Bowling

Andy's boss put together a little 'family night' at a local bowling alley for all the employees at Wells Fargo. Ewan rocked the house. . .

. . . with a little help from daddy.

Singing Time. . .

When we have Family Home Evening on Mondays, we usually begin our little meeting with a song.

As you can see, singing time is not
the most popular part of FHE.

FHE - Christmas Magic

We decided to mix it up a little bit this month and try something new: we went to the Christmas Magic at Rocky Ridge Park. Basically, it is a half-mile trail lit with Christmas lights with a couple detours in some heated buildings. The kids had a ball and it was definitely worth the money, with a coupon of course. (To print your own coupon, click HERE.)
One of the buildings had a huge electric train. We tried to catch a quick photo, but ended up holding the line back. "Let's get a move on!"
The boys' favorite part: being able to tell Santa what they want for Christmas.
I'm sure you can guess that every item dealt with some sort of video game system.
Being a little Scrooge-like, I told the boys that I had already told Santa that we had enough video games so they might want to think about something else. (Yes, Bah-humbug!)
Ewan was a little camera-shy the entire night. This could have been a great Christmas card photo, if only he hadn't felt so bashful. Ewan did have fun that night, he just wasn't in to the camera thing.

The BIG FHE

On the second Sunday of each month, we have been getting together with Andy's family for a Family Home Evening. Tonight was our turn to host. We watched a short movie on lds.org, then we decorated gingerbread cookies!
Alexandra paid meticulous attention to every tiny detail. I think we may have a young artist on our hands!
Isabel was too quick to eat her cookie before I could get her picture. I tried to get pictures of the boys' cookies, but it just didn't happen.
While we were in the living room listening to Michael and Sarah's happy news, Abric decided it was his cue to head back into the dining room and scavenge the green icing.
The good news: I was actually able to get the green icing out of that white shirt.

The better news: Michael and Sarah will be adding their own little 'Coy Boy' to the mix! We couldn't be more thrilled!

FHE- The Good Samaritan

For Family Home Evening tonight, we made our own movie of the parable of 'The Good Samaritan'.
(Disclaimer: You may or may not see a flash of underoos.)

FHE and PB Cups

Messy

Chocolatey

Tasty

Family

FHE- MIni golf

Ahoy, we went t' play miniature golf for Family Eve. It was on a pirate ship.

Arrr, look at those boys with their balls.

Aye, their dad taught them how t' putt.

Aye, look at Ewan's little putter.

Aye, me parrot concurs.

Aye, and thanks t' this translator t' help me translate int' pirate speak.

Gar.

Family Night---- Service

Our family was in great need of having a lesson about serving others. (It just wasn't happening, especially after endless hours together in the van.) I combined a simple lesson that I found in the book Another Year of Family Home Evenings by Karen Crossley and Roberta Hunter and an idea for Popsicle Stick Jobs that I got from lurking on one of my friend's sister's blog.

Basically the lesson went like this:

Sang, prayed, read Mosiah 2:17. Talked about how serving others is part of Heavenly Father's plan. Talked about different ways we can serve others, then we wrote the ideas down on popsicle sticks. The idea is to have the kids draw a popsicle every day this week and they have to perform that act of service. (I'll let you know how it goes after the week is through.)

Here is Andy's favorite act of service.

Posers.

Harrison's Lesson

We let Harrison have his first turn to be in charge of Family Home Evening.  He was so excited about it and did such a good job, that I thought I would show you his lesson plan:
0- do an opening prayer.

1-  learn about thing.

2- Read a part of the Book of Mormon.

3- Play a game that we all like.

4- Learn how Jesus was born with powers. 

5- Sing five songs. 

6- Do an closing prer.

7- Wach a Jesus movie.

8- eat one or two cookies.

Here is how is lesson played out.  He was so cute.  We had him conduct, so he had Ewan give the opening prayer.  Then Harrison said, "OK, now we have to learn about things.  Zane tell us something we can learn."

Zane sits to ponder.

Harrison said, "Zane tell about how trees grow."

Zane "Well, if you eat an apple and find the seeds, you can put them in the brown slimy stuff (I know he knows the word for dirt) and then you watch them grow and they become a tree."

We moved on to #2, which flowed quite nicely with the whole learning about things because Andy read from Alma 32 about likening your faith to a seed.

Since we all like to play Duck, Duck, Goose,  we played that for a couple minutes.  Ewan really liked the running in circles part.

Now, my personal favorite, we learned how Jesus was "born with powers".   We discussed how this was possible because Christ had an earthly mother and a heavenly father.

Harrison had us sing five songs because he wanted everyone to have a turn to pick a song.  He made sure that everything was very fair.  (He is definitely a Libra.)

We watched a clip from Joy to the World for our movie.

Then we had the closing prayer and had 2 cookies.  (You can't just have one cookie, you know.)

"Haul out the Holly...."

Haul out the holly;

Put up the tree before my spirit falls again.

Fill up the stocking,

I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now.

For we need a little Christmas

Right this very minute,

Candles in the window,

Carols at the spinet.

Yes, we need a little Christmas

Right this very minute.

It hasn't snowed a single flurry,

But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry;

So climb down the chimney;

Put up the brightest string of lights I've ever seen.

Slice up the fruitcake;

It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough.

For I've grown a little leaner,

Grown a little colder,

Grown a little sadder,

Grown a little older,

And I need a little angel

Sitting on my shoulder,

Need a little Christmas now.

FHE- Thankful Tree

For Family Home Evening tonight we made a Thankful Tree. I had gotten the idea from my friend, Rebecca, so I bookmarked the idea away for this year. See Family Fun for instructions.

At first, the boys started writing down things like "my DS" or "my gameboy", but then they really started to get into the spirit of writing down what they were truly thankful for.
Some of the things that we are thankful for:

• our family
• Jesus Christ
• brothers
• friends
• our health
• mom and dad
  

FHE

Zach and Stacie were the hosts for Family Home Evening this month. (My parents and brothers hold a FHE each month and take turns who hosts, cook dinner, makes dessert, gives a lesson, and brings a game.) We were just missing Andy and Beau.
Ewan, Connor, and Logan are still trying to get to know each other. Poor Logan just wasn't a happy camper today. Teething sure isn't fun.
We also celebrated Jens's birthday since we were together. Tiffany made a yummy banana cream pie from her Deceptively Delicious cookbook. It had pureed yellow squash and cantaloupe mixed with the banana pudding. It actually was really good and tasted just like banana cream pie. Happy Birthday, Jens. I still can't believe my little brother just turned the big 3-0.

Red Light, Green Light

We have had some major problems with listening lately, especially with the H-man. (I know, big surprise.) So for Family Home Evening we had a lesson about listening and then played Red Light, Green Light. The boys really liked playing the game. My favorite part was when Harrison was "it". Andy purposefully didn't listen to him and did the opposite from what Harrison said. Harrison was getting frustrated. Andy told him, "See, it is frustrating when you are talking and someone isn't listening." I seriously think a light bulb started to shine over Harrison's head, just like in the cartoons. Something actually clicked.
We also like Ewan's Frankenstein pose every time someone said, "Red Light". He didn't completely understand the game, but he was giggling the entire time so we knew he had fun. Afterwards, we went inside for ice cream, gave the boys a bath and put them in bed. It was a relaxing night.

Take me out to the ball game...

Tonight was Buck-A-Book night at the York Revolution baseball game. Harrison had the oppurtunity to be a part of the pre-game event because he had raised a certain amount of money through Buck-A-Book, a program through the York Literacy Council. (Again, thanks to all of those who helped sponsor him! He won an iPod Shuffle, which he listens to all the time. His favorite song right now is "We Will Rock You" by Queen.)

He got the oppurtunity to meet some of the players on the team and got some of their autographs. He also got a chance to meet Downtown, the fluffy blue mascot of the team. Harrison gave him a high five.
Yeah, we were so proud of this picture. We've decided to use this one as blackmail for when he is older. Did he think that no one could see him? He was in center field for heavens sake!
Ewan was fascinated by Downtown. . . until he came and sat down by us. Then Ewan made a beeline for Daddy's lap.
Zane and Andy were lucky enough to be a part of the three-legged race. They were on the TV team. Zane's shirt was down to his ankles, but they still managed to tie for first place.Zane won this baseball for the three-legged race. He was so proud of it and wouldn't let go of it all night. With a Ball Park hot dog in one hand and his ball in the other, Zane was set for the night.

We left the game just before the 5th inning. It was getting late and it is still a school night. Here is a picture of the boys in front of the Brooks Robinson statue, who used to play for York before he was drafted by the Orioles. (I only know who he is because of Sleepless in Seattle. Both Meg Ryan and Tom Hank's characters think that Brooks Robinson was the greatest baseball player. Remember that movie? That is one I could watch over and over again.)

Anyway, it was a GREAT night at the ball game. Aside from Harrison picking his nose in front of half of York County, the boys were very good.

The Farm Show

For Family Home Evening tonight, we met up with Michael & Sarah and Alexandra & Isabel and went to the Farm Show. This was my first time going to the Farm Show, but I guess it is a pretty big deal here, especially since the newly-elected Governor named his cabinet here in 2002. :D
It was only $5 to park, and then entry was free. (yeah!) We went to the food court first. I got a bowl of chicken corn chowder and it was amazing! I need to find a good recipe for that. I'm thinking it is an Amish dish???? Anyway, then Michael and Sarah bought some maple cotton candy. That was surprisingly good! The kids all got ice cream cones, but I had a taste for maple in my mouth after that and got a maple sundae: vanilla ice cream with real maple syrup drizzled on top. After that, we saw the square-dancing competition for a little bit. Yes, that man is competing with his baby in a backpack.
Next thing to see was the animals. This man had his alpaca out and we took the photo oppurtunity. I really can't explain what happens to Zane as soon as I get the camera out. This calf was only 1 week old. There was another calf there that had been born this morning. A new life is such a miracle. We were even able to see some chicks hatching out of their shells.
This HAD to be the fluffiest bunny I have ever seen. It looks like a dog, but it is really a bunny with super long hair. (Can you even call it fur???)

Harrison's Quote of the Day

For Family Home Evening tonight, we had a lesson about obedience. We told the story of Jonah and the whale. We are trying to enforce that the boys need to listen and obey the first time we tell them, not the 5th or 15th time, etc.

So, as we are wrapping up the lesson, Harrison keeps asking that if he doesn't obey, that a big fish will come eat him.

Andy: A whale won't come and eat you, but a policeman will if you don't listen.

Harrison: No, Daddy. A policeman won't come eat me. He is too short and fat like you.