2006 CHRISTMAS - 1st one!!!!!

Sorry, Elyse is out of order. She was last to open
her "Christmas Eve Gift."

I tried to put the pictures in order, but alas, I have
no idea what I am doing. So, some of these are last and
should be first. This is the four that were home showing
off their "Christmas Eve Gift."

All four while Dad read a STUPID story. Not his
fault - I picked it out. The art work was great, the
story line stunk.

We did oldest to youngest - these happen to be
in order.

Betsey opening her "Christmas Eve Gift."

Zachary's turn - you should see it. It looks like
it would fit Luke (he wondered if he got the wrong
package).

Tomorrow is the BIG day! Wish the other married
children were here - but that just makes us have two
Christmas celebrations this year.

Dan-O - save room for biscuits and gravy!

ERIN'S 21st BIRTHDAY

The mugly other and the sad blister!

We got her earrings and a Pirates 2 DVD.

Betsey made her a plaque "Forget love. I'd
rather fall in chocolate."

So prim and proper - not!

Zachary gave a concert afterwards - he knows
two songs.

FEBC was AMAZING this morning. So much musical
talent in our church. It was wonderful!

We got all our children in the traditional "Christmas Eve
Gift." We even got Stephen, and he called us! Poor Tobin!
He didn't know what we meant when we answered the phone
"Christmas Eve Gift." He actually thought he had to buy Dad
a present - I guess he should!

More pictures to follow of our 2006 Christmas - at least the first
one of many this year.

LAST MINUTE TRIP TO CHICAGO!!!!!

After our trip to Chicago, we all watched youtube!

Betsey so generously bought us a raspberry
bubble tea - which I promptly knocked over
on my coat, legs and floor.

They had REAL carolers! They were amazing!

Erin found the only snow in Chicago and threw
her first snowball of the year.

I am holding up the "bean." Strong, aren't I?

Every post had to have a pose. I think they
like climbing instead of walking.

A good spy on the lookout!

All in all, it was a good day! It was cold, but we
still had fun.

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO.....

Yesterday was the PCS Christmas Concert. It was AMAZING! Brent was awesome! The message was so good and so clear. There were several college students there. Most of them came back to our house for the evening. When I walked in the house, I noticed it was cold. So, I turned up the heat to 70. After getting the kids to bed, the college kids were downstairs, I decided I would go to bed and read (it was warmer under the covers). You think that would have rung a bell, but it didn't.

Dad stayed up to "chaperone" the college kids. He noticed that he was freezing. At midnight, he shooed the college kids out and came to bed. All night he fought me for the covers, you think we would have got the hint. So, this morning I got out of bed and noticed that it was cold. I checked the thermostat and it was 60 degrees in the house. I turned up the heat and then I noticed that the switch was off. Someone had turned off the heat.

Then I remembered that Zachary hit the thermostat with a football (nerf one that is) and I had just adjusted the temperature and NOT the switch. So, since yesterday around 2:00 p.m., the heat wasn't on. It was such a nice day yesterday outside, I guess we didn't need any heat inside. But last night - it was COLD!

Where are my older children when I need them?

CHICKEN POX!!!!!

While Zachary rests with chicken pox, Elyse
reads him a story. Zachary feels terrible up to
this point.

See what a little Motrin can do to you! He feels
fine now.

You can't see the spots, but they are fresh as of
this morning. Soon we can connect the dots.

2006 CHRISTMAS CONCERT!!!!!!

G. I. Jeff (alias Erik Mahler).

Julia "JuJu" playing the drum - what a cutie!

Elyse smelling something - haven't a clue what!

Zachary waiting for his cue.

For those of you who missed the concert at FEBC, here they are in all their glory. They did an excellent job. The little ones were so cute! Not one was in rhythm, but we parents don't care.

Next year - don't miss it!

ANOTHER STORY!!!!!

Zachary tearing the Widholm's house down.

Elyse joined in the fun as well!

Boy is Elyse like Betsey (as if you didn't know). Last night, I made a new stew for dinner. It is called Colorful Chicken Stew. Elyse looked at it and said she didn't want it. I said, "You don't have to like it, you just have to eat it." She picked at it. We ate and left the table. A few minutes later she came in the living room and said she was done. I said, "Did you throw it away?" She said, "Yes!" So, I got her another heaping bowlful and set the microwave for 15 minutes and told her that if she wasn't done when the bell rang she would get swatted for each piece of stew left in her bowl. Lo and behold, she was done with the whole bowl in three minutes. AND, she didn't even throw up like she was threatening. What a piece of work!

After a dry run to the emergency room to watch the Mahler's children, we are just beginning to start school and it is noon. I guess it just wasn't meant to be today!

HOMESCHOOLING STORIES!!!!!

We have been studying the forest in Science in 3rd grade. Completely unprompted by me, the following conversation took place:

Zachary said to Elyse: "I know how to tell how old you are!"

Elyse said, "How?"

Zahcary: "Let's just cut you in half and count the rings."

If you didn't laugh, I guess you had to be there! Wish you were here!

I tried to include some pictures, but blogger won't let me do it at this time. Pretty soon, I will send them.

SILLY MOMMA!!!!!

A funny thing happened in the kitchen yesterday. I was fully dressed, but wearing my robe for extra warmth. I decided to make a cup of cappuccino. While the teapot was heating up, I put my hands over it to get them warm (I do this every day). Lo and behold, my sleeve of my robe caught on fire. The flames were shooting a foot away from my arm. I screamed, started smacking my arm and the flames go out. So, be warned: Using fabric softener OR dryer sheets, can cause fire on your clothes. It doesn't leave a mark (such as a burn mark), but it does smell like fire. The flames burn off all the softener (or dryer sheets in my case) and then the fire stops. Amazing! But, you are warned - watch your dryer sheeted sleeves when warming your hands over the stove!!!!!