Twelve things I love about winter:

I love the snow, especially if I don't have to drive in it.
I love icicles hanging off the roof reflecting the sunlight.
I love the sound of kids playing in the snow.
I love the silence of a snow storm.
I love the way snow sparkles under the moonlight.
I love walking in the door and feeling the warmth wash over you.
I love hot chocolate.
I love the sound the ice makes when you break it.
I love catching snowflakes on my tongue.
I love falling backward into a snow drift.
I love the way the new snow piles on even the smallest tree branch, everything looks magical.
I love the way the sun can slant through the clouds making the mountains glow.

Big Snow Storm

Ok, here is our big snow storm from Sat. I'm glad it hit on a weekend so we could sit back and enjoy it! All 6 1/2 inches of it. Eric had a blast helping Robert shovel and building a "snow hill" which according to plan will be turned into a snow cave over the corse of the winter. "We can even sleep in it!" Eric told me.

By the way who wasn't sick this week? it seems that everyone had something or other. I hope health and peace reign at home this coming week.

Let the Games Begin!

Thanksgiving always kicks off "The Holiday Season" for me. I love the lead up to Thanksgiving: which family are we going to, what food will I make, what food is everyone else bringing (ooo, someone made this yummy peanut butter pie, and a pumpkin cheesecake, heaven) what games will be played and Black Friday shopping with the Coopers.

Last weekend was so busy, but the good, fun, love my family, kind of busy. We spent Thus. at the Coopers eating, talking, playing games, looking at the ads, making our game plan, reviewing our game plan, making our husbands laugh at our obsession with the ads. (You don't think six copies of each ad is excessive, do you?) Got to bed at midnight on Friday, and was up at 4:15 am to bag the sales. With 7 of us to tag team the store, and cell phone, there wasn't much we missed. Not even breakfast at IHOP at 10 and on to more shopping. (We missed you Stacy, we really needed one more person at Walmart.) We all got back to Coopers around 3 in the afternoon. I took a nap. (can't imagine what could have made me that tired.) Ate left over turkey, and played games with the family until late, again.

The next day was "THE GAME" Eric lamented that he didn't have a BYU shirt and a Utah shirt that I could sew together half and half. So he could cheer for both teams. I guess he hears a lot of smack talk from his uncles and aunts and wants to make everyone happy by cheering for both teams. And a big thanks to Dera for hosting the party! Although I went shopping with my Mom during the game. (In my defence shopping is my sport, and Roberts Craft was having a 40% off your entire purchase sale that Sat.)

Sunday came bright and early, and I woke up with a sore throat, and head/neck ache. But who lets a little pain slow them down when their newest niece is being blessed? We loved seeing the other side of the family and hearing about their Thanksgiving. and Kaia looked like a little angel in her blessing dress. Every time I see her she looks cuter and cuter. Of course I couldn't hold her because I felt sick, but she got plenty of attention from all the rest.

We tried to get home so that Eric could go to bed early enough for school the next day. But it turned out that he woke up Monday morning with a sore throat, and head/neck ache. We went to the Dr. on Tues. to see if it was Strep, but it's not. And he is back at school today. Although he probably isn't feeling 100% yet, I don't think I can stand having winy-cranky-obstinate-board-boy at home one more day. The sore throat is getting better and hopefully we will be back to normal (if you can consider us normal) by Friday. I hope that Avery, and Paisley are feeling better too, and that no one else gets sick.

Anyway, that's life at our house this week, and I will be lucky if we can get over this and not have anything else this winter. I'll keep my fingers crossed. (Lucky Stacy, you missed the cold and flu season completely. I bet Rylee won't even get a cold her whole first year!)

Happy Eating

'Twas the night of Thanksgiving, But I just couldn't sleep...
I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep.
The leftovers beckoned...The dark meat and white,
But I fought the temptation with all of my might.
Tossing and turning with anticipation,
The thought of a snack became infatuation.
So, I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door
And gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.
I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
Stuffing with gravy, green beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling so plump and so round,
Till all of a sudden, I rose off of the ground.
I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky
With a mouth full of pudding and a handful of pie.
But, I managed to yell as I soared past the trees...
Happy eating to all --pass the cranberries, please.

The Art of THANKSGIVING

The art of Thanksgiving is Thanksliving.
It is gratitude in action.
It is thanking God of the gift of life by living it triumphantly.
It is thanking God for your talents and abilities by accepting them as obligations to be invested for the common good.
It is thanking God for all that men and women have done for you by doing things for others.
It is thanking God for opportunities by accepting them as a challenge to achievement.
It is thanking God for inspiration by trying to be an inspiration to others.
It is thanking God for each new day by living it to the fullest.
It is thanking God by giving hands, arms, legs, and voice to your thankful spirit.
It is adding to your prayers of Thanksgiving, acts of Thanksliving.

Russell

Some of you may have met Eric's pet rabbit. "Russell Cooper BunBun" We got him just before Easter this year. Eric is doing a great job of taking care of him, and Russell has been great at relieving anxiety with him. (Most of you heard our school woes from last year.) Every day after school last year I would send Eric out to "check" on Russell. He would hold him and talk to him, kiss him and laugh at the funny things he did. When Eric came back inside the black cloud that was hanging over him from his school day would be gone. Russell is truly a blessing in our life.

Russell roams our back yard during the day, and at night Eric catches him and puts him in his hutch.

One night this summer Eric forgot to put him in the hutch. I woke up at 5 in the morning, I thought I had heard something like a squeaky toy outside. I went to investigate, I had a feeling something was wrong with Russell. I opened the curtain at the back door, and saw a cat at the bottom of the stairs. I ran out and scared the cat over the fence. Then I looked under the porch for Russell. (He has a spot under a couple of boards that he likes to hide under.) He was there but I was afraid he was hurt, remember it is dark and I can't see much. I didn't want to try to chase him if he were hurt and I thought he might bite me because he was so scared. So I woke Robert up to come help me. We used a flash light and he wasn't covered in blood like I had imagined, in fact he looked fine. Robert picked him up and I looked him over. The only injuries he had were a bite on his rear leg that was bleeding a little and a patch of fur missing from his neck.
We put Russell in his hutch, and the next morning I called my friend Julie.

Julie has a cat who likes to get in fights, so she knows how to care for cat bites. She told me what to do and Russell healed well. We never leave him out at night anymore. Eric and I also gave him the title of "Brave Bunny" for fighting off a vicious cat.

Russell also has the title of "Runaway Rabbit". Sometimes the gate doesn't get locked and the wind blows it open. Away he goes and hides. Once we searched for two hours before we found him in the front flowerbed.

Even with all that we still love Russell and the funny things he does: When he yawns and stretches after a nap. His curious nature. That one of his favorite thing to eat is morning glory. That he digs tunnels to hide in. How he carries his toys in his teeth. The funny way he washes his face and head. If you stand very still he likes to nibble the sole of your shoes. And that he likes to nap under the slide.

8 things you may not know about me

Sorry it took so long Julie.

1. I wanted to be a bank robber when I grew up. It sounded much more exciting than being a teacher or a nurse.

2. In junior high my best friend and I went to every Charlie Sheen movie. Now he seems so old, Robert is much cuter.

3. I hate to swim.

4. I love to get dressed up, and yes I do like wearing dresses.

5. I like fairy tales, one of my favorite books is Fabelhaven by Brandon Mull.

6. I read 12 books in Oct.

7. Robert and I took two ballroom dance classes at the U, but he never took me dancing.

8. I was on the Debate team that won the state championship in high school.

Guess what this is...

This is a mountain of SALT. Eric was curious about how the salt got from the water to the dry stuff at the dinner table. Here are some more salt pictures from the west side of the lake.
If you look really close you can see a buldozer that is pushing the salt around.
This may look wet, but it is bone dry. It is so amazing, all salt.

UEA Weekend

Over UEA weekend we decided to use our gift certificate to stay free in Wendover. I had never been west past Grantsville so I really enjoyed the scenery. I didn't realize how different the desert landscape could be.


My pictures start out leaving the Salt Lake valley. Notice how tall the vegetation is in each progressive picture.






This is Tooele Valley. I imagine this is what Salt Lake Valley must have looked like to the Pioneers.









As you travel farther west out of Tooele Valley the land becomes very flat because of the flooding of the Great Salt Lake. By the time we reached Wendover vegetation could not even grow. If I was going to film "Eragon" I would use the salt flats.


Here are Robert and I on the Salt Flats near Bonneville Raceway. We could not drive out to the race track though the ground is too soft from the rain. I guess people can only race when it is dry. (probably in July and Aug.)


Last of all here are Eric and I at the Pool. We had fun playing board games, swimming, eating at the buffet, and watching cable TV (all football and cartoons) We came home Tues. afternoon and had a beautiful drive.

The Great Knight!

Happy Halloween

Happy halloween, I hope you enjoy the spooky recap from our party...

Make your own slide shows and scrapbooks

Pumpkins

This summer we had a few pumpkin plants volenteer in our garden. We got about 17 pumpkins but they were all small. The largest was about the size of a volleyball.

Anyway they were too small to carve so we decided to paint them. We have some large bottles of glitter glue, and Eric began to paint. He put so much on that it ran down the sides. By the time it was dry it had all run down the sides. It looked so awesome that we had to do more that way!

These Pictures just don't do them justice. With all that glitter they look magical.

Ouch...

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails.
That's what little boys are made of.



Wings and springs and crazy things.
That's what Eric is made of.

Tickles and play and instacare copays
That's what his dad is made of.

Cuddles and sighs, and why do I try?
That's what his mom is made of.

Sat. we went to the Elder's Quarm party. When we got there I told Eric he needed to stay in the gym. Well in the first ten minutes he comes back into the gym from a classroom,with a paper towel on his cheek. (ah-oh sound effect) He is all serious, not crying, just serous. "Mom, I got hurt." just as calm as can be. He cut his cheek on the metal tray at the bottom of a chalkboard. It was bleeding so I sent Robert out to the car for the first-aid kit. Pinched it back together, (because it was gaping every time Eric talked) and slapped a butterfly bandage on it. "So Eric," I said, "Do you want to go to the instacare now or eat dinner here and go after?" (insert winy voice here for Eric) "Why do we have to go to instacare?" (insert voice of patients of saint here for me) "Because I don't want to have to call you 'Scar'." (think Lion King) He chose to go after dinner. After all they were serving hot dogs (insert voice of sarcasm here) and who would pass up hot dogs.

Did you notice that I carry butterfly bandages? Its from experience. I'm on my second box you know. I bet you didn't know that butterfly bandages are the only band aids that don't stick permanently. They come off way too easily, and the ones you want to come off takes a layer of skin with it when you rip it off.

I also have to put a plug in for "Dermabond". What did mothers do in the old days when the Dr. had to stitch up every cut? Its so much easier to tell your little boy the Dr. is going to "glue" your cut, then to tell him the Dr. needs to sew it up. We have done the stitches too, glue is so much better. Three cheers for Dermabond!

Now go out there and live life on the edge! (Just not the chalkboard edge.)

Farwell Soccer Season

Here is Eric's soccer team playing on Tues. He is the fourth from the left. I only got a few pictures before the sun went down and I lost my light. He regularly plays on Sat. but last Sat. it was snowing and blowing. It was such a relief to find out it was canceled.

Yes, that's right it was the first snow of the season. We got enough to cover the grass, my sister in Lehi got 4 inches! It was too wet for snowmen this time, but just wait...

Eric and Robert at the game

This is the last soccer game of Fall. Eric is #7 and he is a fire ball on the field. He loves playing and it seems as if he will never run out of energy. He is fearless he gets in there with kids twice his size and doesn't blink an eye. He rolls with the punches, literally. (not the punches, but the rolling) When he trips or is knocked down he just rolls right back onto his feet, and keeps going. It's very entertaining.

Halloween

As many of you know we enjoy celebrating holidays and food is just part of the celebration. So now that Halloween is upon us, I thought I would share some of my favorite recipes with you.
But first I do need to offer a cation, if your children or spouse get spooked or grossed out easily don't tell them the title of the recipe, or better yet let them help make the dish. Goblin toes are not very spooky if you helped cut the hotdogs and wraped them up.
Lucky for me Eric and Robert are great sports when it comes to my Halloween recipes, the grosser the better.

Pumpkin Gut Nachos
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 c. sliced almonds
1/4 c. mayonnaise
1/4 tsp. red chili powder (optional)
1 bag tortilla chips

Mix together all ingredients except chips. Spoon mixture over chips and broil until the cheese is melted. It would be really fun in those scoop tortilla chips. (Mine looked better than the picture, if I do say so myself.)

Wild Lice (basically mac and cheese with ham)
2 c. orzo (this is a rice-size pasta)
1/4 c. light cream
2 Tbsp. butter-melted
3/4 c. Parmesan cheese
1 Tbsp. fresh parsley-chopped
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. vegetable oil
1 ham steak

Preheat oven to 350, Prepare the orzo according to the directions on the package. Drain the orzo, then pour into a large bowl and add the cream, butter cheese, parsley and pepper. Toss well. Grease a casserole dish with the vegetable oil. Place the ham steak in the dish and then cover it with the orzo (lice). Bake for 20-30 minutes. serves 8
Delicious, only gross to those who know what lice are.


Kitty Litter Cake (ok, this one is over the top. It even grosses me out, but it is so much fun)
1 spice or German chocolate cake mix
1 white cake mix
2 large pkg vanilla instant pudding mix,
1 large pkg vanilla sandwich cookies
green food coloring
12 small Tootsie Rolls®

1 new kitty litter pan
1 new plastic kitty litter pan liner
1 new pooper scooper

Prepare cake mixes and bake according to directions (any size pans).

Prepare pudding mix and chill until ready to assemble.

Crumble white sandwich cookies in small batches in food processor, scraping often. Set aside all but about 1/4 cup. To the 1/4 cup cookie crumbs, add a few drops green food coloring and mix until completely colored.

When cakes are cooled to room temperature, crumble into a large bowl. Toss with half the remaining white cookie crumbs and the chilled pudding. Important: mix in just enough of the pudding to moisten it. You don't want it too soggy. Combine gently.

Line a new, clean kitty litter box. Put the cake/pudding/cookie mixture into the litter box. (P.S. I am too cheap to buy the litter box but the scoop is a must for effect, try a dollar store.)

Put three unwrapped Tootsie rolls in a microwave safe dish and heat until soft and pliable. Shape ends so they are no longer blunt, curving slightly. Repeat with 3 more Tootsie rolls bury them in the mixture. Sprinkle the other half of cookie crumbs over top. Scatter the green cookie crumbs lightly on top of everything -- this is supposed to look like the chlorophyll in kitty litter.

Heat 3 Tootsie Rolls in the microwave until almost melted. Scrape them on top of the cake; sprinkle with cookie crumbs. Spread remaining Tootsie Rolls over the top; take one and heat until pliable, hang it over the side of the kitty litter box, sprinkling it lightly with cookie crumbs. Place the box on a newspaper and sprinkle a few of the cookie crumbs around for a truly disgusting effect!

Further notes: I had a reader write in saying this recipe only needed half the amount of pudding. I personally liked the cake with the amount given in this recipe. But feel free to use this as a loose guideline, use more or less as you see the need. Also, since the layer of cookies (with the chloropyll green specks, covers the top, you could really use any flavor or flavors or cakes underneath. Last but not least, you can also opt not to crumble the cakes, but rather layer them in the pan with the layers of pudding in between (much like you would layer a trifle into a trifle dish), sprinkle the top layer of pudding with a heavy layer of crumbled cookies. Same effect, different texture entirely to the dessert.

Goblin Toes

Cocktail wieners
6-inch tortillas
Ketchup or mustard
Toothpicks

Directions1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut a wedge into the end of each cocktail wiener to make a toenail.

2. Cut the tortillas into strips about 4 inches long and 3/4 inch wide. Discard the ends.
3. Soften the strips in the microwave between damp paper towels for 10 to 30 seconds.
4. Roll each wiener in a tortilla strip and secure with a toothpick.
5. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes. Remove them from the oven, then fill the toenail with ketchup or mustard. Remove the toothpicks before serving.

Well I have some new recipes for this year, Bone-a-petite, cocroach clusters, witches fingers (an old favorite, but with new dipping sauces) and Russell's Famous poop-corn balls (By the way for those of you who don't know Russell, he is Eric's pet rabbit). I'll post the recipes later, I don't want to spoil the fun at the family party.

Saturday at the Conference Center

We were lucky enough to get two tickets to General Conference, Sat morn. (thanks Mom) I was excited to take Eric, since he is now old enough to go. (When your boy is eight there are not may "firsts" to experience.)

We had a Family Home Evening lesson about how a new apostle is called and we talked about the First Presidency. Eric was excited, he woke up early Sat. Robert drove us down and dropped us off. (Horrible traffic, glad I wasn't driving and trying to park.) As we stood in line to get in we talked about the people handing out pamphlets, who incidentally were much more polite than those I have encountered in the past.

When we got inside we found seats and sat down. We talked about when the Prophet entered how everyone would stand up to show our reverence and respect for him. So when President Hinckley walked in Eric knew exactly what to do. Our seats were on the Plaza level east side, and on the isle, so Eric could stand out in the isle and see Pres. Hinckley walking in. It was so quiet and you could just feel the Spirit in the room. As we sat down Eric and I talked about the special way we felt as the Prophet walked in.

As the choir began to sing, I remembered how I love to hear them sing in person. You can just feel it all over. We spent most of the meeting watching the big screen, because the speakers were minuscule. But it is still so different, so much better watching with thousands of people and the speakers really being right there. I just feel the Spirit and the faith of everyone around me. We are so blessed to be close enough to experience Conference in person.

Eric was remarkable good and attentive throughout the meeting, which is more than I can say when we watch at home.

After Conference we threaded our way through the crowd to find the first aid room, where my Mom is a nurse. (That's how she got us the tickets.) We left about a half hour after it was over, and drove home with Mom.

We watched the rest of the sessions at home, and as Pres. Hinckley spoke during the last Sunday session I felt somehow sad the there would not be any more until next spring. It really was a wonderful weekend. I look forward to the Nov. Ensign so that I can read it all again.

P.S. Eric was excited to go through a metal detector at the doors, "Just like at the airport!". He commented in his excited little voice, that "It didn't go off." when he walked through. Don't you wish for the eyes of a child again? How much more fun we would have!

My sister Amy lives in Lehi. One of the great things about the city is it has a Reading Center. You can sign up to take classes and it is completely free. Both of her kids have learned to read here, and with so many young children in the schools it is a wonderful resource for kids that need extra help, and adult too. The woman who started this reading center is Hesther Rippy. This 70 year old woman has been nominated for the national Woman of Worth award, if she wins, the reading center will get a $25,000 donation. The winner is selected by online votes, so please help this wonderful lady win. Vote for her at www.womenofworth.com before October 15, and be sure to tell your family, friends, and anyone else to vote for her!!! P.S. you enter your email address but they promise not to use it for anything else. Just click on the address to vote.

Tag Team

4 jobs I've had:
Oakcrest Councilor- This is the toughest job I ever loved! Oh, that was a great summer.
Dental Assistant- I think this is where I picked up my germ phobia. Did you know that I took 3rd place in the State competition for Dental Assisting?
Math Professor's Assistant- This was a great job I had in college, flexible hours and such. Grading papers, entering grades, I loved working for Pro. Chidister. I wonder what he is doing now?
Graphic Designer at B.L.- Oh how I hated working there, that's all I have to say.

4 Movies I could watch over and over again:
First off, I don't watch many movies, and secondly I really don't like to see a movie more than once. That being said...
I love Pride and Prejudice (the A&E version) I have watched that more times than I can count.
The snowman short from one of the Pixar movies (I forget which one)
Ella Enchanted (until I read the book, you know the movie never seems as good after you have read the book.)
Thoroughly Modern Millie, a roommate at Ricks introduced me to this funny, funky show.
Might I also add that I have watched Toy Story more times than I can fathom, but not by choice. If you have ever had a two-year-old you know why.

4 Favorite TV Shows:
I use to watch Gilmore Girls, but its not on anymore, I use to watch Martha Stewart, but it got boring, I liked watching Home Improvement, yet again not on anymore, I like a show called Jeeves and Wooster, on PBS, but it is not on on a regular schedule.

4 Favorite Reality Shows:
Super Nanny or Nanny 911 are fun occasionally, and I like Myth Busters but we are too cheap to get cable. I hear Singing Bee is fun but I have yet to see it.

4 Favorite Places I have been:
Silver Lake, Washington D.C., Disneyland, My home on a cold snowy day.

4 Favorite Foods:
Chocolate, Raspberries, Mushrooms, Turkey sandwiches with Avocado

4 Websites I check Daily:
Blogger, KSL news, sorry I don't have anymore

4 Hobbies:
Oil Painting, Baking, Board/Card Games, Reading

Well, we survived the Stake Play. On closing night I was both relieved and sad that it was ending. We spent the next week recuperating and catching up on all the things that were put off during the crazy rehearsal schedules. (Tues. 6-10pm, Wed. 5:45-10:30pm, Thurs. 5:45-10:30pm, Fri. help Thayne and Yvonne move 4-11pm, Sat. help Travis and Janae move (just Robert) I was too busy getting ready. 12pm Soccer pictures (I almost forgot about those, thanks to Dera for reminding me.) last performance 1:00-5:30pm 6pm Eric's soccer game, and after that the cast party.

I was so lucky that I didn't need to teach YW on Sun. because of a special combined lesson. Robert was not so lucky. He and Dera played a organ/piano duet in her sacrament meeting on Sun. They sounded great, you would never have guessed that they only had time to practice Sat. night and Sun. morning. Of course Robert got home about midnight on Sat. He had an even longer day than Eric and I.

I went to the Relief Society general meeting tonight with my mom and sisters. It was so nice, I forget how much I love being with the sisters and my sisters too! I needed that. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be taught and encouraged by our dear Relief Society presidency and Pres. Monson, and to feel the spirit of a chapel full of women who's hearts are turned to the Lord.

Stake Play

Our Stake puts on a play every five years. This year it is Fiddler on the Roof. Eric and I are towns people and Robert is playing the Bass in the orchestra. During the time we are not on stage (Which is most of the second act.) This is what Eric likes to do (left).


I love the music, except for Anatevka which got stuck in my head for three days straight, and put me off the whole song. Eric is having a lot of fun with the other kids. His favorite part is "the Dream". You will have to come see it to find out why. I think that is my favorite scene too.

Play practice has kept us very busy, we practice three days a week for 3-4 hour each day. Luckily the play is Sept. 20th(7:00pm) and 22nd(2:00pm), I'll be glad to get my evenings and Sat. mornings back.

Robert's sister Dera and her family are also in the play. She is the pianist for the whole thing, and she does an amazing job! So while the two Coopers are down in the "pit" the rest of us are a family up on the stage, its pretty fun. This week we are adding costumes to the rehersal and next week we will begin practicing on the stage at the high school.

You are all invited, and it is free! Seating is first come, but there are probably 1,000 seats so I don't think it will be a problem. They are asking that children under 8 not come because it is a very long production. If you need more info. email me.

Thanks Ben for suggesting miniature golf for Labor Day. We went out to lunch at Ab's, played a round of miniature golf and then went to Mom & Dad's and bottled peaches. (Too bad peaches don't go on holiday.)

Last night that big storm knocked out the power. So we spent the evening reading by candle/flashlight. It's kind of fun doing the same old things with a different twist.

Robert has been read Harry Potter and the Deathly hallows to Eric and I. We are at the part where Harry has just returned to Hogwarts and is looking for a horcrux. Eric thinks the missing mirror is hiding a horcrux. Eric also thinks that now Harry has two wands he can do double stunning spells now. We read the title to the next chapter which is "Snape Sacked" Eric thinks Snape is fired because Harry got into Hogwarts... We'll see. One of the Death Eaters tried to summon Harry's invisiblity cloak but it didn't work. Eric laughed, he likes it when tricky things happen. He also told me that Ravenclaw's diadem is probably under the trick stair at Hogwarts. And that the golden snich might have a horcrux inside. I get a kick out of listening to his ideas. The only problem is he lays in bed and instead of going to sleep, he thinks about the story.

NEW BABIES
We have a lot of new babies that joined our family this week. Janae and Travis have Regan as of Wed. then Paul and Jen delivered their little girl the next day. And the cherry on top was Kaia born on Sat., congratulations Annette and Adam. I wonder if the lunar eclipse had anything to do with it.

Well, it's the beginning of a new school year. Eric started third grade yesterday. He seemed to enjoy his class, his favorite part of school was that he got to pick his own desk! He picked one in the back corner of the class, right next to the door. Does that say anything about his personality? If not how about this... He got a new backpack this year, it is green. He picked out a lunch box, also green. His choice for a homework folder, you guessed it green.

I hope this year will be better than last. It's already looking good. The first thing he said to me when I picked him up was he got a green ticket!

If you don't know the school has a system that is suppose to reinforce positive behavior. You start the day with a green ticket, if you break a rule you pull the green ticket behind it is a yellow, then orange, then red ticket. If you get to red you see the principal.

Last year the only time he had a green ticket is when there was a substitute teacher. He had to pull tickets for all sorts of ridiculous things last year. Like holding his pencil while the teacher was giving instructions, or laughing when she dropped a lid that made a big noise, or taking a drink of water out of his desk water bottle at the wrong time. I think he got 10 green tickets the whole year.

This year his teacher is Ms. Mickelsen, kids that had her last year say she is very nice. Hopefully little behavior won't be such a huge deal in her classroom. Hopefully I won't get a phone call from Eric saying he is in trouble for flushing the toilet three times in a row. (Who has time to sit and listen for the toilet flush?)

Onto a happier note, we have the Labor Day weekend coming up, a four day weekend for the kids. (sorry Janae about the word labor:) ) Does anyone have a good idea of what to do? I wanted to go to Dinosaur National Monument but it appears that the visitor center, where you can see the archaeologists digging bones out of the mountain (it is so cool) is closed because it is falling down. (you should see the pictures, really bad engineering). Anyway... I don't have any great ideas yet. Sometimes we go to Swiss Days but it is so crowded, or we can go to Park Valley for the Pugsley reunion but that is a long drive to sit around a hot bowery talking. I don't know, Grandma and Mom have a better time, they know more people. It's always the same "He's eight... no just the one... no I stay home..." I am so boring. (sigh) I would much rather do something else, but what?

Robert would say lets go on a family bike ride, but he won't buy me the bike I want. You know a tandem. Then he could never leave me behind, of course he claims that he would be doing all the pedaling. That is so not true, very much, only up hill, or well, maybe sometimes, occasionally...

Maybe well go to the Drive-in if there is anything worth seeing. Mmmm movie theater popcorn.

Robert & Marie

Hi friends and family,
We are excited to start a blog. We hope that this will make it easier for us to keep in touch, both far and near.
love,
Marie