'Show' Your Gr'attitude'

Because mom can't do it all...

we had a lesson on saying and showing our gratitude.

So, when we finish a meal, to show our gratitude, we clear our spot.

To show our gratitude for our rooms and the house, we keep it clean and pick up after ourselves.

(We work on it daily.)

Debany's Performance

No time to rest!

The next day after we got home (at midnight)

Debany had her performance!

Ham & Cheese

All the way!

She sang the song 'Maybe' from Annie the Musical.

She was so brave and did a great job.

All of us were able to attend her debut!

On Our Way Home

Continuing our list of interesting names that we see...

and seeing beautiful sights at the tops of the mountains.

And stopping at the salt flats...

Unfortunately, no one was brave enough to taste it.

Dane was sorely disappointed.

a long trip home...

Porter's favorite game was spotting the trucks and naming their colors.

On one of our stops, a train came through and we stopped to hear it.

Amazingly, we made great time. I (Jenn) had a migraine halfway through the trip. I couldn't read the signs. A little prayer and a lot of ibuprofen & caffeine helped me through my migraine to get us home by midnight - straight through.

Pistachio -- Gesundheit.

Where do pistachios grow?

On trees!

Time for a treat!

Brought to you by

'another learning experience while vacationing with the Gilsons'

S'mores with Grandma

What do you do with a fireplace?

Ya eat s'more's of course!

Yummy!

Myanna is 5!

This year, we were at Gma Debi's for Myanna's 5th birthday!

And it was packed with fun!

Myanna fell asleep - and we decorated while she slept.

Porter helped!

And she was sooo surprised when she woke up!

A favorite (and easy) snack!

Lots of games:

"poop the potato"

Yeah, it sounds wierd, but tons of fun!!!

(Porter decided to take it a little more 'literal')

the birthday girl got her birthday crown from Satomi

And what a royal day it was to our Myanna.

She's growing up so fast!

"Don't Eat Pete"

(another fun game)

Present time!

What a ham!

Hilarious!

This princess finally got her own lip gloss!

presents from new friends (Jessica from Taiwan)

Towards the end, Myanna got much more spirited with her unwrapping...

Satomi was really creative with her wrapping - and Myanna made good use of it!

Our Myanna is just like her Daddy when it comes to opening presents:

Time With Grandma

Innocent?!

HARDLY!!!

just kidding!

The kids were pretty good while we went shopping for Satomi's Prom dress!

Homemade Sushi

My most recent project....

Sushi that doubles as a ... scarf!

Specially made for our...

SATOMI!!!

Sushi is best when shared with a friend!

Chuck E. Cheese

Where can a kid be a kid???

and the big kids too!

I was afraid the girls were too big for this one!

But no.

Target practice!

Tons of hand-eye coordination opportunities...

Look at that righty getting used a ton!

Jenn's Favorite

Who knew I had famous kids?!?

Really! I demand to know who put my kids on TV!!!

(Chuck E. Cheese better sign my manager release waiver for non-exploitation.)