Hi Dude

We hardly ever go shopping as a family, clearly because it is complete chaos with the kids. Liam and Anna team up against Eric and I and we end up chasing them around the store, Eric usually laughing with them, me having heart attacks because they are not under the rack of clothes that I thought they had hidden in. They, on the other hand thoroughly enjoy themselves and see this as a time to bond as brother and sister. Prior to this video they ran recklessly away from us wearing hats and saying "Hey dude" to everyone. Warning: This video may contain high decibels that may damage ones ear.

ODST launch

Halo ODST has been Eric's most recent finished product and we went to the launch party to celebrate. We took tour buses from his work to the EMP where greedy fans waited in whords to get their hands on the game.
THis is Mistress chief. There is a bad pic of her a little lower and I really don't know what I did to get this one on here. But here you go.
More riding the bus. This is Eric's 'I was caught in midsentence look" he does this for almost every picture. THe rest of the shots are in the dark with an I-phone, so my apologies. But you get the idea.

The ODST truck. Above is the hood of the truck.
Gamers got to play Firefight mode front and center on a big screen throughout the night. Eric and I chowed on orderves.
Mistress chief. I shan't say more.
This little boy made his costume and here we have him taking down the enemy. I have to admit I felt a little guilty about taking this picture.

The Brute. If you wore a costume you got sent to the front of the line to get in. This guys was made of cardboard with a bike helmet acting as a crotch guard and a monkey mask to complete the Brute costume.

This kind of gives you an idea of what it looked like inside.
Eric signing autographs....

I was proud of Eric and It was fun to see his work on a big scale. And who can say no to a hot date when your married with kids, am I right?

Art Exhibition

seriously Liam, there are no expectati0ns from your parents to be like your Dad, but I had to share these at least for the Grandparents' sake. There is nothing more fun than playing some music, working on some projects and spying on my son contently drawing near me. Liam spends about 50% of his days outside of school drawing.
Something will suddenly inspire him and gets becomes very serious and will not let me see anything until he is completely done. I never know what he will draw. I'm usually surprised and would have no idea that he was thinking about the things he drew. It's like peaking into your child's mind. Above is obviously a monster truck show and above that is musical instruments.
So far this year we have had 4 letters to Santa, all sealed and covered with illustrations like this one. Notice the knot in the tree trunk, the banister and that the little boy is dreaming of presents. (Double click to see the pictures better, Mom, that means you.)
The letters to Santa are usually filled with pictures like this one. He asked politely asked if it is proper to ask Santa for more than one thing. He was really worried he would offend Santa if he asked for too much.

Liam draws through most of sacrament meeting. Here we have the Temple.
I think this is my favorite. seriously, check out plankton. He's awesome.
Liam did not do this one. He has a little girlfriend next door and her Dad drew this for Liam.
He promptly came home and drew this. How cute is he? right?
I get one of these, just like this, about 3-4 times a week. It's always when I least expect it. Usually when I am busy with household chores and we are enjoying one anothers company.

The circus

We went to the circus with our cousins and had a blast. The kids were all really cute and it was fun watching them enjoy the show.

Heather got this awesome sorcerers hat when she bought some cotton candy.
She was nice enough to share and Anna devoured her sugary portion.
The only pictures that really turned out were at the intermission. So here we have cute Obi enjoying the Circus atmosphere.
This pic cracks me up. Liam's face seriously looked just like this for the entire night. Whenever we do anything exciting like this his face looks this and I ask him afterwards if he even had any fun and he'll tell me about everything in detail and he'll describe just how much fun it was. I think he's a studier.
THis was pretty much our view the entire time. We saw giant cannons, people walking on the ceiling, an elephant disappear before our eyes, and some pretty cool tricks. All in all it was good cousin fun. Thanks for sharing it with us Mann Family.

A big Thank You!

Anna just wanted to thank Grandma Chelle for being her friend while her Mommy was ill. Also for keeping her home clean, changing diapers, cheering up her brother and herself, playing with enthusiasm, sleeping on a blowup bed, getting her brother and mother off to the first day of school, and the list goes on. Thank you, Tank you, Thank you Grandma!

Museum outing

We went to the Sci Fi museum and the Jim Hensen exhibit at the EMP this summer. I have to say that the Sci Fi museum was pretty cool.

Kermit Theeeee Frog here
We took a little sock puppet making lesson and the kids had a blast playing with them.

they had a stage set up where you could do some puppetry of your own and rock out to puppety music.
The exhibit had some articles from The Dark Crystal and Fraggle Rock as well. There were some cool experimental movies that Jim Henson made a a young beatnick as well. It was pretty cool.

Flashback Friday

This ones for you, uncle Peter. Remember the conversation via phone you had with Liam? Well, he delivered. Here you go.

Bike ride

E and I went for a bike ride a while back thanks to Grandma and Grandpa's sweet set up. We had everything a biking couple could need. Thanks for always sharing Bill and Michelle.

First Day of School (and the second)

I have been ill and was a little unprepared for Liam's first day of school. I raced to buy school supplies the day before it started and we just made it to school on the first day. Although it is only 2 1/2 hours each day, there is something final about it and my heart is aching a little. But we are super excited for the school years and can't wait to go to school programs and to see Liams progress.

This may be completely boring to you, but here is Liam marching off to class on his first day. His teacher is the little lady in the red shirt. I couldn't get a good shot because this couple kept getting in the way but you get the point.

Liam is rather devastated because he is one of 5 children in the class who does not rife the bus. He has been talking about teh bus for 2 years and it turns out that we live super close to the school. Poor kid.
The big day for me was a rush of emotion and tension and craziness. does my smile look forced or what?
Liams school is only 2 years old and it is called Forest View Elementary. He has P. E. one day and Music another day of the week. No art though. I'm thinking of being an art docent to bring it into the classroom. There are 27 kids in his class so his Teachers hands are very full. He sits int he front right next to the teaher and that couldn't please me more.

Grandama Chelle was an incredible help to Julie who otherwise would have wandered around aimlessly I''m sure. She got to relive Teacherhood and watch her first Grandson being launched into the big bad world.
THe kids all line up behind their teacher until the Bell rings. Liam is working on recognizing his teachers sign that says "Ms. Breer". I walk him to the line each day but eventually his will be dropped off and walk there himself.
Here we have Liam taking a break from the weight of the rather large back pack which he is not accustomed to carrying.
Off he goes to his classroom.
He has expressed that He hates school and does not want to go each day. They do not have any toys you see. I think he secretly likes it but is too embarrassed to show his excitement. Anna keeps asking where Liam is each day and is doing some adjusting as well.

The 2nd Official White Family Reunion

Spaghetti and marshmallows occupied the in between time at the Family reunion this year. The winner of the tallest tower would win themselves a prize.