Memorial Day

We had a nice relaxing Memorial Day.  (That translates to we didn't really do anything.  We went for a bike ride/scooter ride/walk.  The boys rode their bikes or scooters and Joe and I walked.

There they all go down our street.

There is a plaza near our home with circular walk way.  The boys rode around while Joe and I sat on a bench.

It always looks like they are conspiring to do something.

It was all too much for Holden and he took a rest in the grass.

Later that afternoon, we went to Olive Garden.  It is a tradition that the boys pick a resturant to go to for dinner on their birthdays.  In August Holden asked to go to Olive Garden and it took us this long to actually get there.  Again, remember our mantra.  Better late than never.

In spite of the wait, Holden was very happy with his soup. and his shrimp dish.

Eating out with four boys is always an adventure.

We love being a family.

Sound Of Music

The Holland kids were all in the play The Sound Of Music.  We decided to go on a family outing and see them.  They were all very good.  Anders thought we were going to play (not see a play) and he was very disappointed.  Everyone was very uncooperative with my efforts to take a picture so this the best I could do.

Good Bye Party At Mount Tom

My calling as the Institute teacher is such a blessing in my life.  I think my favorite part of my calling is getting to know the amazing and wonderful Young Single Adults.  I really love them.  My least favorite part is that they come and then then go.  This year was no exception.  Adam (one of the YSAs)  planned a farewell at Mount Tom for those who were leaving.  Earlier that day I went to the temple with Davin and his family so that he could take out his endowments.  It was a beautiful day.  The world and the church's future is secure in these young people.

Group photo at the farewell party for Leah, Harper, and Sam.  

This photo was taken from a lookout tower at Mount Tom. 

The boys are always on an adventure no matter where we are.

I never quite understood the fasination boys have with sticks.

Someone brought their pet bird which kept Anders and his friend Xavier happily occupied.

Matthew's Birthday Party

Yes, we know that Matthew's Birthday is in November.  Yes, we know that it is April.  But, we live with the mantra better late than never.

Here are some photos from the event.

For his menu, Matthew ordered Macaroni and Cheese (from a box,) grapes, and root beer floats.

Here is Holden painting his car.

The boys put together and painted wooden cars.

Look what good boys they all are sitting and waiting for game instructions.

Here are Matthew and Zachary racing Matchbox cars down the stairs on our  cardboard track.

Blowing out six candles.  He is so BIG!

When you are six opening presents is the most exciting part of the party.

They also watched Matar's Tall Tales and played outside for a while. Matthew had a wonderful time and that means it was a success.  

You Know You Married a Hippie

You know you married a hippie when...

The activity he chooses for Family Home Evening is a drum circle.

He considers his Birkenstock Sandals his Church shoes.

At your house you drink soy milk, even though no one is lactose intolerant.

All the clothing he has ever bought for your children is tie dyed.

He is certain the novel Siddhartha should be canonized as scripture.

At age 5, all of your children cite The Grateful Dead and Phish as two of their favorite bands.

Every morning begins with the ceremonial drinking of the Mate.

His ideal choice for a larger vehicle is a VW bus.

You know what Gamehendge is.

He feels that the most important life lessons he can teach your children is to "fight the man."

He started a FB page to put the Paganism back into Christmas.

You wake up one day and realize that somehow you know that Phil Lesh played bass for The Grateful Dead and that there were two drummers (Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart.)

The solution he gives you when you feel overwhelmed is to meditate.

Your children think every child loves the songs Blowing In The Wind and Puff The Magic Dragon.

He worries that his chalkras are not open.

Even though he is an active mormon, he has some issues with organized religion.

You come home and find him listening to Dark Side of the Moon on vinyl by candlelight.

You look back on the last 15 years, and realize they were filled with peace, love and happiness.

Happy Anniversary Joe.  I love you.

Outing to Denny's

Joe and I try to take the boys on outings.  We think it is a good idea to spend one on one time with them.  It is surprisingly hard to schedule it and then do it.   But every once in a while the planets align and we find ourselves out with one of our wonderful kids.  Matthew and I went to Denny's for lunch.  Did you know that they sell a bacon milkshake?  We didn't order one but we enjoyed talking a about the crazy people who would.  It was so much fun to visit with him and share french fries.  He is just so cute.  Check out the missing teeth.  

St. Patrick's Day

Every year on St. Patrick's Day, we have a corn beef and cabbage dinner at our house.  

Here we all are on the front porch. Check out all the green.

Melisa, Eli, Kevin, Bob, Gail, Mercdes

Zachary, Anders, Caleb, and Matthew

 

Anders is being silly.

And now Matthew is.

Harold and one of the Elders.  We invite the Elders to judge the contests.

We have three contests; a door prize, the most green, and the best Irish Blessing.

Jillian won for the most green. I'm not sure you can beat her.

Kaleigh won the door prize.

Holden won the best Irish Blessing.

So in the words of Holden's award winning Blessing, May the dark clouds of Thor come upon you and turn you into a pile of dust.

February Vacation

We had a great break from school.  Here are some of the fun things we did with our friends.

We went to the movies with the Yeagers and the Lewis.

A stop at Cumberland Farms for Slushies.  

The Conneticut Science Museum with the Ackermans.

A visit to the Mount Holyoke College Botanical Gardens.

Now we have to go back to school.  Bummer.

Eric Carle Museum

During February vacation we visited the Eric Carle Museum.  We went with the Lewis and Yeager Families.  We are glad they are always willing to hang out with us.  

The big boys just love to have their pictures taken.

Matthew and Anders posed to become the Beautiful Butterfly.  Nicholas and Holden just didn't want to.  Imagine that.

Interview with a 12 Year Old

1. What is your favorite color?
I don't really have one
2. What is your favorite toy?
The Wii, no the computer, no the Wii.
3. What is your favorite fruit?
Pears
4. What is your favorite TV show?
Fullmetal Alchemist
5.  What is your favorite movie?
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
6.  What is your least favorite chore?
Everything
7. What is your favorite animal?
The cheetah
8. What is your favorite song?
The Fullmetal Alchemist theme song
9.  What is your favorite book?
The Mark of Athena
10.  Who is your best friend?
Tommy Lewis
11.  What is your favorite dinner?
Eggplant Parm
12.  What is your favorite breakfast?
Muffins from Costco
13.  What is your favorite game?
Sonic and the Black Knight
14.  What is your favorite thing to play outside?
It varies
15.  What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween
16.  What is your favorite subject in school?
Math or Science
17. What is your goal for this year?
To get better at math
18. Do you think you reached your goal for last year?
Yes
19.  What do you spend your time thinking about?
Life
20.  What do you want to be when you grow up?
Chemist

Pictures with Santa

Every year we try and take a picture with Santa.  We frame them and put them up at Christmas time.  It is a fun tradition.  The boys love to see how they have grown.  A family here in town decorates their house and has a room set up in the back where Santa comes every night to greet the children and take pictures.  They offer this for free, so of course that is where we went this year.  Holden and Anders decided that they needed their own picture with Santa as well.

Thankful List

On Facebook, people post something they are grateful for every day in the month of November. I decided to jump on board this GRAND idea.  Here are my posts.

November 1st:  I AM THANKFUL FOR FACEBOOK!  How else would I stalk you all?

November 2nd:  39 years ago, one Dolores Metzger gave birth to a baby boy who would grow up to be the world's most awesome husband.  Happy Birthday Joe! Today, I am grateful for you!

November 3rd:  I am grateful that my mom and dad loved me enough not to kill me during those annoying preteen and teen years. ♥

November 4th:  I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world. Heavenly Father created for me.

November 5th:  Food, Glorious Food!

November 6th:  I am grateful that cold weather ENDS!

November 7th:  I'm grateful for frogs and snails and puppy dog tails.

November 8th:  I am grateful for....YOU!!!

November 9th:  As the sun rose this morning, I was grateful for the way each new day feels like a chance for a new beginning.

November 10th:  I am blessed with 3 amazingly wonderful sisters. However, today I am only grateful for Annie, because it is her birthday!

November 11th:  Diet Mountain Dew, ice, and a straw that is what I am grateful for today. Well, everyday really.....

November 12th:  You know how when someone you care about gives you a hug and for a moment it feels as if everything will be alright? I am grateful for those moments.

November 13th:  I am grateful for random acts of kindness.

November 14th:  Happy Birthday Matthew Metzger!  I am grateful for you, my little alliteration.

November 15th:  I have some pretty amazing Aunts. I'm grateful for them.

November 16th:  Without music, life would be a mistake.- Nietzsche.

November 17th:  I'm grateful that I really never cared for Twinkies.

November 18th:  Remember that time we were talking and I just walked away? I'm grateful that you are still my friend.

November 19th:  I am grateful that I am very comfortable with the words, "good enough."

November 20th:  I am grateful for good books. Now if I could just find time to read one.......

November 21st:  There is hope smiling brightly before us.  I am grateful for hope.

November 22nd:  Candy corn, yam balls and cartloads of pumpkins.  I am grateful for traditions that help make the holidays magical.

November 23rd:  I am grateful that "stuff" is not important enough to me to wait in line all night and fight crowds.

November 24th:  I am grateful that the road rash on my face from falling during my run yesterday isn't worse.

November 25th:  I am grateful for all the great examples I find all around me everyday. People really are amazing!

November 26th:  Hey all you villagers out there, I am grateful for your help in raising my children.

November 27th:  I ♥ letters and cards and am so grateful for the Mail Service.

November 28th:  For his special birthday breakfast this morning Anders chose to have hot dogs and french fries. I am grateful for the way newly five year old's brains work.

November 29th:  I am grateful for love, both given and received.

November 30th:  I am grateful that this is the last day I have to think of something to post on FB. 

Anders

Today, we brought home Anders to live with us. 

Look at that face.  

We are all pretty excited about it.  But we aren't sure how Anders feels about it.  

Can you blame him?  We are a strange family.

Dear Holden,

Dear Holden,
You are nine now.  I feel as if every time I blink you grow.  In a few days you will be starting fourth grade.  I know you are nervous about having a new teacher and new faces in your class.  You have a hard time with change.  That's OK, but try not to let it get in the way of you experiencing all that life has to offer.  When you were little we moved you at of your crib into a toddler bed and you hated it.  You really didn't want to sleep in the bed and missed your crib so much.  But can you imagine if you had stayed in the crib?  Change can be hard, but many times it is needed.  My birthday wish for you is that you will be open to the changes your life will bring you.

You have the sweetest spirit.  You radiate a warmth that makes me want to always be near you.  Thanks for being my son.  I am so grateful to have you.

Love,
Mom

Just a reminder