Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner....

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present a first place winner in the annual elementary school science fair. Apparently she was the last one named and there was some hand wringing and nervousness involved. And then, when all hope was lost, she heard her name and almost cried tears of joy. I got a phone call soon after to relay the information, and the reaction was almost the same. Almost. Congratulations to Torey and the rest of the winners, some of whom read this blog. But most importantly, let's wash those hands after sneezing, we don't want those germs to spread - that's gross.

A Teenager Today...

Happy Birthday to You. Happy Birthday to You. Happy Birthday dear Taylor. Happy Birthday to YOU!

Taylor is turning 13 on the 13th. It is her golden birthday! Here is what Taylor does at thirteen:

1. She rolls her eyes.

2. Her parents are lame, but not the lamest parents she knows.

3. She plays a mean game of basketball.

4. She does extra credit in math even though she doesn't need to.

5. She works her tail off to get straight A's.

6. She wears mascara and sometimes eye shadow.

7. She is still not too big to cuddle.

8. She is the beehive class secretary.

9. She is her mom's great helper.

10. She hogs the t.v. watching sports and driving her siblings mad.

11. She is slowly letting go of her moving grudge. (Maybe!?!?)

12. She is becoming quite a young lady.

13. She is very courageous, and knows who she is.

14. She is confident most of the time, but sometimes not.

15. She is the best big sister Jake and Torey could have.

16. Jake says she is very pretty. We agree.

17. She is going to be tall, we hope. She wears an 8 1/2 and has grown three inches lately, but strangely enough she is still a midget.

18. She has spent more time in front of the mirror the past year than she has the twelve years prior.

19. She has a strong testimony.

20. As one lady in the ward put it, "She is very impressive."

Taylor we love you more than anything in the whole world. You are the best. Hug, Hug. Kiss, Kiss.

Weekday Update...

The posts have been few and far between lately. Reed took a trip to Emmitsburg, Maryland to the National Fire Academy. While he was away he got to see Gettysburg, Babe Ruth's birthplace, and Oriole Stadium - he even managed to take a class. He was the most generous traveling father in the world as he brought us all home souvenirs. The kids received awesome t-shirts, and in their excitement forgot to mourn the fact that there was no hotel soap to be had. It is traditionally their souvenir of choice. While Reed was away learning and stuff, we worked on Torey's science fair project:

and Taylor's history fair project. This has a vent associated with it. It was a pretty major project. Lot's of time spent, copies made, dollars expended. At least $50. Several trips to the store, paper to buy, things to mount. We even bound a little book. We laid awake at night debating the merits of a cardboard display board vs. a wood one. Hinges or duct tape? Thumb tacks or tape. Color or black and white. And then.... the teacher says, "I don't actually want you to bring the board in. Just take pictures of it and email them to me." What? WHAT? WHAT?!?! That was my reaction. Whatever. It looks awesome. We scored 200/200. So, I got an A. I mean Taylor got an A.
Here is a 2 week old picture of our house. We pulled up to see it while Reed was gone and Jake says right off the bat, "Is that our brick. It is ugly." Great times.
This is the family room. More specifically the floor. I really like it. I am sure it will show the dust like the dickens. I don't care now because I don't live there. One day I will care. The prettiness kind of softens the blow a little.
Moving day is getting closer and I have learned two things about myself. I don't like change, and I am not capable of making adult decisions. That's what Dad's are for. I keep thinking I should call him...

A Helpful Tip...

Jake told me to tell every boy I knew to NEVER pee on an electric fence. I thought this advice was worth passing on. In other news.... Did you know they made clear duct tape? They do. We used it for Taylor's history fair board. Worked like a charm. The girls are both busy with basketball. Taylor is starting softball. Jake has RSV. Torey has the science fair. The house is still not sold. Our other house is coming along too fast, and Reed has been in Maryland all week. Does anyone have any gift ideas for a thirteen year old girl? We can't think of a thing.

Goodbye 2009....

We said a fond farewell to 2009 with an apple cider toast and the annual banging of pots and pans.

Earlier in the day we took advantage of the fresh snow and went sledding at Grandpa Mark's.
It was our last New Year's Eve in our home so we are a bit sad. The house is officially for sale now, and we are looking forward to what our new home will bring. Translation: We have decided to pull up our big kid pants and deal. It was a painful realization.

Welcome 2010 - We can't wait to see what you have in store for us.

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out...

Jake woke on Christmas morning to find a genuine carbine action Red Rider BB Gun residing under our Christmas Tree. He was elated. Reed was elated. And I am not going to lie to you, that BB gun is really fun. We shoot it in the basement. We had a tournament. We will probably have many more. Reed won the first one. He probably won't win the next because I can practice when the kids are in school.

6:05 a.m.