A Question for Grace

Yesterday, I asked Grace a question:

Mom: "Grace, do you think you're on the naughty list, or the nice list?"
Grace: "The cute list!"

Nice!  Grace, if there is a cute list, I'm sure you're on it!

Sledding Fun

Ben took the kids sledding the other day at the park.  It has a nice, long, slow hill for sledding.  It was Grace's first time, and they all had a blast.  And thank you, daddy, for going instead of me.  I'm not fond of standing out in the cold for any period of time.

Fabulous Friends

We've had a great week with our favorite friends.  When Melissa took the older kids to the rodeo this weekend, we watched her youngest two.  We had so much fun, and I'm so glad they love to come over and visit.  They just feel like family!  Here is Ryan enjoying dinner:

Then the monkeys had to get some energy out.  They decided jumping on the bed would be the best way to do that.

Here's one more of the monkeys.  I thought it was a funny picture, with Grace in the air, and Matt climbing up.

After a few hours, we got tuckered out and watched Tinkerbell.  The girls snuggled up together.

The boys found a spot with Ben.  Little Ryan snuggled there with him for an hour.

Matthew eventually went to bed, but Ryan was content.  Ben was tired.

We had our annual Christmas in Other Countries FHE with our buddies.  We learned about France and Mexico during the holidays.  They had some great traditions that we tried.  We ate a Yule Log (which I had no idea what it was before last night).  And we drank Mexican hot cocoa, which tasted okay if you like dark chocolate and not a lot of sugar.  Some of the eleven kids loved it, some not so much.

Ryan was happy to sit and share with Ben and Matt.

Can't wait until next year!

Tea Party Update and Joey's Christmas Program

Just in case anybody's wondering, I finally mustered up enough courage to go peek in the bathroom during the "tea party" (see below).  Here's what I found:

Matt had a lot of fun in the bathtub (which thankfully was void of water), but only AFTER he threw out all the toys.  I wondered what he was doing in there.

But who needs toys, anyway?  He found several things to occupy his time.  This was one favorite plaything.  It kept him busy for a full five minutes:

And here is the actual "tea party".  At least they were using sink water, right?

Joey had his preschool Christmas Program today.  It was every bit as cute as it sounds!  Joey graced us with his presence, then was totally bored, even before it started.

If Joey loves anything, it's girls.  After that, he loves singing.  He knew all the songs, but everytime he looked over at us and caught us making goo goo eyes at him (I couldn't help it!  It was so cute...), he rolled his eyes.  At least he doesn't growl at people anymore.

Matthew was entertained for about five minutes.  We were lucky enough to get out of there before he tore the place apart.  Barely, though.  I had to pick up several Hymnals and other random pieces he managed to scatter.

Grace almost fell asleep.  But she was a good girl, mostly just standing near Grandma Nan, and enjoying the music.  Gotta love the chubby cheek shot:

We got some good video, so I'll share some as soon as I figure out how.  I'm a little technically challenged, so it might be awhile.

A Peek into Joey's Brain

As we were driving today, Joey and I had a great conversation.  It started with him asking me how to wish on a star, because he wanted to be one of Santa's reindeer so he could fly.  He also would like to be a buffalo.  Then the conversation drifted to resurrection, and how we'll have really cool bodies that can't die or get sick.

I said, "Isn't Heavenly Father's plan great?  We can go back and live with him forever if we're good here and try to be like Jesus."

Joey said, "I'm good, aren't I?"

I said, "You're very good.  We all have to try to be good our whole lives."

Joey said, "Okay.  I'm not ever going to pick my owies, and never bite my nails, and never pick my nose.  Okay?"

I said, "Good plan, Joey."

Now I know what Joey's definition of being bad is!

Be Afraid

Most frightening words I heard today:

"Mom!  We're having a tea party in the bathroom!"

Oh my.  Should I even go in there?  What kind of doom awaits me...

Does anybody want to borrow some kids for awhile so I don't lose my mind?

The Deep Freeze

We've been in a terrible deep freeze for the last couple of weeks.  There were very few days it was even above zero.  I'm already sick of winter and it hasn't even started yet!

Then finally yesterday it was about 17 degrees, I think.  We didn't even wear coats.  That's why I laughed when my mom sent me this.  It is completely true.

COLD IS A RELATIVE THING. . . . . . .BRRRRR!!

65 above zero:

Floridians turn on the heat.

People in Montana plant gardens.

60 above zero:

Californians shiver uncontrollably.

People in Montana sunbathe.

50 above zero:

Italian & English cars won't start.

People in Montana drive with the windows down.

40 above zero:

Georgians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, wool hats.

People in Montana throw on a flannel shirt.

35 above zero:

New York landlords finally turn up the heat.

People in Montana have the last cookout before it gets cold.

20 above Zero:

People in Miami all die.

Montanans close the windows.

Zero:

Californians fly away to Mexico .

People in Montana get out their winter coats.

10 below zero:

Hollywood disintegrates.

The Girl Scouts in Montana are selling cookies door to door.

20 below zero:

Washington DC runs out of hot air.

People in Montana let the dogs sleep indoors.

30 below zero:

Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.

Montanas get upset because they can't start the Snow-mobile.

40 below zero:

ALL atomic motion stops.

People in Montana start saying...'Cold enough fer ya?'

50 below zero:

Hell freezes over.

Montana public schools will open 2 hours late

Isn't that the truth?  I can only remember one time in the last 31 years that school was closed due to cold.  It was 40 below zero, without the windchill.  I remember playing outside in the back yard that day...my boogers froze.

Don't all you former Montana dwellers miss the cold that is so bad, your boogers freeze?  We don't call it cold here unless it's booger-freezen' cold!

Look Out, Darth Vader!

You better run and hide, Darth Vader.  This squadron of highly trained fighting machines is out to get you, and they are ready for a fight.  They are armed and dangerous.  They train several hours everyday.  They are led by a superb high-ranking Jedi.  She is both fast and furious.  If her light saber doesn't do you in, her angelic face will.  She is flanked by her two most trusted fighters, Boba Fett and Captain Rex.  Together, they leave no evil man alive.  Their skills are unmatched. 

So run and hide.  They are coming for you.

Christmas Party, and Somebody has Glasses!

I was called as the new Activities Committee Chairperson a few weeks ago.  We worked quickly to plan a Christmas Party for the ward.  It was a lot of work, and I'm so glad it's over!  But it was a lot of fun.  We have a great ward, and everybody loves to get together to visit and eat.  And contrary to my nightmares, we had enough food and didn't run out!

Before the party started, while I was busy running around making sure everything was ready, Ben decided to snap some pictures of the kids.  They weren't very cooperative.

Here's the dining room, with lovely decorations by Sister Cherry, Jensen, and Hecht.  They worked so hard to make this place pretty!  I thought it looked great!

We had the kids do a little craft project.  They made a manger for the baby Jesus.  Next time, I think I'll not involve paint in any way.

Here's Joey working on cutting some "straw" for his manger.

Finished product:

And, little miss bossy pants was directing our Bishop on how to clean, all from her perch on top of the vacuum.  I walked out into the hallway to put something away, and found him standing by the vacuum.  He said, "She instructed me to wait here until she was done going potty."  Wow!  She is truly a little mommy-in-training -- she'll know how to run a household, or company, or country in no time!

Matthew was content to eat the rest of the pineapple while I did some dishes.

And the winner of the latest eye glasses:

Andrew!  Doesn't he look smashing?  He's pretty excited to be able to see all the leaves on the trees, and all the stars in the sky!

Cold December

It's officially the Christmas season here at the Kaz house!  We decorated the tree over the Thanksgiving holiday.  Usually we do it on Thanksgiving night or the next day, but this year, much to Haley's dismay, we did it the Saturday after because we were so busy.  Haley would do it on Halloween if we let her.  She is SERIOUS about her Christmas decorations.  I'm curious to see how her future house turns out.  She'll probably rival the Griswolds. 

Notice the nice weather outside.  It didn't last long.

This little one was in bed while we decorated.  I knew that if he saw us with our hands all over that tree, he'd think he could touch it too.  He woke up to a nice surprise, and this is as close as he gets to it.  He now shouts "Tee!" everytime he sees Christmas trees, or Christmas lights for that matter.  He is very excited that our tree has "balls!" all over it.

A couple of days later, it looked like this.  The boys wanted to surprise dad before he got home, so we bundled them up and sent them out.  Oh how I love having boys big enough to do this!

Yesterday we had to stop on our way to Grandma's house.  We needed to make sure that Sister Harris' walks were shoveled.  They weren't, so the boys (a.k.a. The Shovel Squad) jumped out and went to work.  We just love Sister Harris!  She helps me every Sunday with the kids, because Ben is up on the stand.  All my kids eventually migrate over to her bench.  Sometimes I actually hear portions of the talk!  So we just wanted to give a little back to Sister Harris for all her hard work she does for our family.  Of course, she threw a bag of candy out the door after they were finished!

Since it's been so cold, we've been finding fun things to do inside.  One of Andrew's new fun things is to play with modeling clay.  This is his first invention.  He's a Boston Red Sox player.  What a chip off the old block!

Gracie gets credit for the Gem of the Day.  It was one of those times when your kid says something and you just go, "Wwwwhhhhaattt?"  I put it on the favorite quotes list to the right.  I have no idea what's going on in that little blonde head of hers.