Smooth Criminal

Ben came into the kitchen wearing this outfit and started dancing. All it needed was the music.

Then and Now

This was then, early 2004: Marie conspires with Tessa, a willing accomplice, to have a little fun in the kitchen. Shortly after this incident, locks appeared on pantry doors.

Fast forward to now, late 2007. Then, Marie seemed motivated by mischief; now, Ben is all about the food. Usually the first one up these days, Ben tried to hit mom and dad for a handout. Feeling that all was secure, we slumbered on...unaware that a box of pumpkin bread mix, lying helpless on the counter, would be his victim.

The scene of the crime.

Sorry Lori, at least Ben got to enjoy your Christmas gift.

Is Grace the last, best hope for mankind? Or is it just a matter of time...

Merry Christmas

Our Christmas tree in the early hours of morning.

Tessa tries out her new electric tooth brush.

Ben couldn't believe his good forune with a "woo woo" set.

Ave Maria!

Ben was a camel in the nativity.

He was also a shepherd.

Tess as a wisewoman.

Marie in front of our friends' Christmas tree.

Mommy and Grace.

Grace Renee.

The kids before the Christmas Eve party.

Happy Grace.

We are finally getting a neighbor on the lot next to us. Ben loves to watch the tractor.

This was our latest project in an attempt to put up more pictures of Jesus and the temple. But as you cannot afford those pictures (and pay tithing), we had to come up with our own. James worked for two solid days to write a program in MATLAB to antique the picture that we took coming home from our Santa Barbara trip. It came out beautifully. [James' clarification: It took me two days to figure out that I couldn't create the effect I wanted with other people's software, so I ended up writing it myself in about about five minutes.]

Ben and James prepare twice-baked potatoes. This is Ben pulling the sword from the stone.

What a handsome guy! I told James for one of my presents this year, I wanted him to go get a real hair cut so that I could look at him without staring at the mistakes I make when I cut his hair.

This is what my dad calls "violence on the screen." Notice the pink eye. Last night I thought I was having a heart attack. After experiencing sharp chest pains, sweating, chills, racing heart, and having nearly passed out, I had James call 911. My vitals were great and my heart, according to paramedics, looked like it belonged to a marathon runner. Ha! They also said that an infected eye affects all parts of the body, and it is not uncommon for conjunctivitus to cause vomiting, fever, and strong heart pains. Scariest thing since my miscarriage last year. We're glad Christmas wasn't spent in the hospital.

Influenza

We've caught the bug at our house! It has been sad to see the kids so sick (fevers of over 104) for so long (going on five days now). But James and I agree that this weekend was one of the best we've had in a while. The kids are calm, take naps and are willing to snuggle. It was fun watching Christmas movies and wrapping presents. James stayed at home with the kids most of the weekend while I ran errands. I always wondered how James multi-tasks when I am away. Here are pictures of what he does with Grace.

Homework Assignment

Using the help of her family, Marie was supposed to come up with a disguise for her turkey to keep him from becoming Thanksgiving dinner.

Although James and I had come up with some heavy artillery ideas, we decided to keep it mild. It was a good thing, too, because the teacher later told me that according to school rules, she was supposed to remove the gun. In the end she opted not to. When all the children's fathers are border patrol, military, or Raytheon employees, how can you tell kids they can't draw weapons? They just want to be like their fathers...

Please notice special detail, (i.e. lace-up boots). Also, for grandmothers who may be unaware, you can click on the small pictures and they will enlarge.

Fresh From Our Garden

Tessa is enjoying broccoli. What makes this picture so funny is that she has such a lovely pose--but you just can't get past the Ranch dressing all over her face.

Rarrrr!

Ben, sporting a hot chocolate mustache, is a "monster that is ready to cook."

Trip to California

Anticipating a move to Denver next summer, we thought we'd take the kids to Disneyland while it was still within a day's drive. Thanks to accomodations provided by Jason's family and Grandma Judy, the trip wasn't as expensive as it could have been. It was rather amusing to feed my kids on the same dishes that I used as a kid. (And of course, the refridgerator was well stocked with Kraft singles and fudgesicles.)

Kids, Judy, and citrus that we covet.

Outside in Jason's backyard.

Ben drives a truck at Knott's Berry Farm.

Waiting in line at Knott's.

Ben swallowed his gum.

As Marie's race car whips around the corner, her body goes one direction, her gum another.

Ben and Tess enjoy a leisurely ride.

Cute Marie.

Making homemade OJ with Grandma Judy.

Little Gracie.

Marie and Grandma play primary songs.

Ready for Peter Pan!

"Daddy, there's Mermaid Lagoon!"

Tessa loves white ponies.

Ben and James.

It's a small world after all!

Allie was laughing so hard because she knew her babies were going to fall out of the roller coaster and there was nothing she could do to keep that from happening. (Tessa, in the car in front of Allie, does not appear to notice her perilous circumstances.)

Disneyland at night. (This picture was in case you were wondering how we survived an amusment park with four small children. We've gotten a lot of miles out of that stroller!)

Grace plays with Tessa's cheeks.

At our hotel in Santa Barbara.

Counldn't resist a picture of the Los Angeles Temple on the drive home.

Marie and Allie take turns demonstrating their hula skills: