."

-Anonymous

from The Anglican Digest

Sam's Birthday!!

Happy 35th Birthday!

This guy turned 35 and we had a big party with his family.  We had lots of fun and his cousin Brian made him the most amazing cake I have ever eaten.  I am serious!  It was one of those cakes that I could eat for days, it was a chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting.  The peanut butter flavor was just barely there so it made an amazing combination.  Anyways, that wasn't the point of this post, but this wonderful guy is!

I am thankful to have him in my life.  He completes me in ways that I never knew I needed.  He loves me and his children completely and is an amazing father and husband!  Thank you Sam for all you do for our family, you are the best and we are so blessed to have you with us!!!

New Years

 For New Years we headed to Utah.  Sam's sister was visiting before her and her family take off for Germany and we wanted to see them before we left.  The weekend was filled with lots of fun.  On Friday we all went out to dinner together and then headed to a New Years Eve Party.  We danced a lot, the limbo was a favorite as you can see.  I love this picture for so many reasons--Luke stepping on Kathryn's foot while she is trying to go under, Sam hiking his pants-getting ready to go under, and the lines of people that were waiting.

 We also played lots and lots of games.  Not just that night but all weekend.  We even got to try out some new ones and they were a lot of fun (Tabago, Citadel, Stone Age).

 Luke at one point captured the entire audience.  It all started with him dancing up on the stage oblivious to what anyone else was doing.  His uncle Ben started copying what he was doing and he noticied.  Then everyone else started copying him and he thought he was the hottest thing ever.  He kept dancing and was very creative.  It was a riot and it lasted at least 3 songs.  He loved it and kept asking to "teach" people songs afterwards.  It was so fun to watch him!

 Sam hanging out with his cousin Brian and his Dad.

Thanks Ben and Renee for letting us stay at your house, it was tons of fun!