Nice People and Not-So-Nice-People

Apparently you can tell the difference between nice and not-so-nice people by the quantity of milk they buy.  We go through quite a bit of milk, with seven kids and all, about a gallon a day.  If I could wean Shannon from his milk-and-cookies habit the amount consumed would be drastically reduced, but that is not what this is about.

Shan and I were on a hot date the other night.  We actually dressed up and went grocery shopping.  Milk was on sale at Walgreens with a limit of two so we thought we'd make a stop there first, each buy two gallons, then swing back by at the end of the night to grab another 4.  Typically, we'd be discreet and go in individually, but we were on a date, so we braved store policy and went in together.  As we prepared to check out the lady informed us, "Oh heavens, you can purchase them all together for the sale price.  I mean, you look like nice people.  The policy is just for those that are trying to buy, like, 10 gallons of milk."

"Well, what would you think of us if I told you we are coming back to buy four more gallons tonight, then another 8 gallons in a couple days?  Would you still think we are nice people?"

I didn't actually say it, lest we be banned from Walgreens for eternity!  That would truly be a travesty.  They had peanut M&M's on sale after Christmas for under a buck a bag.  I'd hate to miss another sale like that on account of saying something silly.

If it were only so easy to tell who was nice and who wasn't.  You could tell your kids, "Just stay out of the Dairy section and you'll be safe."

Nickles helping me clip coupons to score another good sale.

He pretty much destroyed everything, 

but it kept those little hands occupied for a good hour.  

We Can Rally

There are many imperfections in my family, as difficult as it is to admit flaws.  But lately, one thing that I have grown to love is ~ we can rally, and it's not done half way!  When someone is dealt a blow in life, everyone bands together to lift that individual up.  Lately, I have struggled to see the beauty in life.  It seems as though nothing is fair, then I am reminded we live in a fallen world.  Shannon reminds me that we aren't living for this life, we are made for more.  And a taste of that "more" was yesterday...a day when my entire family dropped what they had planned, flew in from out-of-state, skipped school, let plans and deadlines fall by the wayside and gathered to celebrate family.

We headed to a ski hill to enjoy a sport that we love, but especially Theresa.

The uncles and aunties skied with the littles, even getting Anya & Collette (Theresa's cherubs) up on skis.  I certainly thought it would be more of a struggle than it was!  They must be born ski bunnies!

Shortly, they'll be on their own!

Uncle Matt entertained while the other twin was skiing...and there is never better entertainment than Uncle Matt!

Annika & Stacy heading up for a run.

Lunch never tastes as good as it does at the ski hill!

Almost the whole crew ~

Smile ~ you've got cheese fries!

 Dom just looks like he is crying.  He's having fun now, after a couple tear-filled runs.

Annika & Anya heading up the "Magic Carpet"

Would you please kick it, Dom!

"Just say Cheese!"  

Just say, "Playing Hookey"

Just us girls, and one sister-in-law to keep keep things crazy ~:o)

And for comic relief, this is supposed to be a self-portrait of Matt with us in the background.

It kinda worked,

I believe those are some of our legs!

Thank you to each one of you that made an average weekend so special~ I love you!

Legos

There is a love/hate relationship with Legos these days.  They are loved because of the creativity they stimulate, the time they occupy, and their simplicity.  

They are hated when left by the little boys strewn through the house only to be found by tender toes in the middle of the night, or when their siren song lures my boys away from their schoolwork and into a closet to make one more adjustment to a masterpiece. 

Shannon stated matter-of-factly that Legos would only be allowed out on weekends, placed in storage til Friday night, yet I still find them everywhere.  Jet planes swoop out of sight when I enter the room, Nickles tucks Legos under his pillow, Dom's pockets are typically loaded with them, prepared for any break in the action.

I guess I will have to make my peace with them, but sometimes it is darn tempting to load them up and drop them off at the thrift store.