Tom's Present

K Tom. Try not to burst out in tears. It's not the end of the world. Bubble tape is a good thing. You ask for it every time we go to the Dollar Tree. Silly kid. Again, he's my "never pleased" child. He wanted a toy. But of course, he probably wouldn't have liked any toy that he would have gotten from the Dollar Tree. Or he would have been mad when it broke (cause they always do). About 30 minutes later, he was thoroughly enjoying his gum, and pleased as punch. He needs to learn to "fake it" better for pictures, I guess.

Eme's Present

Eme got a Tea Set, a Strawberry Shortcake movie, and a Crown Set. She was very pleased. But for some reason, she's forgotten how to smile in pictures. Poor thing.

Joe's Present

Joe Joe got a gun for Christmas from Grammie and Grandpa Harty. It is just his size, and makes shooting noises. Nice. Luckily, the batteries won't hold for long.

Opening Presents on Christmas Eve 2006

So we decided to each open one present on Christmas Eve. Really, Brent couldn't wait any longer to give his dad the "Book". He'd printed a book that his dad had written years ago. He was so excited for his dad to see it. Anyway, the kids got to open their presents from Grammie and Grandpa Harty, and we let Grammie and Grandpa Harty, and Dale and Adrienne, open a present from us. Then, we saved the rest of the presents for Christmas Day.

Jimmy's Present

Jimmy got a set of Recorders from Grammie and Grandpa Harty. He likes to walk around and play them. We had some at home, but they ended up broke or lost. Now he has a fresh, new set!

Jimmy and Grandpa

Jimmy likes to snuggle. Unfortunately, he's #5 of 5, so there's not much time for snuggles. But, fortunately, we are on vacation, and there are people here who can snuggle with him! Merry Christmas Jimmy!

On the Prowl again

Have you noticed a common theme with Jimmy's pictures? Looking for something to destroy in every one of them. Turkey. Actually, he's not quite as bad as a few other kids we've known. He likes to move stuff, and hold stuff, and hide stuff. When he's feeling frisky, he likes to bang stuff together. Grammie Harty has a lot of nice stuff that wouldn't be good to "bang together"!

More Food

Yes, food is a big part of life, isn't it. Especially when there are 11 of you. First, you have to plan what to eat. Then, you cook it. Then, you dish it out, then eat it. Then you clean it up. About 30 minutes later, it's time to start it all over again.

After church on Sunday, we came home and made Potato and Bacon chowder, Taco Bake, Green Beans, and Homemade Biscuits. It was quite tasty.

Jimmy and Dale

This is cute! Jimmy just loved his "new" family. He had fun playing with his aunt and uncle, and snuggling with his Grandpa and Grammie. Here his is getting a shoulder ride from Uncle Dale.

Jacob and Dale

Aren't these 2 boys funny. Here's Jacob and Dale, in the bedroom, playing video games. Jacob was in Hog Heaven the whole time he was in North Carolina. Video games galore!

Grammie and Grandpa Harty

Here's Paul and Carol on Christmas Eve, 2006. Aren't they cute!

Us at Church

Here's Brent, Jimmy, and I at church in North Carolina. Aren't we cute! Grammie Harty likes pictures almost as much as my mom does! We got to sing in Sacrament on Sunday. We sang "Away in a Manger". It was Carol, Adrienne, Me, Brent, Dale, and Jacob. We sounded OK. It would have been better had we been able to practice before hand. We were trying to keep it a secret from Paul to be a suprise, so we didn't get to practice. Maybe next time, we should have it sound really good and have him know about it :)

Tom and the Mirror

Yesterday, while Jacob was going to the bathroom, I heard a loud "CRASH". I rushed to the bathroom, and the long mirror that was hanging opposite of the sink had fallen off. It startled Jacob. He said that it had just fallen off of the wall. I don't think that it was anchored very well. Anyway, I sent a child for the broom, dustpan, trash can, and little vacuum. After the mess was all cleaned up, I set the broken mirror frame on the front porch until I could come and properly take care of it. Of course, once it was out of sight, I forgot about it.

So today, when I was taking the 2 big kids to school, we walked past the mirror on the way to the car. Tom looked at the mirror and sighed.

"That was my favorite mirror", he said.

"Oh yah, why was it your favorite?" I asked him.

"Because I could look at myself and see how good I look.", was his reply.

This child has no self esteem issues :)

Christmas Eve Sunday

Sometimes its so nice to visit another ward. We went to church with Grammie and Grandpa Harty in North Carolina. The kids liked primary. Brent tried to pass Jimmy off as nursery age before I noticed. He had a great time in there. Sorry Fayetteville Ward nursery. We shouldn't do that to people. We know better :)

Young Cardinals Fan

Isn't Jimmy cute!

Make a Face

I like to make faces. Maybe because then I don't have to be serious. Or maybe because if I look silly in my picture, it's because I meant it to look that way. Either way, I like to make faces.

Where you going Jim?

Don't know where this picture was taken. Somewhere in the house! I think he's up to something again!

Where'd Jacob Go?

We didn't see much of Jacob on this vacation. He spent most of the trip in the bedroom playing video games. Dale got the new Star Wars Legos II, and Jacob just loved it.

Dinner for 11

So I kind of turned into the cook when we went to North Carolina. Paul and I did a lot of cooking the week we were there, thats for sure.

My Twins

OK, I know that they're not really twins, but don't they look similar. Jim has a big head, and Joe is so skinny. And yes, I did dress them both in Overalls and stripes on purpose. I do like them to match. I like it even better when all of the kids match. Aren't I obsessive?

Fffffffffffffffffff

K, I can't remember exactly what the fish's name is, but I think it's Ruby Tuesday. Jimmy was so taken with the fish. He'd walk right up to the bowl, and wave, and say ffffffffffff. Thats one of his 2 words. The other one is, Eeeehhhhhhh? We think it means "Can I have that?" Eeeehhhhh and ffffffffffffff are his 2 words that makes up his vocabulary. Kind of like a caveman, with grunts and pointing.

Applesauce for the Kids

OK, you can't tell me that you've never fed your kids applesauce this way. Just pop open the top, insert a straw, and let them go at it. No bowls, no spoons, no spills, no mess. My kind of snack. Just be sure that you are holding the jar. That would be real messy! And I know I have a roll. I'm working on it now that the holidays are over!

I'm Sick Too

Here's Joe, sleeping on the couch. You know your sick when you fall asleep in a little house with 11 people in it!

I'm Not Sick, and I"m Not Tired :)

I don't think that Eme's gonna finish her hot dog, what do ya think? Aunt Eleanor had a neat "pet" like the one that Papa Harty had. Instead of a dog, it was a tiger, I think. Now Eme had 2 toys to play with. I take it back. Papa Hartys was a bunny.

Motel 6, We'll Leave the Light On

Look how soundly these kids are sleeping. Jacob, Thomas, Emeline, and Joseph slept in the bed, and Jim was in the Porta-a-crib. Nighty night!

Grammies Pretty Tree

It was so pretty when we first got to North Carolina. But by the time we'd left, our kids really did a number on that poor tree. Sorry Grammie Harty!

Whatcha Doin' Jim?

Here's Jim, looking cute and innocent. You can always tell when he's about to be naughty. He gets calm, and he avoids eye contact. See how he's going for the DVD's, but he looks so still. Yah, he's that good!

Aunt Eleanor

Here's Aunt Eleanor and me! She's so much fun! It was the first time that we'd met. And Brent hadn't seen her in ages either. She's such as great lady. Definately on my list of favorite people!

Sick Kids

Why is it that every time we go on a trip, or have company over from out of town, we all get sick? This time, it was Jim, Eme, and Joe. Poor kids. They had fevers, and were punny. At least there was no puke this time!

Sometime I Just Like To Do This!

OK, Tom is one of the funniest people that I've ever met. He walked up to all us grown-ups chatting in the living room, and announced to the group, that "Sometimes I just like to do this". What a silly kid!

At Grandpa's House

Why are the kids milling around, you may ask? Well, there's a big bowl of nuts and a nutcracker on the floor, right in front of them. They made a mighty big mess! Eme is playing with this cute stuffed animal thing. Its has batteries, and makes noises like a real puppy, and moves when you pet it, and stuff. She was totally taken with it. Notice Joe in the background touching stuff, and Eme looking at the fish.

Christmas in North Carolina

So here we are, at the Hartys. We suprised Brent's Dad Paul, by just showing up on the doorstep, caroling. Well, we were going to carol for real, but it was a downpour. We just "Jingle Bell-ed" real fast, and rushed inside.