Explanation

We are Auntie and Uncle
When my nephew, Isaac, was little he couldn't say Lane. All we got from Uncle Lane was Uncle.
It stuck
When my dear Aunt Lois passed away, whom I always referred to as "auntie"
I thought about our sweet relationship, all the things we did together, all she taught me, and decided I would carry on her legacy and be Auntie, it goes so well with Uncle!
The kids still call us Deenise (that's the way Em's boys say it, too cute!) or niece, or Lane
but we're generally referred to as Auntie and Uncle.
We love the nieces and nephews and love being the favorite...and work hard to earn that status! We spoil them like crazy and love every minute of it!
In my opinion, every aunt and uncle, every niece or nephew, every grandma or grandpa should be the favorite. Who couldn't use a little more lovin'?
If this is anything like grandparenting....wahoo!

Helping Uncle

Hannah loves to help and the garage is no exception.
When she saw Uncle was out there, she bustled out to help!

"Just how does this work?" No detail escapes her...

They were sorting hardware
...and being cute...
she especially loved the washers that fit on her fingers
or a clean something she dared put in her mouth!
Precious moments.

17th Birthday

On Sunday we celebrated with close-by family. Grandma Shakespeare made her famous cheesecake, Mmmmm!

Birthday morning.
I made her get up extra early so she could open her presents before school! I'd already waited too long...

Isn't she beautiful?!?!
We love her so much!
What will this year bring???

And aways a friend party with a pinata!
This would be the remains of the fish...and Mycami was here from Ogden!
Happy Birthday, Claire

Enough snow for FUN!

January 2, 2009

The look on her face...
the super cute matching snow outfit...
Yeah for enough snow to really play in!

Or sand....

Fun at the game center

On New Year's Eve we took a trip to BYU to play skee ball and go bowling. Skee ball was broken and there were no lanes for bowling. Plan B. We'll just play games for the thirty minutes we have....Kirkwoods came with us and made it even more fun!
I don't know if Scott and Amy have ever played Air Hockey with the girls but we did (it wasn't broken!) and they loved it!

I would have NEVER let one of my children get on the hockey table! I'm terribly indulgent. I hope my sis doesn't pay for this one! Sorry sis, I'll do better at giving them boundaries...

Jody walked around with a pocket full of quarters. Hannah took hers and went straight for the basketball toss. In go the quarters and the fun begins. That was hysterical, I assure you! She'd finish one activity and immediately scan the room for the next spot of adventure.

Hannah is so delightful to be around. It's very apparent that her body is NOT keeping up with her mind. She wants to be involved in everything. So, we treat her like she's five and then there are no powers struggles. Don't underestimate her!
Lucy was just as energetic in search for new fun. Skee Ball is just the standard activity! What to do when it's not an option??? She loved hunting and air hockey...it's fun to watch her "get" it. She new exactly how the game worked and gave it all her concentration.

What an exhilarating and exhausting thirty minutes! Thanks for sharing your sweet girls, we love 'em!

Stephen's wedding

We're still waiting for the wedding photos. I'll post them as soon as I get them! If you'd like to visit their shower websight, there is a photo there...
weddingshowerlizsteve.blogspot.com
For now, here's a photoless report. On the 19th, we were blessed to travel in the small pockets of good weather. Dennis met us in California that same day. We spent the evening relaxing and getting aquainted with Elizabeth's Uncle Earnst and Aunt Mary Lynn. Stephen spent that one night in our hotel room. it was delihtful tried on his DI wardrobe I'd brought him. Honestly, that leather jacket is to die for! had some mommy snuggles, all that good stuff.

Christmas Morning

Claire wanted all of us to sleep by the Christmas Tree, so, we pulled out all the camping pads and lots of blankets. It was fun, not the most comfortable night, but so fun to be together. Notice all the matching jammie pants!
They never get too old for that.

I love my chairs!

Georgous aren't they?!?!?
So comfortable, worth the wait, I love them!