Rub a dub dub, three hulks in my tub

Watch out We are lean
Mean

Fighting machines

Roarrrrr!

Big Booty- Big Belly

Hard to take with the self timer.

Not good pics, but it shows the big belly. Only one more week to work out, hopefully less but I am not holding my breath.

Happy Birthday James

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY JAMES!

James has been waiting and talking about a batman cake four about 5 months straight. It's hard to beleive the day has finally arrived.

Batman

I'm a big kid now!

Now that I am three I have big boy undies and I am looking forward to my big boy bed.

James is such a sweet fun little boy. We absolutely could not imagine life without him. Everyday with him brings new adventures, sayings and attitude. Thanks for being such wonderful little boy. Happy Birthday!!

Love Mom & Dad

Hands up for Trustworthiness

Way to go Johnny!

TRUSTWORTHY

We are so proud of Johnny for getting the award for TRUSTWORTHINESS, I can't think of a better award I would want him to get. He really is such a good sweet boy, who for the most part always tells the truth even if he knows he is going to get in trouble. I hope he always keeps this up. This award is kind of a big deal. Johnny got to put his hand print and his name on one of the pillars at school right in the front entrance so all can see. Johnny and another classmate were the only ones in his class to receive the award. Way to go Johnny! We are so pleased with you.

Love Mom and Dad

Happy Birthday # 5

George's 5th Birthday

Happy Brithday to a great boy!

George had a great birthday this year starting with a sleepover with his favorite boy Sotir. They woke up to his favorite cereal Lucky Charms then they went outside to ride the fourwheeler for a bit. After the fourwheeler fun wore off we decided to take the boys over to Chuck E. Cheese for a dose of fun, SARS and hepatitis C. CEC is a great place where you really get a bang for your buck, spending $30 on tokens to win a fiddy cent prize hardly seems worth the trouble but the boys love it and that is why we are here, to make sure our children are happy. After a sanitizing rinse we headed over to Noodles and Co to eat dinner with the Markoffs (Jen and Nick), Markoffs (Matt and Kolette) the Bonds (Rob and Jill) and the Martinis (Eric and Anjie). We all came back to our studio apartment for strawberry shortcake, that is what George picked for his birthday cake, he just loves the stuff. George got some really cool presents and he especially loves his new art set that Aunt Jen got him. (referenced in the above picture). To close the day out we all took our kids swimming over to the Germantown indoor pool. All in all it was a great day and George was so excited to get calls from all his family out west. Happy Birthday buddy.... Love Mom and Dad...

FYI....Johnny can't wait to get calls on his birthday.

Jolly Ole St. Nick at (Pooles General Store)

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,A
nd away they all flew like the down of a thistle.- - -

I just love George's face in this picture.

CHRISTMAS 2008

We just wanted everyone to meet our newest member of our household this Christmas season. Razler the elf hails from Rekjavik Iceland but has lived with Santa and the other elves since 1908. Razler wanted to succeed in everything he did, so he took up toy making at the tender age of 8 and worked tirelessly making children's Christmas' memorable. After retiring from toy making at 23 Razler studied hard to become the North Pole's first ever OB/GYN. From 1938 to 1988 he successfully delivered 34,000 elves. A record that still stands today at the North Pole. After a brief sabatical Razler decided to inquire about a santa's helper position as he thought this would be easy on the body and soul. A career jump that he has enjoyed ever since and we are so fortunate to have him in our home this Christmas.

Welcome Razler!!

Sewing 101

Sewing 101 at the Kentlands ward.

Brought to us by a very talented teacher Terri Sabin

* Second project was this little girls apron.

*First project was a receiving blanket.

*Next project an adult apron.

Each month we do a new sewing project that teaches us new tricks and techniques. I can hardly believe I am sewing in a straight line. I am having fun learning , but can tell I have a long way to go before it all makes sense. The math part of sewing is what fowls me up every time. That and I am still learning how to read and follow a pattern. Can't wait for the next one.

HOW SAFE A DRIVER ARE YOU?

Created by The Car Connection

The Perfect Day!

A Great Day of Thanksgiving!

Mary and the chief

Miller Family

Bond family

(Best dressed)

Markoff family

The whole gang

Good food, fun and family

We all gathered at the cottage for dinner and it was decorated so beautifully. The pictures don't even begin to do it justice. The food was delicious and the decorations were amazing. The mood was wonderful and the company even better. We all had beautiful pictures and quotes at each of our place settings. We took turns going around the room reading our great quotes from past presidents and leaders of our country. Then we went around again saying what we are grateful for. Let me just say again "I am so grateful for Natalie and her hard work making this an unforgettable Thanksgiving and all the Markoffs for including us in this magical day. To end off the day we went back to Natalie's and had yummy pies of every kind. She gave each family the most precious book of pictures from the Thanksgiving before with a poem/story that went along with each page. It was the perfect day, and Thanksgiving is quickly becoming my favorite holiday.

Talent show

Piano, jokes, skits, singing, poetry, dancing, and accordion playing.

This year was the adults turn to put on a talent show. It was a much dreaded event by some, especially me, but it turned out to be really fun. In third place was the singing duo Jennifer and Alex, in second place the cheerleaders "perfect cheer and dance" by me and Johnny. First place was taken by the most talented chief playing the accordion. There was a good mix of talents and it was fun to have the kids participate by scoring the event.

Activities

Archery, walnut toss, horse races, and the best tricks on a horse

Little Nicholas Markoff won the $20 prize by hitting the smallest turkey pumpkin smack dab in the middle of the heart. Natalie Markoff came in with the second best shot and a $5 prize. The Indians overall did better in the archery. The Pilgrims won the walnut toss. The Indians won the horse race due to the Pilgrims getting a slow horse and Nick getting bucked off (OUCH!!) The Pilgrims came back to even the score by winning the best tricks on a horse.

Pilgrims and Indians

"WE MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT AMERICA IS A GREAT NATION TODAY NOT BECAUSE OF WHAT GOVERNMENT DID FOR THE PEOPLE BUT BECAUSE OF WHAT THE PEOPLE DID FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR ONE ANOTHER."

Richard Nixon

37th President, 1969-1974

Sunday Activities

Throughout most Mormon families Sundays consist of or a variation of:

First - Waking up hoping it's not fast Sunday

Second - Getting ready for church.

Third - Walk into church and enjoy an hour and 10 minutes of babysitting if you have a toddler that does not like to sit and color or draw with his big brothers. Today at Stake Conference they were all simply amazing. We actually heard every talk.

Fourth - Drive home wishing there was something good to eat at the house for lunch (if its not fast sunday). Today it was eggs and toast.

Fifth - Since church was over at noon we forced our kids into a nap when we got home with the bribe that they could do this!!!!!

It was a mighty fine 2 hour nap!!!

ode to George

A real enlightening experienced happened today with little George that I thought would be very fair for him to get his own post. I love this little boy so much and he is 85% of the time a real cute boy and fun to be around. The other 15% consists of mood swings and loud outbursts at Kelley and myself for not being on time to his beckoning demands. We really enjoy having him around and he is very helpful to Kel during the day when it is just him and James. I think when Johnny leaves for school George steps in and takes the oldest role and does what he can to help out Mom.

Anyways on to my experience today. Kelley and I woke up this morning with the understanding that I was going to drive George and Johnny to school on my way to the office but because I was asked by a friend to take his sister to the airport I ended up not going in. At that point I had an upset wife on my hands... NOT GOOD!!! :) Kelley ended up taking the boys to school with James in tow as I stayed back to work. Luckily it turned out that today was George's parent teacher conference which both Kel and I forgot about (by the way that is wives role in the household, that and doctor visits). Kelley called me on her way home to tell me that she had forgotten the conference and she was glad she drove today. I asked how the conference went because mentally i revert back to that 15% I mentioned earlier not knowing how George is outside the home and outside of our care. George's teacher LOVES George! She said that he is the most kind, caring and helpful student she has. He is always the first to pick up messes, finish his work before play time and is always looking out for others. That is just the tip of the iceburg and you may not think this is that great but as his Dad it made me feel good. The other day another student was having trouble putting on his jacket and my little George all 4 1/2 years of him stopped what he was doing and went over to help that student put on his jacket. I do not know to many little kids that would even have that type of knowledge to go and help someone struggling with a jacket. Kudos to you George! You are a great little boy and i love you dearly. Keep up the good work and know that your Mom and I love you so much.

On a funny note: George's dinner prayer tonight. Bless us that we will like our new cups and bless us that we will not shoot ourselves.

HALLOWEEN 2008

Napoleon Dynamite

Count Dracula
He made the perfect Dracula, and got a lot of compliments during his class parade.

Batman
If you ask James who gets the bad guys, he will say "BATMAN"

"Vote for Pedro "

Johnny got a lot of laughs and stares during the school parade.

Other ghouls and freaks on Halloween night.

Happy Halloween

Peek-a-boooooo,

Not the best picture of the ghosts in the windows, but the boys love to get them up every year. The spider is also a big hit.

Halloween Pillow Cases

Every Christmas they get pillow cases, and I thought it would be fun to make Halloween cases. They love them and have not had them off since they were put on. Halloween is such a big deal out here they really get into stuff like pillow cases with ghosts and bats. They do however plan to take them off to go trick-or-treating. Johnny said, "this way I can get so much candy and it won't get full like my bucket did last year."

Happy Birthday John!

Happy 33rd Birthday to the best dad, uncle, man, son, and husband!

We are so glad that you are ours. Thanks for all you do, and being the way you are. We love you so much!

Good Times

Some of our best times here in Maryland, are spent with one of our very favorite families, the Girts'. They have been invited us each summer for the past 4 years up to their house in Deep Creek to enjoy some much loved wakeboarding. Truthfully, these trips are the highlight of our summers. The Girts' are so good to us and we are so thankful for the wonderful times we have had with them. Thanks for all the great memories and fun.

The boys and John, Jenny, Kerri, Jeffery, Steven, Brian and with no luck could I find one of Sally who is always behind the camera taking the pictures.

Some of Sally's camera work of John and me having a great time wakeboarding.
I am amazed every year when we go up that we can still get up and do this . We hope to keep doing it for a long time.