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.

THANKSGIVING 2009 in Which Laura Makes the Supreme Gravy of the Universe

The company was great -- we had Sarah, Bob, and Laura ; Brent and Flor; Dan and Jenn; Pam, Kate and Jim and Grandpa. Oh wait - where's Jenn in these pictures?! We can still see you, Kate.

We missed Mom and Lloyd this year - Lloyd was not too portable this holiday.

So, I'm an OK cook. Sometimes I approach "good cook." There are some foods that I cook well. Gravy has not been one of them. I always end up adding a can/jar/evelope of gravy mix to redeem what I've tried to produce (usually with lumps). This year, I made make-head gravy. You cook turkey wings in the oven, then on the stove, etc. Time consuming, but too easy. I knew it wouldn't be enough for all of us, so I bought no less than 6 jars of gravy to add to it. But, first, I decided to TRY the pan drippings from one of the turkeys (yes, we were a 2-turkey event this year) to make some gravy. Well, Gravy Heaven smiled on me, and the two gravies mixed together were absolutely superb. I'm really being modest and humble - but it was DIVINE.

LET'S HEAR IT FOR HOLIDAYS

So, a 3-day weekend, and not a moment too soon. We're going to St. Anthony, ID to visit Mel's dad. Daniel and Jenn are going with us, so we should have some fun. Maybe I'll even figure out how to post some pictures when we get back.
Anyone else have fun plans?