HE DONE IT!

He done gradiated!  It's been two long, rewarding years of work, dozens of flights to San Francisco, hundreds of conference calls, and many, many hours of studying, but we have a bona fide MBA in the family.  We're all so proud of him!

Nick and I got to sneak away together for the weekend to attend the graduation festivities, and we had a wonderful time.  I got a tour of the posh place where he's been spending his weekends (no wonder he wasn't too sad to wake up for his 6:15am flights...)  I could get used to this.

Getting psyched up for the big moment... 

I can always pick Nick out of a crowd.  Being 6'8" has advantages!

At last.  It was so worth it.

 

 Keep tuned for the next installment, detailing how we celebrated...

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!

I've had a problem lately: I've felt a little too on top of things. The meals were getting too healthy and tasty, the laundry room ran like clockwork, the kids were always clean and neatly pressed and had their hair trimmed around their ears... you get the idea. So, I decided to mix things up a bit - a lot, actually, so I brought home this little treasure. Meet Atticus. He is loved by all and has been so much fun! Nick got a lifetime worth of extra credit points by letting me get him (still not a professed "dog person" - but working on it). Atticus stays right by the kids in the yard and watches over them already. He loves to cuddle and be scratched (who doesn't?) and really wants to please. I think we picked a good one! (Actually, thanks Dad - you picked him for us, so you get the credit.) For those who don't have experience with these awesome dogs, I grew up with Dobermans in my family and have only great things to say about them. They are protective of their people and property, and very loyal to their owners. Maybe I have a touch of short-man-syndrome, because I like the idea of a hundred pound one of these patrolling my property!

Now, to save my readers from potential embarrassment, lets just say I've already been able to divide the Whos from the Who-Nots with the name Atticus. If you haven't read To Kill A Mockingbird, READ IT. If you haven't seen Gregory Peck play Atticus Finch in the movie, SEE IT. He is a Doberman among men, if I do say so myself. So to those who look at me quizically when I tell them my dog's name, you're missing out. To those who smile, swoon, then drool just a little, I knew I liked you!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

This Thanksgiving I'm thankful for this little collection - even the squirmy one who is being difficult. Who ever knew being a mom would be so much FUN!

BIRTHDAY BOY

"Mom, I think we should definately have a party this year. To celebrate me." And boy, is this kid worth celebrating. I promised him whatever he wanted if he'd only agree not to have a birthday and get older - even a pony, which I thought would do the trick. But he was determined to turn four, and so, finally, we conceded.

Max is perpetually cheerful and full of fun. He is complimentary and affectionate, making him a favorite with his aunties ("Oh Auntie Kafryn, your hair looks so beautiful today!"). He idolizes his Uncle Pug, loves football and rodeo, and has a skull made of steel.

We sure love this kid. Happy 4th Birthday Max!

THAT'S MAX FOR YOU

Max to Nick: "Daddy, do all animals have red blood?"
Nick, "I think so. Like us."
Kathryn, "Ya, Max, because humans are animals, too."
Max, after processing that for a moment, "Oh, I get it... because we're Jesus' sheep!"

I'M IN LOVE

Finally, now that he's 15 months old, Little Sammy has learned to walk and say "Mama." Who would ever have thought that hearing this little man pant down the hall calling me would completely melt my heart? You'd think that kind of thing would wear off after four kids, but sometimes I just walk in circles around the house answering him so he'll keep calling. I wish I could freeze him just as he is - perfect.

JACKISM

Jack's fascination with all things Egyptian led to an interesting discussion about their religious practices, particularly one pharaoh's decision to go monotheistic and exclusively worship the sun god Aten (it's a long story). Jack was quiet for a while after I explained how it all worked, and then decided quite conclusively, "Well, if I were going to chose only one god to worship, I would definitely chose the God of Rain. You know - drought, famine, starvation... it doesn't seem like they needed any help with the sun living in a desert."

Good point, Jack. I bet old Amenhotep didn't think of that.

THE KING STILL REIGNS

Yesterday as Jack and I were working in the kitchen, I said, "Do you know what we're missing? Christmas music! We can't make lunch without Christmas music!" To which he replied, with a very teenager-like groan, "Oh Moooooooooom, PLEASE! Not Elvis again."

Excuse me? That boy got a quick lesson in showing the proper respect for The King, and was forced to listen to "Blue Christmas" multiple times as pennance. I don't think anyone can say they've achieved adulthood without being able to do a fairly decent rendition of this song, Elvis style. I think I proved my point... at least there will be no more complaining THIS Christmas season!

THOU SHALT NOT!

Just when we thought they weren't listening to morning Bible study...


...discovered in somebody's journal.


...and the midget David, with the ill-fated Goliath - the morning after a dramatic reenactment for Family Night.

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Okay, I'm the first to admit that I'm biased. But isn't this the cutest face you've ever seen? Sam turned one - with a mixture of excitement from his siblings, and a little sadness from me. How did my baby get so big this fast? I so clearly remember having him just 12 short months ago - he has been the BEST thing for our family. The other kids are in love with him, and he returnes their affection (mostly). With a big gap in his front teeth, a gymp one foot/one knee crawl, and a huge head relative to his skinny little arms, this kid is one darling package. And Sam is a total ham - he makes goofy expressions all the time, and just waits for you to notice and laugh. When he hears the other kids laugh at something, he joins in just to be a part of the gang. We know his brothers and sister will teach him lots of tricks in the years to come, and we can't wait to see what becomes of The Sam.

We sure love you, Babe Sammy. Happy 1st Birthday!