Cinema 8

Watch this new thriller based in the cozy living room. The big giant Dennis comes through with unstoppable force to attack all of the stuffed bears. The bear's friends try to distract the giant but he flings them off of his platform. Nothing can stop this giant's determination. Don't worry gals--no furry things were hurt during this filming.

This one is a comedy with a wierd twist. You have to see it to get what I mean. It ends up not that funny after all--I think the acting wasn't that great.

100 years

1909 was the year that my great-grandfather's sister was born--Margaret Kobs (she is the youngest in the picture above- my great grandpa is the young one on the left). She never got married but was the best aunt to all of her nieces and nephews (my grandpa). Then, she was the best great-aunt to all of her grand nieces and nephews (my mom). Then, she was the best great-great aunt to all of her great-grand nieces and nephews (me). And now, she is the best great-great-great aunt to all of her great-great grand nieces and nephews (dennis). She really is a remarkable lady. She would organize a family reunion for ALL of her family every summer (the kobs picnic) and they still get together. Every birthday we would get a $2 bill in the mail from her. She would often come to our sporting events. (hockey games, figure skating shows, volleyball games) And, she is going to turn 100 this year. Soooo many things have happened in the past 100 years. I bet she has quite a perspective on life. I wish that we could see her more often. Even though she never had a family of her own- she has the biggest family I have ever seen- covering generations.

Dennis is wearing the special outfit that came in the mail from her today and he looks soooo adorable. Thanks Aunt Margie!

Broken hearts to mend.

At school on Tuesday, one of my classes threw an inauguration party and we watched BET's news report after the inauguration. Everything was about race (obviously because it was BET)... that we picked a president because he was black, etc. It bothered me that it was that big of a deal that voting was because of race and not issues... but then I started to imagine what it was like for some of these people. I have students in my class whose grandparents lived in a segregated country. They lived through racism. Its so distant to me that I forget that it wasn't that long ago when blacks and whites couldn't go to school together, when blacks were thought of as less than whites. And, it is still so real to so many people. I think that many blacks make choices that they do because they still feel the ripple effect of a segregated America. And, I believe that this is a great step in healing their hearts. America is a pretty amazing place and we are just going to get better. We voted for a Black president with the middle name Hussein. Pretty awesome.

I finally finished the quilt that I was making for Dennis. I think it turned out pretty well. I can't post something without a picture of my two lovely men! I might be obsessed.

Takin after MOM

I think that my boy is so Beautiful! He is getting quite a bit of chub- its pretty cute. And, with the cold outside, he often has rosy cheeks. :)

One day, Ryan was walking around holding Dennis like this while he was getting the dogs out of their Crates. And, Dennis fell asleep! I guess when he's tired there's nothing that will stop him from sleeping.

I just thought Dennis was looking so old today. Ryan and I have noticed even his nose is changing and he is sitting up so tall!

Thank you Nonnie for the toy. Dennis loves it! Watch the video for direct feedback from him.

A new member of the family!

This is our new dog Bruno!

Now Buster has a friend to play with.

Dennis went to the doctor the other day for his 4 month and his doctor was once again, very impressed with Dennis. He weighs 13 lbs 4 oz. which is the 25% for his age!!!! And he is 23 inches which is the 15%! For being 7 weeks early, he is doing pretty darn well. Everytime I go to the doctor, he asks me a series of questions about Dennis' development. Last time, they asked if he was coo'ing.... which he wasn't really... just grunting. But, the next day or two, sure enough he started! And same with this time. They asked me if he was yelping for no reason but to excersize his vocal chords, and if he started grabbing things and bringing them to his mouth which he wasn't yet. But now he started to do both! Yahoo.

4 months!

This is Dennis when we first brought him home...

This is him now. Our boy is growing so big!

Watch this video to see how much fun he has in his bath.

Kaysville Christmas

We had so much fun at Christmas this year. It was our first Christmas in KaysvilleEvery year we draw names and make that person a gift. This year Kristen drew Dennis' name. She made him a box with shapes inside that make noise when you shake them. Dennis drew Taylor's name and made him a shirt that says, "worlds best uncle".Taylor drew Kristen. He made her a white board with cork board cut outs of a tennis ball and racket. Camille drew me. She made me a watch with a beaded band.
I drew Katrina and made her a necklace and some earings. Katrina drew Camille and made her a wall hanging that you can clip quotes and pictures onto with clothes pins on chicken wire. Ryan drew Benson and made him a bug jar. Benson drew Ryan and made him a book with a secret hiding place in the middle. Where he found a brain teaser (special design by Benson). We played a lot of Wii. Mario kart was so fun. It took up our whole vacation. One day we played for 13 hours (or at least it was on that long).

Once Dennis got over his cold, he was all smiles!

He had plenty of people to hold and love him.

He got to meet his great grandpa Dennis- Who he was named after.

Nonnie loved being with her grandbabies.
And Benson loved Dennis... sometimes a little too much.

Here Dennis is trying to convince Camille to come out to St. Louis and take care of him.

We put a puzzle together of the world. Where is Maldives?

Benson wants to play baseball for BYU. He is trying to convince his parents that the true blue is for BYU. Ryan got to meet up with his good friend Kevin.
We had such a wonderful time. And, we're now well rested and ready to go back to work.