It's the most wonderful time!!!!!

I can think of some talents that I have, many that others have, and some I would love to to develop ( and some, others would like for me to develop), but one is the ability to tell a great story, whether it be through writing or verbally. I have been addicted to the following blog, www.cjane.blogspot.com- I could read her stuff all day. Granted, she she has a much different, more emotional story to tell, but she can tell it in an amazing way. Others I know have a similar talent (SPW), who I can listen to all day and laugh no matter how grumpy I am. I wonder if this is a talent than can be developed or if it is just a gift...

Next, I have seen other posts asking this same question, but in light of the upcoming holidays, what are your favorite traditions? We have some in our home that we have adopted from our families of origin, some we have heard about and even a couple we have come up with on our own (that is good for someone as uncreative as I am). Our kids are at the ages when they are up for anything and make us feel great about anything we are willing to do- but we would still like to have the best traditions we can, so if you have any you love, please feel free to share.

One we will start on Sunday is hot chocolate and Christmas books every Sunday evening between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Ethan has been talking about it for weeks and I think he thinks it is every night, but that will all get straightened out I am sure. Another one we do is watch Scrooge (while we put up Christmas decorations), and we sing it most days during the holiday season and some days in the summer actually. We have tried the "Last Straw" which usually means Ethan picks up a toy, and then puts away stuff Ava is playing with, I am trying to cook with or finds a new spot for things that are already put away- this lasts about 1-2 days and then I spend the rest of the season trying to put the straw in the "easily stored" (always falling down) manger that collapses any time anyone touches the table in our living room.

Happy Holidays!!!

What else we have been up to

Ethan and Ava both had great birthdays. David and I did as well, but I don't think we took any pictures of them- sad. I don't know if Ava has been happier in her life than when all her cousins sang happy birthday to her and cheered when she blew the candles out. She got tons of dress up shoes and princess stuff- ahhh, life is so good. Ethan went to "the bouncy place" and then we had a planet party- he won nearly every game, so he was psyched as well! He also got a birthday crown at school, here it is!





OK, I think that is about enough of us for a while!

And.... we're back!!!!

David got the computer fixed last night- hurray!!! So, here I am with updates!!! Here are a few pics from England. I have to say, we had the best time! My sister and her family were fabulous hostesses/hosts, were so fun and planned great things for us to do. We had so much fun walking to school, riding scooters, playing at parks (Ethan particularly liked the pirate ship one), going to castles, listening to Hannah Montana, going into London, riding the train, meeting all their friends, eating great food (Amy is an awesome cook) and just being together. Here are some England pics...

Ava got hit with a swing in the eye- you can see the first time that happened a few posts back


Buckingham palace, David, Kari, Ethan, Ava and Marta



Frisbee in Hyde Park
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Take it on easy!

Hello! A while ago I told David to leave his car out so he wouldn't wake us all up when he went to an early meeting, it snowed, so he took my car (because his wouldn't start as he had previously told me it wouldn't). Then yesterday, his car wouldn't start- "take it on easy" was Ethan's reply. He left at 5:00 am this morning, Ethan and Ava both woke up, I decided to take it on easy and went back to sleep. They didn't go back to sleep :)

OK, now is the time for the update... I haven't done any blogging recently and rather than bore anyone who does decide to look at this not anymore forsaken blog, I will just give the recent updates. Ethan turned five last week and Ava turned two three weeks ago. Halloween was actually very fun, even though David was out of town. After going through 50+ costume options, Ethan finally decided to be a scarecrow and was one for three Halloween events. But, as we were walking out the door to go trick-or-treating, he changed his mind and was superman...ahhhh, what do you do? Wash your face and change your clothes and go to three less doors. We had a great time.

Quotable Qoute

So, we are having computer issues which is why I haven't posted anything about our FABULOUS trip to England- it is always better with pictures. However, Ethan did say something today that made me laugh, so hopefully it will make someone else chuckle as well!

I was asking Ethan about people he knew who were at a meeting we went to last week:

Kari: Do you know Debbie?
Ethan: Is she that green girl (she was wearing a green shirt that day)
Kari: Yes! That's right.
Ethan: She was nice to me, she let me into the nursery
Kari: Her name is Debbie Moody
Ethan: Why Moody (Actually it was "Why Bootie" but I thought he said Moody)
Kari: Because that is her last name, like ours is Howell.
Ethan: That's funny, Bootie, like Butt, Debbie Butt
Kari: No Ethan, Moody, not bootie
Ethan: Oh Moody

We will try to post some pictures soon!!!!

Update

As I was looking through these pictures I noticed that many of them had one thing in common. Can you tell what it is??? It may not be obvious to the untrained eye, but in about 12 or so pictures, I noticed Ava or Ethan eating Reeses Peanut Butter Cups- they seem to be the candy of choice for our family. Happy Easter to Ethan and Ava!!! They each must have had at least 5.





Ok, so I am not addicted to blogging, but here are some of our happenings as of late! Busy season is over!!!! And let me tell you there is life after busy season. We have been getting in as much play time as possible to make up for the first three months of the year. David and I went skiing, David took Ethan skiing, we went to the Bounce place (as Ethan calls it) and Ethan ran his first race!!! Elmo was probably the highlight of the race, but the medal and T-shirt have been Ethan's new obsessions. He did a great job and ran the entire way!! We have also been to a few Jazz games (GO JAZZ) and as the Jazz dancers were throwing shirts to the crowd, I cheered and yelled trying to get one and the dancer basically started telling me I had to dance and be more excited to get one- through body language of course, so I did- and now Ethan's running shirt has been replaced with an adult large Jazz shirt- which he has to wear pants- not shorts- with so he doesn't look like he is wearing a dress. Here are some pre-race pictures from the SLC 5K and 1K for Ethan- I am doomed to have an entire family of morning people (and yes, it is 12:38 am as I write this post)- one of these kids is not like the others.





Ethan has decided our family is the Berenstain Bears- except we don't live in a tree- but we do have Mama, Papa, Brother and Sister. And after he watched "Cheaper By the Dozen" one night, he called Dad the next day to say, "I want a pet for a frog". Since neither David or I are into cats, and we are not ready for a dog, we thought that would probably be a good idea. We shall see if it amounts to anything. On Sunday I walked in on Ethan's pretend play time, and heard him saying how he was going to cut off someone's head and stick his knife in him- I quickly said I didn't like that kind of talk and didn't think that was a good way to play to which he responded "I am Nephi and getting the brass plates". Hmmm... didn't quite know what to say to that. Ok, I am probably good to go for at least a month... have a good night!

By the way- is everyone LOVING Idol??? Sad that Carly is gone- but, the rest I won't miss too much. I am thinking Syesha could be next on the list... any thoughts???

My Life...

I just posted an novel about all the craziness that has gone on the past couple of weeks, but I wanted to shed some light on our happy little lives here in the Drape. When someone asks the question, "What's new?", I don't feel like I really have a lot to say, but I must say that we have an amazing little world. Ethan and Ava are purelt hilarious and make me laugh and smile multiple times a day. A couple of the new favorite things are:
- Ava blowing bubbles in the bath and saying "buhbuh"
- Ava tickling Ethans "buhbuh" aka belly button every night and him laughing hysterically
- Ethan doing great in school, kindermusick, soccer and with friends (We love you Pede and Pord) and daily saying, "Mom...(waiting for a response), "yes Ethan", "...I love you"
- Ethan getting up at 6 am to be with David and them hanging out for 45 minutes while David gets ready, both talking incredibly loud and me pretending to be asleep but hearing every word.
- David finding time to do really good and important things, even though he is absolutely drowning in work.
- Ethan writing his name (Ethan Howell)
- Ava going up the ladder and down the slide multiple times on her own and getting her own diaper and wipes (today is was one wipe...no, that does not work) and all of her accomplishments.
- The park by our house which is currently a second home to me- love it!! And with the nice weather, we often have visitors at our second home!

I have wonderful and amazing friends and we have wonderful and amazing family members- thanks to you all!!!