Good Books

We've recently finished the illustrated classics, "Moby Dick" and "80 Days Around the World."  They've read on their own, "Robin Hood" and "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea."  Saturday night we started the original "The Hobbit."  These guys enjoy them and I'm trying to get them off "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and "Big Nate" of which I am really not fond.  Hyrum told us about a study he heard of recently about the educational advantage that students showed who were read to regularly.  I think it was a bit motivating to him.

Mission Call!!

Talmage got a text on his way home from Zarahemla that his mission call was ready to open.

Wednesday night we started guessing where it might be.  The sticky notes started to go on the map.

Taneil arranged for everyone who wanted to come to gather in Grandpa's classroom after Sariah's basketball game.

Last minute guesses.

England, Leeds Mandarian Speaking!!! Report on February 26th, barely over a month away!

Grandpa was pretty touched that his first grandson was headed to his stomping grounds.

The more we think about it the more perfect his call seems.

1. He's super excited to learn Mandarin (he came home that night, got on YouTube and started to learn how to count).

2. Talmage has developed an ear for music which will help him learn a language of tones.

3. James has prayed that he would go to a people who would be receptive and that he would get to teach.  The British may not be super receptive but we have heard that the Chinese students are receptive.

4.  He doesn't need any additional immunizations - he hates shots!

5. James is discovering all kinds of family history in the area of Leeds.

6. Even though I could totally see Talmage on an island or in the middle of Africa, a mother's heart is a bit comforted to hear "England."

Boys at Camp Zarahemla

At the new year when we were helping the kids set their goals for the new youth program we were brainstorming ideas about ways to celebrate when they met their goals.  They wanted to go sledding and stay in a cabin at Camp Zarahemla.  I made a phone call and they got the last cabin for the weekend that James had a Monday and Tuesday off.

When they arrived they got upgraded to a larger cabin.  It was nice and cozy.

A bit of a fight over who got to sleep in the loft.

The scenery did not disappoint!!  It had snowed most of the previous week.  In fact, it had been nearly bare ground before that so they hit it at the perfect time--especially since it warmed up after they left.

It was fun for Talmage to be able to go as he waited for his mission call.

Hyrum

They found a new, much more exciting sledding hill.  It was longer and wove through the trees.

Lyle

Lyle catching some air.

Rex catching some air.

They woke up to two fresh inches.  They said it was perfect packing snow.

Gorgeous!

Perhaps the only snowman of the year.

And a little bird watching.

They all had a great time.  So grateful for a Dad who takes time to play with his boys!

Bryant was bummed because he didn't get to go.  He had a test on Tuesday.  Sariah had to stay home because she had a game on Tuesday.

Sariah and Libby on Sunday Night at Spechts

Fixer Daddy

Our microwave started to work in reverse.  It would turn on when the door popped open!

Of course, our fixer-daddy took to it.  He didn't let the security screws slow him down.  Sariah is having serious popcorn withdrawals while we wait for a part to be delivered.


Going over some pointers for Talmage and Bryant's first day of being officials for Pasco Parks and Rec basketball.  They survived their first day together.


Despite how it appears, Rex is a real go-getter when it comes to his chores, getting dressed on Sunday morning, getting ready for school and his piano.  (He was cleaning the bathroom when he rediscovered his hiding spot.)


Rex was my date last night to Makaley's basketball game.  I loved being with him and he scored big.  He got the ball Makaley had for the crowd, he made a half time shot to win a 2L bottle of pop, Uncle Dave bought him popcorn and he was thrilled with the ride to and from Connell seeing cops and trains.  It was a joy to be with him. 

Come Follow Me with Scrabble today, trying to mix things up a bit.

 

First Snow

James got the flagpole light installed just in time for cool snow effects.

On Tuesday we had a two hour delay.

Friday the boys had school cancelled.  There wasn't a lot of snow but it was pretty slick for awhile.  Enough to do a little tubing behind the truck up and down the road.  We could have used a little more snow, we popped three tubes.  But, we had a lot of fun!

Keeping Talmage Busy

Emma came to keep Talmage company one morning as he waits for a mission call.

That's quite the manta ray T!

New Year's

Bryant started on a game of risk first thing in the morning--against himself.

Several hours later...

 We had a New Year's Eve Party at the church.

Kioa and Blaire had fun minute-to-win-it games.

Watching Aunt Jen try and get an Oreo from her forehead to her mouth was the best.

And...we had an epic White Elephant gift exchange.

Escape Room

Spechts gave our family a GREAT Christmas present.  They took us for our first experience in an escape room.  James, Sariah, Rex, and I were on a team.  Lyle and Hyrum were on a team with Dave, Taneil, and Jhett.  The 5 oldest teenagers were on a team.  Everyone made it out and the teenagers even escaped twice.  It was a lot of fun! 

Dirtbikes with Derek Gibbons

Rex and Lyle got dirtbike lessons with Derek Gibbons for Christmas.  They may say it was the best hour of their vacation.  Rex may have left his mark in the chain link fence but he got right back on and they loved every minute of it.

Rock Wall Climbing

One of the fun things we did over the break was go rock wall climbing with the Spechts.  Most of my pics were video so this is all I've got but everyone climbed including Dad.  They all did a great job!

Thanks to the continued generosity of the Bendixsen's Christmas present we went to McDonald's afterwards.  No cooking or chores...yeah!