Conversations with Kids

Today I painted Alisa's toenails and fingernails. It's a big deal, because I rarely paint my own (much too lazy) so she gets the shaft a bit. Actually, the last two times, Jake has painted them for her. Anyways, She found some little bottles of perfume from Clinique (I never wear perfume. Really, just too lazy. I promise this is not all about how lazy I am, but I am.). I explained what it was. She paused, and then...

Mom, I smell different.

What do you mean, different?

I smell stinky. Like old balls.

Old balls? You smell like old balls?

Yes, like the old bouncy balls that were in the bath. They were stinky. (longing look at the perfume)

Do you want some perfume?

Yes! Then I won't smell like old balls.

She keeps me laughing. Later, Scott came home for lunch. He commented she smelled funny. I told him about the perfume and how she smelled so good. Like an old lady! he said. I guess my perfume smells like old lady. Maybe it's time to give it away.

Jake keeps praying for the opportunity to be blessed. I like his word usage. He is also singing along with all the hymns, reading them. I am amazed. Grandma had to explain that even if we read faster than everyone is singing, we all need to sing together.

Brookie always wants "food" which is no surprise. However, I don't think she knows what food is, since no matter what I try to feed her, she still asks for food. I've given up, and just put some on her tray and let her keep asking.

Christmas 2010: The Good, The Bad and The Chaos!

Christmas was fun and chaotic. That sums it up. Props to my parents for hosting five of the six kids and our families. Seriously. There were a total of 11 adults and 12 kids. We missed Michelle and Darin, but somehow they didn't want to leave their home state to deliver a baby in Arizona. (That baby is so cute! i need to post a picture of the newest addition-Lily Jane).

Anyway, here are a few (ahem) pictures and videos so you can feel the magic and madness of it all.

Acting out the Nativity with all the grandkids. With only two kids over the age of 8, you can imagine the craziness of it all. Two angels. Alisa decided to "let" Olivia be Mary, so she joined the throng of angels.

We always sing Christmas carols/hymns afterwords, which I love.

The spinach was temporarily taken out to make room for some raw meat. Malia carried this container all over on Christmas eve night.

Thanks to this little Woody fan, I have pictures of Christmas Eve night.

Singing around the piano. We sang In The Bleak Midwinter in church the following Sunday. I love singing with my family.

These girls saved my sanity those few days we were together. They were great playing with Brookie and leading the other kids in games and activities.

New Jammies Pose.

Newest addition at the time: Brody Eugene, born a few days earlier via c-section (Tarah's a champ for even showing up this weekend!)

Second newest addition: Addison Juliet, born early less than 2 months earlier!

Enjoying Christmas Eve yakisoba. It was the spicy kind, unbeknownst to us, so the kids ended up eating microwaved hotdogs. A kid's dream come true, I'm sure!

Christmas morning was not especially early. It was just crazy. You can imagine. We had to have it in the basement, filled with 25 people. Here's little Addison in her new Santa suit.

This is how my morning started. It went on and on until naptime. Proof in the following pictures. Brookie doesn't really like crowds, even if she loves individuals in the crowd.

Waiting. That face of Miss Ashley's looks especially lovely. Such a goof-ball!

Lining up youngest to oldest.

Thanks, Grandpa and Grandma! He loves the castle.

Santa brought Plasmacars this year-- a red one and a pink one. Perfect.

Dressing up in Jake's present. Yo-ho, yo-ho...

This is where I spent most of my morning. Scott and I tag-teamed the "look after the grouchy baby who hates crowds and chaos" duty. I think it is time we get some new duties!

My dad, looking hilarious. I had to put this in.

I had to put this in. This is how I was feeling after over an hour of miss B screaming her head off. Not thrilled.

My parents in their lovely new Snuggies J&T found. Goooo Cougs!

Lisa with little Addison.

Brookie in a rare happy moment. I was stuffing gummy bears down her throat. Don't judge. The chocolate didn't work. She just held it until it made a melted mess, crying all the while.

My parents shedding a tear (well, mom, anyway) over the family picture book J&A made them. It was awesome. Great idea.

Later on, the adults went over to the Peaks (old people/sick people) home to sing. It was neat. We started out singing down the hall, then gathered around the piano in the lobby. One of Scott's patients lives there, and it was sweet to see how happy it made her. Thanks to Amanda and the big girl cousins for watching the kids. And Tarah (but I hope you slept through it all!).

Then, we picked up the kids and headed over to the Seaman's for Santa round two. There was a lot of this:

A little walking from her

And some more of this. Liv and Ash pained the kids faces to keep them entertained while we were gone singing. Always a hit.

Then back to the Crane's for some more Christmas cheer, eggnog, naughty desserts, and fun!

Merry Christmas to me! This really was the best gift this girl could've given me. (Although the message from Scott rivals it! Thanks, hon!) She just decided it was time, and she's been toddling along ever since.

...and what you all missed by not being with us Christmas morning. Poor Brookie. Poor mama! Poor dada! Don't worry, it's short.

Until my next post (which is hopefully sooner that the last), sayonara!

Hello?

Hi. Does anyone else NOT feel like blogging? We got some fancy-schmancy new phones, so I'll have to figure out how to send pictures to my blog from there... maybe it'll happen more often.

Pictures will come later, but I have to post about Miss Chatterbox Brookie. She is talking up a storm. It's crazy. Yesterday she said "Sleeping Beauty" as clear as day (trained by the best, I am sure). She does say one thing that is indistinguishable. Daily, repeatedly, she says, "Dada, bushion." It sounds like cushion with a "b." We have no idea what it means. We guess, but she always says no, as in, that is not what I meant! Other than that, she talks a ton. It's such a fun age.

I went to a Zumba class today (third time in my life). I'm not a dancer, and that is pretty apparent in the class, but today it was VERY clear that I do not have latin roots. I was next to this cute latina girl who was untrained (in formal dance) but my hips just don't move like that! It was a little depressing, but I just had to admit that I am white and probably will never be able to move like that. Still, it's a fun class and I'll keep going... maybe someday I will wake up with some latin blood in my veins!

The Happy, Smiley, Easy-going Me Is Ba-ack!

Hi, everyone. I am back. Really, I have been feeling bad about all my belly-aching over one silly (although very costly) traffic ticket. So, sorry about that. Here is our Thanksgiving in a nutshell... Well, I guess I am really one for the details, so here is a detailed picture update of our Thanksgiving with the Seaman's! Only five days until Christmas!

We were so lucky to go ice skating. Now that I'm posting this, I think it was on Black Friday, but maybe not? I didn't take one picture of Thanksgiving dinner, but we had a FEAST. Seriously. It was delicious. I'm glad that kind of dinner is only once a year. Anyway, I have a lot to be thankful for this year. Real life has been busy and stressful and wonderful. I love life!

Here we are ice skating. The kids had a blast. It wasn't too crowded, so they got to use the walkers. On a side note, I sent a picture on Scott's phone. When his front office lady saw it, she thought we were maybe adopting some handicapped kids from Russia (bundled kids with walkers... I guess my phone is low quality!).

Jenni and Ashlyn

I was amazed they let Brookie out on the ice with me. She had a good time.

Kels

Cousins playing in their new pj's. Brookie was thrilled to have her own "a-a-ah... a-a-ah..." [princess] pj's. She sings Ariel when she sees anyone resembling a princess.

Seaman Family Talent Show 2010

Derek ... maybe it'll work next time.

Grandma Frost playing some songs her mom taught her by yelling out chords from the kitchen.

Bustin' a move. Jake was really inhibited. Alisa busted out. Seriously. It was hilarious.

It was a family affair. Don't want to give it away for the Crane talent show, but Alisa was tearin' up my heart...

Down on my knees...

Hot mama... er, grandma... rockin' it.

Bethi is teaching Derek how to play the piano. Fabulous.

I almost died laughing at this little number. Absolutely special.

Yodeler turned rapper... Caleb was my hero of the night.

Les singing... wow I can't remember the song but the lyrics were just a tad bit risque (sp?) if you ask me...

Alisa and Jake in on the ribbon action

Minute to Win It game night.

Junk in the trunk. Derek striking a pose.

Guess who won? We're not competetive. At all.

Proof that Brookie does love grandma. p.s. grandma you look fabulous!

The end for now, until I upload more pictures. Merry Christmas everyone!