Playing in the Rain

Sam and I went for a walk in the rain one morning. He loved the water but the gutter got so full, when he fell down, the water was running all the way over the top of him, so I decided it was time to go home.

Later in the day, we walked to the bus stop to get the girls--I couldn't keep any of them out of the water, so they just got soaked. When they got home, they hadn't had enough so I let them play in the backyard. We may not have snow, but rain is fun too!! Maybe its just being a kid that is FUN!!!

Jumpin on the bed

Four little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off (landing on one of mom's carelessly discarded high heels) and broke her head (actually it was an arm).
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
"No more monkey's jumping on the bed."

There are a few things I learned from Katie's broken arm...

1. You never feel very good about yourself as a parent when your kid breaks a bone.
2. High heels really are evil.
3. Little kids fall down about 500 times a day. I never noticed how often Katie fell down for no good reason until she had that cast on. For the last couple of days I have cringed at every fall. I am cringing every two seconds.
4. Sam is very jealous. Katie is very patient.
5. Splints itch like crazy.
6. Kids are tough. Katie was so brave at the doctor, and today, on day three of broken arm, she was riding a scooter around the gym at church. She is back to running around like a mad woman, no problem.
7. My kids don't dismount chairs like normal human beings. They often go head first or roll off the side. None of their alternate methods of getting out of chairs seem like they are too good for broken arms.

President Hinckley

Last night Cyrus' mom called and said that President Hinckley had died. President Hinckley is the prophet and leader of my church--The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint. My girls cried and so did I. You see, I don't feel sad for him...he is in the arms of his wife of 65 years again (I am sure there is no place he would rather be). He has graduated--and my bet is that he passed. He feels joy. But for me, I will miss his silly jokes at conference, I will miss the love that I knew, without a doubt, his heart was filled with for every member of this church. I will miss his work and example. President Hinckley was one of a kind--he made us stronger and better and I will miss him. When his wife died, I told Cyrus, "she wore herself out serving the Lord. Someday I hope I am good enough to do that." President Hinckley did the same--his capacity to love grew because he served so tirelessly--he loved better than any man I have ever witnessed. I love him and hope that someday I can live as close to Christ-like life as he lived.

Is this a pillow fight???

I haven't learned how to use my new "point and shoot" camera very well (and Sam sometimes turns knobs on it when I am not looking) so these pictures are a little blurry. Unfortunately, they aren't blurry enough to disguise my amazing housekeeping skills. Anyway...this was some loony game my children thought up with their Dad. They have so much fun!!! Thank heavens for daddys.

While Mom was away

I went to run errands one morning and this is what my family did while I was gone.

The other day, before church, I heard the funniest conversation...Katie came out for church dressed in a pink striped (awful) dress and a long green skirt.

Cyrus: We usually wear either a dress or a skirt.

Katie: But I LIKE IT both together.

Cyrus: But you can only see a little bit of the pretty skirt. If you put on a shirt instead we could see the whole skirt.

Katie: But I LIKE IT both together.

Cyrus: OK, if that is what you want to wear, thats ok.

Katie: (Rolls eyes like she is 13). Daddy.

On this particular day, Katie ended up changing her dress because she thought of something better to wear, but most days, the kid dresses in some of the most interesting and hysterical clothes the world has to offer. Cyrus' sister Petra had certain clown-like tendencies well into high school. I think Katie inherited the gene.

You see, I always thought that letting children pick their own clothes gave them a sense of self and made them feel confident. Now my high minded parenting theories have come back to bite me in the butt. When the Primary sang on Christmas, Katie wore a yellow flower jumper with a striped puffy sleeved shirt and bright pink tights with multi-colored flowers all over them, and of course her boots. People actually giggled when we walked into the church. Katie thought she was the prettiest lady in the room. Last year she would only wear this ugly pink drop-waisted dress every day. She wouldn't take it off even to sleep. We had to wait until she was sleeping and take it off her to wash it so she could wear it the next morning. In desperation I bought two more of the same dresses at Target. Now I own three of the ugliest dresses in the universe. Now she wears them with pants and skirt underneath them.

Another Katie-quirk is she loves boots. On this one we agree, however. Her boots are not only cute but they are easy to find. They are big so I can always locate them in massive pile of shoes that reside in our front closet.

Here are a couple of pictures of Katie with interesting outfits on. I don't have the ugly pink striped dress...next time she wears it, I'll post a pic (if I remember)...






Here is picture of Kay's good ol boots. Lainie took the picture and Cyrus doctored it on photo shop. I think it is cool.

My trouble

I read on Candice's blog about her couch difficulty and it got me thinking about my trouble...you see many MANY moons ago, Cyrus was gazing fondly upon a huge TV. Not moderately large--obscenely huge. Well, I told him then, he could have that TV the first time he brought home a big paycheck in one month. That was seemingly impossible. I am going to be strapped with an enormous television. I don't have a basement to put it in. It is going to be on the main floor. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO? Any advice on making a room look nice with a 60 inch elephant (I mean television) in it would be much appreciated...

More Stuff

There is more stuff I didn't blog about...can you believe it!!!

We hiked up Mt Tam. I lost Cyrus and got mad at him. Then I got over it.






These are some cute shots from when we went to Disneyland like four months ago.







I think fat baby feet are sooooooo cute!!!



The girls made a big leaf pile. It kept them busy for a week.



Sam thinks he can read. He also thinks he can drive a car (the stake president asked the kids at great to be 8 who could drive and Sam raised his hand). He certainly is confident.

Family Picture

Lainie took our family pictures. I think she did a great job considering what she had to work with...

FHE

Sometimes, we have really great family nights and sometimes we end up making noses from play dough.

Christmas Day

I really really LOVE Christmas. When I was a kid, my Grandpa Anderson was FABULOUS at Christmas. He always made it seem like a little day of magic. He gave us jewelry boxes with ballerinas in them or pencils with our names on them, once, he gave every family this clown that laughed really loud when you pushed it stomach. It was hilarious. Anyway, Christmas was always interesting, because Grandpa A. loved seeing kids eyes sparkle.

Well, one pleasant surprise I've had since marrying Cyrus, is he is fabulous at Christmas. He is really sweet and thoughtful and just great at the holiday. This year, he bought a Karaoke machine for the girls with a High School Musical Karaoke CD. Unfortunately (or maybe it was fortunate) it broke after two days and we had to take it back--turns out it was a bad quality one and good ones cost A LOT. But watching the kids dance and sing (even Sam got into the mix) with those microphones made us laugh till our sides hurt. Now the girls just put the CD in my computer and go to town in the family room--singing and dancing. It is classic.

I am so glad the girls have Cyrus, because I just can't get myself to stop buying things like socks and toothbrushes for Christmas. Its a disease. I am not good at Christmas. Spending money makes my head spin. The thing about people who are good at Christmas, though, is they don't have to spend a lot of money (Cyrus spent less than me), they just are good at finding that one really great thing that makes a kid smile. Next year, he is in charge of the shopping. I'll take care of the after Christmas sales (you know, when socks and toothbrushes go on clearance)!!!!

One side-note, Cyrus doesn't take his talent at Christmas from strangers...his dad loves the holiday. Joseph gets all starry-eyed and excited every year. This year he bought bikes for the girls and a tandem bike for the back of my bike so the kids and I can ride again this summer....yahoo!!!

Christmas Eve

We never go anywhere for Christmas. When I was a kid, my Grandpa's b-day was on the 17th of Dec so we had a big cousins party that day and then Christmas was a quiet day at home (with Grandma and Grandpa visiting). Cyrus and I love Christmas at home!!! On Christmas Eve, we have a nice dinner, sing some songs, read Luke 2, and then act out the birth of Jesus. Right now, we act it out three times so all the little girls can be Mary. It is so cute how quiet and respectful the girls are when they are Mary and how much love they have for that story. It is a wonderful evening. This year, Sam was a loony toon, but what can you expect. He was a dog. And also, he sat with mom in the bathroom and informed Joseph there was no room in there for he and Mary to sleep.

After we act out the Nativity, pajama elves come to our house and leave new PJ's for everyone. We put on our jammies and open one present from each other then off to bed.

Hannah was so excited this year, she didn't fall asleep until 1 am. Mom heard jingle bells outside. It was all very exciting.

Repentance

I have turned into the world's worst blogger. Lots of good things have happened that I haven't blogged about. Here are just a few:

*Cyrus got a great job. Great benefits, plenty of pay, good hours. We will be living in Astoria OR for 3 years.
*Cyrus passed part II of the boards.
*We had a fun Thanksgiving with the Reynolds, Pypers and Smiths. Too much food. It was YUMMY though!! And, by the way, Jason Smith can make one pretty pie!
*Cyrus' Dad came to town.
*Cyrus' Grandparents and Mom came around for a visit.
*The girls got fabulous report cards.
*Sam, well you already know about Sam. He stayed the same.

So here are some random pictures:

Carolyn cleaned out from under her bed (what a mess!!!) And was so excited, she made a fort and slept under there for about a week.




Sam and Katie thought they would have a little milk on the counter. Their mom thought they were cuter than heck.



Sam decided he knew how to make his own cereal. Mom is so proud. We don't leave things on the table anymore.



Sam is very smart. He was at my friend Casey's house getting babysat. He kept turning the TV on and off so she unplugged it (it is in a big Armoire and the plug was behind). Well Sammy wiggled his way back there, plugged the TV back in and started turning it on and off again. Little pill. Also, if he is hungry, he grabs your either Mom or Dad's hand and brings them to the kitchen and gets out a pot and a fork (for stirring) and sometimes the eggs or anything he may want from the fridge. Then when you are busy cooking, he gets out his plate (which I keep in a low cupboard so the girls can set the table and unload the dishwasher) and hold it up for you to put his food on. He is very smart.