Wednesday, December 31, 2008

New Year's Eve

We celebrated the New Year by throwing a big graduation BASH for Jeff. He earned his MBA just before the Holiday, so we gathered the cousins and Niki organized a GREAT Mexican food buffet & funny games that kept us laughing clear until midnight!
Stuffing balloons and creating a few extra buff Grannies.
The adults had to see how long they could keep from laughing while all the little kids tried to "wake them up". Brian was doing great, until Jeff suggested one of them lick his nose.
Putting together clues from popped balloons
Finding one last clue at the end of a roll of toilet tissue...

But to get to the end... you had to unroll it around a team member.

The little ones thought the adults a little too silly for them...

So they settled for a much calmer card game... Aye, Aye, Nephi!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Bad Idea

We thought we'd try riding the new light rail system that just went into service - they were offering free rides before the first of the year....
George & Debbie (our neighbors) joined us! But the cars were PACKED FULL! There was standing room only - people were squished in there like sardines. No thank you! So we thought we'd wait for the next one...
So we waited.... and waited....
After a couple of hours, we gave up and went home. But it was still fun enjoying the warm weather and talking about who's dumb idea this was anyway!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Christmas Day


One lonely Kristi for the traditional hearth picture

Displaying her gifts

This is what you call a "redneck" conference call - connecting siblings in Honduras, Virginia, Utah and Arizona

Three siblings talking to their other three siblings on three different phones

Penney got a new blanket and squeaky bone for Christmas

Grandkids playing in the leaves on the trampoline while everyone is busy talking on the phones
Baby Stetson just being cute!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Almost Christmas

Quick mood change
Happy little Stetson
Grandpa & Me
Christmas Cookies!
Eating Christmas Cookies
Kristi with the short, brown hair

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Sword of Freedom

Kristi and Jean showing off their hard earned swords
Kristi punishing Sam for not taking the class - off with her head!

Thomas Jefferson Leaderhsip Academy (TJLA) held their parent night tonight where all 17 "Sword of Freedom" class members earned and were given the swords they earned. The class studied the Civil War and were divided into two groups - the Union Army (wearing blue hats) and the Southern Army (grey hats). In this one semester class they:
1. Learned Military Protocol.
2. Advanced in Rank from Corporal through Lieutenant General
3. Held a Civil War Battle Reenactment.
4. Read, Uncle Tom's Cabin, To Kill a Mockingbird, Across Five Aprils, & Abraham Lincoln Biography.
5. Wrote 8-10 papers discussing various government and moral issues such as: My Prime Allegiance, Compromise, Evil for Evil, Is Secession Constitutional?, Is it ever right to break a law?, Was Sherman right?, Prejudices, Mob Rule, and wrote an original poem about the Civil War.
6. Read & Discussed the following speeches/documents - Gettysburg Address, Dred Scott Decision, The Emancipation Proclamation, Abraham Lincoln's second Inaugural Address, Constitutional Ammendments 13, 14 & 15.
7. Memorized the Gettysburg Address.
8. Each student gave a class presentation on one of the following: Life as a Slave, Food in the Army, Women's Role, Underground Railroad, Doctors/Hospitals/Red Cross, Weapons, Spies, Uniforms and clothing of the times, The army (origination, drills, manpower), Mathew Brady, & Prisons.
9. Memorized and sang three Civil War songs - The Battle Cry of Freedom, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, & Dixie.
10. Watched 5 Civil War movies - Gods & Generals, Gettysburg, Shenandoah, The Red Badge of Courage, Gone with the Wind.
11. Wrote a comprehensive report on a Civil War Hero which were then compiled into a book for each class member.
Now THAT's a loaded class!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Grandpa's Chair

Three little monkeys sittin' in Grandpa's chair

Cool Arizona Sunsets

December 8
December 12
These were taken from our front yard - Awesome!


Thursday, December 4, 2008

Ethan's Nativity

Ethan's Nativity - Mr. Bean style

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Baptism & Christmas Lights

Today Hayden celebrated her 8th birthday by being baptised! Doesn't get better than that! She had tons of family and friends attend and then everyone stayed for a spaghetti dinner afterwards at the church. She opened presents... and then we drove out to Mesa to see the Christmas lights at the temple.
Jeff & Niki with Hayden, Allie, Mylie and Stetson

Hayden and Niki

Mylie

Allie

Stetson

Mylie dancing with Grandpa Rob

Here we are!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Oh, the Indignity!

This is how you toughen up a little boy with three big sisters.
Poor little Stetson will learn how to growl soon enough...
Watch out girls!

Ella & Company

Ella Jolee


Adelle, Ella, Ethan

Adelle & Ella

Ethan & Ella

Mike & Adelle

Ethan the Dinosaur

Princess Adelle

Ethan & Adelle

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

GRAND BABY #7

Ella Jolee
Born Wednesday, November 5

Proud Parents

Proud Grandparents

Proud Aunt