Cracking the Code

Geoff deserves the credit for this one…. David speaks David, and really only the family knows what he is talking about. For the last couple of months David says “di-ga-di-go” (rather fast) every time he sees pretty much anything with a handle, ie: scripture case, handbag, lunchboxes, violin cases, etc. So, he says “di-ga-di-go” and struts around with a smile on his face, while carrying in his hand something with a handle.

Yesterday, Geoff received inspiration (during a visit from our home teachers) as to what exactly “di-ga-di-go” means. After our handshakes and goodbyes, no sooner had the door shut than Geoff turned around and triumphantly said, “I know what “di-ga-di-go” means! --- ‘GOTTA GO’!!” Really, it was an obvious match, but it took the smarts of Daddy to bring it to our attention. You see, every time one of us leaves the house, we’re saying we gotta go! Or you gotta go! so naturally David picked up that phrase. It was a happy day indeed to have cracked the code, even if in part, to the language of David! ;)

Tasting the Wind

Jacob cracks us up all the time. Not with a big punch line or anything but the simple, innocent comments of a 3 year old boy. Here is a little sampling:
--While walking into the grocery store, which happens to be next to a pizza place; “Mom! I can really smell the wind! I can taste the wind!”
--Seeking a second drink before bed; “See my breath :::exhale::: it needs a drink.”
--Clicking a mechanical pencil; “This doesn’t have any WINK in it.”
--Stating the obvious; “I don’t like soap in my hair, it gets my hair all soapy.”
--Always thoughtful of not only others -- but other things; “Mom, I need to take these DVDs out. They need some fresh air.”
--And finally, when the boys play-fight, Emeron often says, “You wanna piece of me?”
Jacob however, (while laughing and putting up his dukes) says, “You wanna piece of MEAT?” :)

CC: Obama

Tea Party, anyone?

Secret Fishing Hole

Now, I’m not gonna spill the beans as to this top secret fishing hole of Geoff’s, but it’s only 4 minutes from the house and easy for Daddy to get the kids and go fishing for an hour or so. Emeron caught the first fish of the season, a big ole German Brown. He is quite proud, as you can tell.

Jacob Says

This morning, feeling out of the ordinary, I thought I'd try to fix Jakey's hair nice and neat. I made my attempt and then he disappeared into the other room and came back saying matter-of-factly; "Mom, I like my hair playing around." :)

Have You Seen This?

WoW! I just loved this -- it gives me hope and makes me stand a little taller. :)

Come On, Spring!

Brother of Jared

This week for Family Home Evening we had a lesson on the Brother of Jared. We talked about the great faith he had and his inspiration in finding stones that were white and clear like glass and asking the Lord to touch them so they would shine in the darkness and give light.

In the Book of Mormon we read: “And I know, O Lord, that thou has all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea. And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these words, behold, the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger.” (Ether 3:4,6)



As we were reading through the story we were not too sure of who was paying attention until Geoff turned the lights out and held a white stone in his hand with a flashlight underneath, showing the kids what the stones might have looked like. They were all wide-eyed and quiet as they each took their turn holding the stone of light. :)

Little Giant

Lately, David has really taken to climbing. Look where I found him playing.....

Here, it looks like he thought the barbie bed looked like a comfy place to rest for a bit....


Now, he is on to exploring the patio portion of this lovely dollhouse.....

But I think all in all, he found it slightly cramped.

Snow Globe

It was a Sunday morning, just after bath-time and I heard Farrell exclaim: “It’s a SNOWGLOBE outside!!” Sure enough, the snow was falling in big beautiful snowflake bunches – and it really did look like a snow globe.

Here is a shot from January of Seth, Jacob and Emeron in our snow fort. You know, my kids love forts with pillows, forts with blankets and sheets, forts under tables, really any sort of a fort is great, but one made of snow seems especially cool for this bunch of kids!

David is getting so big on us – it really is not fair. He went through a rough week where he simply decided that he was not going to take a nap. Well, he never lasted through the day and always ended up crashing at the table. Looks comfy, eh? After a few days of this he has (thankfully!!) returned to the normal schedule of napping in his crib, with his warm soft blankies -- no more cold hard plastic for this boy.

Coon Hunting

Occasionally, we have some aggressive visitors come to our place just for the food. Raccoons. Once Geoff tried to take care of them with peanut butter and a metal trap, and one fell for it, but once in the trap, the varmint chewed its way out and escaped. They keep coming back and because our city will not take them, Geoff decided to take care of them the old-fashioned way….with his bow and arrow.

A Peek At Christmas

All aboard! Santa brought Ems and Jacob new N-scale trains. They love them!! Honestly, they are just as excited about the trains as they are about the Wii! They love to send candy around to each other and their absolute favorite is to be the engineer. Christmas magic!

Two American Girl Dolls --


Jacob chugging draft style root-beer with double pearl handles close by --


Abby shoveling us out of the snow --


Abby and Fare sporting their new scarves at a family party.


Here is a shot of the kids on Christmas Eve in their jammies:
I think I said something like this: "Everybody sit here in front of the tree, let's get a picture of your new jammies! (Never mind that we've been going all day long and now you're all melting....) David, stop pulling on your brother. Jacob, it's okay -- just one picture, smile for the camera!!" :)

Here are a few shots of the kids on the Sunday before Christmas.
Froggy.


Davey-Crockett.


Abs.


Fare.


Nan.


Em-za.


And the whole bunch --











MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Photos courtesy of my Christmas present, from my sweetheart -- my very own (meaning I don't have to borrow Abby's anymore) SLR. Canon. EOS. Rebel. XSi.

--oh, yeah!

Reflections Winner

Abs received awards in 2 of the 5 areas she entered..... music and film. Way to go, Abs!