Christmas Carol

Dallin played the ghost of Jacob Marley in the high school presentation of A Christmas Carol. He was so awesome! The whole play was well done. The set and costumes were very well done. But in all fairness, Dallin was the highlight of the show. He had great lines and impressive stage presence.

Thanksgiving

Marilyn is using her super cool apple peeler/slicer for her delicious apple pie.

Kadi is making praline sweet potatoes.

I brined the turkey this year and it was very juicy.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the kids and Marilyn. It was very low-key and relaxing - my favorite combination. With how crazy our schedules have been, we were looking forward to a stress-free holiday.
For dessert, Tal's second cousin Katrina and her family, came over for pie. It was really nice to visit and get to know them. I know Marilyn really enjoyed telling Katrina about her parents and about Jack and Elaine when they were younger.
The boys played so well with their kids. They were really excited to find out they had cousins at their school.

Volunteerism

If this wasn't so funny, I would be mortified to show anyone the layers of dust in my house. It hasn't always been this way - only for about the last 20 or so years.
I think Eric has volunteered to dust, don't you?

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary

How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.

I am missing the bells, shells and maids but have the other prime components of a successful garden this year. I had (2) 4x8 raised boxes with amended soil.

• Tomatoes: Early Girl, Sweet 100, and Yellow Cherry. All worth doing again but do higher cages - they went crazy. Try a Yellow Pear and a Roma next year
• Cucumbers: Armenian and lemon cuke. Pass on the lemon next year but the Armenian is a winner! Taller cage on Armenian - huge producer!
• Peas: Did not plant enough and need to trellis better
• Yellow bush beans: Good flavor but go with pole beans to climb next year
• Zucchini: One plant is always enough
• Pumpkin: Find a better place - they take over every inch!
• Strawberry: Not successful this year. Must not have the knack yet.
• Lettuce: Easy, always good
• Spinach: Didn't do well this year
• Radish: Plant further apart, did OK
• Carrots: Still waiting to see if it's worth the effort
• Onions: Started with red and yellow sets, should be good
• Jalapenos: Not terrific, don't bother next year
• Tomatillos: Fruit way too small, not worth it
• Swiss Chard: Plant more than 4 next year. Took too long to get enough to cook for Tal with just 4.
• Green onions: Not worth the effort
• Herbs: I think I am going to use fresh herbs but never do. Don't bother.
• Sunflowers: Did well. Do again for some height and color variety in boxes
• Flowers: Those in between the veggies in the boxes didn't do well but the front planters were great. More petunias next year.

This is the first year I experience squash bugs - nasty little things. I finally Googled an remedy and it worked just fine. Fill a spray bottle mostly with water then add at least 1/4 cup of dish soap. Spray all bugs, babies and eggs like crazy. Do it in the morning of evening when bees aren't out. Repeat each day for 2-3 and they should be dead. They winter over so make sure you get them really good before putting your garden to bed.

The little boys had fun helping with planting, weeding, watering and picking. The real thrill was counting the number of treasures brought in and then hiding the cherry tomatoes from Dallin. Dallin has not lost his love affair with tomatoes. Last night around 10 PM, he went out to the garden with his head lamp for light and picked a bowl-full of cherry and lemon cherry tomatoes. He's a funny kid.

Birthday Boy

Yes, I only ever have Christmas wrapping paper.

Another year older and wiser, too. Happy birthday to you!
Eric was very excited for #9. He is getting so grown up. These are the highlights of what his favorites are right now:

• Loves to read - especially Captain Underpants
• Legos: He has moved out of Ninjago and now loves Star Wars and Alien Conquest
• BeyBlades: Spinning tops that "battle" each other
• Writes comics and illustrate them. Right now they are about a team of Yeti hunters
• Favorite TV shows: Sonic the Hedgehog, Power Rangers Samurai, Pair of Kings
• Favorite Cereal: Cinnamon Toast Crunch
•  Loves to stay up late when he is supposed to be sleeping
• Is giving his Primary teacher a hard time because he only wants to sit by Kaylie
• Finished his Wolf badge for Cub Scouts the last weekend possible
• Loves to pick out a dessert recipe and help make it
• Loves raw carrots, Red Delicious apples and pea pods
• Watches over Spencer on the bus, at school and in the neighborhood - no one messes with Spencer (except Eric)
• Loves to tell people about his cancer and talk about his diagnosis and treatment
• Hates immunization shots (to the point of giant baby tantrum) but doesn't mind blood draws
• Still needs to wear glasses but can't seem to leave them on
• Gets up every morning to his own alarm clock and gets ready for school by himself
• Wildly fluctuates between annoying Dallin & Kadi on purpose then wanting to do nice things for them
• Prays everyday for Taylor on his mission and for Grandma to sell her house and move here

He asked for cold cereal for his birthday dinner: Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Frosted Flakes and Apple Jacks. For the cake he wanted Buttermilk Pie.
He had some friends over for a party that weekend. They played at our house then we went to the pool at the Rec Center. Everyone had a great time.

Kadi and friend Emily are photo-bombing!

Happy Dance

I think I was more excited for school to start this year than all my kids combined. Since Spencer starts 1st grade this year, all my kiddos are in school for the whole day - the WHOLE day! Imagine the peace, the quiet, the mounds of homework I can complete uninterrupted by my precious and endearing offspring!

Senior Year

1st grade

3rd grade

Sophmore year