Goofing around with Janie Kate

Janie Kate's class put on a little tea for Mothering day. It was really cute- the Kittens and Puddle ducks sang some songs in the garden room, and then we went back to the classroom for brownies, biscuits, and juice. I took these pictures of us after we came home, and we sent a few to Curtis at work. Janie has the best funny faces EVER!!!

Christmas Letter 2012

Christmas 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

Another year is almost over! It’s hard to believe that we have been in the UK for over a year now.  We have had an adventurous year.  I’ll spare you the details on our activities but will highlight that we have been abusing the benefits of living in London; like trips to Europe, indulging in the Olympics, West End shows, fish and chips, and last but not least….the incessant rain…oh the rain.  We had a great summer as well as we were fortunate to visit family and friends in MN, ID, and UT.  As is our tradition, here are the best quotes (that we can share) from 2012…sit back and enjoy!

Jonah (to mom at bedtime): “Choose – would you rather lay by me, or have me runaway?”

Ethan: “When I die, will you bury me with a computer?”
Mom: “Why do you want to be buried with a computer?”
Ethan: “So I can take it to heaven spiritually and play it.”

Eli (while brushing his teeth): “Don’t worry mom, they’re just teeth…it’s not like they’re your LIFE!”

JK (to mom who was dressed up with more make up than normal for a work dinner/dance): “Mommy…you look like a monster…a princess monster.”

Eli: “Mom, put up a banner that says “no annoying children allowed…”

Ethan: “I think I’m going to stop writing in my journal…I just don’t need that kind of stress in my life…”

JK (when mad at mom): “You’re not a beautiful princess; you’re not my best friend…”

JK (when mad at dad):  “Daddy is mad at me; daddy always spanks me.” (he really doesn’t…)

Ethan: “Eli, why did you yell at me?  I felt really disrespected…”

Jonah: “Mom, do you love any boys better than dad?”
Mom: “Nope”
Jonah (smiles): “Good!”

Mom: playing with JK’s hair
JK: “Stop it!”
Mom: “Can I please play with your hair?”
JK: “No mom, you can’t play with my hair…it’s not a TOY!”

Eli: “It’s impossible to not touch anything.  Because even if you aren’t, your still touching air.  Even if you got a jetpack and went “brrr” you would still be touching the jet pack.  So, mainly, you always have to be touching 2 things: the air, and whatever you’re standing on…the ground, airplane, jet pack…”

Jonah: “Are you going to have any more kids?  If you are, you should pray for them.  That’s what you do, right? Pray for them?  I want a baby brother… or a pet monkey…”

Jonah: “I do so much work around here…”
Ethan: “Seriously?  Jo, your salary is $0 a year.  What are you going to do?  Work at McDonalds and live in mom & dads basement?”

Dad (old junky RV passes): “Nice ride!”
Eli: “I want to live in one of those when I grow up – I’ll work at McDonalds just to pay the gas and that’s it…”

As you can see, the one-liners are developing into dialogue that just gets more complex.  Regardless, our lives are full of wonderful and inspiring experiences with each one of these sweet children.  We share with you our love for the Savior Jesus Christ and the gift of His life.  He is the reason for this season!  Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.   

Curtis, Becky, Ethan (10), Eli (9), Jonah (7), Janie Kate (4), Sadie Grace (2) LaClaire

Curtis.laclaire@gmail.com – beckylaclairerdh@gmail.com - www.theluckylaclaires.blogspot.com

28 Riverside Dr, Esher, UK KT10 8PG – 1.763.391.9431 (yes, this US number will call our home in the UK) 

Christmas 2012

Annual Shepherds candlelit dinner. This year we added (American style) scones and it was a success! I may have eaten a few to many and felt a little bloated all night, but totally worth it. Also on the menu: Hummus with pita chips, cucumbers, red peppers. Green and kalamuta olives, sliced gouda, and bitter herbs (coriander). I loved the lemon/coriander hummus with the fresh coriander (elsewhere known as cilantro). 

 Curtis read the Christmas Story from Luke 2, and a little article I printed off about a Middle East vs. Western View of the Christmas Story. Curtis and I sang some Christmas Carols while the kids fought and complained, and asked for the gazillionth time when they were going to get to open a present.

The kids drew names this year and got small gifts for each other. Ethan got Eli some Hobbit mini figures. And everybody got new Jammies and slippers. Kids stripped down right there in the LR and put on their new pj's. 

Sadie got Jonah a Star Wars talking key chain that she actually liked alot screeched when he wanted it back. 

Eli got Janie a little cat in a carrier- I think it was her favorite gift this year!

 Janie got Sadie a little zhu zhu dog. She was making little animals sounds all night.

 Christmas gifts and stockings are all ready for Christmas morning! Late night for CJL and I, as usual!

 Christmas Morning FUN.

The rest of the day was: nap, watch Brave, brunch, nap again, watch Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Read Pioneer Woman cookbook, put together megablocks, read more, make turkey soup, watch Diary of a Wimpy Kid again. What a great, relaxing Christmas Day!