Thanksgiving Joy School

Today the Joy School Thanksgiving party was at our house. We had a great time learning about the pilgrims and their Indian friends. We read stories, made a list of everything they are thankful for, sang songs, and made corn bread and candy turkeys. The boys made Indian hats and sang "Ten Little Indians" for this video (sorry it is so bright).

Vacation to New York City

We took a family vacation to New York City this week. We had a great time watching Broadway numbers in Bryant Park, visiting Times Square and spending a day at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

New York City skyline

Dalton wants to eat the jelly bellies at the NBC studios.

Dalton likes the Statue of Liberty.

Enjoying the ferry ride.

Life size Candyland game at Toys R Us in Times Square.

Lollipop anyone?

Did you hear that dinosaur roar?

Riding in the Scooby Doo car on the giant ferris wheel in Toys R Us.

Riding the carousel at Bryant Park in NYC.

Dalton's 3rd Birthday

Dalton was very excited to turn 3 years old. He is so tall that most people assumed that he was at least three already. He really liked the balloons and cupcakes.

Dalton had a Disney Cars birthday party with his friends Devin, Evan and Keenan. Some of his other good friends were on vacation. They played a Cars matching game and bingo before opening presents and playing with the rip cars - Mater and Lightening McQueen.

Dalton had a great time with his friends!

Dancing with the Stars workout

This morning I was doing my exercise to the Dancing with the Stars workout video. I didn't get it done before Kirsten went to school, so Dalton was in the room with me. He resisted my invitations for him to join in, so he was in the corner playing cars. At one point while I was doing the samba the instructor said "you can use your arms if you want to look more sexy." A little voice from the corner shouted "Don't do sexy." I don't even think he knows what it means, but it was sure funny.

Busy life - little blogging

Okay, I am sorry that I have not been posting to my blog much this year. I have been really busy. I will make a quick list to let you know what I have been doing:

January

• Completing my American Genealogy Course!!! They sent me a certificate to hang on my wall, but I don't like the brown and orange color scheme.
• Costuming for Kirsten's middle school drama club production of "Oklahoma"
• Ordering and returning films for the local Family History Center (new calling - ongoing responsibililty)

February (out of town for much of the month)

• Taking a family vacation to Disneyworld
• Preparing handouts for four family history classes (to be presented at the Washington D.C. Family History Conference in April)
• Spending two weeks in Utah for my sister's wedding and visiting family

March

• Helping Kirsten with long term projects
• Preparing a proposal to speak at the National Genealogical Society conference in 2009 (which is a longshot to get accepted, but a big step for me)
• Teaching Dalton his numbers
• Preparing powerpoint presentations for four family history classes
• Playing with my family for spring break
• Assisting with the organization of an online professional genealogy study group
• Preparing for and presenting the first of two multi-stake Family History Consultant Training sessions

April

• Completing business records and filing taxes
• Presenting four family history classes at the Washington D.C. Family History Conference
• Preparing for and presenting the second of two multi-stake Family History Consultant Training sessions
• Teaching Dalton to throw and catch a ball (ongoing)

Okay, so making my list I realize that a great portion of my time (when I am not playing with my kids) is spent on family history. That is because it is my hobby, my calling and my profession. I love it! Let me know if you ever need help with yours.

Tangled hair

Yesterday Dalton and I were eating lunch together. After some small talk he looked over at me and said "Your hair is tangled." What was I to say? I could only laugh at his observation.

Playing with the First Presidency

Today Dalton was playing with some 5 inch figures of different occupational characters. After he told me what each one was, i.e. doctor, fire fighter, police officer, etc., I came over to the computer to check my email. I was not really paying close attention to him until I heard "President Eyring." Then I listened as he lined up the figures and said, "President Monson" and then "President Hinckley." I was really touched that he thought of these names for his toys.

Before General Conference we reviewed who was in the First Presidency. When I asked Dalton who our new prophet was he said "President Monson. President Hinckley died." Dalton is only two, but he has a great memory and a love for church leaders.

Amy and Rick join us in Florida

Kirsten and Dalton had a very pleasant surprise when they got to Florida - Aunt Amy and her friend Rick were there to join us for our Disneyworld vacation! The kids loved both Amy and Rick. We had a great time together.

Kirsten was glad to have more people to go on rides with her.

Dalton was happy to see Aunt Amy

It was easy to say goodbye to Amy because we had such a fun time, and we were going to see her again in ten days at Lisa's wedding.

Rick was tall enough to get Dalton in a picture with Rocket (from Little Einsteins).

Kirsten and Rick going on the Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger ride.

Rick scored the most points in our group.

Kirsten, Amy and Dalton in front of the Lake at Epcot.

Disneyworld

We had a fabulous time at Disneyworld February 8-12th. We took a family trip down to Florida and spent one day at each of the Disneyworld parks. We enjoyed the warm weather and a break away from school and work. Dalton did not like to get his picture with the characters as much as Kirsten did at this age (of course, her pictures were with all the princesses), but he did like to ride the rides. His favorites were Dumbo and Pirates of the Carribean. Kirsten also liked the rides and roller coasters, especially if she had to go twice - once with each parent while the other waited with Dalton.

McGhies at the Sorcerer's Hat at Disney Hollywood Studios.
Taking the corner too fast.

Spinning in the teacups.

Does Dalton look happy to be at Disneyworld? He calls it "his" castle.

Both kids got to drive on the speedway.

Family picture with the Mike and Sully from Monster's Inc.

Dalton riding on the carosel. This may be the happiest place on earth.