Cousins

Alexis has a cousin, Ollie, that is a couple of months older than her. Brandon's brother asked him to take some photos of Ollie and so we did. Then we got some of Alexis and Ollie and they turned out so cut. Here are two of my favorites. However, the others are so cute I had a hard time choosing. Here are the others.

Christmas Finery

After much work and fun preparation we have the Christmas Finery Completed. Andrew even got a new suit "Just like Dad's." Alexis especially loves her green dress since it is her favorite color.

Just in case you thought this was the only photo we took have no fear we have a load here. Some of which I might just have to print.

Christmas Play 2008

It is a tradition in my family to have the Christmas Story told as a play and the tradition continues. You can imagine my sister's and my excitement as children when one of had to play Joseph. However, we did not have this problem this year as we had two willing actors, Andrew and his cousin Josh.

To decide the role of Joseph Grandpa had them choose a number between 1 & 5. Andrew lucked out with "2".

Here come Mary (Karissa), Joseph (Andrew) and the Donkey (Grandpa)

Here is the new family at the "manger" with Alexis' baby that she kindly let us use for Baby Jesus

Alexis was perhaps the most enthusiastic participant as the Angel. Here is her "Behold."

And while we do not have enough yet to follow Elder Eyring's family's tradition of adding Samuel the Lamanite we do have a lot of fun (if you haven't heard his story you should listen to his talk from the First Presidency Christmas Devotional -- very enjoyable, as always). For more photos from our soon to be award winning play you can check them out here.

Sisters

Lately we seem to be getting a lot of photos of the girls. These are some of the ones I love.

This is some sort of gymnastics routine. I don't know that Alexis really got it, all I know is she was having fun with Karissa.

We took these Christmas Eve in Blackfoot. I just love this one of them hugging. They also got in on the sledding with Grandpa.

To read more about our sledding adventures go here.

Sledding Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas week in Blackfoot with Natalie's family. While we traded a nasty stomach bug around, we also got to have some fun. On Christmas Eve my dad got off work at 3:30 and took the kids and their cousins sledding. We had planned on giving the kids some sleds for Christmas but decided that they could get them one day early and so there were plenty of sleds for everyone to enjoy.

Andrew and Brandon getting some air

Karissa and her cousin Jerica having a major crash. Talk about perfect photo timing.

Karissa flying down the hill.

For LOTS more sledding photos -- you know us, you can go here to our picasa web album.

Our Snowshoveler

It snowed a couple weeks ago (and just about every day since) and I caught this photo of Alexis helping clean up the driveway.

Scuba Diving Dogs?

I was in my sewing room last night when the girls showed up. Apparently, they had gotten straws to drink some milk and decided to then become Scuba Divers. In actuality, Karissa was a Scuba Diver, Alexis was a Scuba Diving Dog. Lately, Alexis is on a dog kick and loves to pretend to be a dog. So last night was the best of her two favorites, playing with her sister and being a dog. It was also a great night for Karissa, she got to pretend and tell Alexis what to do which made Alexis love her even more. Aren't sisters great!

Oh, The HORROR!!!

So Alexis is over 2 1/2 and we have been growing her bangs out which I so stupidly cut about a year and a half ago. She has amazingly smooth hair, for which I am truly jealous, however it is as straight as a pin. Consequently, despite curling her bangs within a couple of hours they look like she has had water dumped on them. So we (I) decided we would just solve this problem and get rid of them. All was going well, until the last two days when she decided to cut them!!! The first cut was somewhat bad but could be hid with a little effort. Then last night I hear arguing between her and a friend we were watching and I found her with scissors and she had cut her hair to the scalp.

Isn't it attractive.

Here is a close-up of the damage.

When Karissa was 2 she cut her hair but was kind enough to just cut the bottom so we were able to style it into a cute bob. As for this, I have no idea what to do. This is my current solution.

It doesn't hide it completely, but maybe it takes the attention off it??? Any other ideas?

My political thoughts of the day.

My friend Sally recently posted "Political Rambling & Rant" and it was so well written it made me think and actually want to post something as well. She talked about how she came to her voting decision and how she has been trying to teach her children both the history of our country in relation to this issue and how to make informed decisions.

I love American History, and politics has always fascinated me. It has always interested me in why voters chose who they did and what the consequences of their decisions were. Sometimes they seemed to choose the right person for the job and times, other times it seems they were sold a bill of goods that didn't live up to hype. Hindsights always 20/20. In this day in age I feel we too often get caught up in which party is right we fail to look at candidates and issues especially the far reaching ones. And, as Sally pointed out in her piece, it rubs off on our kids without our reasons rubbing off as well. I feel it is so important to help our kids understand that our political decisions don't have to be party based, we should decide what issues are important to us and if they line up with a party, fantastic, if they don't that is just fine as well. And they need to understand that politics is about more than the issue of the day, elected officials, especially presidents, have effects on the world that are far reaching into the future. We are today still using the "Monroe Doctrine" for some our decision with South America, Vietnam is still a specter, and we are still seeing the effects of the Cold War 50 or so years after it started.

I personally don't feel any of the parties line up with what I value and how I view what government should be. At times this is difficult since it means I have lots of choices and decisions. However, I feel I have become better informed of each candidate in the process. It bothers me that too often I feel elections are chosen based on voter biases. The ads are meant to scare, or misinform instead of teach and enlighten. How do we choose the right person when we are only choosing out of fear of the other person? That is not to say that the "other" person may not be right for a position, but shouldn't it be about their actual opinions, policies, and past actions (actual action and not just the implied ones), and not about what their opponent says they might do, say or enact?

Happy Halloween 2008!

I don't know where October went, but it sure did go! I figured I'd get this on the blog while Brandon is trick-or-treating with the kids. It is actually warm enough tonight that the kids don't have to wear their coats and all our effort for costumes isn't hidden behind them. YEAH! I have to admit I was not much of a Halloween person growing up. When I was 12 I was told I couldn't trick-or-treat anymore and I don't remember feeling too beat up about it. However, since having kids, Halloween is a highlight. I love putting together costumes and being creative with this one.

This year Karissa chose a to be a ballerina. I have to admit I thought it was a little boring. Surprisingly, I ended up liking this costume. What you can't see is that the skirt was made too big -- oops! and I had to take some tucks in the back. The best part is, she loved it!

Doesn't she look Beautiful

Andrew is, of course, our current astronaut/rocket expert and we made a costume to match. When he first told me he wanted to be an astronaut I was excited. Then I realized I had to figure out a helmet. Thanks to my sister Melissa, I had the idea for a football helmet covered in tin foil, and thanks to our neighbor, Hayden, we had a helmet to cover. The patches are clipart I found on the internet and then printed on Dark T-Shirt iron-on paper and ironed them on. His boots are some shoes he has outgrown and outwore, so we just hot glued the "boots" to his feet.

Andrew ready to BLAST-OFF!

And then there is Alexis who has recycled the Flamanco Dancer costume from when Karissa was 2. We had to let it out a little and it is shorter than it was on Karissa, but I believe, just a cute. She has gotten a kick out of telling everyone she is going to be a Spanish Dancer.

Our beautiful Dancer.

I think this Halloween is one of my favorites to date. Mostly, because the costumes were done before today, and also because they turned out as good in reality as they did in my head. Who knows what next year will bring.

Here they are all together. The Space Man between the dancers.

Meet Tape Boy

So I sent Andrew to clean his room (you can see the clothes scattered from unpacking) and this is the what I found when I went to check on him. I laughed so hard I couldn't get mad.

While he was not exactly cleaning he was creative with his time. Karissa wins the prize for having her room clean first. Now just to get Andrew to focus on his room.

First Snow of the Year!

Today it snowed for the first time this year and the kids got to go out for a little bit to enjoy. While I am not ready for snow in October -- I am still missing Tennessee winter, the kids had fun.

Don't they look like they are having fun!

Andrew's Winter Wonderland


Isn't this a cute girl!

Afterwards we made Onion Rings. We decided to start a tradition of Onion Rings on the first snowfall.

YUM!

There are more photos of the kids here.

New Favorite Book

So I just finished A Thousand Splendid Suns and fell in love with this book. It walks the line of really sad without making you feel despair and it is a beautiful look at a culture so different than ours and makes you feel grateful for what you have.

My Thoughts

My friend Becky made this post and "tagged" everyone. I love it so much I am doing it too.

I am. . . a mother, a wife, a friend, a seamstress, a cook and many other things I forget them all.

I miss living. . . where I could share the gospel with those who don't know anything about it on a daily basis

I think . . . WAY too much about way too many things.

I want . . . peace -- in my life, in my family, in the world .

I have . . . a wonderful home -- and even better in the next month when my olive green bedroom is painted a new, less green, color.

I search . . . for all the things I lose when I clean my house!

I wish. . . I could keep my house clean long enough to know where all the wonderful places are I find to put things.

I am scared. . . of spiders

I am deathly afraid. . . of losing someone I love

I love. . . my husband more now than I did 10 years ago, and I sometimes wonder if I tell him enough.

I feel sad. . . when others are hurting

I hear. . . no fighting right now -- YEAH!

I don't have. . . the organization skills to do all the things I want to do.

I wonder . . . if I am doing enough for my family.

I care too much about. . . things being perfect -- so much so, that I find it easier not to try.

I regret . . . saying the wrong things at the wrong time and hurting others

I have missed. . . not having to worry about what I eat and how much I exercise

I am not good at . . . living in the moment

I dance like . . . I'm not sure -- too long since I danced, but I was good in college.

I sing . . . when no one is listening

I write . . . in my head, and dream of taking the time to get my thoughts & ideas down on paper

I win . . . at "Monopoly" at "Phase 10" when my husband and I play -- which isn't very often.

I lose . . . just about every other game we play. But I still have fun just playing.

I never . . . ice skate or ski. I just don't get it. Give me some hot chocolate when it snows and a good book and warm blanket and I am happy.

I listen . . . to my children, however, I know I should listen better.

I read . . . anything I can get my hands on, especially books that uplift me.

I am happy . . . when I can just be and not worry about what comes next.

What about you?

Karissa was baptized

On Saturday Karissa was baptized. We are so proud of her! It was the perfect end to the most crazy month. Between birthdays, canning, Brandon going on a trip this last week, a Daddy-daughter Date I was in charge of last Friday and a myriad of other things we have been pulled from all sides. Saturday was just what we/I needed.

Here is Karissa and her dad, she is wearing the dress my sister, Jennifer, made for her daughter and we are now starting a tradition of all the Wankier Granddaughters wearing it when they are baptized.

Here she is in her Sunday dress I made for her baptism.

We had all the cousins -- what a treat!

Afterward, we came home and had frito pie for lunch and celebrated both Andrew & Karissa's birthdays with family.

Andrew with his new legos.

Karissa with a lighthouse from Grandpa Eames' collection, saved just for her 8th birthday.

Karissa's "Bear Blanket" made by Grandma Wankier.

After lunch we shot rockets until we were almost out of engines and the boys got to go shopping at the sporting goods store. To top the day off, my mom and sisters and I went to the General Women's Meeting together. What a wonderful day!

Andrew is 5!

Andrew is 5 -- can you believe it? If he didn't act like it I wouldn't. :) Anyway, we had his "Rocket" party today and it was a "BLAST"!

Last night Karissa gave him a stomp rocket that he could shoot himself.

Doesn't he look like a boy having fun.

For his party we had the boys get their picture taken in front of white posterboard that I then photoshopped the board out of the picture and added a new background. We then printed these and glued them to some large rockets they colored when they arrived. They also colored a smaller rocket to use for "Pin the Rocket to the Moon".

Here is Andrew not quite getting to the moon.

Here is the "Blue Ninja" cake. The "Blue Ninja" is one of Andrew's favorite Rockets.

Here is the birthday boy himself

We saved the best activity for last. Shooting rockets off in the field next to us.

Here is Andrew shooting the "Pop-Fly" rocket. It has a ball on the top that "pops" off and then you can try to catch it.

And if you ever wonder why we like rockets, it is the look on the kids faces as they fire.

Nothing like the WOW! factor.

It was a lot of fun and now we are done with birthdays for another 6 months!
If you want to see more photos you can look here.

Mom's Play

Brandon's mom, Janine, is the the ultimate "I can do it" person. Her talents are VAST (quilting, sewing, cross stitch, painting, drawing, computer programing, woodworking, gardening, refinishing furniture, reupholstering furniture, singing--once in Mormon Tabernacle Choir, traveling, jewelry making, reading, etc.) and when she doesn't know how to do something she has complete faith that she can learn how and just does it. Something I need to be better at. And not only does she know how to do them, she does them extremely well. This weekend we went to a musical that she wrote for the Syracuse Community Theater and were wonderfully entertained, as we fully expected to be. Many of Brandon's relatives were in the play about "Antie Elna" and her "Cupboardware" products she was selling at the county fair. We laughed our heads of and even Alexis sat mesmerized through the majority of it.

Here is the amazing woman herself dancing away.

Here is a picture of Brandon's sister-in-law, Liz (left) and his cousin-in-law, Anne as two of the stars of the program. Brandon's cousins Tyler and Collin were also in the play.

Thanks for the wonderful evening!

Celebration #1

We had Karissa's party today. We based it loosely on the game Candyland. When they first arrived they made Lollypop people using foamy. The girls had a lot of fun I think. I am always struck by the creativity of children. If only I could bottle it.

Here are the girls focusing intently on the job at hand.

Here is Karissa's almost finished doll -- she ended up adding arms, legs, a purse, eyes, etc.

It is a tradition to play "Pin the ???? on the ????". This time it was "Pin the mouth on the Gingerbread Plum Tree." The girls had a lot of fun and wanted to do it again. 3 girls tied and got to take home some extra candy.

Here is Karissa getting close, but not close enough.

We then played "I had a little Nut-doggy and he won't bite you" I scanned a picture of Grandma Nut and her dog from a Candyland sticker book I found at the Dollar Store and then printed it and they used it tap the girls on the top of the head.

Here's Karissa chasing in her very hot sweat suit that she absolutely had to have.

The girls were so quick at the games we played I had to come up with others. Perhaps the best one was the "Squirt-Bottle Game" or the "Thimble Game". Which since I didn't have either we used a small bottle lid. If you don't know it, it is a great Family Home Evening game. Everyone sits in a circle and one person stands in the middle and says "I am thinking of a Color in the Crayola 8-pack" or some other topic (person in the room, type of clothing, type of vegetable, fruit, etc.). The key is to pick a topic not too broad and then pick a common item in the topic. Then you take a thimble or spray-bottle around the circle and stand in front of a person (you don't have to go in order). When a person chooses your item or chooses an item someone else already says then they get wet and it is their turn. It is a blast!

Then we had a Treasure Hunt where the evil "Lord Licorice" (who is never gluten-free) took Jolly's gumdrops and they had to find them. The "Treasure" was the tic-tac-toe bags I had made previously.

Then it was time for cake and ice cream. The cake was a candy cart with candy in the middle. They each got a piece of cake and a spoonful of candy.

Here is the cake the beautiful Birthday Girl!

Now to start on the Rocket Party next week.
If you want to see more photos you can look here.