A tearful farewell

In preparation for our upcoming move, we had to find a new home for Molly.  We found a family that was a perfect fit not too far away.  I was relieved at not having to take her to the pound, and possibly put down.  The girls felt differently.  It broke my heart to see them so heartbroken when it came time to bid her farewell.  Each child grieved differently; Savannah wears her emotions all outside herself; Irelynd is more private and found a quiet place to let it out.  I was proud of them though; they handled it with grace and maturity.  Even I found myself a little sad at seeing our pet of a year and a half go.  Talk about surprising! 

An interesting part of the story: As Savannah was waiting for the family to show up to see Molly before they decided to take her, I told her that maybe Molly would be the answer to their prayers.  That maybe they had a disabled child that needed a dog to help them, and be their friend.  Maybe Molly would be that dog.  When the family came, they had 3 girls with them, roughly the age of our 3.  The youngest was sitting on the floor, and the mother proceeded to tell us about how they wanted a dog, specifically a house-trained Schnauzer, to be a companion for their youngest daughter, who was disabled.  I don't know if I was inspired to say that to Savannah or not, but wow!  Talk about coincidences.  I know it helped her to think about Molly being a special dog, and going to a family that will love her as much as she did.  Does.

Later, I found myself promising we would seriously consider getting another dog in the future when we are settled in our own home again.  I know they're going to hold me to it.  Funny thing is, I'm ok with it.  Ssh, don't tell my mom!

Bye, Molly.  We'll miss you. 

My boys

My favorite men catching some z's after church.

For the birds

Scott shot a few photos as thousands of birds descended on our neighborhood in their migration.  I love the speckled outline on the roofline.

I think this photo's cool, showing the birds in flight.

Convertible for two

Convertibles are great for toting your friends around with you!  This hot rod even got some new detailing in the rear.

And sides.  And front. 

Time to switch drivers!

Peace, dude!

As they drove, they had a conversation about Elmo, Barney, Baby Bop, and wished everybody a "Merry Christmas" several times.  Who needs radio?  I just love these 2!

Hop for joy

Keaton got a hippity hop for Christmas this year.  Brighton and Waverly already had one, so the three of them are often seen bouncing from room to room together. 

They are so funny to watch and listen to when they are hopping.  Sometimes Brighton makes a story up, or a game for all three.  I just wish I had one, too!

Tuckered out

Early church wipes out Scott.  Brighton climbed up beside him and, snuggling in, went to sleep.  With his blanket wrapped around his head.

The Old Man

Growing up in my family, we celebrated an old tradition we called Father Time, or The Old Man.  We would put our shoes out on New Year's Eve after getting back from my Uncle Norman's New Year's party, and in the morning, the Old Man would fill it with small gifts and goodies.  I love having traditions, so I have continued this in my own family.  Scott thought it was strange at first, but he's adopted it as well.  My Mom said it is a Canadian tradition, where my dad was from, but I'm not sure.  My kids love having one more holiday to get stuff, though.  Who wouldn't?  This year the Old Man decided to hide everyone's shoe.  I guess he's spending too much time with the Easter Bunny.  Irelynd finally found hers in the toy cupboard, after much searcing.

I just LOVE this look on her face as she tries to figure out what this thermos is for.  She has one of the most expressive faces ever.

Keaton wastes no time in putting his candy in a safe place: his belly.

Savannah was excited to find more jewellery and nail polish in her shoe, along with her favorite, Reeses peanut butter cups.  Mmm, mine too!

The twins loved the candy ring pops in their shoes.

They spent time inspecting each others'.

Brighton was excited to get some new snow gloves.

The twins were so cute, and cleaned up the candy wrapper mess for me, on their own accord.

New Year's 2011

We had a New Year's Eve party this year with some friends from our ward.  We included kids this time, and it was a fun time!  We played Minute to Win it again, but with different games.  I re-decorated my tree for the occasion with hats and noise makers.  The kids all took one off when they arrived.

We started with Bite Me, where each person had to pick up all 6 bags with their mouths, without touching any part of the floor, except with their feet.  The bags decreased in size down to 2".  There was no way I was going to be able to do it, so I made Mr. Flexible, Scott do it.  I organized each family into a team, with 2 families being combined.  We had 5 teams.

The next one was Elephant head, where each person had to knock the water bottles over using only the baseball-loaded nylon sock on their heads.

Next was Face the Cookie, a repeat of our Christmas Eve challenge.

Next was Keep it up, where every contestant had to keep 3 balloons afloat for the entire 60 seconds on the timer.  We gave them two chances, and still nobody came close.  Daylen lasted the longest at 19 seconds.

Next was This Blows.  Each person had to keep a feather in the air for 60 seconds by blowing it.  Again, two tries and no successes.

Next was the marshmallow catch, a repeat from Christmas Eve.  I just LOVE the expression on Daniel's face on the far left.  Priceless.

The next one I got roped into doing with all the moms.  We had to pick up 15 cotton balls with our Vaseline-covered noses and deposit them into a nearby bowl.  I tied for first with Scarlet!  I found it funny that all the husbands chose to view this challenge from the "rear". 

Next was Candy Elevator.  This one was tricky, as each person had to raise the pencil platform to their lips by pulling it over their ears, pulley style, and eat the M&M's on it.  The dads got beat by a little girl.

Next was Magic Carpet, where each kid had to travel around the island on a towell, inchworm-style.  Brighton tried hard, and cheated in the end to finish.  I allowed it, since he was dead last anyway.

The Vazquezes

The Bushmans

The Bullocks.  I won't take it personally that she fell asleep:)

Next was shoe toss, where each kid had to toss one of their shoes onto a table, using only one foot.  This one got kind of wild, but luckily, nothing got broken:)

Last was Suck it Up, where each person had to use a straw to transfer 25 M&M's to a nearby bowl.  Savannah came in second.

Even Molly got into the spirit.

Our family placed second in the games, behind Rosie, who became a one-girl team when all 4 teammates abandoned her to go home.  After the game, we sent the youngest kids into another room to watch a movie while the adults played some games.  We played Curses and Apples to Apples.  We learned that Jamie White does a pretty dang good impression of Scooby Doo, and Michael Ward could be a pirate.

At midnight, we pulled the balloon drop.

We filled the balloons with confetti, and had poppers too, so there was lots of mess.  But I love seeing the kids have so much fun with it.

I love Alyssa's expression here!

Jamie led us in a toast and we all raised our glasses to the New Year.  May it be better than the last!

Here's to good friends!  It was a fun night, and I very much enjoyed having everyone in our home.  I can't think of a nicer way to spend it!