Breakfast with Santa

Emmett Sings

On our way home from a family get together- Emmett decided to entertain us with his own little diddies. First an Ode to Olivia, then his very own Christmas song...

She's Walking! (a little!)

I wasn't sure how to get this to not be sideways...

Can you believe it? 9 months old and she's on her way! with a little help from her brother...

and yes that is the Cowboys game in the background. It's a sore subject here- Please don't mention it. :-(

A Child's Prayer

Emmett said his own prayer tonight when I was tucking him in. "Mom- I don't need any help," He'd say whenever I began to prompt him with the regular items. So- this 5 minute long prayer included-
please bless that I can give a back scratch and that mom can give me a back scratch.
bless that we will love each other.
I love my mom, my dad, brother and sisters.
Bless that we can be happy.
Bless that we will eat food that is good for us.
Bless that we will not eat boogers,
and bless that we will not eat food that is not healthy for our bodies.


The stuff he comes up with...
I sure do love that little guy.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star... A Duet

Emmett: Mom, I want to go to the singing concert!

Mom: Really? What concert is that?

Emmett: The one with little boys like me with instruments like mine where we sing and play music!

me and mini me

Halloween 2008

MCKINNEY SCARE on the SQUARE

our favorite Halloween tradition.

Batman, Clone Trooper, Jahanara (http://www.amazon.com/Jahanara-Princess-Princesses-India-Diaries/dp/0439223504)

Nana always comes with a costume that is even more impressive each year.

However will she top CLEOPATRA (and her poisonous snakes)

A little rest, then back to the business of CANDY!!!
Olivia and I enjoyed taking it all in

She's like the Pied Piper of Dogs...

LITTLE SAINTS HALLOWEEN PARTY
NANA flew in just in time
Just ONE more WHACK- I'll get that candy out!
2 Batmen, 1 Superman and 1 Spiderman-

Maybe it should be called Little Hero's School

Mischief in the Kitchen

mix together:
2 2/3 c shortening
3 c sugar
4 tsp lemon extra
then add
4 eggs
1/4 c milk
then add
3 tsp baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
8 cups sifted flour
divide into 8ths and chil for 1 hour
roll out on floured surface 1/3 inches thick
cut with cookie cutters and lay 2" apart
on greased cookie sheet
bake for 6 to 8 minutes in a 375 oven
cool to room temp then frost

Frosting
2 lbs powdered sugar, sifted
add a little milk until it's good and a little lemon extract...
and that's just what we did!

Big Orange Pumpkin Farm!

Back in Bidness!

My computer met with an untimely death just over a month ago. Luckily through some surgical proceedures it was revived and is with us again, good as new. Unfortunately I lost EVERYTHING I had on it- note to self put your pictures on CDS! anyhoo- I am THRILLED to have my old friend back... and to be back to recording this life as it flies by at warp speed.

Senorita Bonita

Seven months old- My little lady in the dress I searched La Isla de Mujeres for (was that only last year?) and the flower clip I made at Super Saturday! Mom- what do you do all day? Sit around and play with Olivia? Today the answer was YES!

Phone Call

NEW GLASSES!

Andrew's new glasses arrived today. I think he looks awfully cute... and smart. He was so excited- until I told him that all the third grade girls will think that he's cute- now he's a little bit nervous about wearing them to school.

Let's go fly a kite!

What better to do on a LONNNNG Sunday afternoon- especially when church ends at 11:30and we have the rest of the day to enjoy togetherness. Hurricane Ike provide North Texas only some rain and wind yesterday- today we had a glorious day of SUN and the perfect amount of wind for Andrew's SPACE SHUTTLE kite!

OLIVIA discovers OLIVIA

OK- I couldn't resist the photo op... Emmett and I have been reading the OLIVIA books this week. They are some of my favorites. He was disappointed that there wasn't an Emmett in the story. I am trying to think of what animal I'd use in the EMMETT series... Suggestions so far- Tasmanian devil, velocor raptor- clint; owl or monkey- alexa; racoon- that's cute but causes trouble- andrew; I was thinking maybe an otter or something... hmmm.

You've Got Mail!!!

Cute MOM! You always send the funnest stuff! This time our PANDORA'S BOX a la PRIORITY MAIL came with halloween costumes, a cute top for Lexi, Bionacle books and more... what a fun surprise!

OK- We aren't sure what Liv's costume actually is- but you can't go wrong with polka dots, feathers and a tulle tutu- oh- and ears!

We've hardly been able to get Emmett out of his batman suit since it got here. Yes, he even sleeps in it some times.

September 4... Happy Birthday Clint!

Happy Birthday Dad! We love you!

I like football about daddy! -Emmett

He's really nice, and we all love him. I love it when he gets home from work. That's my favorite. -Andrew

What? There's so much I could say... I love his jokes and his singing. -Alexa

He makes me laugh. -Olivia

And me- what do I love about you? hmmmm besides the dashing good looks and rapier wit, you make me want to be a better man. I mean woman- you know what I mean. You COMPLETE me. You're my lobster and all that. I just love you OK? I just do. aaa lot. lot lot lot. a lot. definately more than a friend. happy birthday. k

First Day of School!

Backpacks, lunch boxes, pencils, erasers, composition notebooks...

It's that time of year again!

Oh- and home made cookies to soften the blow~

Go Cougars!

In a stunning victory over Provo High- I mean University of Northern Iowa- BYU begins the 08 season with a big fat W!!! Woo hoo! It was an exciting game... and it sure makes for happiness in our household! GOOOOOOOOOOOooo Cougars! Next week- University of Washington- Yikes!!!

First Day of School! part deux

Emmett is at his first day of school as we speak.

This morning he was cute and excited, ready to eat the lunch that Lexi had made him last night.

(It took some convincing to save it for lunchtime!)

He's going to have so much fun. I can't wait to hear how it went!

He took off without me as soon as this picture was taken- without looking back. He was happy as can be playing with 2 other boys when I peeked in his classroom. No GOODBYE mom or nothin! Oh well, I prefer that to the other scenerio I had envisioned. Played out 20 something years ago with little ERICA chasing down mom in her station wagon- DONT LEAVE ME HERE!!!

Still I do feel a little choked up... (Just a little)

Happy Half Birthday Baby!!!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOLivia. What can I say. 1/2 year of knowing you has been wonderful. You are pure sweetness. I just can't get enough of you- your dad, brothers and sister feel the same. Things about you at 6 months: You can sit up unassisted. Get up on your hands and knees and rock back and forth- then push backwards... which frustrates you... Pet the kitty- then grab a nice big handful of black fur. (Ofee still loves you and wants to be near you anyways!) You like to eat and make a singing mmmmmmmmmm when you are being fed. Favorite foods include sweet potatos, green beans, bananas and milkshake. You are not so crazy about peaches or grapes. You haven't decided what you think about cheerios. You like it when Emmett makes you laugh. Love it when Andrew comes home. You still like running your hands through Lexi's hair- then tugging. She also forgives you and loves to be near you. Today your first tooth came through. It is on the bottom and is sharp as a razor. I am sure you will find lots of fun things to try it out on.

OLivia and Sienna, celebrating their half birthday today. How fun to have a birthday twin! What little cuties!

Reunionus Maximus

Approximately 60 of my nearest and dearest Mikkelsen relations met together for a meeting of great minds, and also some capture the flag, nose flute playing, singing, fairy wing and peter pan hat making, hiking, early morning jogging, eating (of course) and general familial bonding. All together under one roof for 3 days. It was great! I love my family!

We couldn't have asked for a better location- Seriously- cross the Golden Gate bridge, take first exit, follow the winding road a few miles through the national park to the Marin Headlands Youth Hostel, a former army hospital... It was so cool!