Word Worthy Day

Leah slipped in her skates and landed on the floor.
Lexi looked at me calmly (while Leah is screaming) and says, "Mom, your youngest is on the floor." (Youngest? That sounded funny to me coming out of her mouth.)

A little while later, Leah was sent to her room because she was having tired issues. Lexi says to me, (again calmly) "Mom she is crying and becoming quite annoying."

Then, "Mom, she's asking for her pacifier." Leah doesn't really have a pacifier, it's a tiny one from and baby doll that Leah likes to hold in her mouth. So I said, "Well, you can give it to her. Maybe it will fix our problem." "Okay" she says.
This whole time I'm trying to make dinner. It's gets a little crazy on AWANA nights.
A couple mintes later, "Mom it didn't really fix our problem!"
What did fix our problem was that she fell asleep. That was the best fix.

So while we are eating dinner, Trey and Zach were messing under the table because Trey likes to wear his skates to the table and it annoys Zach.
Trey: Hey, my foot isn't touching the floor!
Lexi: That's because Zach has it suspended.
Zach: Whoa, Lexi, look at you with your fancy words!

On the way home, Lexi and Avery (a friend who rides with us on Wednesdays) were messing around in the back seat and I hear Lexi, "Mom, Avery bonked my scapula and my mandible hit her knee!"

Awkward Family Photos

I am calling this post Awkward Family Photos. Kim and Bryce started it because of a well-known show (Ellen Degeneres, I think she said) that does this. She says it's hilarious and I believe her because I was about rolling on the floor watching the two of them. (I sprinkled them throughout to spread the joy.) Bryce then "posed" with his brothers which was a treat also. Not all of these pictures are awkward but they are most assuredly family. And I laughed too hard not to post them.

Caroline and her BFF

Tickle train!

Bethany, Hannah, Leah and Alexis

Caleb, Zach and Micah
I am putting this picture here because Laura said to Mom and I, "Let's show our bling rings." So she set up the camera and we all put our hands out and then she said, "Smile!"....

and we did! We all laughed so hard. How awkward!

I do love my sisters. I wish they had all been there.

This is what started it all.

The crazy Hewlett boys!One more...

Party-ers

My sister Tracy and her husband Mark have been married for 25 years. It's weird to me to even say that. 25 years! That's a long time!
They decided to have a fancy party at a club in Iowa City.

It was fun for us to be able to dress up and really have somewhere to go because we don't do that. Ever. But that's okay because it's not really our style and why would I want to fight it?

We danced and we boogied.
We boogied and danced.
Well some of us did. The boys had their own brand of fun.
Okay so maybe he had just a little bit of a good time:)

Happy New Year!!!

Our New Year's tradition is to ring the church bell, here in Walcott, at midnight. This year we had a large group since we had our Christmas celebration on the same day.

Trey was first in line.
Noa was happy to ring the bell:) Zach had a turn too.

Happy New Year!!

Driving Me Confused

Totally out of the blue today while driving home.
Leah: Mommy why do they drive like idiots?
Me: What? Who?
Leah: The other people.
Me: I don't know, what do you think?
Leah: Because they are dumb.
Me: Hmm. Who told you that?
Leah: Nobody.

Yeah, right.

The Past Few Days...

...have been filled with exciting Christmas activities.

We spent all day on Christmas Eve decorating cookies. Dave instituted the making and coloring of the icing and then the rest of us decorated.

Then that night we went to my Grandma Grell's for her annual party. This ledge is a gathering spot for children year after year. My cute little Great Niece Noa. We got to go to our church on Christmas as a family this year for the first time in, well...ever. Then on Christmas morning we opened presents at home and then went to Dave's parents' for more celebrating and opening.
Trey read the Christmas book this year.
Zach shared a few pages of his 9 page paper he wrote for school that outlined the life of Christ and made the case for him being the Savior. It was very appropriate for Christmastime. We were all imressed with Zach and how well-spoken he is and unafraid to share his faith. From the Bears family to yours-Merry Christmas

Cookies!

We are having a good Christmas break. The kids were done with school on Wed. and had an early out so we made buckeyes!

Then on Thursday we started when we woke up and went until 5:30 p.m.

We made Oatmeal cookies.

And sugar cookies (decorations to come later).

And almond bark with peppermint.

And cinnamon rolls. Lots of cinnamon rolls, but no picture.

I had also started some chicken noodle soup in the crockpot so I wouldn't have to cook supper.

I have to say it was all a little easier thanks to my new toy. Dave couldn't wait and gave me my Christmas present early. He's really bad about that. Can't keep a surprise to save his life. But it did make the cookies easier. I'll admit it!