Ben Built a Bookshelf

A few months ago Ben started a big project: building a bookshelf. Here are a few pictures of the process:

In the beginning. . . This is the wall where it will be built. We were sad to have to cover up the beautiful pipe decor.

He took down the drywall to expose the 100-year old wood framing.

Voilà! I thought I had a few more "in between" shots, but I couldn't find them. :) So he's just about done - he needs to do some trim on the sides, but other than that it looks perfect to me.

Ben is amazing if you ask me. Even if you don't ask me, Ben is still amazing.

January

I think my posts always slow down in January. It's just cold, brown, and ugly here. We don't get out too much. But here are some random pics for fun.

The boys' decorated room, or ceiling. Jonas thought it was "cool." They didn't last long up there, however.

The kids devouring herring. Seriously. Miles loves fish - especially sardines. The other kids, as well as their mom, aren't the biggest fans. But this herring stuff is really good - it has a smoked jerky flavor. Yum. I still can't believe Jonas ate it.

Jonas took a few pictures on Monday, I think. I think this is one of them.

Spider-man

A couple of weeks ago Miles began this project of making a web. Jonas "helped" him and they were pretty much occupied for 4-5 hours on Sunday afternoon. Seriously. Crazy.

Then today Miles began another web. The pictures don't really do it justice. It's really, really cool.

He's still up there now working on it. . .

Sledding

So this has been one of the most pathetic winters I've had. So frankly, I'm done with it. It's brown and ugly here. The last measurable snow-storm was before Halloween. Seriously. Seriously? Really? Skiffs of snow are still around seeing as it's been really, really cold here. And today we were suppose to be getting snow all day long - 6 or so inches. Nothing has fallen. I'm heartbroken.

Okay, anyways, we did have a ward sledding party last Saturday at a place about 15 miles out of town. On the whole way up we kept wondering if there was going to be enough snow. Luckily there was plenty of hard-packed super-slick snow - perfect for sledding. The kids LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it. Miles was fearless and would go so far that he'd start going up an embankment and then swoop back down. It was great. The only time he got scared? When he was heading for the big fire pit (with smoldering wood) the scouts had the night before. I told him, next that something like that happens, bail out of the sled. :) Emmy and Jonas loved it, too. Jonas went down once and fell off half-way and so he was half-way on and half-way off his sled; we expected a whiny boy. Nope, he was fine and dandy. Emmy fell down once, still on the sled tho, but finished her ride on her back and didn't say anything. Too funny. We even had lunchup there. It turned out to be a really, really fun outing.

Going Once, Going Twice. . .

Any takers on a 5-almost-6 year old?

(please.)

Oldies but Goodies (the pictures, not the people in them)

So these pictures are taken from Jim and Diana's cameras when they came out and visited us back in November. They are going to be in no particular order. But they are going to be A LOT.

Reading a book with Grandpa. "Those Darn Squirrels!" :)

Emmy taking a sip of homemade grape juice.

The boys going out for a walk.

Miles and his collection of rocks (I get rocks brought home everyday from the playground).

Look at Emmy's crossed-legs. :)

Giggling together is always a good thing.

Grandpa and Jonas at bedtime.

Grandpa and Miles at bedtime.

Love this picture.

Oh I LOVE this picture, too. So fun!

Such a great-looking group.

Cute Miles and adoring Grandma. :)

I love Jonas' face here.

Let's not forgot Wilson.

Miles loves this shirt, tho a little small, because of the bird on the sleeve of course.

Cute boy.

Cute Emmy and her mama.

If

you think your kids are being oh-so-good as they haven't bothered you once while in the shower, think again:

Miles' 2nd Qtr Report

"Miles continues to excel in the classroom - he remains a top performer in the classroom, testing at or above Benchmark in all standards! He interacts positively with all students and regularly helps his peers in cleaning and activities. Miles has a great personality and I enjoy his presence in the class."

~Mr. James.

:)

Lots and lots of videos

Happy New Year (pretty original)

So we spent the first day of 2010 doing things that we do about once a year. We took down Christmas decor. Now Ben keeps commenting on how "bare" our home looks.

We also went bowling. Which we do about once a year.

Honesty and hands-down the kids' favorite part was watching the ball come back up.

The kids got a nifty "dragon" to help them bowl. As well as bumpers. They were pretty hooked up.

Miles was funny bowling. He was pretty deliberate. Set up his "dragon" where he wanted it. Later on in the game he started running and then would push his bowling ball down. Fun stuff.

But Miles was pretty put-off the whole time seeing as he wanted his "own" bowling lane. Go figure.

Emmy took turns on Ben and my turns. She had a fun time, too.

We also went to Taco Bell. We maybe do this more than once a year - like maybe twice? Miles LOVES their tacos.

That's all.