Dear teacher,

Almost every day Josh has the assignment to write a letter to his teacher.
His writing makes me laugh out loud.
I especially love how he signs off...

Your student,
awesome-cool, Joshua the elite legendary, famous, superior, flawless exceptional incredible genius.

Your student,
Josh of cool stuff

Your student,
Joshua (who in his desk REALLY has made the deed to own the school)

Your student,
Joshua of greatness and awesomeness and don't forget superior coolness.

Your student,
Joshua- cool to the 300th power

Your student,
Mr. antihomework

Your student,
Inderfernius X


His teacher is a great sport. She has even asked him to look up the Greek/Latin meanings for all parts of the word "Inderfernius." And, in her last note to him, she signed it,
Love,
Mrs. Antihomework.

Volleyball time!

The #5 BYU volleyball team played #3 Stanford last weekend! We rarely take Caleb out in the Winter time, but we really wanted to go as a whole family. So we packed up and met our brother and sister and their cute kids. We were able to sit right behind the team so Caleb's stroller would fit, and we had a great time! I loved being ALL together. I loved not having the tug in my heart to hurry home. And I loved watching Caleb's brother hold his hand when it got a little loud.
BYU basketball plays against UTAH this weekend. I think we just might have to try this again one more time...

Happy Birthday Josh!

Today is Josh's 10th birthday! If you'd like to read his special story from grandma click here.

Josh chose not to read it on her blog this morning. He wanted to get the "full effect" by listening to her read it out loud tonight. When the story ended, my Dad knocked on the door and presented Josh with a giant chocolate bar! These birthday memories are priceless!

Earlier today I found a game I made for Josh's second birthday where each member of our extended family had to either answer a question or act something out. I'm including a sampling for my nostalgic pleasure:

Show us the “Joshie has the power chant” as taught to him by “Papa Moody?”

What does Josh usually say in a typical prayer? “Bless the trains and Bob the builder…”

What does Josh say when he doesn’t want to do something? “No, not today”

What are some of Josh’s favorite songs? Bob the builder, I love you forever, I’ve been working on the railroad, Frosty the snowman, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Who is his Hero? Bob the builder

Imitate the way Josh says “Too Much” as taught to him by Uncle Darran.

Imitate the way Josh says “Cool Dude” as taught to him by aunt Amy.

Sing the Bob the builder song

Do one of the following “Joshie dances” The bum Dance, or the funny arm dance.

What does Josh say when he makes a shot on his ball hoop? “Nice shot!!”

What does he say when he misses a shot on his ball hoop? “Alllll most”

What does Josh think that the Angel Moroni is holding? A baseball bat

What song does Josh like sung to him by daddy at bedtime? Come come ye Saints

What does Josh call play dough? “squishie”

What does Josh call it when he gets a haircut? “the buzzie”

It's hard to believe that little boy of mine is 10 years old! He's starting his last year of cub scouts. He's replaced his baby teeth with grown up teeth. He reads books with as many pages as the ones I read, and he delights me just as much now as he did then. I love that he is still puzzling out how Santa can make it around the world in one night. I love that he'll still let me hug him on my lap. I love how he whispers "I love you" when I drop him off at school so that only I can hear it. I love that he wanted his own stuffed Tiger for Christmas, and I love that he named it Bob.

I love you, Josh/inderfernius X...

all the way to 10 years plus infinity

Better late than never

We called it "Hansel and Gretel's house"...

Osmosis

Tonight Josh is sleeping with a book under his pillow just to see if osmosis really works...

I forgot

I almost forgot that doing the dishes makes
"magic bubble water!"

Thanks for reminding me, Mitchie!

I love my brothers.

I used to wish I had an older brother.
I have 4 younger ones.
they are all taller than me (almost).
and that's just as good.

I love you guys!

Happy birthday Caleb!

Our sweet Caleb turned 5 years old! We enjoyed a cozy day surrounded by people that we love! The boys loved giving him lots of hugs and helping him with his presents! Mitchell has been asking for the movie "Snow White" and was so excited that Caleb was willing to share it with him! We are thankful beyond words for the miracle of 5 years. Happy birthday Caleb! (to read Caleb's birthday story from Grandma, click here.)

Let it snow!

Sisters

Thanks Mom,
for giving me the gift of sisters.

To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes... family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time. ~Clara Ortega


A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life. ~Isadora James

A sister is a forever friend. ~Author Unknown

Happy New Year!

From our family to yours!

HAPPY 2010!

Christmas Day

Our favorite gift this season... being TOGETHER.

Instead of sleeping in the fort that night, they slept in Mitchell's new play tent!

Christmas Eve

We had a wonderful Christmas eve surrounded by people we love!

We spent most of the afternoon and evening at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Grandpa pulled the kids around on sleds with the 4 wheeler, and Mitchell decided to stay inside and do "brave stuff."

We celebrated Dallan's birthday

and hope all of his birthday wishes come true!

We also enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner together. When we were growing up, my mom would always set a place for Jesus with his picture on it. Since our family is so big now, we have a picture of the Savior in the center of the table.

Following dinner, we acted out the Nativity

Baby Jesus, who was wrapped in cozy sweats, even recieved a gift from a little raccoon (racoons like shiny things, too!)

Caleb held his special gifts for the rest of the evening.

Grandma played Christmas hymns for all us to sing, and we sounded just like the tabernacle choir!

Mitchell found a stack of magazines and looked for all of the pictures of Jesus. For the past several weeks he has searched for pictures of Jesus in all our magazines and books. He has reminded me that this is a season to find Jesus.

We had a wonderful time at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Then we headed home to prepare for Santa!

We made magic hot chocolate with a drop of sleeping potion, magic marshmallows, and a sprinkle of Christmas cheer.

The boys left out notes for Santa

Along with some cookies, milk and a carrot for Rudolph.

We put them all in their cozy jammies

Then made them a Christmas Eve fort to sleep in!

HO HO HO!