Can I Have the Other Guy?

When I was little, my job was to put away the silverware from the dishwasher. I got a dollar every week for allowance. One time I saw my Dad's wallet that there were other guys on the bills, and I asked, "Could I have the other guy?" My dad thought it was so sweet that I got five dollars for emptying the silverware. Mike doesn't think he has a chance when it comes to Emily, and she seems to understand that her beauty does have its rewards. I think when she asks her daddy for the other guy she'll get a Hamilton instead of a Lincoln.

Star Wars!

Harrison!
Joshua and Stephen in their capes! Joshua even wore his cape to the Library today! Isn't it fun to be a kid!

The boys love playing Star Wars. I don't think they could go an entire day without playing. They are always changing charaters and episodes. One of their favorite games is mixed up Star Wars: where they play all the episodes combined.

Gypsy Gril is on the Go!

Gypsy Girl loves climbing up the slide!
Here she is at the top!
She is all ready to go down!

Whenever GG sees the backyard she begs to go outside. She loves the swing and the slide! GG is also learning how to walk. If she has the time, she will walk. If she is in a hurry she will crawl. They grow us way too fast--but it is also fun watching them grow. Thank you GG for coming into our life!

What? My Kids don't like Nothing!

Now there is a long story behind nothing. I grew up in a family with seven children who lived off of food storage (my dad was a college professor) We rarely had cold cereal, crackers, chips, or any junk food. One treat we made was peanut butter balls: the recipe consisted of powdered milk, peanut butter, and honey. The second treat was better, and we named it nothing. Now nothing is a wonderful mixture of butter, brown sugar, and oats. We would cook it up on the stove (then eventually the microwave), eat it, sometimes with milk (powdered at that) and clean it all up. We called it nothing, and we thought we were so clever because our mom never would know that we made it! Well, then one night we were down in the basement and my mom goes, "Hey let's have some nothing!" We couldn't believe our ears, she knew, for how long we don't know. Well the other night for bedtime snack I made nothing. Luke wouldn't even touch it, and Anakin had a few bites. So I was stuck eating one of my childhood favorite treats, and wishing that they could share in this kitchen miracle!

Our New York Trip

We had a wonderful time visiting my parents in Upstate New York. Here are a few highlights:

• Joshua fed goats and milked a cow at Farmers Museum
• We got to ride the Carasol three times at the Farmers Museum
• Harrison and Joshua played Star Wars with cousins: Parker, Alayna, Taylor, Sarah, Abbey, Stephen, and Baby Joseph.
• Emily took a few steps and got a huge crush on Parker.
• We played outside with water toys for two days straight.
• Baby Joseph recieved a blessing and a name.
• We had real pizza, ate ice cream at Pie in the Sky, and had Brooks Barbeque Chicken!
• We went to the lake and ate s'mores, canoed, and saw fireflies.
• Had a wonderful time with the cousins!
• Slept on the floor. (Or didn't sleep in my case)

We can't wait to go back next year, and this time we will bring Daddy with us so we can go camping up at the lake!

Memory Tag

Here are the rules:
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments. I can't wait to see what people remember.

"I Forgot How Good I Was"

We left really early this morning to go visit Mike while he was on a layover. Mike got in late last night--so we opted to drive to his layover and back again in one day. We had a really nice day: we visited a new museum, ate lunch at the hotel, and then drove home. On the way home Gypsy Girl was getting thirsty, and her sippy cup was empty. The boys both each had an extra cup, but were unwilling to give it to Gypsy Girl. She was crying, I was helpless, and the boys were being stubborn. Anakin started to convince Luke to share, which is rather funny. I asked Anakin to share his cup, and he readily gave it to the baby. Minutes later we stopped for bathroom breaks, and we filled up Gypsy Girl's sippy cup. Luke then handed Gypsy Girl his sippy cup, and with his usual sweet voice said, "Here you go Gypsy Girl." I asked him why he didn't give it to her when she was crying, and Luke said, "I forgot how good I was."

I got to thinking these thoughts:

Do I forget how good he is?

Do I forget how good I am?

How can I remember their Christlike attributes, especially in those temper tantrum moments!

How can I help them remember that they are children of God, and heirs to the kingdom.

I hope that I can always remember how good my kids are, and by doing that they will also remember!

Gypsy Girl is One!

GG in her new dress, stroller and baby Victoria!
GG's cupcake. White Wedding Cake made pink with food coloring and chocolate frosting! YUM!

My dear little girl turned 1 yesterday. GG has been such a blessing in my life--I just hope that I can give back to her what she has given me this past year! Thank you GG for giving me joy!

Look Who Met My Dad!

President and Sister Uchtdorf with my parents Suzanne and Taylor Hollist
If you don't know President Uchtdorf, go here! http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/background-information/leader-biographies/president-dieter-f-uchtdorf
President Uchtdorf with his two grandsons at the resoration of the priesthood sight.

Yes, my dad gave a tour President and Sister Uchtdorf! It was strictly top secret--Church Security first started talking to my dad two months ago, and he was not to tell anyone. Finally he asked if he could tell my mom, and then my mom got permission to go as well. What fun! They had a great day with him.

My dad had this to say about the meeting: "

Yesterday Suzanne and I took President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, his wife Harriet, and their two grandsons on an hour tour of the Aaronic Priesthood Restoration site. This is probably not news to you, but Elder Uchtdorf said that the First Presidency has decided to go ahead with the development of this site. He acted like the moving of Highway 171 was hopefully going to happen, but the tunnel under the railroad tracks needs more study. He also talked about rebuilding the home of Joseph and Emma where most of the Book of Mormon was translated. Suzanne told him that the building of bath rooms should be high on the priority list.
It was a great day and we are still on "cloud nine." We could write a few pages of the experience and I am sure that Suzanne will do great with it, as she had a great day with Sister Uchtdorf. I wanted to take the Uchtdorfs to the other Susquehanna historic sites in New York but they wanted to only see the Harmony site.I had been talking with Church Security once a week for over two months in planning this. I was told to tell no one. I asked permission to tell my wife and then she wanted be part of the experience. I got permission from Church Security to take Suzanne, and it was a good thing because I did not know that Sister Uchtdorf was coming until their rent-a-car pulled up at McDonalds in Great Bend. That is another story of why we met at McDonalds (Church Security could not find a street address for the Aaronic Priesthood Restoration monument--the rent-a-car has a GPS). Church Security wanted me to take the Uchtdorfs around Palmyra, but I said that the missionaries at the sites in Palmyra and Fayette could do a better job. (Besides, when we were site missionaries in Nauvoo, we did not like tour buses taking over our sites.)
One neat tid-bit from the experience. We were talking about the Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood and how it was an answer to wanting to know about baptism mentioned on the plates (3 Nephi 11). Sister Uchtdorf said that many revelations are answers to questions. Elder Uchtodorf said that questions in the gospel are OK, it is fear and doubt that gets people into trouble."

The Tent!

The boys love setting yp the tent in the living room! This time we also brought the old mattress up from the basement. What fun!
We always get a little depressed when daddy goes back to work. It was harder than usual b/c Mike has been home for 2 1/2 weeks. He held down the fort while I took two classes in two weeks. It was so wonderful to know that the kids were in such capable hands. He said he had a great time as well being "Mr. Mom". He was actually a very fun dad, b/c I never make Star Wars space ships out of legos for the boys. I can only put up tents. Thanks Mike taking care of me and the kids these past two weeks. Wish you were here every day!

She's All Girl

Emily's new way of smiling for the camera. Do you guys recognize Victoria?
Her first time painting!
Isn't she a beauty!

I found a "Victoria" doll on ebay. I had two when I was little, and gave them to Martha as a huge Christmas project that my mom and I did together. We took apart the dolls piece by piece and cut new pieces then put them all back together. Mom did most of the work, but it was a neat thing to give away my favorite dolls to my baby sister. (Now my baby sister has her own baby!)Ebay makes things a lot easier these days. I just placed a bid on a Victoria doll, and fifteen dollars later--poof it is in the mail. The doll that I got for Emily is a smaller version of the ones that I had. Emily gives it lots of kisses. I've got a surprise for her in the basement for her birthday. I can't believe that she is going to be one!

Swimming Lessons!

The boys are taking swimming lessons together. I'm so glad that they are best friends!
Here they are kicking while sitting on the wall. Harrison hates being splashed, so her adverts his head so there are no splashes.
To help the kids learn how to blow bubbles, they pretend to talk to fish. Here they are listening to fish!

Harrison thought that I was going to get in the water with Emily--I want to wait until Emily is two before I do the Mommy and Me class. I love getting in the water, but I wanted to be able to watch how the boys were getting along. They are doing so great! They listen to directions really well, and try hard to stay involved. I just wish the water was a little warmer!

Fort Ziemann

For those interested, you can see the home surrounded by sandbags. We have a lot of their stuff stored at the house, so their older kids told us they are going to create a giaganitc sand pile in their backyard.

http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?s=8570897