Now Introducing. . .

. . .THE INCREDIBLE NINJA VADER!!

Rock Chalk Jayhawk

A few weeks ago we took Adam and Matt to their first KU basketball game.  With Robert's ability to make a deal, we bought 8 tickets.  Once the game sold out (they always do) we sold 4 of them at double our purchase price, which meant we went to the game for free.  Smart move, eh!  Going to a game at Allen Fieldhouse is like going to a game at Fenway Park.  There's just so much history.  KU played Iowa State---and won.  It will be nice if we can make this a yearly tradition.      

 National Championship banners

 Excited Jayhawk fans!

 It's hard to tell from this photo, but there are fans standing against the glass windows in the distance.  This fieldhouse feels so 'old school'.  It's so much fun to attend a game there.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk!  Go KU!!



Partners in Crime

We met our goal!

At the beginning of the year, Robert and I felt that Adam and Matt were old enough, and good enough readers, to read the Book of Mormon.  Up to that point, we had our family scripture study using the illustrated scripture books.  As motivation I made a big chart with every book and chapter in the Book of Mormon.  With each chapter we read we colored in the corresponding square.  We hung the chart at the end of the hall so we would see it each night before going to bed.  Initially the boys were quite excited.  However, that quickly waned.  Quite quickly!  This goal took a lot of patience--mine and Robert's patience.  Oh, the complaining!!!  We made it, though.  We completed the entire Book of Mormon on December 28th.  I jokingly told the boys we were going to start over on January 1st. 

The moans and groans were loud.  We then told them we'd take a break, and read some of the illustrated scriptures again.  Perhaps in June we'll make another chart.  Won't they be pleased!

Christmas Pics

So, I'm waaaaaaayyyyy behind.  I feel like I rarely have enough time to spend on the computer in one sitting to update our blog.  That's why I'm nearly two months behind.  My brother and sister, Owen and Holly, spent the holiday with us.  That was lots of fun.  Here are five pictures that sum up our Christmas.  Except I don't have a photo of Holly.  Well, I have one but she's just sitting on the couch, reading something.  That doesn't truly depict Holly.  I need a photo of her doing something active--like playing 'monkey in the middle' on her knees.

       

 Here's Matt.  He and I made a gingerbread village.  He really enjoys doing creative projects.  He likes to stay busy. 

 Here we are leaving on our annual Christmas Eve 'ring and run'.  This year Holly and Owen got to help us.  This brought back lots of childhood memories. 

 It takes two grown men to put together a little boy's train set. 

 Adam overjoyed when Santa brought him his coveted Nintendo 3DS.

 

Gavin was pretty thrilled with his train set.



December Fun

St. Nicholas came to our house and filled our shoes the night of December 6th.  Of course the boys were full of anticipation.  This is such a fun tradition we have. 

We had a big snowstorm this  past Monday, resulting in a foot of snow.  School was canceled the next two days, so Christmas break began early.  All three boys have been relaxing--reading and watching 'The Wiggles' (Gavin's new favorite). 

This was Gavin's first time to play in the snow.  Initially he was uncertain about it, but quickly adjusted.  He stayed outside for at least an hour.  He ate the snow while Matt and I shoveled the driveway. 

Christmas came a bit early to our house.  Robert told me a Christmas/Birthday surprise was being delivered at 6pm.  I definitely was not expecting a new washer and dryer.  The boys spent a good hour watching a load of laundry this morning. 

School Bus

Gavin likes to watch the school buses from our front window.  Every time he sees one, he tries to say 'bus'.  Adam and Matt get a kick out of this because Gavin can't quite say 'bus'. 
Instead he says 'butt'.