Random January Photos

My boys

I had to post this because this picture just cracks me up.  Here is how Declan looks every morning at 9:00 and every afternoon at 3:30 when we make the journey to the bus stop to pick up Grace and Liam.  Grace calls him the "chocolate chip" and Garreth thinks he looks like he's going to the post office to be mailed somewhere....

Okay, so I hesitated even posting these because the pictures just don't do justice to the hilarity (is that a word?) of the event.  A few weeks ago, Grace had some friends from church over and one of them brought her karaoke machine.  Well, the next two hours were spent singing High School Musical songs OVER and OVER again.  And let me tell you, they got way into it!  I had to leave the room to go laugh a few times.  And the conversations went something like this, "Okay, Jackie, now YOU be Troy and I get to be Gabriella."  Again, maybe you had to be there, but I'm laughing even as I'm typing this.  Maybe it's because it doesn't seem like that long ago when I was making music videos to "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" and lip-synching into hairbrushes with my friends....

Smackdown

We just bought an iMac and the thing we're most excited about it is the movie-making.  Here is Garreth's directorial debut and Sam and Liam's Oscar-worthy performances.  We're still learning, but there's a lot more where this came from.  Sundance has nothing on us..... 

Family Pictures

When we were in Utah over Christmas, we set up an appointment with a photographer that Davy and Rachel have used who does such an amazing job.  Here are some of our favorites.  I know there's a lot, but they were all so good!  

Whatcom Falls Park

Yet another awesome place we've discovered here....

Happy Birthday, Garreth!

For Garreth's birthday last night, we made our traditional trip to a Japanese steakhouse, this time to Kyoto in Bellingham. The kids love watching the chef cook right at our table - setting onions on fire, flipping knives and spatulas, throwing eggs and stuff. It's definite entertainment. And the food was excellent... Liam even tried his first sushi!

In honor of Garreth's 34th birthday, here are 34 things we love about him:

1. He's the funniest person I've ever met.

2. He works so hard for our family.

3. He's the best father in the world.

4. He makes great cheese on toast.

5. He gives great neck and shoulder rubs and will give me one whenever I ask. (Very hard not to abuse this)

6. He's supportive of me.

7. He gets into "The Amazing Race" just as much as I do.

8. After ten years, I still LOVE the accent!

9.He has the same goals as me.

10. He comes home from work and jumps right into helping me with the dinner/bath/bedtime chaos of four little kids.

11. He knows everything about me and still loves me.

12. He's a great listener.

13. He's my best friend.

14. He has the best, smileyest eyes.

15. He's always fun to be around.

16. He's ambitious in his career and well-liked in every job he's ever had.

17. He loves going to Costco with me.

18. His great dance moves.

19. His James Brown impersonation with those great dance moves!

20. His worthiness to hold the priesthood.

21. His love and devotion to our family.

22. He's my favorite friend. (Liam)

23. He helps us resolve our fights. (Grace)

24. He wrestles with me. (Sam)

25. He throws me on the beanbag. (Liam)

26. He sets up Olympic courses for us. (Grace)

27. His birthday cake. (Sam)

28. He plays stuff with us. (Liam)

29. He's funny. (Grace)

30. He makes huts for us. (Liam)

31. His birthday balloons. (Sam)

32. His sportsmanship - he's always a good sport when we play games. (Grace)

33. He jumps. (Sam)

34. Daddy's so happy. (Sam)

Extreme Makeover: Liam Edition

Kurt Cobain's first album cover

Unwashed, Uncut, and Uncompromising....Liam's old head

What can we say, the kid's a looker. He really wanted his hair cut because it was getting in his eyes and getting a wee bit girly. His mop will make a return in the spring. Maybe by then Erin will stop crying about the loss of a head of hair only to rival Achilles in Troy.

That....is one good looking door.

My sister Pauline's Pomeranian asleep on our bathroom floor

Couch Acrobatics

So Liam has been really into Chris Angel...Street Magician lately, and I couldn't believe what he's picked up from the show. We are so proud that he's learned to levitate. His concentration is unbelievable. Sam's not impressed.

NACHO.......Eagle powers come to me.