I think he definitely understands the spirit of Thanksgiving

Oliver brought this home in his backpack the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.


The funniest part? It was all laminated, so it must have been hanging in the hall. Guess we have some work to do before Christmas.

The big, green bowl

When Mama died, there were two things of hers that I wanted. The rocking chair and the big green bowl. I guess I wanted memories more than "things," really. My very earliest memories are of her rocking me in that chair when I had ear aches and who doesn't remember the bowl? It was almost always on the counter with the makings of some kind of bread inside. I couldn't find the green bowl for a long time. This summer I found it at the ranch. I'm pretty sure there are actually two green bowls- one was at the ranch and the other one was at home (in case someone else wants one) but I had to take this one with me.

I'm probably not the only one of her children that feels that Thanksgiving begins a bitter sweet time of year. As Mama's favorite holidays approach, I really try to focus on the happy memories and the making of new ones for my own kids. But it's hard to not be overwhelmed by the deep sense of loss of what this used to mean. I hope, this time, I can use the big, green bowls to help me keep perspective of all that I have to celebrate- and to add a little something to my cranberry bread, and rolls- and everything else I can dream up to cook!

The Little Dipper

The other kids taught Tucker to dip his graham crackers in milk. He thinks it is the best thing ever and wants it for every meal. Good thing we never have Oreos- he'd go nuts!

Oliver got to shovel snow for the first time!

He was so excited. The rest of us? Not so much.

Special Number Project

Emmaline had a project for math this term. Never heard of a math "project"? Neither had we- but she had to choose a number and research it extensively, then think of a way to present it. She made a poster listing all of it's properties like greatest common factor, characteristics of the "30's" in history and anything else she could think of having to do with 30. She also wanted a shirt to wear to make the presentation. I guess her teacher was impressed because he took a picture and had it posted on the Arts Academy website.


She was a little embarrassed because she didn't know it was there until people at school told her they had seen it. Kind of a fun idea for a subject that doesn't always lend itself to creativity.

Semantics

Tucker is very confused by the name "Winnie the Pooh." Once he brought me a little Pooh Bear figurine and asked, "Bear poo?" Finally, one day he called it "dog poo" and I laughed so hard, the name stuck. I guess this proves he is truly his father's son because the first time Tyler saw this book


he asked me, "Am I the only one that sees the irony in that?"

Happy Birthday Missionaries!

Since both of my nephews that are on missions have birthdays in January, my sisters thought it would be fun for everyone to take a family picture with a birthday wish to send to them. Since Kevin is in Malaysia, his packages have to be sent months in advance, so we had to get it done NOW! (Of course, I'm pretty sure we're the last one to do it... you know me and my big plans that are hard to do!) So this is our shot at it. I would post it in January, but I know I'll forget by then and they can't read a blog on their mission, right?!

Ta da!

I think Megan was embarrassed by our silliness.

Random Pictures

These are just a couple of random photos that I love.

Gavin, Emmaline, Oliver & Tucker watching Shrinky Dinks bake. That never gets old does it?!

Cupcakes that Emmaline made after church. Her creativity never ceases to amaze me!

Sharing the joy

I told a lot of people this story last Sunday on the phone, but it's one I don't want to miss having here!

During Sacrament Meeting, Oliver's teacher told this story. One of the other girls in class gave the teacher a sticker that had the word "joy" on it. Oliver said, "Can I touch your sticker 'cuz I want to share your joy." Clever! =)

Tucker Reading Scriptures

Ahh- I've kind of been stuck without a post because I wanted to use this one, but couldn't figure out how to do the video. Oh, technology- you never cease to baffle me.

Anyway, we usually don't have our kids participate in reading during our family scripture time until they have learned to read at least a little. But after last General Conference, we decided Tucker should try just repeating a verse or two. All I can say is, I wish we had done this sooner. It is so funny, our scripture time lasts about twice as long and everyone just sits there laughing, I mean- listening.

Tucker Reading Scriptures from Charlotte Huntzinger on Vimeo.

Savannah made straight A's!

This was quite a shock since at mid-term, she had several D's. It was pretty exciting after going to a school for 4 years that gives grades on a scale of 1-5. A "5" just doesn't look the same as an "A." I think she's as surprised as us- she just kept looking at it all through dinner saying, "I made straight A's!" Let's hope this continues.

Quote of the day

On Thursday night, Savannah began coming down with the stomach flu about bedtime. It was no surprise to me, then, when Tucker woke up crying. As I opened the door Oliver said, "Oh, Mama. Tucker is throwing up. It's like a nightmare come true." I couldn't agree more!!

Oliver's Creation

I'm sure this isn't nearly as interesting to anyone else, but I just LOVE the things this boy builds. This is a little dog. He even figured out a way to make a tail! This year in school has been a bit of an adjustment. He still took a 2 hour nap most days right up until school started. Although he is getting used to it, he is still a little teary some days. One day he told me, "There are just so many hours every day that I don't get to spend with you anymore." WoW- makes you want to home school!

Filling in the gaps

(Tucker needed a bit of snuggling to get warm at a soccer game.)

On Sunday, they reorganized our bishopric. Our bishop related that when he received his call, he was counseled to find men for the bishopric who "filled in the gaps" or had strengths in areas that he might be weak. I instantly thought- that is exactly what Tyler does for me! I think we probably couldn't be more different, but I like to think that we compliment each other perfectly.

Our courtship and marriage is a bit unconventional in that we've had to spend a lot more time apart than we would like. The most recent trip to Cebu for a little over 4 months was one of the hardest things we've done so far. I thought our marriage was strong before, but I've been amazed at how far we've come in the last year.

We met a couple of weeks before Tyler's 19th birthday, so we've kind of been looking forward to this time. Every day now means that our life together is longer than the time before we met. It's been amazing so far- I can't wait to see what the next 19 years holds for us!

Halloween

What an eventful Halloween! I felt like we spent more time searching for Tucker's costume than enjoying the festivities! When Tyler and I were in Cebu, we saw these old school Batman and Robin costumes and decided they would be perfect for the boys. Tucker LOVES his costume and wears it all the time. On Friday morning, I realized that his gloves were missing. I spent most of the day looking for them and therefore didn't notice, until right before our ward Halloween party, that his cape was also missing! I quickly slapped on Megan's (the dog) cape from her witch costume and we were off.


Don't you love Oliver's expression. I think he was really taking it seriously.


Emmaline's costume was a HUGE hit- both with people's reaction and the fact that it was enormous! (the pickle and "toothpick" on top had to be the best part)


Savannah was dressed as a teenager, I think! =) This is her friend Ritsuko.
When we got home from the party, I had Savannah help Tucker get ready for bed. Soooo.... I didn't notice until after dinner the next night, when we were dressing for trick-or-treat-ing (is that a word?) that Tucker's entire costume was missing! And of course Savannah had already left to got to Ritsuko's house and had no phone. I tried putting a clown costume on him, but he wouldn't hear of it! After 45 minutes, we found it. In his pajama cubby.

We only really have one Batman movie and it isn't the old kind, so there isn't a Robin. Tucker isn't sure who Robin really is. I think he actually thinks we are saying "Robber" because all night he ran around shrieking, "I'm Robba" (remember he does not enunciate) in his most serious voice. And speaking of robbers...


I love that Oliver dressed as Batman and his best friend dressed as a bank robber. That wasn't planned! (and Oliver is average height- his friend is just VERY tall) Emmaline had to be really careful as she walked up to houses. Only a few children were knocked down as she got the hang of her costume.

I'm pretty sure we're going to be sick from all this candy for weeks to come!