"You get a line, I'll get a pole-We'll go fishin in the crawfish hole"

The Allens brought over some crawdads for dinner and we invited Hoa to join us. I made chicken, french fries, and corn-for those who don't like crawdads. Rachel and I were willing to try them, they have a very mild taste. But either of us aren't huge fans of eating food that still has its eyeballs attached. I think we need to have the Allens over for dinner every Sunday because it makes us clean our house:)

Clayton liked pretending that the crawdad claw pinched his fingers:


Notice the curtains^ We went to IKEA yesterday and got some for the kitchen and the living room. It helps it feel more like a home than a rental. Plus we can take them with us when we move. I would paint that ugly wooden panel behind the table, but I don't want to pour time and money into our rental, when I can't take that with me-I'm a lazy cheap skate.

On a side note, it snowed in Tucson this morning and hailed. And I didn't get any pictures to show for it.

Rodeo break

In Tucson we don't get school off for President's Day, but we do get two days off for Rodeo break. The kids had fun staying in play clothes all day. We even danced some-this dance move reminds me of the church dances:
I can't remember what that dance move is called-something fish maybe? Marlee's move looks more like the plank exercise.


Clayton wanted me to take a picture of how buff he was. When he flexed his arms it popped off his glow stick bracelets-very amazing Clayton:)


Laun is back from a conference he attended. We were so happy to have him home. He brought back treats like always-candy rocks. Clayton reminds me of Vanna White- the way he is showing the candy.

It's not easy being green

Marlee decided that this guy would look better with a green face. Porter who is the owner of the $50 bill didn't agree for some reason. Luckily the bank still took it.

YUM

The picture just doesn't do justice for this meal. I made this prickly pear glaze with some of Laun's prickly pear syrup for the chicken. These tasty sweet potatoes were from a recipe I found on Cuisine Nie. And then I made some orzo pasta and asparagus to go with it. This will now be one of my favorite meals. A meal this good has to be documented:)

I am a Child of God

This video was taken on April 10, 2007, at Cooper's viewing/funeral. Porter is just barely 3 and he is singing,"I am a Child of God." I will apologize now that you get to hear me singing with him, he needed help to remember the words. This video is bittersweet for me-one beautiful child singing, while another beautiful child lay in his casket. It is hard for me to imagine what Porter and Clayton were going through, they were just so young when Cooper died. They have really learned a lot more about the gospel and eternal families because of Cooper. Cooper really has been a missionary for our boys, for all of us. I love this video of Porter, he has the sweetest little voice and face.

Pinewood Derby...

Clayton was very excited for his 1st Pinewood Derby. His car was bright yellow and looked like a piece of cheese. Clayton and Laun had a good time making it and they are already talking about how to make a faster one next year:)

The line up-Clayton's yellow car is easy to spot.



How Marlee eats an Oreo cookie:

I think it's time...

to get Marlee a doll with hair.

story time

Some are better at pretending to be asleep than others.
Laun was telling the kids a story about six toes-the bear. I'm sure it's a real story:)

The 2 play pens are the twins, so with our boys bunk bed their room has 4 beds-nice and cozy, or just claustrophobic.

Andy's family came to visit...

My brother Andy's family recently moved back to AZ and we're glad they live closer. They came down to Tucson for a visit.


Porter and Avery played the game mouse trap.


We went out for lunch and then to the International Wildlife Museum:

There was lots of frogs to see


Marlee looks like such a big girl compared to baby Monson

This room was filled with all kinds of insects






There was all kinds of skeletons

This is a killer whale skull

Clayton really liked the section about taxidermy

Marlee ran from one exhibit to the next-she was so excited




Avery thought of this pose on her own

This room has lots of animals

Josiah and Marlee under a giraffe

I just love Monson's chubby cheeks


And I thought I had a big nose

The tiny animal is a Royal Antelope

This room reminds me of Cabella's mountain


Marlee didn't like sitting on this

All the kids loved pretending to be a ferret


This mammoth was huge

The boys loved reading books about animals


Cutest 2-headed lion I've ever seen



Josiah was real happy when he had this

And not so happy when he had to share it-reminds me of Marlee:)


Our family

Andy's family