Snow Solution

This winter we realized that when you live on a hill and it snows, your driveway and front yard turn into a fun park. The kids got creative and used pieces of cardboard to surf down the driveway until we were able to get a real sled. Shon decided he would demonstrate how to safely go down the hill on the new sled. He found that the hill was a lot faster than he thought and ended up doing a face plant at the bottom. The kids then showed dad how to really do it.
The second thing we realized is that it takes many hours to clear the driveway and circle drive. This wouldn't be so bad if it only snowed once or twice a year. However, after several days in a row of shoveling snow we came up with a much better solution (see pics below).



Ben surfing down the driveway.



Shon's new snow shovel.



Of course, all the snow has melted and it will probably never snow again.

Merry Christmas

Naughty or nice? Depends on the time of day and changes by the minute.



This is another classic Christmas morning moment illustrating what happens after the kids stay up too late and get up too early. The picture is missing the part where Jack is pulling Meg's hair while screaming for her to let him go free.



The kids made an attempt to get in their last minute pleas to Santa to convince him that they really have been good this year.



Kate on stage following her ballet performance.

Our Turn

This year was our first attempt at hosting Thanksgiving dinner. Our family finally got tired of us free loading off them all these years and decided to invite themselves over. Aimee and Tony's family stayed with us for the weekend and Grandma and Grandpa Rooks came over as well. Chef Tony sent a recipe for the turkey to make sure it would be worth the trip. The turkey turned out great, but we had a bit of a disaster with the fireplace. We had a nice fire going until smoke starting pouring back into the family room. It turned out that the chimney cap was never installed after they finished building the chimney, so a bird decided to build a home in the flu. It took a few days for the smoke smell to go away but at least nothing was damaged.



Rooks - McClellan turkey bowl 2008



"Strategery"



Grandpa Rooks and Jack

Ben is 9

Is there anything besides football that is important to a 9 year old boy? For Ben's birthday party they watched football, played Madden NFL, did skills tests, and, of course, played football. We had to put a quick stop to the tackle game --- there were enough injuries with just 2 handed touch! They particularly enjoyed taking a bat to the football pinata --- remnants of which Ben made into a stylish hat (as seen in picture above).



Boys at Ben's party, most of which were on his optimist football teams.

More Cowbell

The band 'More Cowbell' made it's debut at the world famous Gem County Island Complex this fall. For tour dates and ticketing information contact your local music store or select-a-seat outlet.


Mark laying down the cowbell with Mike (aka Garth) on guitar

Clay slapping the bass while Shon plays one of his signature solos

Tagged Part 3

Tagged in 4's

In this tag you are supposed to choose your 4th picture in your 4th folder and write a brief description. This is a shot of Kate modeling a wig from the halloween costumes. The video of this moment is even better with her dancing to Michael Jackson's "Thriller".

Tagged Part 2 (Thanks, Amber)

7 Things I Can Do:

1. Play the piano
2. Play the organ
3. Spell anything
4. Decorate
5. Make it through new home construction without going crazy
6. Sing
7. Make lists

7 Things I Can't Do:

1. Cook
2. Draw (stick figures are about all I can manage)
3. Sew
4. Run fast
5. Ride roller coasters
6. Keep up with Jack
7. Anything involving computers

7 Things That Attracted Me to Shon:

1. His sense of humor
2. His taste in music
3. His mad kung fu skills
4. His intelligence
5. His innate coolness
6. His charming personality
7. His generosity towards me

7 Things That I Say Most Often:

1. No!
2. Because I said so
3. I don't know why
4. Meg!
5. Ben!
6. Kate!
7. Just a minute

7 Celebrity Admirations:

1. John Denver
2. Bono
3. Dwight Schrute
That's all I can think of.

7 Favorite Foods:

1. Homemade bread
2. Chips and salsa
3. Milkshakes
4. Fish tacos
5. Crunchy chicken salad from Artic Circle
6. Little hamburgers from McDonalds
7. Pie