Dancing with the Stars (video)

Reflecting on a Big Win

Here's Meili with her award-winning Reflections entry. Her depiction of a girl dreaming of all she can become has advanced to the regional level, and we are so proud of her!

Ana Reads to Her Baby

Tonight I caught Ana "reading" in her princess chair. It has to be a real book with lots of words--not a picture book. Can you guess which sibling she is imitating?

Loser Babysitters

We babysat Scout on Friday and everything went totally smoothly until she locked herself in the bathroom and had a party in the toilet. I was nearly ready to bash in the door when Eliah saved the day by picking the lock. Here are some of the shots we got of her after I realized she was NOT going to drown in the toilet. Needless to say, Katie will think twice before leaving her with us again.

Style Sense

Ana showing off her beautiful hairstyle (she did it herself) and her Dora Band-Aid (for a nonexistent boo boo).

My Very Own Katie Quilt

We received the best gift from Katie this year--a quilt in memory of my mother. Katie described it as a "labor of love" and, truly, we are so grateful for her mammoth effort, especially considering she has two little children who need her almost-constant attention. Each square is a piece of an old shirt belonging to my mom, and each represents a connection she had with my family. Top square: a Mapleton Elementary t-shirt. My mom loved visiting us here and always had me buy her the new school shirt at back-to-school night. Right square: Meili's handprints and Eliah's footprints from a grandkids' sweatshirt made in 1996. Bottom square: a sweatshirt commemorating the Elvis stamp. My mom and Daryl shared a love of everything Elvis! Left square: a t-shirt from the Boar's Butt Restaurant. Daryl, his mom, and my mom went to Alabama together in 2000 on a family reunion/genealogy trip. I hear that dinner at this restaurant was definitely a highlight. The Mickey Mouse border signifies the wonderful family trip to Disneyland, courtesy of my parents, in 2001.

Christmas Scenes

A few pictures from our Christmas: Ana trying out her new cash register, Eliah demonstrating the Wii, and the kids in front of Daryl's living tree. (We get to plant it in the spring.)

Quiet Play

Ana loves playing with our advent cabinet. She particularly enjoys emptying out all the surprises I have placed inside the little doors for the kids to open one day at a time throughout the month. Today, after once again casually removing my little candies and gifts, she spent an hour arranging our teeny tiny nativity figures and putting them inside the little cabinet doors.

Elfish Kids

Update: This is no longer an active link. Sorry! (It was soooo cute.)
Click on the link below to view a Christmas greeting from the kids, then click the back arrow to return.
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1157615723

Thanksgiving Wrap-Up

All the postings & pictures from this fun trip don't fit on one page. Please be sure to click on Older Posts to see them all, or go to the Archive on the right and click on "November 2007" to get all the posts on one page.

Pictures I Wish I'd Taken

Missy and Meow Meow

Lani and Missy with Meili and Eliah

All the food we loved--my grandma's Rolls, Missy's Mashed Potatoes, Granny's Chuk, and Lani's Baked Spaghetti!

Partial Family Picture

Great parting shots with Aunt Missy and Aunt Lani. If you look carefully, you'll see Meili and Eliah peeking through the sidelight windows. Can't believe I didn't put them in this shot! The sun was in the little kids' eyes--that's why they're turned away

Happy Smiles

Ana took this one of Aidan.













Aidan took this one of Ana.

All the Grandkids

Meili and Eliah loved having their dad's family here. What a great holiday!
 

Loving Granny

Ana took advantage of every minute with her Granny. When I announced that it was nearly naptime, she climbed into Granny's lap (to avoid being put to bed) and watched me warily out of her nearly closed eyelids until she fell asleep.

Asleep At Last

All right, THIS was absolutely the best thing the kids did.

Ya-Monster on the Loose

This was the other best thing the kids did. Here are the kids running from the hallway after Eliah would jump out of his bedroom and scare them. They ran squealing into the family room about 30 times. Granny heard their little feet pounding the ceiling of her basement room all night long!

Bath Time

This was just the best thing the kids did. Ana scrubbed Aidan until he was squeaky clean with her new soaps and sponge from Granny.

Winter Walk

We bundled up the kids and went for a brisk walk to get the mail. Katie and Lincoln came along. Ana led the way and showed Aidan all the sights in the neighborhood.

Thanksgiving Holiday

We had such a wonderful visit from members of Daryl's family last weekend. His mother, sisters (Missy and Lani), and nephew Aidan arrived Wednesday night, and we all tried to stay warm together during a particularly cold spell. Ana and Aidan had a very happy reunion, and acted like no time had passed since they last saw each other. The rest of us just enjoyed relaxing. Thanks everyone for a great reunion! We love you!

Playlist Panic

Eliah has taken over the playlist, so I cannot guarantee your listening pleasure anymore.

Ana's Class Picture

Who's the cutest? (Click on picture to enlarge it.)

For Your Listening Pleasure

Katie inspired me to add some music, at least temporarily, to our family blog. I'm starting with a tribute to my mom and dad. We grew up listening to folk singers like Peter, Paul, and Mary. "Puff" was one of my parents' favorite songs because they loved their children, and the lyrics of this song tell the story of a child's vivid imagination--and nothing else, all you conspiracy theorists.

Second song is Daryl's choice. Third is Eliah's.

If you get tired of listening, press the pause button.

Another Dance (video)

http://youtu.be/cOADLYumgKQ

Costumes

Eliah as a Chick Magnet, Meili in my 80s Gunne Sax dress, and Ana without her headband.