6 Andrew-isms for his 6th Birthday

Happy Birthday Andrew!

1. Andrew is a fan of easy living.

2. Andrew loves being a big brother.

3. Andrew is a naturally assertive and confident individual.

4. Andrew loves to dance.

5. Andrew is an avid video gamer.

6. Andrew's family loves him with all their hearts, he brings a smile to the lips simply by entering a room.

Happy Birthday Sweetie

Yesterday, Mark turned 30-late something. Thank you for being my best friend, a wonderful father, and just fun.

Bros Birthday

Alex and Andrew celebrated turning 10 & 6 together! So proud of my big guys.

Gifties

Alex opening his gift from Peggy & Ian! Loved all the DS games. It took him a few minutes to figure out the significance of the 10 dollar coins and the 10 dollar bill. :)

Thanks Peggy & Ian.

Early Christmas

Love my dad's auction job when he brings treats likes these! Lovely gold ornaments, enough for an entire tree!

Snow

Andrew up past his knees.

Snow day 1.

Happy 10th Birthday Alex

1. Alex is extremely enthusiastic about....EVERYTHING!

2. Alex loves to play sports -- basketball, soccer, baseball...

3. Alex is usually a kind and thoughtful big brother.

4. Alex loves comedies -- the more slapstick the better.

5. Alex is an excellent reader.

6. Alex loves to play war games with complicated battle scenes.

7. Alex is a walking encyclopedia.

8. Alex loves video games.

9. Alex is getting his very own phone today.

10. Alex's family loves him very much and wishes him much happiness as he embarks on his second decade!

Happy Birthday A L E X!

I've been patiently waiting to say

I've been patient because I'm not sure if Mark's filled his parents in or not. I think he has. If not, sorry!

The good news is that Mark's got a new job! He's going to be the call center manager for the Sandy Utah office of the 2010 census. The contract starts in a week or two and lasts until July. Although it's not a permanent gig, he's very excited to move up to the next level of management , run his own call center, and say good-bye to his current low wage job.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Santa

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Santa came to the University Mall on his National Tour last night. We happened to be in the right the place at the right time. My 4 chicklets got to meet the REAL Mr. Claus. There is no doubt, after you've met him, you will know as well as we do that this dude is the man.

Elf, Andrew, Seany, Santa Claus, Ryan, Alex, and Elf.

Seany chose Santa's face for his cheek.

Andrew got a Christmas tree.

Ryan wanted a reindeer with a red nose (hmmmmmm.....).

Alex chose Santa's face as well.

They also got to write their letters up and mail them in his express mailbox RIGHT THERE in Macy's!

Mark couldn't keep up with all Andrew's dictation and therefore left off "And even if I don't like all the toys I get, I won't complain and I'll still play with them."

Alex started off with, "I've been bad this year but please give my brothers what they've asked for." I intervened and suggested he offer to make amends for past naughtiness and promise to try harder to be better in the future. After adding that to post script, he also noted that perhaps he and Andrew could get a DS game to share.

Seany's letter: "THANK YOU! THANK YOU, SANTA!"

Ry Guy: "My wanttttttttt a MONSTER! (claws up and Rrrrrrr!)"

Busy days with Auntie Carolyn

We've had a lot of fun with Carolyn.

Yesterday, we decorated the porch and put the village up. After, we went to the zoo and visited the baby elephant. She was her usual darling self, rolling around in the hay and munching on snow.

The baby giraffe did the splits to munch on some hay at its feet.

And 2 female monkeys fought over a baby struggling to just be free.

Then we went to the Gateway to see the Christmas Tree (BEAUTIFUL!) and Temple Square to see how the LDS temple's grounds were light up -- trees of every color, v. pretty. The only thing I didn't like, the nativity area was pitch black except for camera flashes. I would have liked to see the life sized nativity and doubt we'll have time to go back.

Thanksgiving 2009

The turkey day crew: Alex, Ryan, Carolyn, Mark, Andrew, Kathryn, and Seany.

Alex, Ryan, Carolyn, Andrew, and Seany.

The sisters.

Fun with presents from Auntie!

Carolyn also brought them a murder mystery game, v. fun.

Prison!

On the way to the airport to pick up Carolyn:

Mommy said, "Look guys, there's the prison and the prisoners in the yard. I bet they're not having the best Thanksgiving ever."

Seany eagerly answered, "I want to go to prison! I want to go!"

Ryan hands waving frantically in the air, "ME TOO! ME TOO!"

Xmas pictures cast your ballots

#1

#2 -- my personal favorite

#3

#4

#5

Andrew and Ryan built a house and even made a door....

Smarty pants

Andrew had a sore face (too much licking chapped skin). "Andrew, before you go to bed, we need to put that stuff on your face."

Andrew responded, "And what stuff (pause) would that be?"

"The stuff we put on your face for chapped skin."

"And what would this stuff we put on faces for chapped skin be called?"

Yeah, he's been listening to me speak.

Shocking

The lady that watches the 3 youngest chicklets: "I don't think I've ever met a more polite boy than Sean. I've never heard so many pleases and thank yous and excuse mes."

Naughty Seany. The Seananator. He's so got her fooled.

Sweet boy

Andrew: "Mom, today I want us to not get in any trouble so you can be a happy mom. Won't that be great?"

......Smile.......

Daddy and his babies

Ryan, Mark, and Seany.

The $3 costumes

Andrew and Alex

Ryan and Seany.

Just before we tricked-or-treated

We tried catch a snap of our costumed gang. Andrew aka Wolverine, Seany the Dragon, and Ryan the Tiger in the back. Alex the GI Joe guy Snake Eyes up front.