New House--sort of

So, apparently, I never published this post.  This was from July 2011.

New siding being installed.

Fun at the Beach

Recently, we went to the Outer Banks, North Carolina with friends.  We had fun at both the beaches we visited!  Naomi's most memorable event was being knocked off her feet by a wave.  She hadn't planned on getting in the water at the time, but the ocean had other thoughts.

Soundside

Oceanside

Fun with Bubbles

The girls decided to "grow" facial hair.  Or something like that.

Oatmeal

Four of the five children like oatmeal.  And the other one tolerates it most of the time.  Especially when there's a good deal of sweetener added!  It's a quick, wholesome, and filling go-to breakfast around here.  I throw in a variety of goodies to keep it interesting.  In the past we've seen:

• chocolate protein powder & peanut butter--they say it's like eating a candy bar
• frozen fruit & honey or agave syrup
• maple syrup & chopped nuts
• vanilla protein powder, almond butter and strawberries--my favorite

You get the idea.   Just about anything is fair game.  Or so I thought...

Today a new ingredient was requested.

Marshmallows!

I had to think about that one.  Sorta makes it into a dessert instead of breakfast, in my mind.  In the end I conceded just so the oatmeal would get consumed.  Granted, since I didn't stipulate a maximum number, the bowls ended up looking like marshmallows with a touch of oatmeal instead of the other way around.

Oh, well.  Once in a while dessert for breakfast makes for a fun childhood memory, I suppose.  :)

Snow Fun

Five hours.

That's how long the kids stayed outside playing with the neighbors instead of going to school.

Snowball fights!  Guess who usually had the upper hand?

Just happy to be included.

Showing off his ammunition.

Her Indian name is Runs In Snow With Apple.

Playing Fox & Geese

I think this one should say, "And here we have a nice red minivan driving by for your viewing pleasure."

And what was Abigail doing this whole time?  Reading books, playing with lacing cards, and prancing around like all good three-year-old girls...

...in her swimsuit.

Celebrity Sighting

I just had to surreptitiously take this photo while in the check-out line at BJ's.  I couldn't believe my eyes!  It's HAGRID! :)

Love Letter from the Five Year Old

It says:

I (heart) loove (heart) mom (heart) anD (heart) DaD

HigH mom  HigH DaD

1 26 5011

Naomi

I love the date.

 

But I especially love how she spelled 'hi'.

Gone Cruisin'

To celebrate the doctorate and our anniversary, we went on a cruise to 

The Bahamas!  

It was great fun and very relaxing.  

The first day was unseasonably cold.  The high was only 44 degrees.  Even with the clouds, the terrain was beautiful.

This day was much warmer--60's.  It was a very pleasant boat ride around Nassau.

Waiting on the pier for a boat to take us para-sailing.

Soaring high!  It was very peaceful up there.  We could see all the way to the edge of the earth. ;-)  The water was clear as glass, and it was amazing to be able to see so far down while sailing so far up!

The sun setting on Nassau.

The last day was spent snorkeling and sliding down a 40 foot water slide and getting sunburned.  We are anxious to get the pictures back that were taken with the waterproof disposable camera. 

The kids showing off their nifty gifties.

  

My mom kindly agreed to fly out to stay with the children.

And she brought my little brother and his wife, too.  Good times!

 What we learned:

• Cruises are indeed fun!
• The food is indeed abundant and fattening.
• So, Tums and Gas-X or Beano should be consumed regularly.
• Anti-motion-sickness medicine should be taken before embarking.

Three-Year-Old Speak, Part Two

You're tickling me in my heart.--used when she's really laughing hard

I love you a lot of times.--instead of just "I love you a lot." Daddy has responded with, "So, there are some times that you don't love me?" :)

beLAY--ballet

And even more comically:

I'm going to do beLAY at the temple. (We're not sure what she thinks goes on in a temple. I'VE never "done ballet" at the temple! :) )

Recently she asked ten yr old sister, AM, for a piggy back ride. AM said, "I'm not a piggy. I'm a human." So, without missing a beat, the three yr old asked, "Can I have a human back ride, then?"

Overheard in the Car

Observations by the four-year-old; comment by the two-year-old.


NE: Ewww! It smells like crabs in here!

Me: Crabs? You think so?

NE: Yes! I think Daddy and Uncle Matthew got crabs and ate them in the car on the way home from the airport.

Me: chuckling and confused (Uncle Matthew is half-way across the country.)

AE: Yah, it stinks! I think Uncle Matthew pooped in here!

Me: laughing so hard I'm crying


Of course I had to call Matthew, and inform him that our two-year-old thinks he needs to work on his personal hygiene.

Misnomer

Names our fourth child has been called:

Noomee


Nemo




Namer or Namee



Nawmee


Nay-Nay



Nie-oh-mee


Nummy




Numer



Wyoming

and last, but not least,

Mary
(multiple times by another four-year-old)

You're not feeling down, are you?

Click here.

I dare you not to smile!

Have a happy,
me.