Monday, 18 February 2008

Happy Birthday Makenna!

Makenna turned 5 on 17 February! She had a little party with some of her school friends. Some of her favOUrite (that's how you spell that word... in case you thought it was favOrite) things:

1. Cooking... with mom and on Webkinz
2. Wearing a school uniform and going to school all day... after they've been on a break she always gets super excited to go back.
3. Reading... always wants to read to us!
4. Playing with Polly Pockets
5. Eating an apple all the way to the seeds!

Tuesday, 12 February 2008

Ya-yul!

We have a little neighbor boy that Zack worships. For the past year whenever he sees Gabriel... he gets super excited and starts shouting Ya-yul! Guess that's how he says his name. He saw him at the park and had the same reaction as always!

Friday, 1 February 2008

What kind of house do you live in?

This term, Makenna's class has been studying different types of homes. So the question is... do you live in a cottage? a bungalow? a terraced house? a flat? or a detached house? I guess the kids will have to relearn some things upon our return to the States :) Each term, the girls' classes do an assembly for the school and the parents are invited to attend. Makenna has a brilliant teacher that is very musical and fabulous with the children... and actually reminds me of a former roommate at BYU. This is a video of one of the several songs they sang, "Gonna Build a House." Makenna is on the rightish side.

Monday, 28 January 2008

Enter into the joy of thy Lord

“Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles express our heartfelt love and admiration for President Gordon B. Hinckley and the singular life of service he lived. He was our prophet, our leader, our brother and our friend. We feel a deep, personal loss at his passing. He unfailingly demonstrated his devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ, whose witness he was at home and abroad.
“We will miss his wit and his wisdom, his leadership and his love. However, we cannot but rejoice in his reunion with his beloved Marjorie, with his parents and other family members who have gone before, and with the prophets of God, both ancient and modern, among whose eternal ranks he now stands. As the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles we echo the voice of the Master, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant. … Enter into the joy of thy Lord.’ ”


I love the youth...
"Preparing for school on Monday morning took a different turn for thousands of teenage Mormon students who, some 12 hours earlier, had learned of the death of their Church president, Gordon B. Hinckley
The students responded to a flood of text messages from teens in at least six states, suggesting they arrive at school in their “Sunday best,” rather than their accustomed jeans or other casual clothes, as a symbol of respect and honor to their deceased leader."
The story continues here:
Little Brooklyn...
As we were talking to the children about the passing of President Hinckley, they seemed fine... however a few minutes before we were to leave for school, Brooklyn was crying a bit. I asked her, "What do we do now, Brooklyn?" And she cheered up and said, "Well, President Hinckley taught us so much, so I guess we just take it all and go forward." Wise words from a six-year-old.

Saturday, 26 January 2008

London Skyline!

I know most people think of Big Ben or Westminster Abbey when they think of London... I think of chimneys. I can't believe how many chimneys are in this huge city :) This is a photo from our loft which faces west, subsequently... the sunset each night.

Friday, 25 January 2008

Bienvenue a la Cote d'Azur!

We just returned from a short trip to Provence and the French Riviera... we needed a little warm winter sunshine to remind us what we're missing in the O.C.... so we'll want to move back!

This cathedral sits up on a high hill overlooking the Sea and the city of Marseille.

We drove through some windy roads up on Les Calanques... to capture these views.

We weren't far from the Italian border... so the kids shared some gelato :)

We visited several walled medieval cities... this one also had some Roman ruins.

Makenna showing Zack which rocks to pick for skipping.

It was a little windy at times... this is Zack's reaction!

Saturday, 5 January 2008

Croc Craze?

How do you wear your Crocs? With or without socks? With or without Jibbitz? Strap on top or behind? Neutral or super bright?


So all of us have fallen into the Croc fad... as ugly as it is! The funnest part is watching Zack... as soon as Daddy gets home and takes his work shoes off and puts on his Crocs... Z Man runs to get his and begs to have them on!