Our Four Elves

This is funny. If you can't tell, it is Cole, Zach, Brett and Slade. Tyra thinks it is funny that she isn't in it and is the only one who can really dance!
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9579928988

Spagetti Factory

One of our family's favorite restaurants is Old Spagetti Factory. We went there last weekend after a fun filled day of shopping. We had to split into two small tables, but we got to sit in the cable car. Brett had lots of questions if it would move and how they got it in the building etc. Our favorite thing to eat is the Manager's Special--half meat sauce, half mizithra. Yummy! It makes me hungry to think of it.

Pretty in Pink

Tyra is ready for winter in her cute new pink boots. She wore them with this pink shirt and cozy vest when we went shopping Saturday. She looked really cute. Eric says she can't date until she is thirty one! Why do I think that will be a problem?!

Welcome Baby Landon!!!

Malica had her baby on November 24th (Mom and Dad's 56th anniversary). He weighed 6lbs 9 oz and has tons of black hair. He looks just like I remember Malica looking as a baby. We all can't wait to meet him. Congratulations Malica and Andrew!

Through the eyes of a child!

Slade came and got me the other day because he had something exciting to show me. I went in the other room with him and he showed me how he had dropped these beads and they had fallen into the shape of a cat. Slade definately has the secret to life. He finds joy in all the simple little things. Every morning I walk him out to the edge of our property and watch to make sure he gets to the bus stop okay. He turns around the whole time he is walking and yells "I love you, Ich liebe dich, Auf wiedersehen." He wakes up happy and is always excited for his day. Last week Zach skipped a day of school to go shopping and buy hockey equipment. I told Slade he could come, but he doesn't like to miss school. He loves every part of his life. I love his easy going spirit. In fact, I envy it and wish I had that personality!

My Honey--the handyman:)

I don't think I ever thought of Eric as a "handyman", but since we bought this house, he has been forced into that role. His philosophy used to be "call a guy, I'm a dentist." Now I think that all that dental training actually pays off as a handyman. During the remodel, I found Eric to be much better at the tedious jobs than I am. I tend to just want to get it done and he will spend hours on one tiny detail. His latest project was to add tile above the shower in our bathroom. The shower wasn't tall enough so water was splashing on the wall and we didn't want it to get ruined. Eric had never tiled anything before. I think he did an awesome job! I guess I'll keep him!!:)

Mom and Dad viewing my blog

I was kind of losing interest in my blog thinking that none of my family was looking at it. Chelle sent this to me today.

"I invited Mom and Dad out to look at your blog. I thought you'd enjoy this picture. They loved it. After Dad read the one about him, he cried. Keep up the good work!"

I guess I will continue in my blog efforts.

Veteran's Day 2007

I am very proud to say that my Dad is a veteran. He served two years in WWII. He began his service in the infantry. They couldn't keep up walking, so they attached his company to the artillery. He fought in the last Battle of the Bulge that ended May 8, 1945. He was in Mons, Belgium waiting for a ship and was going to be sent to Japan. However, the war ended and he was sent back to Brussels. There he was put in the military police. As a corporal, he investigated all accidents the military was involved in. He seved a full two years being stationed in France, Belgium, Switzerland and Germany. He earned the European African Middle East Service medal for The Battle of the Bulge. He was in Cologne when President Roosevelt died and remembers the moment of silence and prayer. He says the hardest part of the war for him was seeing people suffer with a lack of food etc. Dad's friend Sod Williams became aquainted with a German family. They were lucky to have a pig, but had no way of killing it. Dad and Sod went in the night and killed it and dressed it for them. They watched the blood drain and the German family collected it. A few days later, they were invited over for Blood Pudding! Another memory he shared with me was marching to the front lines. They didn't have a place to sleep. They came upon a barn and slept in the straw. Unfortunately it was flea infested and they all got fleas and had to be treated for that. Today Dad is 84 years old and one of two from his outfit to be alive. Thanks Dad for your service and example. I love you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE HAL!

I love this picture of Slade and Hal racing. We wish Uncle Hal were here with us today to celebrate his birthday. We hope he has a great day!

Jazz win!

The Jazz beat Seattle tonight 103-101. Normally I push that we should cheer for the Seattle teams since we live in Wahington, but not with the Jazz! Cole is a fourth generation Jazz fanatic. Even if the third link in that chain is weak at best. (Grandma La Preal, Mom, Me and Cole.) I think he is such a great fan that he even brings them good luck when he runs upstairs and puts his jersey on. Too bad he can't help the Broncos!

A-holes--not the kind you are thinking!!!

Brett is totally obsessed with the ABC's. Anything that involves them is his favorite toy. Last week he wanted me to cut each letter full paged size. I was cutting the outside of the A and he reminded me that I needed to cut a hole in it. As I started to cut it, he got very excited and said "Momma, you're really good at A-holes!" I thought I would die laughing!

We'll miss you Elder Johnson

Eric is serving as Ward Mission Leader. A benefit of this is having the elders in our home. This is a picture of our family with Elder Johnson and Elder Roholt. They were a great companionship. Lots of personality! Elder Roholt is from Tremonton and Elder Johnson is from Kayseville. Elder Johnson was transferred to Ritzville today. We wish him all the best there!

Happy Birthday Brett!!!!

I can't believe that Brett is 4 years old. We are so blessed to have him in our family. He had a great day today! He wanted brownies instead of a cake. Zach and I convinced him to have Mint Brownies. Tyra gave Brett a Webkinz (a monkey he named Curious George. Brett was so excited with all of his gifts and cards. Just now as it is time for bed, Slade brought Brett some of his own treasures that he had stashed in his room--bubbles, play dough,

teddy grahams,a snake (a plastic one) and some money. How sweet is that?!

Halloween

Pirate, Shaggy, Scooby and Daphne

80's Rocker

Velma, Fred and Daphne

Halloween was very fun. We went with a Scooby Doo theme and added a rocker and a pirate. We were actually amazed that Brett would even wear a costume. He hasn't the last two years. But once he started Trick or treating, he was hooked! We went to the Trunk or Treat at the church, then went to the High School and then walked and walked around houses with Tyra, her friends and Slade. Brett and Slade were both troopers. I got tired long before they did.

Need to journal

Recently I have heard at least two people talking about Pres. Eyring's talk in conference and relating it to journaling. That is something I could really do better on. I guess blogging seems to be the modern creative answer. You see it has been almost an entire month since our first (and last) post. I will do better. Part of the problem is learning to blog. Zach is going to give me lessons. Hopefully I can record our family experiences and add pictures!!