Grandpa in the movies?

My dad is a well-rounded guy, who is talented in more ways than can be counted. My kids are realizing this more and more. The other day, I checked out the old Disney movie "Babes in Toyland" from the library. Jack was looking at the back cover and saw a picture of the Toymaker, played by Ed Wynn. (He's also the actor in Mary Poppins - the uncle that floats to the ceiling by laughing). He pointed to him and asked me "Why is Grandpa in this movie?" I laughed and laughed.

My dad is a great actor (he's actually once starred in a commercial for the Salt Lake Buzz - the baseball team)! But, I must say, he is much more handsome then Ed Wynn! I tried to find the same picture of Ed Wynn that was on the back cover of the movie, but I couldn't. But, here is a picture I found.....Does anyone else see the resemblance?

My Pride & Joy

I wake up every morning and am amazed at these 5 little individuals that I love so much!

Jon & Kate Plus 8

Okay, actually it's "Jon & Jeannette Plus 8." (If you don't know what Jon & Kate Plus 8 is, it's a show on TLC about a family with 8 kids. I think it's a fun show to watch and Jon thinks I'm crazy for watching it because our own lives are chaotic enough and why would we need to watch someone else's chaotic life). Anyway, we lived Jon & Kate Plus 8 this last week.

We had three of the Rasmussen kids stay with us while Kirsten went to her sister's wedding reception with Karli (their youngest). We had them from Wednesday afternoon until Monday night (but their dad, Ammon had them all day Saturday and most of the day Sunday). Ammon had to work and was amazing at taking care of the kids whenever he could!

Ethan, Brynlee & Hailey were GREAT! They were so good and we loved having them with us. I think the only part they didn't like was being squished in the van a couple of times. In the mornings, I'd get Emily, Lindsey & Ethan to their respective schools, Jack and Brynlee to Covenant Preschool and then Hailey & Kate to their activities. We did ice skating lessons, dance lessons, gymnastics, piano lessons and a trip to Graeter's for icecream.

The kids were great about going to bed at night and we never heard a peep! We loved playing Play-Doh, building Legos, coloring pictures (I think the kids literally used up an entire coloring book), and playing games. There were lots of drinks of water and snacks to get, coats to put on, bathrooms to use and lots of smiling faces (some with dimples!). Thank you Rasmussen kids for being super duper good!

Kate & Brynlee playing with Play Doh

Ethan, Jack, Lindsey & Emily playing "Ticket to Ride"

I had a lot of good help!!! Emily reading a story to the three girls

Quick trip to Utah

Kate, Hannah and I had a great trip to Utah last week. We went to see my dad receive his award (see previous post) and it was such a treat to be there. We got up really early on Wednesday morning and flew out (this was all thank you to Kirsten for taking Emily, Lindsey & Jack the night before and for Beth and Kyle getting up at the crack of dawn to drive us to the airport). Kate and Hannah were perfect on the flights! We got to Salt Lake by 11:00 in the morning and enjoyed that day at my parent's house. That night was the award ceremony for my dad.

On Thursday, we went and visited my aunt and Grandma. It was fun to see them again and visit with them. Then, we treated ourselves to a trip to the quilt store (always a Utah favorite!). Since I only have 18 unfinished projects in my quilting closet, I thought it was necessary to add 3, no 4 more to the stash. (Hey - it keeps me sane - well, sort of). I made my mom drive through Crown Burger for lunch and then it was naptime! (Kate had been up since 4:15 in the morning for the second morning in a row). Then we went and visited my dad and friend Emily at work. Kate brought my dad a pack of Smarties ("Parties" as she calls them) and they ate them together.

On Friday, we visited my brother Peter at work and then headed to another quilt store (yeah!). Then, that afternoon, my mom, my dad, Kate, Hannah, Candy (my sister in-law) and I went to the Disney on Ice show. My cousin's husband got us tickets (Thank you so much Paul!!!) and so we went. I love these ice shows and it was wonderful. Kate was thrilled to be sitting there and when my mom asked her who her favorite was (meaning what princess was her favorite), Kate pointed to my dad. It was a great show! Then we all went to Sizzler for dinner. We then had to get up super early again on Saturday morning to catch our 6:30 a.m. flight. Once again, the girls were great! I was worried because Hannah got my cold while we were there, so I worried that her ears would hurt, but she was great and Kate was great too!

What a treat to be at home with my family for a couple of days! Thank you mom and dad for letting me come! Thank you Becky, Peter, Michael & Candy for spoiling the kids! Thank you Jon and Kirsten for taking such great care of the older kids so that I didn't have to worry about them at all! (I think they're all a little sad that mom is home and all the fun is over!).

My grandma, Kate, me, Hannah & Aunt Camille

Kate waiting for Disney on Ice (she looks so grown up!)

The best sports - my mom, dad, Kate and Candy

A Proud Daughter

I feel a little guilty blogging right now because I'm in Utah with Hannah and Kate and my other kids are being watched by Kirsten and Jon. They are doing all the hard work while I'm being spoiled by my family!

I am in Utah because my dad received a Distinguished Service Award from the Federal Bar Association and so I came to see him receive that award. We flew out yesterday morning, bright and early and then we'll just be here a couple of days. The girls were great on the flight. Hannah didn't make a peep and Kate happily sat in her seat and watched Dora and did stickers. Wow!

The award dinner was last night and it was wonderful! My cousin Meg watched Kate (Thank you again Meg!) and then the rest of us went to Little America for the evening. All of my siblings were there except my brother Richard (We missed you Rich!). They had dinner and then gave the awards. Two attorneys and two judges were honored. My dad's boss & long time friend introduced him and did such a great job. No amount of praise is ever suffficient in talking about my dad. He is a man of honor, wisdom, humor and humility. Then my dad spoke for a few minutes and did a great job. He had everyone laughing! I felt so honored and proud to be there to celebrate this with him. I have to be the proudest daughter in the world!

(Thank you so much to Kirsten and Jon for making it possible for me to come. Having responsibility for three extra kids is not easy thing to do! I appreciate it SO, SO much!).

Me, my dad, Hannah & Becky

My wonderful parents

My brother Mike, with his cute wife Candy

My dad accepting his award

Best of friends!

This picture is kind of small, but this it's a picture of our kids with their cousins the Rasmussen's. One of the great blessings of living in Ohio, is that our friends have become our family. We celebrate holidays, birthdays, major events and every day life with them. These 9 cute kids are best of friends and between Emily and Jack's birthdays, were all different ages beginning with 8 (Emily) all the way down to Hannah (0). Our lives will forever be blessed because of these incredible kids and their incredible parents!

Happy Halloween (without a camera)

Happy Halloween!!!! So, our camera's flash stopped working, so I've mailed it to Kodak to be fixed and then I couldn't find our old camera, so there are no pictures from today. Boo Hoo! But, it was great and we're all pooped out!

The girls had class parties at school, so the other kids and I headed over there this afternoon. They paraded around the school and then were back in their classrooms. I was in charge of Lindsey's party, but thankfully after the parade and snack, there was only about 5 minutes left. We played a quick "Who's Missing?" game and we were done! Yeah! All five kids were dressed in their monkey costumes for the Five Little Monkey's jumping on the bed. They were all so cute!

Tonight we had hot dogs and Halloween Jell-O with our friends, the Larson's and then went trick-or-treating. There's a great street where some ward members used to live, so we went there. We gave the big kids a walkie talkie and they went ahead on their own. Becky & Rachel Larson (sister-in-laws) and I stayed back with Kate and Emily Larson. Kate was a great trick-or-treater. She walked the whole time and happily carried her bag up to the doors. Near the end, Emily L. got really tired (I don't think she was feeling very good) and rode in the stroller. But, she still wanted candy and wanted Kate to get it for her. Being the kind person that she is, Kate happily started carrying 2 trick-or-treat bags to each door. She looked at Emily and said "Emily, I'll go get your candy for you, okay?" Then she literally had a bag in each hand and dragged them behind her up the driveways. Oh, she is so cute!!! Then, if someone would offer her more than one piece of candy, she's say "No, just one."

We stopped at Beth and Jeff's house on the way home to trick-or-treat at their house and then came home and collapsed. Where was Jon for all of this? He was able to meet us at Beth's house, got paged while we were there, rushed home with us to bathe the kids for me and then left for work again. What a guy!!

Happy Halloween!

Hannah - 3 months

Every time I have a picture taken of my babies, I can't believe how big they suddenly look! Today was no different! Hannah turned 3 months on Tuesday! She's such a gem and such a sweet baby. She is smiling and cooing all the time and loves to watch all the action going on around her. She's a great sleeper and great eater (proved by those chubby cheeks!). We can't imagine our lives without her!

I Love that...

* ... Emily loves to do things one-on-one with me.

* ...when I was at the Elementary School the other day, the librarian came up to me and asked if I was Lindsey's mom. When I told her I was, she told me about how kind Lindsey is to the other children on the playground, especially two little boys in her class that don't speak English very well. Her comment to me was, "Thank you for sending her to us."

* ...I have Jack genuinely convinced that I can stick my finger in my ear and move it around in my mouth.

* ....I also have him convinced that when he puts his finger in my ear, he is actually feeling the inside of my mouth.

* ...when Kate comes into our room in the middle of the night, I always know it's her because she looks like a little ghost (because of her blond hair).

* ...all I have to do is sneeze to make Hannah crack up laughing.

* ...I am married to Jon!