"Once There Was a Snowman"

Last night we got perfect snowman-making snow (nice & wet). So Daryl rallied the kids and together they built this handsome guy. Thank you, Dave & Robynn, for the great snowman accessories. Aren't they perfect?! If you squint, you can just make out his little twiggy arms. Maybe Monday we'll make him a wife, using the snow-woman kit Steve & Debbie got us. (We're set in the snow couple department. Who's gettin' us the snow babies kit?)

A Heart Full of Love

Nothing much photo-worthy lately. We are waiting out the yucky months of winter (Jan & Feb). Just wanted to say I love my little family. Ana stayed home sick with a gravelly voice and a cough but was in the best spirits all day. We baked and frosted cupcakes then worked on her preschool homework card. The rest of the time she tended her babies and stuffed animals. (She is a way better mom than me, that's for sure.) Meili overheard Ana say that T.V. is much better than books, so she sat Ana right down and read to her for an hour out of some of her favorite children's books. Ana WILL be a book lover if Meili has anything to say about it. Thank you, Mei! I am just so proud of Eliah and how hard he has worked the past few months on a really tough goal. He can do ANYTHING! Plus, he makes us all laugh like crazy. And Daryl quietly keeps us all going along with his steady ways. I'm grateful to be a part of his life. Thank you, family!

Inaugural Moment

The kids mark this historic event.

Amazing Ana

Ana had a good day today. She spent two hours at a friend's house, then two more hours at our house with the same friend. They drank chocolate milk, played dress-up, and watched Sleeping Beauty. She was happy all afternoon. (Actually, she's almost always happy but more so today.) Just before dinner, she ran into the kitchen, overcome with enthusiasm. She shouted out: "Here is the Amaaaazing Ana!"

Hot Genes

Ya displaying his awesome DNA.

Saying Goodbye

Ana's Christmas gift to Daryl was a chocolate penguin named Pee-Wee. Sunday night we decided to tear into him. Poor Pee-Wee.

Wise Woman

Here's a Christmas pic that got overlooked. The Sunbeam class in Primary always re-enacts the nativity the Sunday before Christmas. Ana played one of the wise men. Here she is on her way to see the baby Jesus.

No School Tomorrow!

The kids enjoyed an extremely late-night tennis match.

More Rockin' Out

Ana and I each took a turn. Notice my Christmas present from Dave & Robynn: an Indiana Jones T-shirt. I love it!

A Rockin' Christmas

Katie and Dave came for Christmas dinner, and their whole family tried out Guitar Hero: World Tour in our new basement den. So much fun! Notice Meili in the middle of all the chaos doing her favorite activity.

"Sing a Little Song"

We were sitting around the dinner table a few weeks ago when Meili sarcastically said, "I don't have any friends." Ana looked at her with real concern and said in a sweet little voice, "Mei, you know, when I don't have any friends, I just sing a little song and then I feel much better..."

Christmas Angel (video)

Ana had a little solo during the Mapleton Children's Choir Concert last night at the Provo Tabernacle. She practiced diligently, mostly on her own, and performed it fearlessly, as you can see.

Naughty or Nice?

Only Santa knows for sure.

Ana, the Red-Nosed Preschooler

Ana came home today with this red nose then sang "Rudolph" nonstop the rest of the day.

Christmas Greetings!

I took this picture a couple weeks ago when we were still having unseasonably warm temperatures. Alas, those days are gone. We are now freezing, and expect to be snowed in after blizzard-like conditions tomorrow.

Thanksgiving Fun

While we all waited to eat at Katie's, the kids played Hungry Hungry Hippo. How appropriate, since we were all starving and preparing to eat like hippos!

Giving Thanks

1. I am grateful for my family members who live close by. For so long, I was troubled that my kids would grow up without the support of and regular interaction with family. Thank you to Katie and to Stephen and their spouses/children who have done away with those worries and offer the kind of love, laughs, and understanding that only family can provide.

2. I am grateful for my siblings who live out of state. We LOVE visitors and we LOVE unlimited long distance. Thank you to Dave & Robynn who can make me laugh at anything, and thanks to Natalie who lets me walk her dog vicariously with her. I feel so fit and refreshed when we're done.

3. I am grateful for my dad and his wife and for the way they make all of us feel loved. Thank you, Bonnie, for always remembering us on your travels, on our birthdays, and as you work your creative, crafty magic.

4. I am grateful for Daryl's family--for their kindness and enthusiasm about our lives here many miles away. Thank you for entrusting us with this crazy, happy little soul.

5. I am grateful for blogs and how they keep extended family connected. I so much enjoy checking on Brad & Melissa, Jenny & Rod, Nate & JoLee, and Aaron & Brooke. You guys always inspire me and make me wish we could all get together more often.

It's time to pull out the Christmas decorations and move forward into the frenzy that defines the next few weeks. I just thought to take a moment to let y'all know how much I love and 'preciate ya.

Let Me Explain

. . . the previous post. My kids made that JibJab video and surprised me with it. I laughed so hard and thought I'd share the hilarity. Believe me, I would have probably NEVER done that on my own. (Um--at least I never would have admitted it.) Notice they used my 80s flashback face. Nice.

Tami + Troy = T-R-U-E-L-O-V-E

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Ana's Halloween

Katie invited Ana to trick-or-treat with her kids while I took my older kids to a late-night party. (Teenagers!) Ana had way more fun with Katie than she would have with us, so THANK YOU to my wonderful sister. Ana also got a sleepover thrown into the bargain. She came back oh-so-satisfied with her loot and her fun, fun holiday memories. Thanks, Steve, for taking these pictures.

Flashback

I needed a last-minute costume for a party I attended with the older kids. Katie and her nice neighbor Allison helped me put this together. It felt very familiar and comfortable. I think I'm making a permanent wardrobe change.

Pumpkin Lighting

Eliah was in charge of lighting the pumpkins this year.

Playing Dress-Up

Meili has the greatest friends! I caught them walking home together after school and made them pose for me.

Peace, Matey!

Ya and Mei on their way into school on Halloween. (I had just dropped them off and took the picture through the car window.) We had a cool, spooky sunrise that morning. Nice effect!