Winter Fun '09

Winter is always a busy season, these are some of the things we have been doing to keep ourselves occupied. Unfortunately, we didn't get our Christmas cards out this year. We will next year. I promise. We have had a good time enjoying the time as a family. Here are some of the highlights.

Our family was able to go to the Tolman's for the annual ginger bread making Family Home Evening. I do believe our candy is completely gone now!

Liam had his preschool Christmas production. We were a little nervous because Liam does not like to get up in front of people. But he did great.

While I had some time off of work I decided to clean the carpets. Ethan liked to help by playing with the fan.


The kids had a great Christmas opening present, playing with them, and wrestling Ben and Sam. Every night they went to bed exhausted from playing so much.

Sam, Grammy Marcheschi, Grandpa Marcheschi, and Elisa

Brooke's family came to visit us for Christmas. It was nice to have family here to enjoy the holidays with.

Ben

Brooke is pregnant as ever and enjoying her final month of being pregnant.

1st try

So we had our first attempt at a Christmas card. We are late trying to get it together, but thought we would give it a go. Pretty funny trying to get 3 kids to sit still and "smile" at the same time. Liam, who normally never smiles, was acting like quite the clown, causing Ethan to continually laugh and look at him. These are the best of the bunch. We will try again another time - maybe.

No more artificial tree

Brooke and Ethan walking along in the mud.

Liam was pretty interested in the chainsaw. Elisa was having a flashback to her teen years and going to the old haunted houses. She let out quite a scream when he started it up.


Poor candy cane will be fossilized in the mud of Campbell's tree farm.

Ethan decided to venture off a bit on his own. No I am not a bad parent, I could see him the whole time, and it was only maybe 20 feet. As he was wondering around he turned and supposing it to be his dad was shocked to see that it was a complete stranger. He let out a quick cry and came running back to his daddy.


12 years ago Brooke and I went to SLC to get a fake tree with her Aunt Linda. The tree has served our family well these last few years. But for the second year in a row we didn't use the artificial tree. Since this was the second year in a row without putting it up, I decide we were going to give it away. As hard as it was we gave away a piece of our family, and gained a lot more storage space in the garage.

We all packed into the family van and headed out to get the Christmas tree at a u-pick, they cut tree farm. It had been wet during the past week so the ground was a mud hole, and it wasn't even raining. The boys were completely covered. Ethan tripped and his candy cane that he had just got was plastered in the mud. While carrying the tree back to the car we kept slipping and sliding. We finally got home and began to put up the tree.

After many hours of fighting the crooked cut on the bottom of the tree, a curved tree trunk at the base of the tree, and a broken tree stand I finally managed to take the tree back outside, re-cut the tree base, and put it into a new stand. It was a long afternoon. But we made it! By the time I got it up I had some serious doubts and thought maybe I should have just kept the fake tree. Once the tree was up the kids had fun putting on the ornaments and we have a beautiful tree to show for it, so maybe it was worth it.

Thanksgiving to Christmas all in one day

The day after Thanksgiving Liam was up bright and early wanting to put away the Thanksgiving decorations and get out the Christmas stuff. We did have a nice Thanksgiving though. Elisa came over and we had a nice relaxing dinner. Avery had been working on the design for her fruit turkey for the passed month. She got really into it. Elisa made us a pear tart dessert, it was suprisingly good. I was a little skeptical, but it turned out great. Brooke cooked the turkey and I did the only thing I know how to do - mashed potatoes. It was nice to be here with our immediate family. We were thinking of everyone.

Once Thanksgiving was over, Christmas had begun in our house.

The things you do for love

There are many things that you do for love, such as, dishes, changing messy diapers, sending flowers, or staying up late to talk. But nothing says I love you more than what I had to endure.

Brooke and I decided to go see New Moon! We went early so that we could actually sit by each other in the movie theater. So we got to the mall and the line was already pretty long. Brooke decided she wanted to go look around for a little bit at some of the stores. That was fine with me because I had planned ahead and brought my book along. I pulled out my book and started reading away. I was reading one of the OBOB books that is required for our middle school competition. I didn't think much of it. After a few minutes of reading I look up and realize that I was a lone man standing in line to watch New Moon, surrounded by all these excited girl "tweeners", all while reading a book titled, Wild Girls!

The things we do for love.

Sunday Mornings

Sunday mornings are probably my favorite day of the week. We have the late church, 1-4, so the boys and I get to hang out all morning together. It starts by us making Ethan's favorite breakfast, "pahcakes!" Liam will eat his "pahcakes" with no syrup, no butter, or without a fork. He likes them plain. He does like them a little doughie, like his old man.

After breakfast the real fun begins. Sunday morning is the only day of the week where the boys are allowed to take the cushions off the couch. Every week we create a new fanatasy world, ranging from Star Wars #7 (I know there is no 7, but we like to make our own up), Thomas the Tank Engine, or our new favorite one Dinosaur Train. This morning Liam made the train, while I cleaned up. Then we pretended to stop at different times along the dinosaur train route to see different dinosaurs. Liam can tell you all about herbavours and carnivours. Ethan is just along for the ride, occassionally knocking down the cushions and causing Liam to have a mild meltdown. All and all it is a good time with my boys.

Return of the Halloween

We had a great Halloween this year. It went by really quick, mostly because everyone got sick, except Liam and I. We are still hoping we won't get the "pig" flu. Brooke had it first, followed by Ethan, and finally Avery. Poor Avery didn't get to go trick or treating because she was too sick. It was nice for me because I got to stay home, pass out candy, and watch the Ducks beat the Trojans. I wasn't complaining.

Brooke has the pre-Halloween tradition of making sugar cookies. Ethan always loves to help in the kitchen. And always makes a mess, but that is the fun right? He is just too cute to be mad at for too long. We also got to carve some "scary" faced pumpkins. Liam got a little scared of the one face.

I do have to say I have two of the cutest Jedi's around. Ethan was Yoda and Liam was Obi-wan Konobi. AFter Halloween Brooke found some great Star Wars costumes for pretty darn cheap. They have been a big hit with the boys. Now we have little storm troopers running around.

Avery having fun watching the Ducks while everyone else was out trick or treating.

Ethan making a mess.

The cute Jedi's!

Ethan turns 2 (already?)

My little boy is growing up! Ethan had his 2nd birthday just over a week ago. The kid is starting to talk more, using 3-4 words in a row. He will do anything that Liam does. He really looks up to him. The cutest thing about Ethan is when he is watching a kid show or sleeping he always wants his "aye-aye's". He has two blankets that Brooke's Muma made and he takes them everywhere. He has one corner in particular that is starting to unravel that he calls "cornie". He holds his corner and sucks his thumb. He is quite the cute two year old.

Ethan loved his birthday cake, especially the Dots (Mom's favorite and nice touch to the cake). Aunt Elisa was able to come and join us in the festivities as well. Also, admire the sweet mullet! It's coming back.

25 weeks

Brooke is over the morning sickness and feels a lot better. She is now getting into the "I have a bigger belly and can't move as well" stage. This is the biggest she has been at 25 weeks (and look how cute she looks). With Liam we didn't start telling people she was pregnant until now. The kids are pretty excited and like to talk to Brooke's belly. The baby boy is healthy and all is well.


Avery is enjoying school and still reading up a storm. She is thinking of doing the Oregon Battle of the Books this year. I am strongly pushing her to do it. I think she is going to do it. I brought home some books from school for her and it was like Christmas



Liam - the Jedi is doing well. His preschool class went to the pumpkin patch. We are still playing Star Wars every second of the day. He still thinks the baby's name is going to be Obi-wan Kanobi.



Ethan still has his mullet long blond curls (he did get called a girl they other day much to my dismay). I was going to mow and edge the lawn yesterday and Ethan was throwing a fit because he didn't get to ride in the backpack. So I made him use some cool safety glasses while we mowed and edged.


Me, I am just trying to enjoy some nice Saturday morning cartoons with the boys. It is very tiring chasing these kids around. I am exhausted thinking about chasing another one.

What's in a name? Everything!

Names are very important. It is what they will be called for the rest of there life. The kids don't have a say in it and are stuck with it the rest of their life. So you better make it a good one.

It is always fun to come up with the name. Girls names are easier! Yes, girls names are easier. You have a lot more variety. If you look back on our family history we have some nice unique names, such as, Effie, Selma, and Lula Grace. The boys names on the other hand have to be something that will get them a job when they put it on a resume (I know that is weird, but I really picture there names on a resume).

On the male side of the family tree most names are William (can't do because Liam is a shortened version of it), Thomas (Liam's middle name), and Henry (my favorite, but Brooke doesn't particularly like it). Brooke and I are not fans of naming the child before it is born. We usually have a few ideas, but nothing set in stone. You have to try the name out before you get the right match. Also, it's good to try the name out before you agree on the one. There is also the tradition factor. Our names are two syllables and English/Irish names. Do we have to stay with the tradition? Would it we unusual to go to Abraham? Or something longer. There is a lot to consider that's for sure.

I decide to get the kids opinions. Here is the list that they came up with.

Ethan:
Dee Dee
Ah Tee-tee
Pee
Anakin

*Not sure where he was influenced with those

Liam:
Was
Cause
Liam
Ethan
Obi-wan Kenobi
Wattles
Froggie
Whitey the Flier
Pumpkin Witch Speco's
Matcho-Spatcho
Avery
Luke
Han Solo
Star Wars
Hero
Halloween

*Most names influenced by his stuffed animals, Star Wars, and Thomas the Tank Engine

Avery:
Gale
Cina
Brandon
Hughe
George
Sam
Fred
Nick

*Obviously you can tell she has read Catching Fire a few times

If you have any ideas feel free to let us know. We are still tossing out ideas.

Oh Boy!

Oh boy indeed! The testosterone is getting pretty high in this place. In Feb./Jan. another boy is going to be coming to our house. I was pretty set on not finding out, but it is hard when the other half wants to find out. But I am glad I did. I got so excited today that I cleaned out the garage, including getting rid of any baby girl clothes we have kept around just in case.

It is going to be a mad house here watching 3 competitive boys go at each other. In honor of the new baby I am changing everything to blue. I am thinking I will paint my house blue next in honor of another boy.

The Star Wars Fan!

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away... there was a boy named Liam. He had an obsession with Star Wars, just like his father. How do you know when they are obsessed? Here are some clues:

1. While praying he says, "Bless us that we will be able to play Star Wars for one hundred days!"

2. By four years old he can name every movie - in order (he has only seen two of them).

3. His choice for our next baby is - Girl: Padme - Boy: Obi Wan Kenobi

4. He can walk you right to the light sabers in Walmart and asks every day if he can have one.

5. Wakes you up at 6:00 to ask if Master Wendu is the only jedi to have a purple light saber.

6. Makes "zwoom" and "veum" sounds while protecting everyone from the dark forces of the evil empire.

7. He spends his evenings watching Yoda dance to Numa Numa on youtube.

8. Refers to everyone as there Star Wars name:
Anakin (Dad)
Princess Leia (Mom)
Padme (Avery)
Obi Wan Kenobi (Liam)
Yoda (Ethan)

If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms then you too have an obsessed Star Wars fan. And may the force be with you!

Good times

We have been pretty busy this summer. We had the chance to do many fun things. Here are some of our pictures from the summer.

Ethan is always into something, Liam is very busy, and Avery always wants to read her books.



Our crew ventured out to the Scandinavian Festival in Junction City. It was nice to get out with the massive herd of people. Avery liked looking at the little shops. Liam and Ethan liked the cotton candy, and I like the elephant ear. I can't believe I ate the whole thing - good stuff.



Liam and Ethan are quite the little buddies.