Rain, Wars (Both Star and Progeny), and Bowling

I am only now just realizing how few pictures I took while my family was here. Seriously, what is my problem? The first time in who knows how long my whole family is together, and what do I take a picture of?

My garden flooding.

I know. I know.

Well, you will just have to take my word for it that Dad, Susie, Kyle, and Kevin were here. In my defense, it rained A LOT. This picture doesn't even do it justice. It just rained hard all day and it was flooding everywhere. The weatherman said that if that rain had been snow instead we would've had 45 inches of that fluffy, white menace. Thank goodness for the unseasonably warm temps!

On Monday we went to see the latest Star Wars movie. We had originally planned on leaving Tess with a babysitter, but ended up leaving Josh as well. Why? I still have NO REAL IDEA. (Theories, yes, but no absolute answers.) He got into a snit about 30 minutes before we were supposed to leave because I wouldn't let him go play with his friend, sulked in his room, and refused to come out. He swore up and down that he did not want to go see the movie. What the what, Josh?! He had been going on and on about wanting to see that movie since Christmas! He had been soooo excited about it. But he refused to come out of his room. I told him that if he didn't come now, no one would be taking him later, no matter how much he begged. (We are not a family that sees movies in the theater very often, let alone twice.) Then I remembered that his best friend, Justin, was seeing it on Wednesday. So I told him that he would not be allowed to see it with Justin, either, even if he were invited. I totally thought this would get him to see reason, but nope. That boy is nothing if not OBSTINATE.

So we left Josh at home.

And it made me mad and sad and frustrated, because seriously, what was up with that kid? Who in the world would miss the movie even to of the year due to stubbornness?

Josh, that's who. (And we're sticking to our guns. That boy's not gonna see the movie until it's released to rent or buy.)

So I sat in the theater and angrily munched on popcorn until that Star Wars fanfare blasted out of the speakers and then Josh was long forgotten. I, like many people, was really worried they'd botch this one up, like they did with the prequels. But it was so great!

I wore my Star Wars shirt, of course. (Which I had made for Disney World earlier this year.)

We were not shy discussing the movie around Josh that evening or the next day. Nor were we careful to keep quiet about any spoilers. Because that boy had his chance to come and made a stupid decision. Perhaps he's leaning more towards the Dark Side. Well, if that's the case, Lance had better be careful because we all know how that ended for Han Solo and his Dark Side-loving son.

The next day we were scheduled to have family pictures taken by Kim Davis at the Purdue Student Union. Only the Union - and every other building on campus - was CLOSED!!!  Ack!!! We had never heard of such a thing! But we improvised, toughed out some cold outdoor pictures, and took some inside a very eclectic shop near campus. I'm anxious to see how they turned out.

We enjoyed a great lunch at Cheddar's, where Josh, once again, was a stubborn punk, ordering but refusing to eat his food. Then we went bowling. It was actually really fun and cute for about the first 4 frames. That's when Tess decided she'd had enough. And Josh and Spencer started freaking out because they weren't doing as well as they had hoped. We tried to encourage them and remind them that they hardly ever bowl, so why would they expect perfection? (In one ear and out the other.)

But Cole? Turns out Cole LOOOOVVEEESS bowling! He loves throwing the ball, he loves the sound of the pins getting hit. He loves counting the pins and watching the goofy graphics on the screens. He loves keeping score and trying to get spares. (Something he was actually kind of successful at!) I see some bowling dates with Cole in my future. :)

Even though there were some slight hiccups, I think we all had a pretty good time with my family here. It was fun to hang out with them and chat and roll our eyes at the antics/fighting/whinging/cuteness of my kids.

My brothers left super early this morning, and Dad and Susie this afternoon. The house is quieter and emptier. The decorations are down and the beloved snack table is gone. It was sad to see them all go, but it's also nice to get back into our regular schedule. (And caloric intake! Sheesh - so much holiday food!)

Spencer's Ordination

On Sunday Spencer was given the Aaronic Priesthood and ordained a Deacon. I am so proud of him for choosing to accept this responsibility and for making good choices in his life so he could do this.

I'm grateful my family could be there and that my dad and brothers could participate in the ordination. (Not so grateful that Tess decided to act up during the ordination, but whatever. It was kind of expected because she's 4 years old and a punk.)

Spencer looked pretty spiffy in his new suit! Cole is super excited that Spencer will now be able to pass the Sacrament. (He was pretty put out that Spencer didn't do it the first Sunday after he was 12, which led to a good discussion about the ordination.) ((It also led to Cole growling at me and rolling his eyes in an "I KNOW THIS MOM" sort of way I thought was only reserved for 15 year olds. The joy of it all.))

We were able to get a few pics before church. Look! He's almost as tall as Grandma Susie!

But he still has a ways to go to catch up to his momma. (Whew!)

Cole wanted to get in on that action.

I had wanted to get a picture of all of us, but after church is always CRAZY, what with Lance's bishopricking and such. So this was the best we got. (Plus, I figured we'd get more on Tuesday for our family pictures. Which we did... eventually. More on that once the pictures come back.)

Well done, Spencer! I know you're going to make a great deacon!

Day After Christmas

The day after Christmas is always a little depressing. You spend all of this time getting ready for and anticipating the big day, and then it comes and you enjoy it. And then it's the next day. You can only lounge around and eat for so long. (Well, my family can. I suspect my brothers could make a career of it!)

The fact that it poured rain pretty much ALL DAY LONG did not help matters. It was fairly warm outside, but so very wet. So we decided to go play a round of Monster Mini Golf. It was kind of crowded and playing with 4 kids didn't do anything to speed things up! Still, I think we all had fun. (Well, not Josh. He kept trying to cheat. And he'd get mad every time he messed up. Blergh. That kid has a long road ahead of him because he thinks everything in life is So Unfair.)

Tess was awesome because she would take one hit at each hole and then pick up her ball and wait for the rest of us, which means she scored an 18, right?!

Uncle Kevin's first time at Monster Mini Golf. I'm sure it was everything he hoped it would be!

Cole had been waiting forever to go golfing, so he was in heaven!

That night we were supposed to have Papa Murphy's for dinner, but since the oven was broken we had Papa John's instead. Then we taught the Ropers a thing or two about Madsen Garbage.

It was fun although a little painful every time Cole had to count out a high number of pennies.

Christmas 2015

We were lucky enough this year to have a full house for Christmas this year - dad, Susie, Kyle, and Kevin joined us!

Dad and Susie joined us Tuesday night and Kyle and Kevin joined us on Wednesday. You know what else joined us? TONS OF TREATS. I don't know about your family, but we always end up with more goodies than we know what to do with. Dad and Susie brought all of theirs and we had to set up a table just for all of the cookies, candy, and whatnot. SO MUCH FOOD.

This whole holiday was so warm; like spring time warm. Grandpa and the boys got in some football before the rain started. 

So. Much. Rain this weekend. The sump pump has been running a lot.

We had our traditional Christmas Eve Eve Chinese food dinner. I thought I'd be tricky and put in an online group order at Panda Express, but they had all sorts of technical issues. So that morning I called in our order and they claimed everything was set. But of course it wasn't and Lance had to deal with all sorts of madness at the mall that night just picking the food up. It tasted all the more delicious for the extra effort, right?

Most of Christmas Eve day was spent relaxing, cooking, and, if you're a Roper boy, shopping at Wal-Mart and getting your hair cut. Josh was excited to catch Grandma Susie "sleep reading".

Christmas Eve dinner was almost a crisis - my dang oven died halfway through! The bottom element totally stopped working, and the top element would turn on but wouldn't be regulated, so would get so hot that the oven would turn itself off. Using my pioneer-ancestor-ingenuity I was still able to make dinner and it all turned out pretty well! We had lasagna, hot rolls, ham, roasted potatoes, pear/blue cheese salad, and ginger ale with cranberry ice cubes.

Dinner was fine, but Tess was A PILL afterwards. I think all of the build up excitement of the holidays and having family here just about did her in. I had serious doubts she was going to last through all of the festivities, but she pulled herself together and we were able to have a nice evening.

She wasn't too pleased looking for her hidden Christmas jammies.

But was pretty excited to open them - Christmas light jammies!

And Cole got space jammies, which he was quite excited about. "I've been WAITING for these!" What the what? Okay, glad you're happy.

I completely forgot to get pictures of each child in their jammies. Dang.  But we did get our annual family portrait in front of the fireplace.

Silly poses as well.

After pictures we had a short but sweet talk about the nativity story. It lasted about 6 minutes, which was just perfect because the kids were all wound up and ready for CHRISTMAS EVE BINGO!

My dad gave me a pretty fancy bingo set for my birthday, which made it all the more exciting.

We were able to finagle the results so that everyone 12 and under was able to win early on. Josh, as per usual, was not happy with life in general when he did not IMMEDIATELY win.

Cole was in heaven. He'd been itching to play bingo for so long!!

Uncle Kevin had to wait awhile to win as well, but he was better behaved about it. (At least he doesn't pout.)

Miss Tess won the first round and then helped Grandma call out numbers.

Success! Josh finally won. And what prize did he choose? The car tissue holder. What the what?

After much excitement and fanfare (and perhaps a little melatonin for the kiddos) everyone finally got into bed. I was able to take a few pictures after Santa came. With 6 adults and 4 kids our tree looked like it had a wrapped store underneath!

I love how our family room looks on Christmas Eve night!

The kids were given strict instructions not to come out of their rooms until 6am. Dad claims he heard Josh and Cole stirring at 4:30am. I heard them out in the living room at 5:50. I waited until 6:00 to get up and join them. It took a while, but by 6:50 the whole family was up and ready to open presents.

Santa brought Josh something he'd been pining for for quite a while: Nintendo Monopoly!

Santa made Cole the happiest little boy and brought him a fancy Hot Wheels track! (SO HAPPY.)

Spencer got a pretty awesome Death Star Perplexus. It even lights up and makes noises.

Tess got a cool headband decorating kit, but refused to be pictured with it. This was the closest I could get.

I didn't get many pictures of the rest of the present opening, but I did get a few of Cole opening what he had really, really wanted: a new marble magic kit!

Seriously, SO EXCITED. He would've skipped the rest of the gifts and just played with that all morning if we had let him.

The aftermath was fairly impressive.

The rest of the day was spent lounging around, eating, eating more, playing with toys, napping, and lounging. In other words, it was an amazing day.

A very Merry Christmas indeed!