Fun after Christmas

Kate had to work the week between Christmas and New Years. Sarah and I managed to entertain Brody and Laura. I so enjoyed having Brody all to myself....well, not exactly all by myself. We still had a pretty full house. Papa got a snow blower for Christmas and Brody was absolutely enthralled by the snow and the snow blower. Unfortunately, we didn't have snow gear for Brody (you don't need it in Seattle!), and he got cold pretty quickly.
Note his hat. On the right is Daniel blowing Grandma Wilcox's driveway.

You couldn't tell the street from the yard.

Late one morning, we went to Pirate Island. It's a pizza/restaurant with video games and play areas. MUCH nicer than Chucky Cheese.

Brody and I got there first. That is a very spooky looking pirate in the background.

Handsome Scallywag

On the right, notice how Brody rides the little merry-go-round standing up. Laura kept assuring me this was not "Ma-Goon" (Lagoon amusement park we went to this past summer)

Brody playing a game -- he wasn't all that interested in them.

*sigh of relief*







Laura riding the merry-go-round.

We knew it would be hard for the kids to leave, so we made up a song (sung to "Once There Was A Snowman")

Once there was a pirate, pirate, pirate.

Once there was a pirate, Fierce, Fierce, FIERCE!

When it was time to go home, go home, go home,

When it was time to go home,

NO MORE TEARS!

Sarah and I think it helped.

We also went bowling at BYU one afternoon and it was a NIGHTMARE! It was beyond crowded with families and children. We still had fun, but here wasw no time to take pictures!
Brody has a funny little sense of humor and was always delighting us with his remarks. One night during dinner, our cat was eating whatever Laura dropped under her high chair.

Brody piped up: Guh, your cat is like a Roomba!

(a Roomba is a small round disk that vacuums by itself)

CHRISTMAS MORNING

We had lots of people for Christmas morning. Aunt Tessa, Grandpa Leseberg, Kate, Brody, Dan, Jenn, and later in the day, Jenn's sister Erin. Jenn had to work at 6:30 in the morning, so she and Dan unwrapped their gifts later in the day. Then, Erin came and she had gifts to unwrap. Sarah, Bob, and Laura came later, too and we had great fun.

Brody and Daniel (note cat peeking out from under Dan's blanket).

Brody got his own camera!

Can't decide what to open first!

Tessa and Grandpa all snuggled up, watching the festivities.

BRODY'S 5th BIRTHDAY - Posted 7 weeks late

Daniel, Bob, Sarah, Grandpa Leseberg
Blowing out the candles

Sarah made a Mickey Mouse cake!

Laura and Brody discover "Hungry, Hungry Hippos."

Inspecting the loot.

Mom (Kate) reads a card, Laura has lost interest. Getting started.

Brody was born about 1:00 AM on Dec. 20. He was 6 weeks premature.

(so was his mom)

We wanted to take him to the NICU at Utah Valley Hospital, so he could see where he was born. Unfortunately, the hospital isn't letting in any visitors

under age 14.

FUNNY FRIDAY

What's wrong with this picture?

I went to the grocery store and found a great sale on Hamburger Helper.

Notice the magazine I chose for recreational reading.
So, although I dream of cooking new and delicious recipes, the reality of my life

is Hamburger Helper.

I like to think of recipe books, recipe magazines, and Coldwater Creek catalogs as

"Mom Porn."

Our Visit to Houston January 2010

Mel and I went to Houston to visit the Wallace's (our daughter's family). We had so much fun. Benson (3 in March) helps "Popf" fix the dishwasher.

Bailey (6 years) goes to all day Kindergarten.

Brynley (almost 14 months) is a cruisin' cutie in her walker.

Benson got sick right after we got there, but quickly recovered.

Bailey has four freckles on her nose, just like her mom did!

Mel and I went to Bailey's school for lunch. We brought McDonald's.

Guggie and Bailey

Bailey enjoying her lunch and prize.

The weather was beautiful for several of the days and we'd play outside.

Benson "flying" his airplane.

The Three Musketeers: Kolten, Ty and Bailey. They are all in kindergarten and good buddies.

The world's most content baby -- inside or outside. Also very "cool."

This was a "Cars" big wheel and Benson loved the siren.

Our trip to the Children's Museum

Bryn wasn't so impressed with the exhibits. Here she is in her second outfit of the day. Evidently, she had Museum and Poop Fest confused.

The hands-on exhibits were very popular with Benson.

Once again, the most patient baby in the world.There was a genuine old Mustang the kids could sit in.
Bailey and Benson enjoyed driving it.

Bailey wasn't too sure about Benson's driving.

There were some really cool learning centers.

We had such a great time. If I were a little better at this blogging picture posting, I could show lots more!

Thanks for the great time Wallace Family!

Happy New Year!

"Cheers to the New Year, and another chance for us to get it right." (Oprah)

Thank heavens for more chances!