366 Laughs- January 30, 2016

1/30/16

A really really good day.


Families are forever.
Tom's parents and one of his sisters in law were able to come to the temple with us, as well as many ward members and other friends.




We've been thinking about and looking forward to this day ever since we had Michael.



And this is where Benjamin gets it from.

366 Laughs- January 29th 2016

1/29/16

Benjamin was being silly.  And creepy.



In multiple pictures.


Funnnnn.   :)


Closeup of Michael.


Oh, and we figured out  how to keep Ginny in her seat for meals.


We separated the high chair into chair and table.  (yes, it was built to do this...)


She's a cutie.

366 Laughs- January 14th 2016

1/14/16

My photobombing family.

Or is that phamily?  Hmm.

But first, one of just Benjamin on his way to get donations for his Eagle project.  In Dad's hat from Germany.



Oh and Emilie just being adorable.

And again.


Now the photobombing starts...


Samuel, I think, knows...


More...

366 Laughs- January 6th 2016

1/6/16

I love my family.
Here's Juliana, snuggled up with a crocodile from the zoo she bought with birthday money last spring, and a big crocodile from Amazon she bought this week with Christmas money, reading the Enormous Crocodile (by Roald Dahl) with Benjamin (Tom's favorite book.)

Love it.  Oh, their names are Chomper and Snappy.



Ginny figured out these little Klip Klop princesses on horses (Liberty has one from last Christmas) just days before Christmas.  They are fun, they ride down little ramps with a little clip clop noise and motion.  Santa found it at a VERY good price and when Ginny got the hang of it, I was thrilled. (Moms have insider info, you know.)  Here she is playing away.  Her big brothers and sisters ALSO have a blast with these.



And then just a lovely photogenic Christopher for you.  As you can see, those front teeth are FINALLY coming in.

366 Laughs: January 4th 2016

1/4/16

Benjamin needs the Pizza Hut anthem and flag in the background here.  He strikes a great dramatic pose, doesn't he?

Another angle.

Complete with my clean laundry.

Ginny is singing about the joys of chocolate kisses and hugs.  The flash is bright.



We caught you drinking the Koolaid.

365 Joys- December 30th 2015

12/30/15

Today was a super huge day.

Michael's papers were submitted by the Stake President to Salt Lake.

We can expect his mission call in 2-3 weeks.  Any guesses on where that call will be?

I do not have a picture, because we take a lot of pictures of Michael, and if we don't, he does.  Click on his name to the side of this post to see lots of them!  :)



Benjamin met with the Liberty Community Center to talk about an Eagle Project to benefit their center.  He will probably be building a bench for one of their pool areas.  The project will probably be underway mid-January.



Exciting times!

365 Joys- December 24th 2015

12/24/15

Christmas Eve!


We had the Sister missionaries over for dinner, so Benjamin was entertaining his little sisters as we got everything ready.

Just some cool kids.







Christmas Eve Pajamas!





Ginny REALLY loved her new Frozen princess nightgown.










Our manger was filled with straw, thanks to secret acts of service between members of our family.




Merry Christmas to you and yours!

365 Joys- December 11th 2015

12/11/15

Samuel really likes this hot sauce.  We ran out and I just bought another bottle... this was his reaction.


I also love the photobomber and the cute background sitter, coloring on the couch.



Oh, and Benjamin started a new job.  Congratulations on another hire!

365 Joys- December 3rd 2015

12/3/15

A friend sent me some books I'd bought from her but also included a bunch of Doctor Who stuff from a party she'd had.  The kids had a blast with them.


Nathanael with a cyberman.

Michael with a bunch of Daleks.

Samuel.


Christopher with a Dalek.

Emilie with a pink Tardis.

Benjamin's Tardis is upside down.
All the cut outs together.

365 Joys- November 30th 2015

11/30/15

This is in honor of a They Might Be Giants photo...

With the same instruments.

Michael is teaching himself to play guitar, and Benjamin has taught himself to play yet another instrument.

Yes, he can play it, at least some songs, already.

365 Joys- November 28th 2015

11/28/15

Thankful for family and safe travels!  It was possibly icy that night.

Travel back to Kansas City via St. Louis to see more family!  But first, the family IN Illinois.

Friday night we actually saw this family with cousins...



Then before we left Illinois we got this picture with cousins...minus Benjamin, who we can photoshop in later haha.

Tom with baby Susan again... man, I love this guy with babies.

Picture with the grandparents.  Plus Aunt Ariana.

And then barely into Missouri we got this picture with cousins (and one aunt)...

In fact, the only Valencic cousins we didn't see this trip were the ones in Las Vegas, Nevada and the ones in Spanish Fork, Utah.

Family history... Dad Valencic's Accordian. Now in our home.

Cousins Virginia and Vivian meeting...