My Little Martha Stewart!

Anneli LOVES to do crafts when Christopher is off at school!
Here she is painting with watercolors and making an Easter Sheep Card.

Working on a masterpiece Getting her hands prepped...Not liking the paint on her hands that much!
Pressing her little hand on the paper.

It worked!

Designing her sheep with cotton balls

The finished product!

Mommy's turn!

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I even had a chance today to work on the Pretty Purple Prints Quilt for Valerie! It's getting there! I'm just about ready to start quilting it! I can't wait to finish it!

Get Movin' Night

Tonight, Christopher, Shaun and I attended "Get Movin' Night" at Christopher's school. We rotated through various activities in the gym, cafeteria and music room. Christopher's gym teacher, art teacher and music teacher were in charge of the activities. It was a ton of fun--we danced, made some basketball free throws, made juggling balls and even got to play guitars! We had a lot of fun together! Poor Anneli wasn't feeling well so she stayed with Meme & Pepe--Thanks Mom & Dad for taking care of her!!

Anneli Hard at Work!

Anneli loves playing the compter when Christopher is at school.

It's amazing how fast they grow up!

She really knows how to maneuver the mouse and play the games thanks to her big brother.

I love to watch her hard at work talking to the computer, laughing and singing along!!

Our New Friends!

Christopher and Anneli were very upset this evening about flushing their good ol' fish Speedy so I took them over to the Pet Store. While we were there we picked out two new friends--Thunder and Lightning! Here's a picture of them all settled in their new home. Take note they both look like Speedy---they had choices of black ones, speckled ones, or chubby ones--nope they both had to be long and orange just like Speedy!

Tribute to Our Good Friend Speedy.

This morning when I woke up I noticed that our dear pet goldfish Speedy wasn't too speedy. Poor thing was sort of hanging out in the bottom of the tank upside down. He was alive and breathing but he wasn't doing too well. This afternoon I noticed that he did indeed die. I didn't tell the kids, but I called Shaun. We were going to talk to the kids when he got home. So much for that plan. At about 5pm Christopher noticed that he died. He came to me crying and crying. Poor kid. He was (and still is) very upset. I asked the kids if they'd like to write something on the blog in sort of a tribute to their dear friend Speedy, this is what they said.

"Today our friend, Speedy, our Gold Fish died. We are sad--he was a good fish and a good friend. He swam fast like Lightning McQueen. I liked it when he spun around his cage. We will miss him. I miss my friend Speedy..." By Christopher.

"He is dead. Speedy fell down and died. I love Speedy. Poor Speedy. Is he dead? Why he died mommy? I want to get another Speedy." by Anneli

Our Loyal Friend Speedy

Contra-Dance

Saturday evening, we attended a Contra-Dance Social at our church. It was a ton of fun for the whole family! We were not sure we wanted to go, but we were glad we did! It was fun learning a new type of dance and socializing with our ward friends. Even the kids had a blast dancing with each other and their friends.

What exactly is a Contra-Dance you ask? Click here for a full definition. Basically Contra Dancing is a form of American Folk Dancing. A caller calls the dances sometimes in two parellel lines or circles--he tells you what to do and you follow! It's great for individuals, partners and a great activitiy for families! If you have never been Contra Dancing you should check it out! We would definately go to a Contra Dance again!!

**We didn't take many pictures because we were dancing of course!! :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE JIM!

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear Uncle Jim,

Happy Birthday to YOU!

We love you!!!

How Time Flies...

I've been looking through old pictures...

February 4, 2006

February 21, 2008

Where does the time go...

Happy Birthday Alex!

Happy 2nd Birthday Alex!

We love you!

Love,

Uncle Shaun, Aunt Crystal,

Christopher & Anneli!

Day 5 of February Vacation!

Last day of February Vacation and we woke up to ***SNOW***! The kids were excited to see that Daddy was sitting on the couch debating if he was going to go into the office or not. Once the kids were aware of this, the decision was made--Daddy was staying home!! YIPPPEEE!!! I don't know who was more excited them or ME! He never stays home--snow or no snow he usually goes into the office. Thanks Shaun for staying home today!!

Love of Family

"Your most important friendships should be with your own brothers and sisters and with your father and mother. Love your family. Be loyal to them. Have a genuine concern for your brothers and sisters. Help carry their load so you can say, like the lyrics of that song,

'He ain't heavy; he's my brother.' "

Ezra Taft Benson

"To the 'Youth of the Noble Birthright,' " Ensign, May 1986, 43

Day 4 of February Vacation---

I gave Christopher a choice this morning between the New England Air Museum Beardsley Zoo or Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration for today’s special day trip. He let Anneli help him decide and they chose Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration. They love the Beluga Whales and Penguins there! We ate an early lunch at home and trekked down to good old Mystic, CT. The trip was quiet, Anneli fell asleep and I caught Christopher “resting his eyes” for most of the trip, yet he NEVER fell asleep he says! Boys sure learn that one pretty fast!

We saw

Beluga Whales

Sea Lions

Penguins

Fish

Piranas

A Sharks Jaw and a Shark being preserved in a Jar!

Anneli's favorite orange fish (see her little fingers pointing to it!)

and The Cat in the Hat!

They climbed in tunnels.

and posed for pictures too.

After the aquarium we drove to Norwich to meet Shaun in his field trailer at Three Rivers Community College. The kids were pretty excited to see where Daddy works! He took us on a tour and then out to Friendly's for dinner!

What a great day!

Day 3--February Vacation...

Today was a busy day or as Christopher and Anneli said, "a boring day"! Oh well, not everyday can be fun, right?! We started out by doing some school work and then the kids entertained themselves with some fun games on the computer.
We then ran to Price Chopper to pick up a few things. After saving .30 cents on gas with thier Fuel AdvantEdge program, (yeah do the math--a few things!) we raced home, put all the food away and had lunch. While they ate lunch, I prepared dinner for a friend, my parents and myself. I made an EZ Beef Shepherd's or Cottage Pie. Anneli enjoyed it, but Christopher hates things mixed together--but so do I! The kids were then happy that my mother was back from South Carolina so I dropped them off there while I brought dinner to my friend. I visited for a bit and then I drove my Dad's car to get it's oil changed! UGH! I hate that job!!! His car is interesting though--it's a black Chevy HHR with FLAMES on the hood. I thought I had a picture but i can't find it. I'll post one later! It's a little crazy to drive---I kept thinking that people were looking at me! Actually, the flames are very subtle--they really aren't that bad. But never in my wildest dreams would I imagine that my father would drive such a thing! He has always been the Jaguar Man to me!

That was pretty much our day until later that night when Christopher, Shaun and I went outside to see the Total Lunar Eclipse. Christopher fell asleep but he woke back up to see the "Red Moon" as he called it! I didn't get a picture of the moon, but I got a picture of Shaun looking up at the sky holding our very heavy Christopher.

It may not have been a fun an exciting day, but I don't think any of us should have been bored! :)