dates with my kids

Jack, Hank and I went to see the play A Christmas Carol. Jack had to see a play for his drama class. And Hank's teacher was reading it to his classroom. I thoroughly enjoyed taking Dana to plays last year for drama and I was excited to get to do that with Jack this year. We got to see it at Hale Center Theater in the round. Hank's favorite character was Marleys Ghost. He was all chained, white and spooky like. Jack said his favorite was Scrooge.

Then Dana and I went with Dana's dance class to see the Nutcracker Ballet up at Capitol Theater. It was snowing like crazy. We drove up to Sandy and then took TRAX on into Salt Lake. We were a bit early so we hung out at a German delicatessen looking at packages of cookies and chocolates trying to decipher the ingredients. The ballet was beautiful even though we saw it from the nose bleed section. Lovely costumes and scenery. We then went with our friends, Leslie, Markee and Marin to lunch at The Olive Garden and flirted with the adorable waiter. Dana's favorite character was Mother Bufoon, a tall woman with a large hoop skirt that opens up and her little children come dancing out.

Two of my favorite things we did this holiday season. Thankyou kids for hanging out with Mom xoxoxo.

Barf Buddies

Barf Buddies! Now that sounds like a party! We had some sick going around the schools and neighborhood and it stoppped by our house for a stay. Hank and Dana were both sick on the same day and I kept them home from school. Usually I say no TV and stay in bed (to discourage fakers!), but this time I let them lay on the couches and suffer together. Movies too. I did tell them "don't miss the bucket!"

READY, SET, GO!

This years Pinewood Derby rocked. Hanks' entry is in lane 2, named Glaxy Red. The owner of the track said that our wards cars are the fastest he has ever run. Every car, even the slowest car, came in faster than ANY others he has ever ran in any other ward or race. Infact one of our cars clocked just under the fastest recorded car in Pinewood Derby history. Way to go Pack 1133!Jerry and Hank began working on their car a month early, a great team.
Hank came in 4th (two people tied for 3rd). It was pretty exciting. He also won the award for the most aerodynamic. He was one smiley kid.

Catan Fever

Have a couple of extra days to waste? Can your laundry, bills and bathrooms wait? Let me introduce you to Settlers of Catan. For a month before the Rossins came to visit, my sister in-law Shauna couldn't stop talking about this new game her friends had introduced her to, and that she was obsessed with. Everytime she talked to me on the phone, she reminded me she was bringing it and we were going to play. I was excited to learn a new game. Bring it on.

I should have known better! This was the same Shauna who introduced me to Soduko. The same one I cursed at 1:00 am when I couldn't put down that addicting little game book. Just one more game. Okay, just one more. One more. One more. One more.

Here we go again...we played the whole weekend!!! Catan, Catan, Catan. We'd finish a game and then start another. We'd send the kids to bed and play late into the night. So much fun!!! It's a German game. The basic idea is, you need 10 points to win. You earn points by building settlements and cities. In order to build them you need certain resources. So you either earn them or trade them. "Got a stick? I'll trade them for a brick." "No, but I'll trade you a sheep for a stick." That's in brief. If you want the details, schedule your week off and come on over!!! Bring some soda and pretzels. The light will be on late at the Harrells! Thanks Shauna!

TRAX to the Temple

We give thanks, for the best family ever!

The Rossins came for Thanksgiving this year (as we wish they would every year). What an absolute treat. We love every minute we get to share with them. Thank you gas man for cutting them a break. They got in town in the early hours of Thanksgiving morning, went straight to bed for a few hours and then the food feast and fun began. Jerry traded being on call with his co-worker (thanks Nate). I was getting fearful that it would be me putting on dinner. Scarry. Here's a nice picture of Jerry and Tom (and Tom).

We cooked, shredded, stirred and baked. I followed Jerry around saying "what can I do".

We measured everyone on the wall. In case you wanted to know, the tallest to the smallest: Eric, Summer, Shauna, Jerry, Jack, Dana (by a smidge over Laurie), Laurie, Samantha, Hank, Evan, Syndey and Ethan.

We played some games. We all love a good game and the best, brougth by Shauna.....Settlers of Catan. It will get its own blog entry next (it deserves it).

We ate some pre Thanksgiving cereal.

We hugged and loved.

We couch potatoed.

After dinner and a couple pies, we danced to "Crazy Frog". The second blur down is Jerry!

You Are Special

The Stake put on a Story Telling Festival this year. A small version of the Roadshows we had put on when I was a kid, except anyone from the ward was invited to be in the cast. Really fun. Every ward chose from a different book. Our Ward presented an adaption of Max Lucado's book "You are Special." A sweet story about a town of Wemmicks and their maker Eli (I have the book if you want to borrow it). Here's a picture of the full cast. Sister Grooms was our Director. She was fabulous!

Besides actors, we were make up artists. This is Lynne and Riley. What a Sweetie Pie!This was funny. Jack applying James's makeup. They kept laughing, followed by James looking in the mirror, then more laughing.

Two very "SPECIAL" people......Hank and Jack!

I was great fun. THAT'S A WRAP!