Boys?

Clearing off the counter, I came across Jonathan's cup. It contained a bug floating in water, a rock, and a quarter. The essential treasures of his current life.

Movie Recomendation: Flipped

Joe and I saw Flipped Saturday night and then showed the girls the movie tonight. Hannah said, "Wow! I think Flipped is my favorite movie now. It is a vary close adaption of the book."

Flipped

19 Reviews 5 star: (12) 4 star: (4) 3 star: (2) 2 star: (1) 1 star: (0) › See all 19 customer reviews...

When Juli meets Bryce in the second grade, she knows it's true love. After spending six years trying to convince Bryce the same, she's ready to give up - until he starts to reconsider.

• Starring: Madeline Carroll, Callan Mcauliffe
• Directed by: Rob Reiner
• Runtime: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Release year: 2010
• Studio: Warner Bros.

Best Christmas Present

This was my favorite present this year! Eva Marie April 13, 2010 6 lbs. 7 oz. As we were counting our blessings this year, I was so grateful that doctors were not correct about us not being able to have more children...Eva was a sweet bonus to our happy clan. We also consider medical help and modern technology a blessing in her delivery and my recovery.

Unwanted Visitor for Christmas

Amy's Clever Packets:

Marshmallow Treat

Chocolate Covered Raisins

Christmas Eve Pajamas TowerChristmas Eve Pajamas!

New Nightgowns (as requested)

Watching The Nativity

Reindeer Girl

Joe and I had a fairly peaceful Christmas Eve tonight because the big dinner party with his family was last night. Tonight, we ate leftovers: grilled salmon, jello parfait, wild rice, squash, wassail, etc. We watched the Nativity and sang many carols (with different children ringing a bell), and prayed. The children left out cookies, Keffir, and a note for Santa. Susie and Jonathan put out Reindeer food (thanks Amy) and we read bedtimes stories. All children were asleep (except Bekah) by 9:30. We brought up wrapping materials and were going to put in a movie but found Chevy Chases National Lampoon Christmas Vacation on and setteled in. Thankfully, I left the baby monitor on and at a quarter to midnight, Joe ran upstairs to see why Susie was calling me and yelled for me to come up and help. Susie was covered (new princess pajamas and all) in vomit. She was a tired, cold, stinky girl sobbing in the bath. Joe ran in and changed the bed clothing while I scrubbed Susie twice and got her out. (*No Tears Shampoo does not remove vomit smell, FYI). Susie likes to bathe as much as cats do! Joe went and turned on her mini tree with lights and soothed her back to bed. Oh boy! I don't want to stomach flu for Christmas!

The Night Before Christmas Eve Dinner

Susie sports her cracker crown.

Eva feasted on a roll

Cousins gather for the Pixie Present Exchange

Eva's new ball popper.

Rebekah's in heaven with a little guinea pig!

Rebekah's Peruvian Long-haired pig, Indiana.

Our crawler.

T'was the night before, the night before Christmas and all through the house, Campbell's were stirring...including the mouse (or guinea pigs, rather). Tonight we had Joe's family over for dinner. Some things to remember: opening crackers (inside came paper crowns, a joke, and a prize which might be a compass/key chain, a mini sewing kit, a compact mirror, a mini LED flashlight, etc.). Pixie Exchange, Surprise guinea pigs for Mick and Brock (not named Justin and Bieber), Eva crawling, Salmon and wild rice dinner, a good time had by all.

Silent "e" Prayers

Susie: "(To Mom) I know what you're doing! (She nods sagely). "That's a silent 'e' prayer. That's what it's called. Oh, I think it's called... maybe, just silent prayer. I know... Shh."

Gingerbread Man Play

Gingerbread Boy Cast Members (Lt-Rt): The Old Woman, the pig, Gingerbread Boy, the frog, the dog, the Old Man, and the fox. Miss Jodi is sitting up in front.

When Susie finally made it to preschool (she missed the first hour because I got stuck in front of our driveway)--they were eating white chocolate popcorn and rehearsing for the play. Parents came back and saw a darling play about an old couple who makes a gingerbread boy and he runs away telling various characters to "catch me if you can" and is finally told "Gingerbread boy--we don't want to eat you! We just want to play with you!"

Green Christmas (No Snow?)

It looked like a Christmas Village Scene this morning.

Bird's Eye View of the Backyard--snow is up to the hammock seats.

Susie is posing trying to show how much more snow I need to shovel this morning!

Rebekah was so worried we would have a green Christmas! No worries, Rebekah... Forecast for the next three days: snow, snow/rain, and more snow!

The Simple Things

Left the children sleeping to drop off Secret Santa presents and Eva woke up. Rebekah took good care of her and commented, "she played 20 minutes with a sock, A SOCK!" Ahh, the simple joys.

Neighborhood Gifts This Year

Joe and the children delivered many more than what is shown on Saturday afternoon. Crazy? Probably. Tradition, of course. I like how our family works together on making or delivering these presents each year. Also, it helps my children get to know people in our church and visit some of the "least of these" to wish them a Merry Christmas.

Not Kidding!

c I would not recommend heating a Tupperware contaner of caramel for an undisclosed amount of minutes in a microwave. Trust me. Susie tried it and all it did was cause chocking acrid smoke to fill up our house and keep us from Creme Brulee cravings.

Let's see within the last twenty-four hours:

• Microwave emitting smoke--plastic container of caramel nuked for who knows how long!
• Children ate cold hot dogs for breakfast (their choice--not our usual fare).

• Refrigerator and freezer were turned off (thus everything melted and thawed on Monday).

• Refrigerator turned up (and everything in the fridge is now icy--milk, juice, spinach, cucumbers ALL frozen today).

• Joe's sister Beth watched our children while Joe and I went to his executive dinne rin Salt Lake.
• Hannah had a cello concert she told us about Sunday night, Pop Pop and Grammy helped us out by taking her.

• TWO performances at the same time--Susie in a preschool play at 1:30 p.m.

• Jonathan in several musical numbers at his elementary across town at 1:30 p.m. today.

• Evie had, of course, THREE blowouts (or "poop-outs" as Susie calls them ) which required full changes of clothes (undershirt, socks, outer outfit, etc.) and I was changing her regularly...she sits so happily in her car seat in the car while I unload and then is wet all up the back when I take her out.

• I have not got back to mailing anymore Christmas cards since Monday.

• Joe's computer is "dead" with all the new recipes for the family cookbook, Christmas card original, budget/finances/tithing/money info on it.

Chistmas Recital

The annual Christmas Piano Recital--ALL survived!

New Holiday Tradition (Elf on the Shelf)

This year we have an elf named Elfredo (I would not go along with the tweens and call him Eggbob). He observes patiently upon a shelf and then at night flies back to Santa ans whispers in his ear whether the children have been naughty or nice. The next morning, he is in a different place. Joe thought this place clever. Yes, the children found him (except Hannah :) Rebekah found him first and wanted to turn on the fan quickly.