Tuesday, December 27, 2005

Day Seven of Vacation – 27 December 2005

We had a bit of a down day today.

Mike had to go to work to write an OPR (0fficer’s Performance Report).

Jamin got the 5 older kids organized to try their hands at raking yards. I drove them to Lowes to pick up rakes and garbage bags. They ended up raking 3 yards and making $75.

Mom, Stacia, Zander and I did a BX and Commissary run.

The other kids were still raking yards when we returned. We decided to walk to the park with the four younger ones. Arielle, Nolan and Zander rode their bikes. It was a beautiful day here today – 78*.

A pleasant surprise was a package from Grandma Mary and Grandpa Earl. It turned out to be Night Sky monopoly…..fits in perfectly with our astronomy studies. The board is spectacular.

Dinner, another walk, playing “Narnia game”, Mike exploring geocaching and the day was full.

Ah one last thing. Tonight Mike dished out ice cream for everyone. Dad came in by Zander. Zander looked at Dad and said, “Grandpa you won’t like my ice cream”. :::snort:::
Day Six of Vacation - December 26,2005

What does one do the "day after"? We were determined NOT to go shopping. {big grin}

Grandpa played games with the little ones. OK, Jared took this picture and obviously they don't primp and preen for him like they do for mama. {grin}


Mike and I set up toys for the little ones. This is a 3 sided "play Kitchen" from collectionsetc.com. We plan to use it for a pattern. Our kids are really, really into drama. Mike and I have been watching "plays" since Bre was about 6 (she is now 20 1/2 and 20 days). The traditions continues. The last play was a GREAT one that Jamin wrote and directed and Jared, Arielle, and Nolan preformed. I suppose all that practice helped Josiah with the Chapel Christmas Play involvement. {grin} ANYWAY!!!!! We plan to make a couple more backdrops like this in plain colors and then make mountains, clouds, trees etc to velcro on to the backdrop. We plan to make them taller. {grin}

In the afternoon Mike and I took my parents and went out for a bit of "adult time". First we went to one of my favorite stores called "Barbed Wire and Roses" - specializes in TX stuff. Mike and I ordered my new china hutch.

After the above said errand of great importance was accomplished we went to Logan's for dinner. I love that place. Yumm.....Mom and Dad said they have something similar in OR called "Roadhouse". I'd never been to them before but I guess they are a franchise because ours is Logan's Roadhouse. When we got home we were surprised by a CLEAN and UNCLUTTERED home. I thanked the kids and Bre said, "Mom it was JOSIAH'S initiative, he really got those kids to work". He's the man!!

The afternoon found us down by the river.....observing ducks and muskrats. We had tried to catch an afternoon showing of Narnia (Bre and my parents hadn't seen it) but they were SOLD OUT! I didn't knkow movies SOLD OUT in this town. {grin}

In the evening we stopped by DQ for some "whine cooler" and then on to the movie theater. That place was CROWDED. They said they were "really swamped" on Christmas. Ten went to see Narnia (second time - loved it) and Krista and I went to see Cheaper by the Dozen 2. We liked this movie better than the first. Like Yours, Mine and Ours it had some great parts and some lame parts...but overall we got a kick out of the family portrait that emerged. The issues the parents are dealing with mirror our "issues" - in the saying goodbye, family growing older aspect....not in the 8th grader dating or competive dad aspects. {grin}

Thus ended Day 6 of our vacation.