Christmas Day

Just three gifts each. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh, right?

LOVE getting the mail in December.

Watching "Luke II" at Grandma's. Clint and Mia pretend there's an ottoman(?).

After a big breakfast, Mrs. Claus (aka Grandma) organizes everyone's pile of gifts in the rec room, and Cam dances in anticipation. On her signal, wrapping flies and shrieking and hugs begin.

This giant gift bag is filled with wrapped gifts for Elle. Grandma went overboard again. Sigh.

Elle plays something peaceful as we gaze at the twinkling Christmas lights. Ya, right.

Christmas Eve (better late than never)

Our traditional family talent show on Christmas Eve.

BYU's Number 32

Can you say PITTA!? Dat's right.

The boys had run into Dennis Pitta visiting at church recently and had stalked him ever since. Luckily for Pitta, he was never home, so they had not caught up to him over the holidays. The night before he was to leave, Pitta's called and invited the boys up. He signed Getty's hat and Cy's "Cougar Illustrated," featuring him in an action play on the cover. Pitta's dad said with a smirk, "He dropped that pass, you know..." 

"Thanks for bringing that up, Dad."

Happy 2010 from Our Family to Yours

Shun, Tolerate, then Embrace

Hard (uncooked) Ramen. And when I say "hard" I mean tooth-shattering. This is the lunch my boys crave. I don't know who invented it. I refused to serve it for months—it's just not right. Then I caved... and regretted it almost immediately as I noticed about two hundred bits scattered across the kitchen. Then I had a brilliant idea. (I'm brilliant, you know.) If the bowl is LARGE enough, it contains much of the mess. 

Thus, Hard Ramen is served upon request.

Unsolved Mystery

I found THIS...

DEAD...

Salamander??? 

Under my BED. 

Questions anyone? I have no answers. And, yes, I've thoroughly interrogated Getty and Cy.

I actually picked this sucker up thinking it was one of the many small, plastic dinosaurs the kids play with in the tubby. I almost shoved it in my pocket without looking. It took about 5 whole seconds to register, at which time I shrieked, threw it, and ran out of the room.

Grody.

Of course we've saved it. Its new home is a ziplock bag on Getty's desk, where it can receive due appreciation from all five to ten-year-old visiting boys.

I managed to take photos of it without touching it once. Ewwww.

Elle Turns Two

A box of hand-picked donuts for breakfast is our birthday tradition. The ribboned boxes of specialty cupcakes were compliments of our home teachers. (Do you see what I'm sayin' here 'bout these guys?!?)

BTW, it was Crazy Hair Day at the elementary.

Crucial Convo's

I’m reading “Crucial Conversations,” and learning all about my rookie mistakes. How—even when you’re convinced you’re right—to not force your opinion down people’s (Rob’s, McKenzie’s, Mia’s, Cattens…) throats. How to start with your facts, NOT your conclusions. How to talk tentatively—to state your story as a possibility, not a hard fact—as in, “I wonder if….” How to step back and ask yourself, “What do I really want?” and “How would I act right now if I really wanted these results?”

These are all skills I apparently lack. First of all, I’m always right. Like my dad would say, “Of course I think I’m right. I wouldn’t hold that opinion if it were wrong.” Secondly, I like to dazzle people with my “conclusions” without stating the evidence that led me there. I like to keep them wondering how on earth I could have known—that it must be my sheer genius and spiritual discernment. Third, I take no prisoners in battle. To step back would be to give the opponent the time to develop his case without cross-examination, gaining points he would never otherwise win, or worse, to let him think he’s stumped me.

You didn’t know I was such a head case, did you? The truth comes out….

Flarps, Beeps, and a Honk

Someone (who will remain nameless) flarped (or beeped, as Elle says), and Rob said, 

“What’d you say?”

 I laughed so hard I cried.  

Happy Thanksgiving

Elle's Crush

His name is Cody. I hear Elle say his name about 45 times a day. She made up a song about him, called the "Cody Song." It goes like this, "Co-dy song... Co-dy song...Co-dy song...." 

I asked her once, "Why do you like Cody so much? "She said with a big smile, "Cute...shunny...hugs." 

Dancing in the kitchen.

I can't help but take a lot of pictures of this yummy two-year-old.

When Elle's all dressed for the day, she runs to show Cam. He says, "Elle! You look so beautiful!"