MAX IS 12!!!

Our Max turned 12 years old last week! It is quite a milestone. Max is one of my favorite people in the world. He is always happy, he has a great sense of humor, he's not moody, he's very helpful, and he is such a kind-hearted kid! I don't think he has ever woken up in a bad mood. I thank him for that.
Max was ordained a deacon and was made first counselor in the Deacon's Quorem. It was so tender to see him pass into this new part of his life! We are so proud of him. He is soooo excited to be in Young Men's now! We gave him a blazer for his birthday, and it was his favorite present. He kept wanting to wear his "tux" (without a shirt) because it is smooth and silky inside.
Hannah stayed up late the night before his birthday and filled up balloons. She almost passed out. I'm still finding little pieces of balloon everywhere.
Max and his friends went to the movies, then came and spent the night. And just to be clear, boys are loud and wild and have no impulse control.
Shinanagans galore.
The Pratts gave Max a tricked-out rocket. Bill, the rocket scientist, spent all morning trying to launch. Finally, we had lift-off. It was awesome.
WE LOVE YOU, MAX!

Happy Birthday Rach!

Today is my sister Rachel's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
I wish I was there to...ceeeelebrate good times, c'mon!

On this day, I pay tribute to Rachel for being:
A best friend,
A fashion consultant,
A therapist,
Someone my kids LOVE,
A fountain of pop culture knowlege,
A light at the end of the tunnel,
A safe place,
A great mother,
A constant support.

My friend describes Rachel by saying that when she smiles, the sun comes out.
Happy Birthday, Rach!

Mother's Day

Since Bill is in China, the kids were in charge of Mother's Day. They wanted to go to Walmart and buy me presents, so I told them to go find the things they wanted to give me, and we would meet at the cash registers where I wouldn't look, but I would give them the debit card to make their purchases.

Here is what they brought:
Max: The DVD Pirates of the Carribean, 3. (He said I have told him this is one of my favorite movies.) And a Cinnabon-scented candle.

Charlotte: The CD from the Hannah Montana movie, and glamorous earrings.

Henry: I saw Henry talking to the lady at the "fine jewelry" counter. He was trying to purchase a diamond encrusted gold locket. I thanked him, but said I don't need such an extravagant gift. In the end, he bought a king-sized Payday bar, and a balloon with roses inside it (pictured above).

Hannah was exempt from the shopping spree because she is gave me the gift of cleaning the house all week, making the Mother's Day dinner, and she painted me a beautiful picture.

It was a great Mother's Day! I love those kids!

St. Louis

Hannah's choir group went to St. Louis last week, and thanks to the Pratts who watched our kids (Bill is STILL in China), I could go as chaperone. It was so fun! They sang right under the Arch.
We went on a riverboat cruise for lunch. The river was flooding, so our boat was the last to go out.
We rode up in the little pods that take you to the top of the Arch where you can look out these little windows.
The next day we went to Six Flags. Hannah and her friends went on every big ride. This is the one that drops you into a free-fall. Blagh.

April Came and Went...

Happy Easter! The eggs were found, the candy was traded, and the peeps were delicious.
We took a trip to the Memphis Zoo, and that was fun.
We looked for Bill in the China exhibit.
Soccer is over. Henry and Charlotte both had unremarkable seasons. Their favorite part is the snack after the game.
Henry was always hovering around the ball, but rarely making contact. He looked busy. We had a great spring thunderstorm that dumped buckets, and then the kids swam in the runoff.
We are already swimming. Every morning we find frogs in the pool. For a while, there would be huge gelatinous masses of frog eggs, too. I gave them all to the Pratts.
The Double Decker Festival was really fun. We spent the day with the rest of the town.
Henry (and his giant teeth) have started Cub Scouts. He is so enthusiastic! We love you, Henry!

April Fools

We needed some fresh ideas for April Fools Day this year. Bill is in China, and he suggested I prepare an exotic dinner of southern delicacies: chickens' feet and pigs' ears. I went to the store, but I couldn't bring myself to touch the packages.

Plan B was gathering all the clothes that were on the kids' bedroom floors, and "displaying" them in the front yard.

For dinner we had our $5 feast--always delicious and nutritious.

The menu consisted of:
Hannah > Superman cupcakes
Max > fried chicken
Charlotte > Gushers
Henry > Ice Cream Drumsticks and JuicyFruit Gum
Alisa > Potato wedges and chocolate milk
We definitely missed Bill's contribution this year!

HENRY TURNS 8!!!

Our little Henry turned 8 on Saturday! He is our baby, and it has been bitter-sweet seeing him reach this milestone. I can't believe how the years have flown by! Henry is hilarious and sweet, and we love him. Congratulations, Henry!

Our church building is under construction, but the room with the font in it was finished, so we could use our font. Many of our good friends came. Max gave the opening prayer, I gave a talk on baptism, Charlotte gave a talk on the Holy Ghost, Bill baptized and confirmed Henry, and Hannah gave the closing prayer. It was very sweet. Yesterday at church, Henry was called up on the stand, and Bishop Tait welcomed him as the newest member of the Oxford ward. It is very moving to see your own child make the covenants that you know are the key to happiness.
We love you, Henry!

Henry wanted to do a cannon-ball into the font, but he lost his nerve.

Henry loves his scripture set and the carrying case. Finally, he has his own real scriptures like everybody else!

After the baptism, we went out to dinner with some good friends: the Nicholas Family, the Pratts, the Telfords and the Ordynas. We went to a new Hibachi place, and the funnest part was watching the kids' faces. They loved it!

Max looks like he could be having a business lunch. He is so cosmopolitan.





Henry had his party at The Skate Place. I must have had my camera set on blurry.

The kids had fun skating, running around in their socks, playing the arcade games, and having cupcakes.


Henry especially likes the way his name is written on his scriptures--it's "fancy."