Random Wisdoms of Linnea

Even though I'm younger than most of you (not meaning that you're old :) I thought I'd post some things that I've learned.

#1 Peanut butter does get gum out of hair. True. I found that it works very nicely on wet hair. Just mush it around and comb it out. I was impressed because that was one matted sucker.

#2 A can of black beans in the blender with a little bit of water makes a great alternative to refried and I think it tastes much better.

#3 Mervyn's 1-Day Sale events, terrific.

#4 During the Christmas season at Costco, they carry the yummiest treat. Dilettante chocolate covered dried bing cherries. Don't judge until you've tried them. These are nothing like the yucky, syrupy, juicy ones!! They are so good. (Word of caution!! Do not try the fruit medley hexagon. Extremely gross!)



And #5 I love Curious George the movie: best opening scene (I laughed), Jack Johnson (movie soundtrack, it's great), Will Ferrell (man with the yellow hat) and David Cross, better known as Tobias from Arrested Development (random character). All these things just make this movie great. It's a favorite.

So enjoy these thoughts. Goodnight.

Winter Sing

Ben and Zach had their Winter Sing at Mountain View Highschool last week. It was held in the Auditorium and I am still amazed at the amount of kids you can smash into that place, onto the stage. We could barely see them. There were kids EVERYWHERE!

I know they have large classes, but you have to understand - I was the child that grew up in a village called Bruno NE. Linda was my only classmate till 8th grade. We went to school in a two-room farmhouse. MAN times have changed for me!

Next year we need to remember to bring our binoculars!

Not Breakable!?!?

CORELLE® dinnerware is the original break and chip resistant glass dinnerware. Introduced in 1970, CORELLE is recognized worldwide for its legendary strength and durability.

One morning last week, when the boys were on their way to school (by bus), Glenn went jogging and Christopher was happily playing with Legos... Emma was eating her oatmeal. I decided to make a break for the shower (no more than 10 min. tops)... when I came back, this is what I found! OOoops!

Carrots Anyone?

When school started this Fall, we watched Ben, Zach and Nick hop on the bus. Chris, Emma and I waved good-bye. In a search for some playdates - we were lucky enough to find four other friends who were not planning on going to preschool, so we started our own. We rotate from home-to-home learning our ABCs and 123s. I really don't know if they're learning these things, but we are all having a great time!

I had the third rotation and presented the letter C. We planted carrot seeds back in September and lo-and-behold... last week we pulled carrots. I was really hoping that this would work. My plan was to buy carrots (with tops) and stuff them in the soil if the ones we planted hadn't grown. But, luck was with us!

Arizona in the winter is WONDERFUL!

New York

By Mindy

It started as an attempt to see Mary Poppins in October when it opened in New York and, as you see, we succeeded in December. All I have to say was Mary Poppins was "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious". We sat on the front row (which the girls thought was tops). The performers looked at them many times and the orchestra percussion bounced us in our seats. It was fun, lively, and not exactly like the movie. We actually liked the play better than the movie. It was complete with stage tricks like Bert tap dancing upside down on the stage's ceiling. As you all know "Every Day's a Holiday with Mary" but because of her, we said HELLO to a holiday in NEW YORK CITY. Eldon stayed home with the little boys. (see his blog for a day-by-day blow of his time as a single dad.)

I'm not sure the girls realize how lucky they are. Our regular visits to New York are to see one of my favorite people, Jennifer. We met Jennifer and her husband Blake on Eldon's first week of MBA school. We were inseparable for two years. Blake now works in New York and Jen in NJ so we go to visit them. Blake has a broadway ticket connection and we love broadway tickets, so a beautiful relationship continues to bloom.
This is their house where nothing is blooming except for some reindeer and their cute 5 year old Cole. What can I say, we packed in as much in as we could. We, of course, headed to Rockefeller Center along with the every other tourist in New York. There we saw another show, the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Show. (Amazing).
The whole time we were there the girls were obsessed with ice skating. The sheer novelty of ice skating outside in the middle of the city with jackets on was too much for these San Diego girls to pass up. We went to the Statue of Liberty on the day it was 6 degrees and I thought of Mom Thomas. Mom and I went to the Statue about 13 years ago and I made her climb to the top of the crown. A lot has changed since then. First, Mom will not try to impress me by overcoming her claustrophobia in one day. Second, you can no longer go to the top of the statue. You can only go inside and look up her dress at her frame. You are allowed to look only after you are "sniffed" for explosives ( humiliating).

Now it's back to reality and on to the things a mom should've been doing in December instead of galavanting around New York.

The Usual

Things have been pretty normal here, no funny stories or clever thoughts. Just a couple of funny pictures. I've been watching our neighbors 6 week old baby this month and Thomas has been loving his psuedo-big brother role. He wants to help and love her and give her kisses all day. Funny.

Bath time is always a favorite. In fact, sometimes taking a bath is his reward for going on the potty, which is going pretty well I might add. I haven't really attempted the big-boy pants yet. Maybe that's why I still think it's going well. Anyway, we'll miss you all this year at Christmas but we're hoping to visit Arizona in February so we'll have to get together with everyone who can. Meanwhile, Happy Christmas!

Wingtips

I recently embarked on a new way to travel through life: watchless. The reality is that my watch broke, or better said, Garrett decided to see if my watch could support his entire body weight, which it couldn't.

So rather than spring for another $40 Timex, I have decided to wander aimlessly, except for the clock on my cell phone, computer, car, etc.

When the watch broke Mindy encouraged me to go buy a new one. At first I thought she was just being nice and felt bad for me. But maybe she was freaked out by the blinding, white ring around my wrist where my watch once was.

For at least 14 years I have worn a watch that never left my wrist, not for showers, not for sleep, not for....The result was a sickly white color that I have only seen a few times before.

The first time I remember skin of that color was as a teen when Dad decided to go swimming. Dad never went swimming. But he did that day and I remember being struck by the whiteness, even on that brilliant Arizona summer day. (I was going to go on about the hairless legs and how that added to the moment but...)

The next blinding moment that sticks in my mind is a summer several years ago when Glenn visited me in San Diego and I took him surfing. I remember the exact moment he took his shirt off. The shock and awe of skin so pure and white.

Brent has also added scar tissue deep within my memory. But Brent ads a unique twist by tanning his neck and arms to a perfect golden bronze. This gets your guard down and therefore ups the surprise factor when you finally see what the sun rarely does. (Has anyone else noticed that Brent has really long nipple hair? Now imagine him looking in the mirror and pulling on them after he reads this!)

Every day as I look at my patch of white skin one, and only one image flashes through my mind.




Sorry dad. White skin and Wingtips will forever be connected in my mind.

Glenn and Brent, succumb to your destiny.

Thanksgiving at the Holiday Inn

Thanksgiving for us started at 5am on Wednesday as we headed out to a Family reunion in St. George, Utah

Nothing like ripping your kids out of bed in that early morning stupor.

But we did enjoy the drive (as compared to the drive home from Family camp). We just plugged the kids in and let them tune out.


Thanksgiving day started with a traditional football game at the park. My turn at playing quarterback yielded an interception. The big pass to me in the end zone went right through my fingers.

Guess I should get over the emotional scars of Mom and Dad not letting me play football as a youngster. Not really any skills there to work with.


After working up an appetite, we headed off to the $25 per person Thanksgiving Buffet at our hotel, the Holiday Inn.

If someone had been watching us as a movie, they would have screamed at the screen "Don't do it"! Like in every horror movie when the hot chick goes into the basement to investigate noises. It was just so obvious, to everyone but us, that this just couldn't end well.

The stuffing was so sticky I couldn't shake it off the serving spoon. The gravy, yellow in color and gelatinous. I kinda stopped there with the traditional stuff. Except I had to try the pumpkin pie. Big mistake. Frozen!!

Honest to goodness I didn't even eat one piece of Turkey for Thanksgiving. The only redeeming food item was some prime rib, which did at least fill the belly.


The next day we bowled and I made up for my dropped pass in football. See Story.


A family meeting, talent show, etc.

But the highlight of the weekend was the BYU vs Utah football game. We set up camp in the family room of Mindy's sister who just moved to St. George. We ran the TV feed through a projector to get a bigger picture and started grilling some dogs.

A couple hours later, after numerous screams and shouts, we all went wild as BYU won the game in the final three seconds. One of the best games I have ever seen.


We left shortly after the game and drove home. We arrived at midnight, but had to stay up and watch the USC vs Notre Dame game I had taped.
Man I love girls who love football.

A Time of Thanks

We realize more & more how blessed we are. We have 7 children that love each other (please keep us in the dark if this is not true!) Add to that 6 in-laws, who in our opinion are the very best in every way! Throw in 19 others - everyone loves to get together & have a good time. I've listened to others with all of their DRAMA & why they can't all get together at the same time!
We are so grateful for your kindness to us & for your love & patience of each other. Our cup truly runs over!

Moving on- I had some really cute pictures but an error has occured 6 times now so forget it!
Just know how much we love each one of you & feel so blessed!!
Dad & Mom

More Thanksgiving Fun!

We forgot our camera (once again) when heading over to Mom & Dad Thomas' house for the big Thanksgiving Feast. It started at about 2pm and never really ended. Some were found afterward - sleeping on the couch (in preparation for a long evening ahead in the Best Buy parking lot) and some took a nice jont over to the park.

Traditional turkey, mashed potatoes, rolls, yams, green bean casserole... topped off with pumpkin pie, apple pie, pecan pie, blackberry pie, lemon mer. pie, flan delight (thanks Alma) and more pumpkin pie!

It was such a tasty day (notice how I can remember all the desserts that were served)! Melissa makes a mean pecan pie - so rich! Mom, thanks for all the good food - you are incredible!




Two days later, the fun continued...


These boys aren't gonna' settle for bb guns next year!













Off in the distance, can you see the smoke? Well, you should've heard the BOOM! Nice one Jeff!






Emma Lee took the award on the BEST, TOASTIEST S'MORE in the Sugarloaf Valley! Nice one Emma!

Thanksgiving Fun!

Garrett, you were missed! See ya' soon!

-Christopher

Two More Books

Ginny Petersen introduced me to this book when I lived in Lincoln with them before leaving for my mission. They had a son Danny who just loved this book. It's very cute!










Benjamin had a friend in Ladera Ranch CA who gave this book to him. It's a very easy to read book with a fun story.

And More Snow

We got some too. It may not look that bad but the high was 19 degrees. It was cold and icy and I got to try out the 4 wheel drive in the Pathfinder!

Snow

We got our first snow storm!

Our Favorite Book

This is my first attempt so I thought I'd start by adding to the book list. "Where's My Teddy?" by Jez Alborough is absolutely our favorite. Haylee knows most of it by heart and she thrills Lindsay by reciting their favorite parts. Check it out at the library! I'm sure it will become a favorite of yours too.

He BEAT the TURKEY!

We forgot the camera at home (I tell ya' I need a phone with a camera) but Glenn did beat the turkey (43). Ben & Glenn ran the 2-miler in a 16. And I followed the turkey quite a bit later at a 55 (almost 56). I ran in with a friend of Mindy's who's in the same LDS ward in San Diego... can't remember her name. (Let it be know, she did pass me and beat me, but not by much!) She commented to Glenn, "Are you a Thomas? You sure sound like Eldon." Anyway... happy Turkey Day to all. More postings later of the day...

Random Events

Don't mess with Mindy on Halloween. Her brother Parker and his wife Peggy and their son Rob came over for Halloween and Mindy did them right cooking up a stew inside a pumpkin.





When the same old Family Home Evening gets too routine for the kids we change it up, like turning out all the lights and sitting in front of the fire for FHE.


Each night about 6pm we get the wiggles around our house. And now that it's dark so early it poses a serious threat to the kids. They risk getting beat if they stay in the house. So we have started trekking to the park, in the dark. There is just enough light for the kids and we have it all to ourselves.

I got to select my birthday dinner, which of course included lots of meat. If your gonna eat a fluffy Angel Food cake you better make up for it with a few pounds of red meat.

November

Well, as promised to Eldon, I am trying to blog every Sunday. So here goes...

It is November and it hit 90 the other day. Allison and Nathan are trying to cool off by the misters at the park. I sometimes think I hate the heat, but then at night when it cools off, I remember that although I like cold weather clothing, I don't like being cold. So Arizona, we will stay.

We are busy finishing our soccer season. We have three more weeks. Allison has become a super star and the "playmaker". It so fun to watch her in action. Sammi has an awesome team and they are undefeated. Nathan is just there for the fun of it. I still think he has no clue, but it's fun chasing the ball.

Other than that, we have just been busy with everyday life. It seems like there is never a dull moment. I am trying to get my singing group together and ready for their performance. I can't believe how fast the the months have flown by. They are playing Christmas music already for pete's sake!! I am determined to get all of the shopping done so that I don't have to go to the store, except for groceries, in December. I dont' like the Christmas Rush. Call me Scrooge - I admit it. Speaking of Scrooge, we are going to see a Christmas Carol - musical- on December 1st with our kids. If anyone else is interested, buy tickets now. Maybe that will get me into the spirit...

Charlie Brown Books

Hi. We just came back from Bruno Nebraska and while we were there my Mom pulled out these hardbound "Charlie Brown Super Book of Questions and Answers." There is a series of 5 I believe and they are just wonderful! Ben and Zach just love them! All kinds of questions about anything a kid could think of... and what's so fun about them, they have little comic strips along the way. Check them out...

They have not been published for years... so I think you can buy them for under a buck on the web. Christmas is coming... Have a GREAT DAY everyone!

Grrrrrrrrr

Okay,
I will tell you why I don't post anything is this blog thing - - because I am computer retarded!!!!! I have already tried three times to put some cute pictures into my blog and tell you all about the things we did this fall, but I can't get the pictures in the right spot! How in the heck do you get the pictures to go where you want them to and then the paragraph to go right next to it. UGGgggghh! I get so frustrated trying to make this look right. So I am just going to gripe for now, and not tell you about the zoo, the state fair, and our haunted house. I cant' get the pictures in the right spot and I am so frustrated about it I am just going to tell you about my frustration and call it good!
-Melissa

Only in the Church

We have a new Temple Presidency at the Mesa Arizona Temple. Tom Clark from our old 38th ward is the new President.
A week ago the old Presidency spoke to us in our prayer meeting & said good bye. The next week the new Presidency were there saying hello to us in our prayer meeting and the work moved forward without a hitch.
It's amazing to see the Lord's plan in action. No where in the world except the church could this happen.

Rusty Harper

It was an exciting time at the Harper household on the second of Novemeber. Linnea decided to have Rusty James at home with a midwife. Everything went just like clock work!!!! Rusty made his appearance about 8:45 PM
Weight: 10lbs 8 oz.
The midwife said he was 21" long but the next day when Russell's mother, who is a nusre, came over, she said she thought he was longer. She measured him & he measured 23". I know he didn't grow 2" over night!!
He looks just like Haylee! See for your self-
This makes #19 for us!

Grand Canyon Halloween

While you all were out-and-about trick-or-treating (or trunk-or-treating) we were on our way to the Grand Canyon this year.

As you can imagine, Halloween at our house is no fun. With Ben and Zach severely allergic to peanuts and nuts, we have started a small tradition that gets us out of the loop. A few years back, we took the kids to Legoland and this year we checked out the Grand Canyon Railway. What a BLAST!

We left Tuesday after school and arrived at Williams AZ around 8pm. There was plenty of time for supper, swimming and jumping on the beds! We swam them all till 10:45, showered, jumped on the beds and got to bed by 11:30. Wednesday morning at 8am Glenn started roll-call and shouted, "Everybody up!" The response was, "Dad, let us sleep a little bit longer."
WOW!
I wonder what would have happened if we would have gotten them into bed after midnight!?!?

Breakfast was at 8:30 the next morning and then off to the shoot-out! The shoot-out left us all hanging... the robbers would "take the train" during the day, we just never new when. Lo-and-behold... on the way back home from the Grand Canyon, there they were!

OK - so, after breakfast and the shoot-out we enjoyed a 2 1/2 hour train ride over to the Grand Canyon. There we saw deer, mountain goats, squirrels and such a beautiful site! The Grand Canyon looked like a picture, until you got close to the edge... then reality HIT!

The boys enjoyed hiking and just looking at the Canyon! It is such a wonderful site. We ate our lunch and got back on the train around 3:45.



The train ride was full of fiddlers and guitar-players that kept us all stampin' our feet and clappin' our hands!


About 3 miles from home, the robbers were spotted outside the train... we were gonna' be robbed! They entered, told silly jokes and then demanded our $$$.





As they looked at our family, they decided to leave us alone. "They're gonna' need all the $$$ they have to raise these kids." They didn't want to mess with us alrighty!




We arrived back at Williams about 5:45 and headed on for Mesa. It didn't take long before we heard snoring and saw this sweet sight... but before the snoring Zach stated, "Dad, that was the BEST Halloween ever!" I agreed and said, "What should we plan for next year?" Nick replied, "How about the Egyptian Pyramids!" AUGH! We better start savin' our $$$!