these guys

Cute, right? They're even cuter since they're at my mom's for the week (except Henry).

Today I stripped some paint in the stairwell - a difficult task with all the kids here. I also spent way too much time on the interwebs. Did I tell you I started pinning? I also tried to get my pouch done for the pretty little pouch swap, but couldn't finish because I didn't have the right size or color of zipper. Lame. I also went out to dinner with Dan and Henry. That was nice.

There are about 100 things on my list to do - so I won't be getting them all done. But hopefully I get something done. I'll give you a report after the kids get back.

progress

I spent the better part of last weekend painting the basement. It looks so much better and brighter down there now! I also moved 3 bookcases and their books down and put them where they'll be living. It's starting to come together! Maybe by the end of the year we'll be able to watch TV down there.

More progress - little Henry is getting himself up to standing! He's been crawling around finding every cord he can get his gums on (he only has 1 tooth that he got last week) and it won't be long before he's even more mobile. It's going by way too fast!

Phoenix: Part 2

One of my best friends lives in Phoenix and she invited our family to stay at her house. It was so much fun. The kids played together and swam as much as possible. They're already asking when we can go back. Sara and I played the piano duets we used to play together and played Rock Band with the husbands and talked and had a great time. We'll have to go visit again some day. Thanks for letting us come Sara and Aaron!

Sara's oldest is just a few days older than Jack. They had a great time together.


All the kids together. They all got along really well.


I just thought this was a cute picture of Henry.



I used to live in Phoenix when I was in high school. I thought it would be fun to go see the old house and neighborhood so we went. In that neighborhood, right around the corner from my old house are 2 Frank Lloyd Wright houses. This first one was completely leveled and they are rebuilding it. I guess it will look like this.



The next house had a construction gate around it. I'm not sure if they're leveling it, or if it's just part of the same property as the other one. I have always thought this house was awesome. I don't think I could ever see either of them very well when I lived there. It seems like they used to be covered up with a lot of plants. Maybe so people like me weren't driving around trying to look at them.

Still on a Frank Lloyd Wright kick we decided to check out Taliesen West. There are quite a few tours available and I would love to do any of them, but we had all the kids and it was about 115, so we just walked around where we could (which was just the parking lot).

I love these little square details on the roof.

This design is all over (at least where we could see).

Here's the super cool gold sign Luke's standing next to. Can you see TALIESIN WEST in gold lettering?

Christmas Letter Back Issues

Just in case you want some extra laughs, I have reposted (with a few edits) our previous 4 Christmas letters. There's one from 2003, one from 2005, one from 2006, and one from 2007. (We skipped 2004). They are listed under the label Christmas Letters. I plan to post 2009, but it could take me a while.

Phoenix: Part 1

My little sister Emily got married a few weeks ago near Phoenix. I hadn't been there for 20 years. It was hot. But not as horrible as I thought it would be.

Here are Emily and Cy.


Isn't her dress adorable?

Here's our whole family minus Zach and fam - who weren't able to come. I made most of the yellow ties in this photo.


Charlie cooperated on photos. I think he was bribed by my dad (who loves to give out dollars to grandkids.) Plus - I think he really loved his tie.

Luke was pretty mad about something.

Then he got happier. Dan probably gave him candy.

Henry with my dad.