Meggie and Jake

I just wanted to show off my cutie niece and nephew. We miss Meggie and Jake so much. It's wonderful to see what fun things they are doing. Looking at the pictures reminds me of our dad teaching us how to waterski. We love you guys!!!

Happy Birthday

Saturday was Spencer's birthday. I would like to report that it was a great day and he had a birthday worthy of the wonderful father and husband that he is, but between all the sick people in the house I think it was a bit of a disappointment. He took Nolan to the doctor; Nolan had a high temp and a sore throat which we think is probably strep throat because strep is going around his class.

I felt so bad for the awful day he was having that I drove down to MEC and bought him a day pack that he has apparently wanted for quite some time. When I gave it to him it was the first time that I had seen him smile all day, so he must have enjoyed it. Then he went to the driving range with one of his friends and to the movie "Nacho Libre". It was, and I quote, "Not quite as good as Napoleon Dynamite, but pretty damn close". He has been quoting lines from the movie all morning and the mini Spencer (Nolan) has been joining in the fun, so I see another movie obsession in my future; I just hope it doesn't reach the heights of ND.

Since no one felt like eating cake yesterday, we waited until after church today. It was very rich and tasty. Take note of the haze of smoke when he blew out the candle. I think he is getting to the age when we need to only put 20 candles on the cake; we may burn the house down next year.

Happy Birthday Spencer; we love you and are very thankful to have you in our lives. You keep our lives full of excitement and happiness!

Tall Dark and Handsome

Just wanted to show off what a good looking man I'm married to.

Father's Day

Today is Father's day and I wanted to pay a tribute to the two greatest dad's I know. I was very blessed to have wonderful dad. I remember countless hours playing basketball with my dad, whether it on the driveway or at the church; I still remember the first time I obtained victory over my dad in a game of one on one. It was a sweet moment.

I'm also very blessed to have a wonderful dad for my kids. I love to watch Spencer play with the boys, listen to their stories and teach them the things they need to know. They are lucky boys.

Happy Father's Day!

Fort Whyte

Yesterday was one of those perfect days that you just have to get out and do something fun; and fun for us was a visit to the Fort Whyte center. Fort Whyte is a natural land preservation with lots of sights to see. Nolan has recently become interested in identifying different types of birds, so we went on the bird tour.

First we started our visit off by a visit to the Prairie Dogs. Where I grew up Prairie Dog were called gophers and people shot them for entertainment; so it is always a little odd to me that the Prairie Dogs are the main attraction of the day. Anyhow, while our kids were watching the Prairie Dog we enjoyed a nice picnic lunch. It was easy to tell that the P.D. had been feed once or twice before, because as soon as they saw that the kids had food in their hands, they ran over and started the chirp at the kids. They we quickly rewarded for their efforts as my totally selfless Jarom was willing to share his watermelon with them.

After the picnic we headed off down the path and were rewarded when we stopped by a little pond to see a mother goose and her goslings. We watched them for awhile and just as we were about to move on another goose came and tried to invade the mother gooses territory. That mother goose when after that other goose in such a fashion that sent everyone hearts a pump'in. I was just glad that it wasn't my Jarom she was going after.

Further down our path we were able to get a good look at the buffalo and then it was off to the tree house. The kids had the best time climbing up and down the tree house and looking at the view from way up; they were able to see lots of bones which they quickly decided must be dead buffalo bones.

Then to cool off we dipped our feet in the water, it was a little nasty, but it felt so good I didn't much care. Greg had all the other kids convinced fishes were eating his toes, then all of a sudden all the kids were getting their toes nibbled. After our little dip in the pond we went to the bird feeling area and tried to see some birds. This was sort of a lost cause due to the fact that we had 6 kids. Quite and kids just do not go hand in hand.

We all had the greatest time and just to add the icing on the cake we stopped off at the local Dairy Queen for an ice-cream treat. Yum Yum!

Tall, Dark and Hideous

Amen

Jarom loves to be read to, everytime we finish reading a book and I turn the very last page he always says,"Amen".

Stitch

The pictures about says it all. Jarom cut his finger on my rotary material cutter and went in to hysterics. He freaks out at the sight of his own blood, he screamed so loud that anyone who heard him would think he had cut his finger off. He had to get one stitch and by that way that Jarom screamed I'm sure all the people in the waiting room thought he was getting his finger cut off. A couple of minutes ago his band aid fell off and that in and of it's self was so traumatic he sat on the couch staring at his finger and screaming.


Soap Operas and Bon Bons!
The last couple of weeks have been extremely busy for me. Most of the time I felt like I barely had enough time to accomplish the things that I had to accomplish not to mention the activities that I would like to accomplish. Today after I picked Nolan up from school and told him that I had to run a couple of earns, he heaved a big sigh and in an exasperated voice said "Mom, I'm beginning to think you don't do anything all day". I guess all the Court boys really do think that I watch soap operas and eat bon bons all day.

Down by the Station

Last week-end our good friend the VanWagenens came for a visit. Since Steven is in charge of managing a railroad line, the VanWagenen's invited the Court's, and the Taylor's to take the train out for a spin. Actually the train needed to be gassed up- we were the lucky ones to deliver the train to the station. Everyone had the opportunity to drive the train (even Annie and I), blow the whistle and ring the bell. While the train was being filled up, the kids ran around the track, and discovered every square inch of the train. The parents were a little on edge, worrying the kids would fall off the train, but worrying was all for not. We had the greatest time; Jarom and Mahlon still talk about the train ride. They are our little engineers; it was a dream come true for them to be able to ride on the train and even better to drive the train. Thanks Steven!!!

For a more detailed account of our Party week-end with Sam see Anne's blog site.

Goliath

Saturday we had our second primary activity of the year. The focus of the activity was Family Home Evening and Scripture study. One of activities we did was the story of David and Goliath. Spencer did this life sized poster of Goliath. I was shocked to see the size of Goliath. If I was David I would have run away. Anyhow, after the story of David and Goliath was told, all the kids got to "sling shot" mini marshmallow at Goliath to see if they could hit him in the forehead. It was a fun morning for all!

Lessons I've learned from Motherhood...

Continued...

3) I can accomplish a lot more with love and patience than I can with shouting and impatience.

4) Love and patience takes way more energy than shouting and impatience.

5) Attitude makes all the difference.

Air Guitar

watch for the second time Nolan swings his arm after jarom enters the picture!