Christmas this year was the best ever!

Nobody was sick. We did not eat too much. The weather was sunny and nice. Nobody got too much. We did not over spend, everyone was happy, the pork tenderlion roast was delicious. We had very little trash to take out to the garbage. I got the mag-light that I always buy for my stocking. The kids went to bed early and slept late. It was the best Christmas ever.

You be the judge

Shepherd's crook or directors hook?

The Star

She shone brightly, but you could tell she was getting a little impatient. Fortunately, the planets lined up and she peeked right through to pose for us.

Sleep in heavenly peace!

Here is a photo of 2008 Carter nativity scene. Thanks to our willing actors Nathan as Joseph, Allison as Mary and little Penelope as the babe in the manger. She was not only sleeping in heavenly peace, but sawing logs and gnawing on her pacifier as she slept. It was a wonder....

Other photos will be posted. Some were a bit reluctant....Landon, for example was disappointed that he could not dress up as He-Man. Jacob, the shepherd broke his cane. Addie, one of the two sheep kept getting distracted. Joshua, another shepherd was more interested in throwing balls around, and the beautiful angel Amanda looked adorable as ever. Tyler marched in and out of the picture and we got one good photo of Olivia as the star. Stay tuned for more.....

I was first!

Sorry that Addie broke her arm, but I want it on record that I was first to sign her cast!

Interchangeable HAIR!

More from the halls of Camp Christmas! Only their hairdressers know what color codes went into these little blondies! If you took all of their hair and put it in a pile, you would have a big pile of hair and it would be all the same color.

I tried hard to get Landon to join this little mix for the photo, but he would have none of it. The rest of them humored me for a moment or two and then it was onward to the next adventure.

Camp Christmas (tha remix)

Don't forget about Addie!

Camp Christmas!

Here are the participants of our annual Camp Christmas adventure. It is the night-at-Grandma's house that the over-two crowd loves so much. Here are their wonderful Christmas Jammies that were lovingly hand-crafted and the world should know that the parents have matching prints and styles. It was lots of fun with treats, movies, and a good pillow fight to boot. Grandpa lost that one as he was outnumbered a bit.

Overall, the popcorn was great! Jammies were colorful, and little gifts were appreciated. The next morning, a nice pancake breakfast was enjoyed and kids went home with lovely parting gifts.

We are already looking forward to Camp Christmas 2009!

... starring Landon

Do you guys remember when Landon popped out of the Toy Story wagon in the California Adventure parade...that was really cute of him.

An Orchid in November

An orchid in November is such a pretty thing.
If we were any where but Scottsdale,
You might think that it was spring.

But no, Christmas is a month away.
And we watch the nation freeze.
Meanwhile, we're warm in Arizona.

Oh, how we love to tease!


I know, I know. Call you in August, right?

Happy Thanksgiving!

The loving couple

Here is a photo we found that was taken a few years ago when we were young. Can you feel the love? We have now been married for 35 years and looking to June of 2009 for the 36th wedding anniversary.

Some day we will get around to taking a current photo, but this is the way we were!

Now that is one good looking woman!

So while the rest of he** freezes over...

It is just beautiful in Scottsdale. The mornings are still in the fifty degree range and the afternoons can get to the eighties. The flowers are still flowering, the bee's still bee-in and the occasional hummingbird is still humming. If there were a humdinger bird, he would probably be humdinging.

Nights are cool now...and if we go outside on the patio, it is nice to pull out a patio heater like those nice restaurants have. You know--where you can take kids and they can just hose the patio off rather than have to get the Servicemaster crew involved.

It is the most beautiful time of the year here. We ache with those whose hands are cold, whose feet will be frozen soon and who are fearful of licking anything metal lest their tongue get stuck like they did when we were small and lived in the colder country.

The only thing we have shovel here is...well, I think you know exactly what that is. Don't make me lead you down that cowpath.

The fruits of our labor

It might not win a prize at the State or County fair, but here is a fat little bell peppper that was home-grown. If you think this is not much, then think again my fertilizer-minded friends, it was the only one on the plant and that makes it unique.

Anybody know how I can get a green thumb--cheap?

Inching towards a plethora.

Here is a banana update as of November 8, 2008. The bunch is doing as well as can be expected. As this is our first run, we actually do not know what to expect. The older bunch has fruit that are about two inches long and you can see the that the little ones are coming out to see what is going on. I always say that you can grow bananas in Arizona. It is pretty hard to fit into a conversation, but I always say it.

Any-hoo, (a phrase borrowed from the list of the most used and hated phrases of all time) I thought everyone should know what is going and growing. And now a limerick:

What a beautiful fruit, the banana.
They grow right next to lantana
I guess you could cry.
And call me the guy.
That is always pull shenana.

Gens.

Nuts! One too many words! I will get a bunch better.

Nathan-wan Sir Jacob the Great Tyler-affe

We had a great Halloween. Nathan actually wanted to be obi-wan from the old movies with a beard, but as soon as I came at him with face paint, he just wanted to be a jedi.

Jacob really became a knight, saved me multiple times, and won best costume at our trunk or treat (I think because he played the part so well). He was so proud of his costume, after all he helped make it.

Tyler slept through every halloween gathering that he wore his costume to. At least it did answer my question of how a Giraffe sleeps.

Peek-a-boo!

A true love type jailbird story overheard in a.....

Brooke overheard and interesting conversation at the store yesterday.

She: I have never scrap-booked before and don't know how I would even start.

He: No response.

She: I wish I had saved all your letters from jail.

He: No response.

She: Aren't you excited to get home and see how clean the house is?

He: Yeah, babe.

Ok, it lacks a plot and a few things, but with a little imagination you can write your own book.

Proof that Robyn, no matter what she says, loves whirly dirly rides.

Sleep, little one.

Oh Jacob, you look so comfy lying there on a bench in the middle of California Adventure.Okay maybe comfy was the wrong word.

A banana update

You who doubted the sinceriousity of the tree in our yard....how do you like them bananas? This little tree has about 8 bunches and more on the way. Soon we will have a plethora of bananas. For now, they are under two inches long, but we are patient and hope they will grow and ripen a bit. Even if they don't--we cannot discount the joy of having little tiny bananas to show off. We are taking pre-production orders now...so if you want a banana when and if they come to banana-ition, let me know. Whether you like bananas or not, you have to admit that they really do have appeal.

Buzz

Carl, open a little wider and you might score a little better...

Certofied Scaffold works.

When Safety truly matters, you must trust the sense and judgement of two qualified engineers. Seeing the need to refill a water bottle to further their needs in another part of the yard, these two have mastered the techniques of balance by evenly distributing weight and height to their utmost. Task was accomplished, both were able to get up and down without harm--probably because in our family prayer, all who love them asked that no harm and danger might befall. Hey, if it works, it works.

YYYYYIIIIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

When did he turn 5...because he doesn't look like my little 2 year old Landon in this picture!

Mr. Lizzard

Mr. Lizzard, is out in the yard.
Mr. Tur-telle is down by the well.

This is our little fried who sometimes appears on a screen door...just to hang around a little bit. Nathan used to call them lizzhards and Landon is always thrilled to see him (or her).

We got bananas!

I have always liked bananas. They have appeal. Now we have little tiny banans growing right in our back yard banana tree! What a surprise it was to have this little bunch pop out. Hey Mr. Tallyman, tally me banana. Daylight come and me wanna go home. Day-O. Day-0. Now we just have to keep the little monkeys away from them and we will be able to compete with Chiquita!

A good bench.

Sit here stranger. The road is long and you are weary.
The path is narrow and your eyes are teary.
When you posterior melds with the wood of pine.
Get back up and walk...I think you'll be fine.

I think it's mosquito season