Santa

This is the gingerbread house the kids made with alot of leftover Halloween candy. Uncle Richard and Aunt Leigh Ann gave them the kit and they did this themselves.
And here is a photo with all the kids with Santa. We were surprised that they asked to go and see him even though they know he's not the "real" santa. Cute picture, eh?

Tara's cooking cupcakes

Tara spent all day yesterday cooking cupcakes. The "fun fetti" brand. She painstakingly poured the mix into mini muffin tins and cooked 9 batches of cupcakes. She was so proud. Thanks Mom for the outfit. Most of the fun was watching her watch the muffins "poof" up and then her jump as the timer went off. She decorated 54 mini cupcakes yesterday.

We had a really nice Christmas at home this year. We had a few gatherings but, mostly just enjoyed being together. Thank you to all of you who made it great for the kids. We appreciate your generosity. There's nothing like seeing an 8 year old get tears in her eyes because her Christmas wish has come true!

After Christmas recall

I am sitting here recovering from EVLT vein surgery on Monday. I've been on pain medication and am trying to remember all that has happened in December. I was called in to substitute almost every day possible. Gene was gone to Chicago for the first week of December...he actually had to find his scarf and gloves for that trip.
We had a weak snow storm come through....enough to see the white flakes in the sky and all around...but they dissappeared quickly. We had alot of rain and alot of cold, but never on the same day.....so, we've ended up with a cloudy, semi warm Christmas. The kids would really like to see snow...but, I was really glad today I could send them outside in the lovely 69 degrees and say "stay outside til I call you in." The kids all had great Christmas parties. Tara's whole third grade had a "polar express" party....they dressed in their pajamas...danced to "hot, hot, hot chocolate" and drank hot chocolate, made ornaments and had the real train conductor from the Tennessee Rambler come and punch their golden tickets to get in to see the movie "the Polar Express". Emily's class made reindeer from their hands and feet...traced their hands as the antlers. They made snowmen from powdered sugar donuts (mini)and donut holes as the heads...twizzlers as a scarf and mini choc. chips as eyes and buttons. Jacob's class party was put on by their 5th grade reading buddies. There's a photo here of Jacob with his 'buddy' Jared. They went
'ice-skating' with saran wrap paper on their feet...and had lots of fun.

Happy Thanksgiving

We had an indian and pilgrim at our Thanksgiving meal, how about you?
Jacob had fun painting symbols on his vest and head band.
Emily had a day of "stone soup"...there really was a stone in there. It was a fun day to have moms and dads come and share in a feast....with turkey cookies.

Tara made this cute scarecrow pot at girl scouts on Monday.

Tara's music show

Tara participated in her school's 3rd and 4th grade Disney Magic Music show last Tuesday evening. She did a great job...and had a lot of fun singing great songs.
Here's the best photo I could get of her far away.
She's near the middle in a pink t-shirt...looks peach.

Emily as a scary witch

Halloween

The kids had plenty of trick or treating opportunities this year. They did not have any trouble enduring. We went to the ward's trunk or treat on Weds. evening. Then the kids all had their class fall parties (with take home treat bags) and then we hit the mall on Halloween night. We went to every store in the mall. Emily was pulling out handfuls of candy to put into Gene's coat pockets so she would have room for more. It was a trip. Tara was a 'german' girl one night in my old dirndel and volksmarching hat....then the next night she was a fashion designer. Emily was a witch and Jacob was Diego again. The costume still fit and it was all he wanted to be.

Happy Fall Y'all

The leaves are beautiful out now. The kids are enjoying being outside when the sun is shining. Emily had a field trip yesterday to "downtown Knoxville" visited the basketball arena, the sunsphere, the Tennessee theater and the river. She enjoyed it. The kids had their trunk-or-treat at the church yesterday.
I was sick over the weekend so we missed the girl scout campout. The girls set up their sleeping bags in the living room and had a campout of their own (while I camped out in the bathroom) Jake got a hint of what I had and threw up in the car (of course, my car) on the way home from church on Sunday. I missed the primary program too. But, I heard they all did a great job and Gene was in town to see it.

A few funny quotes

Yesterday Emily stayed home from school with a fever of 102. She threw up in the morning. It seems to be a short lived thing....she's running around now smacking Jacob with plastic tube (everyone's laughing).
But yesterday, she was sitting on my bed, and read a poem Gene wrote years ago. One of the lines says "When you go to bed, don't have a hot head". She came in my bathroom looking very sad and told me she was reading that poem. I told her I was proud she could read all those words by herself...then I asked "what's wrong?"
She said "It says not to have a "hot head" when you go to bed....and I have a hot head!" I explained that it meant being angry....not having a fever.

Later Tara was watching Snow White and the seven dwarfs. She started saying that she disagreed with the title. "It should just be called 'Snow White'. She is the main subject in the movie, not the dwarfs. Snow White is the subject and they are the predicates." Too funny.

It's autumn time..we love the leaves

Tara has asked to be outside after dinner each night and has collected most of the leaves under the two front trees. The weather has been perfect lately. We've been able to open up windows and not had the ac or the heat on for weeks. It is very refreshing. Tara is loving her girl scout troop. She painted a pumpkin last week for display at boo at the zoo. She's been struggling with the amount of homework that is required each night. It's been rough for everyone.
Last week we had "reading rocks" where UT football players, the local weather guy, the Smokies owner and mascot all came to read their favorite books. It was alot of fun. We also did the "walk to school"...a mile from the YMCA. It was really raining that morning, but the kids got button flashers and Tara won a bicycle helmet..and we all got breakfast and could be excused late to school.
Emily has made alot of friends in her class and is happy each day. She's always finding things on her own that need to be done.
Jacob is finally getting used to the kindergarten hours, and is happy with his routine. He's the first one up in the morning, but it takes him the least amount of time to get ready.
Gene is headed to Denver on Friday. He'll be gone for half of our fall break, but when he gets back we have some fun things planned. We could all use a break from school.

Girl scouts at the Fair

We went to the fair yesterday with the girl scouts (our new troop). The girls earned 2 badges. They got to make a car (kit from Lowe's) with a real hammer, work apron and goggles. They got to see real sharks in a tank and get inside a cage that people dive in to go see sharks underwater.
They also learned about germs. Yuck. It was a fun and very hot day. We made it through with no funnel cake or onion topped hotdogs....because we left Gene and Jacob at home. Actually, Gene did a presentation at our ward's emergency preparedness day on gardening and took Jake to get a hair cut.
The kids have been doing well in school. I had a chance to help with Emily's class this week, it looks like I'll be doing that once a week. Tara's been struggling with the amount of homework, so will talk to her teacher about what can be done.
Jacob hit his head on our orange couch last night after he jumped over the blue couch and misread the distance and fell backward. He cracked it pretty hard. I heard the loudest thump and the loudest wail from him I've ever heard. It made a pretty big knot on the back of his head. I think he's ok....but it scared me.

Picture Day

You can't see it very well, because it was still dark, but the kids were happy it was picture day. We'll see how they turn out. They could choose their own background colors now. EMily chose purple, Jake blue and Tara green.

Emily's artwork

At back to school night, we met with Emily's art teacher Mrs. Turpin.
She said Emily was the only one of all the grades to figure out what was going on in a certain art piece in class. This picture is of her first work...a perfect 10/E grade.

Jacob's first day of kindergarten

Rain, rain, go away....it's my kindergarten's first day!

Jacob

School, school, school

Well, we are finally on a good schedule for school. Everyone is doing so well. Jacob comes home each day from Kindergarten saying "Mom, I had the best day ever!"
He has had 'green lights' best behavior everyday. He still is going to speech. After loosing his two front bottom teeth, it's alot of work to keep that tongue in while saying his "s".
We found a fun gymnastic/dance class for all three kids to start next week. Both girls want to try girl scouts this year too. Can you say cookie sales? Tara is going to activity days and has started a "best friends club" with Skylar, Caris and Emma for once a month fun.
I am working in the school library once a week as a volunteer. The kids think it's way cool I can check in and check out their books. Mrs. Campbell asked me to be room mom and then I'll be a room parent helper in Tara's class too. I'm the room parent co-ordinator for all of first grade. I like keeping tabs on what is going on in the school. School pictures and the flu mist are next week. Jake's already had a little cough and sneezes. I know it won't be long before the sickies come along.
Emily is getting used to the homework. The final question in her math homework (for extra points) was : Explain how you came up with this answer.....and she wrote, "because I am a smart girl".
We had a fun bar-b-q on Monday with Richard and LeighAnn. It was nice to finally see Gene for a bit. He's been running around lately trying to keep up with disasters at work and lost scouts on a hike and fantasy football drafts (3 nights in a row!) up til midnight. To top it all off, TN lost their first game to UCLA in a very late night game in overtime. Go Vols!
Today we had our pine tree in the front side yard taken out. It was dripping sap all over the cars and pine needles constantly in the gutters and stuck to our feet. We finally decided to say goodbye. Eventually we will replace the side stairs and pour a concrete slab for an eventual garage. (for years down the road).

Tara wins the spelling bee

Tara came home from school yesterday with a certificate for having won the first spelling bee in her class. I guess they will have them weekly. She had to spell several words including 'trudge' and 'clothes.' She said it was easy....and no one in her class knows how to spell.
I got an enthusiastic "I love third grade" from her last night.

First Day of school for the girls

Well, school has begun. The girls are so happy with their new teachers and classmates. Emily is thrilled she gets to ride the bus. The first day, the new bus driver got too close to some branches and knocked them down, swishing leaves into the open windows. Emily thought that was the coolest.
Both girls are exhausted at the end of the day. So far, no homework...but that will start Monday. Tara wore new shoes on Monday and chose not to wear socks....so this caused 4 blisters. She's been tough...and actually has been happy about being back in school.
Jacob had one day of kindergarten assessment...he finds out today who his teacher will be. He'll have 2 days next week and then begin for real on the 25th. Yeah!

we found a pirate at the airport

Grandma's "sweetie pie" horse and a very cold stream to play in.

The girls with uncle James and aunt Brandi & cousin Brynnlee

Camp Lomia Lodge

This is where we stayed all together at camp Lomia.

Kung Fu Panda

The whole family went to see Kung Fu Panda. It was great fun. Alayna and Jacob had a great time after the movie showing everyone their new found fun kung fu fighting.
Unfortunately, after the movie at the icecream shop, Jake touched a very hot motorcycle exhaust pipe and burned his thumb. He's ok and has learned not to touch motorcycles.

The willow park zoo

The kids went to the willow park zoo in Logan. Behind them are two bald eagles.
After seeing the animals we played at the park and ate snow cones and then had a water-balloon game/fight.

kids at uncle Jonathan's art studio

The kids had one night at uncle Jonathan's while the girls went to see the movie Mamma Mia...and had our surprise baby and bridal shower for Diana and Kristi.
They ate pizza and drew and painted for hours.

Summer Vacation

We just got back from our summer vacation. We traveled west and had a great time.
My parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary and we finally had a family photo taken with everyone. Of course, it is now outdated because Joe's wife Diana had a baby girl a couple of days ago. Welcome Hailey!
Anyhoo. Here are some photos of the fun.

The 4th breakfast

Flags in our blueberry muffins