Scholastic Art Show

Insane Twists. She got a silver Key Award

Pondering. She got an honorable mention

Quite the little artist! Great job Justine!

Alexi' s Senior pictures for the year book

The ones I like...

...The one he chose

Dog Pros and Cons

Cons

• House training
• Cost (Medical bills, food, toys etc.)
• Might find a lot of shoes, socks, and who knows what else chewed up.
• Dog hair, more vacuuming and cleaning the floors, getting the kids to do it once a week is sometimes a struggle!
• Harder to go away for long periods of time
• Will rock our cats world!
• Hearing the whines of "Do I have to pick up the dog poop?"

Pros

• Everyday joy
• More love and affection in our home
• Great playmate for the family
• Excellent companion
• Great for an exercise partner (will make me go outside and run/walk more often)
• Caring for a dog can teach children many life-long lessons
• Studies show that people who own dogs have lower blood pressure, less likely to be depressed and actually live longer
• Amelie's and Mike's dream will come true. Amelie has been acting like a dog since we can remember! She walks and plays with the neighbors dogs whenever she can.
• Great for protection (alerts you of any intruders and can deter intruders all together)
• The cats need more excitement! :)
• More chores and responsibilities for the kids...

So yes, I am considering a dog, call me crazy. But since I was going to get one as I got older anyway, why not now when the kids can experience the joys of owning one. Now that the decision is made, i need to find the right puppy. After a lot of searching and study, I am looking for a Britanny.

Winter wonderland

This morning as I was taking my car to get it serviced,
I drove through a beautiful winter scene that made my heart melt!
Yeah, it's been frozen lately, along with my feet!
I've been waring 2 pairs of socks every day.!!!
Everything was iced over!
The pics do not give the beauty justice, I didn't take the time to stop... 

Ce matin en emmenent ma voiture pour changer l'huile, 

je suis passee a travers une scene magnifique, qui a fait fondre mon coeur. 

Et oui je le sens gele en ce moment ainsi que mes pieds, je mets 2 paires de chaussettes tous les jours... Tout etait jele! Les photos ne donne pas justice a la beaute, j'ai pas pris le temps de m'areter.

House Face Lift

Our house got a little makeover this fall. Papi Painted all the shutters a very dark brown. Our old shutters needed it! We got a new roof too, a year after it got damaged by the hurricane Ike, that came through North America. I really wish American shutters were like in France. They actually are useful and shut!!!!!

Before

After

Pendant que Papa etait la cet automn passe, il nous a paint tous les volets de la maison. On a mis aussi un ouveau toit apres les degas de l'ouragant Ike qui est asser par ici en fin 2008. J'aimerais bien que les volets Americain soit comme ceux de France, et qu'ils servent a quelque chose...

Snowmen Everywhere

Today parents where invited to a Writing Celebration Workshop. 

The kids had made their own little books about Snowmen. 

They took turns reading their stories to us. 
It was a lot of fun. 

Aujourd'hui, les parents ont ete invite dans la class d'Amelie 
pour une Celebrtion des ecrivians...

Les enfants ont tous ecrit une histoire de bonhomme de neige.

Ils nous ont lu leurs petites histoires chacun leurs tours... 
C'etait bien amusement.

"Guess who I am?"

Tonight, as I got back in my car after my yoga class, there was a note on my steering wheel. A "I Love You guess who I am" note. When I turned the car on there was a song on about mothers, from Amelie's school Cd. Mike and Amelie had taken my car to fill it up with gas... It was Amelie's idea to write the note and to put the Cd in so it would play when I started the car. How sweet is that?

My Man has been so nice these past few days, he got me breakfast in bed yesterday. Surprised me by going out of his way to fill my car with gas. Not that I deserve this extra attention... so I asked him why, does he need something big? It was all out of love! hihi! My Man loves me! :)

Quand je suis retournee dans ma voiture, apres ma class de yoga, il y avait un petit mot sur mon volant: "Je t'aime, devine qui je suis?" Quand j'ai demarrer, une chanson sur les maman du Cd d'Amelie a jourer. J'ai apris plus tard que Mike et Amelie sont venus prendre ma voiture pour la remplir d'essance... C'etait l'idee d'Amelie d'ecrire le mot et de metre le cd sur la chanson des mamans. Trop mignon!
Mon Homme est bien gentil en ce momment. Il m'a apporter le 'tit dejeuner au lit hier matin, et m'a surpise en faisant mon plein. Je ne merite pas toujours cette extra attention... Je lui ai demande le pourquoi? Est-ce qu'il veux qlq chose de gros? Eh non, c'est juste parce qu'il m'aime! hihi! Mon Homme m'aime! :)

A Good Day

What a good day I had! The sun was out! I got the main floor cleaned, and did some laundry; my bed sheets, I love fresh clean sheets, one of my small pleasures in life!

The best part of my day was watching a great movie while ironing: "Julie and Julia", loved it! I especially love the scenes in Paris, the French speaking and the cooking! Made me homesick... Made me want to eat some yummy French food. It's a good thing I had some Brie in the fridge and some delicious couscous stew to appease my craving! I always have a little something French on hand! :) Especially for those homesick moments.

J'ai passer une super bonne journee... Le soleil brillait. J'ai nettoye le 1 etage, et fait de la lessive; mes dras de lit, j'adore quand ils sont tout propres, un de mes petit plaisir de la vie...

La meilleur partie de ma journee, a ete de regarder le film "Julia and Julie" en repassant. J'ai adore! J'ai bcp aime les scenes de Paris, le francais, et toute la cuisine francaise. Cela m'a donner un peux le mal du pays. Et m'a donne envie de manger de la bonne cuisine francaise. Heureusement que j'avais du brie et un bon couscous dans le frigo pour apaise mon envie. J'ai toujours un petit quelque chose de francais sous la main; sourtout pour ces moments de cafard...

A little bragging...

Just had to mention how well our Jr high and high schoolers are doing. 

They all 3 are strait A students! 

Alexi took the ACT and scored really high too.

Alexi, Justine et Emric ont tous eu un buletin de note super excellent. 

Tous des A. 

Alexi aussi a prit un test pour renter dans les universites,
il a eu une tres bonne note.

A few Helpful things... to feel better during these winter months

* The Sun showing up for a few days

Warms my heart.

* A new Blog I read every day: NieNie

She was pulled out by her husband from a plane crash and survived.

She is incredible. When i visit her blog it does something to me.

Gives me perspective, makes me grateful.

* Was inspired by a Relief Society Meeting to get more organised.

Got a great book to help me: The Change your life Challenge

Gives me clarity... feels oh so good!

* Reading my scriptures more often.

Blogging my thoughts on my Scripture Blog to help me ponder them.

Feeds my spirit, gives me peace, I feel closer to my God.

* Exercising at least 4 to 5 times a week.

Last winter I put on too much, not gonna happen this winter!

Gives me Energy, keeps me in my favorite jeans!

Des P'tits chose qui m'aide a me sentir meiux pdt ces mois d'hivers

* Le soleil qui sort pendant qlqs jours

Me rechaufe le coeur

* Un nouveau blog que je visit tous les jours: NieNie

Son mari l'a sauve d'un accident d'avion. Elle est incroyable.

Quand je visit son blog cela me fait quelque chose au ceour.

Me donne de la perspective et me rend reconnaissante

* Inspiree par une reunion de Societe de Secour a m'organiser.

Acheter un livre super pour m'aider: The Change your life Challenge

Me donne de la clarite, feels oh so good!

* Lis mes ecritures plus. Blog mes pensees pour m'aider a mediter.

Eleve mon esprit, plus de paix, je me sens plus pres de mon Pere Celeste.

* Fais de l'exersice 4 a 5 fois par semaine.

L'hiver dernier j'ai pris trop de kilos, ca va pas arriver cet hiver!

Me donne de l'energie. Je peux rentrer dans mon jeans prefere.

I Need Sunshine!

I just looked at the weather forecast and there is no sign of sun in the near future... I am seriously considering getting a little artificial sun!

Je viens de regarder le temps pour cette semaine et il n'y a pas de sign de soleil dans le future proch... Je suis en train de considerer serieusement une petite seance de soleil artificiel!

Bouquet of friendship

We have had some very gloomy weather lately... My good friend Sarah made my day when she showed up with this bouquet of Tulips! One of my favorite flowers! She also brought some feel good treats: French bread, and cheese! Yum! It really did brighten my day! Thank you my little ray of sunshine!!!!

Can't wait for spring to be back! :)

En ce moment on a un temps bien triste ici, pluie et nuage... Ma bonne amie Sarah m'a fait bien plaisir quand elle est venue me voir avec un bouquet de tulips au bras! Une de mes fleur preferee. Elle m'a ausii apporter des petites delicatesses Francaises: baguette avec camanber! Yumm! Cela m'a rechaufer le coeur! Merci Mon petit rayon de soleil!

J'ai hate que le printemps revienne! :)

Bedroom Makeover

La chambre de Justine a eu un 'makeover'.

Elle l'a fait comme projet de Personal Progre pour les Jeune filles.

Papi l'a aider avec les etapes, mais elle a fait une bonne partie du travaille.

Je trouve que cela pete de joie et de couleur!!! :)

Justine's bedroom got a bright makeover!

She did it as a Personal Project for Young Women.

Papi helped a little but she did a lot of the work herself.

If I should say so myself: It POPS of joy and colors!

Settled

I am a little disappointed... I went back yesterday to see if they needed me to sit on a trial. Again we waited all morning and were sent home. I guess the case was settled out of court. I was sad not to even go in the court room and see how they select jurors... Maybe another time.

Je suis un peu decue... Je suis retournee hier pour voir s'ils auraient besoin de moi comme jury. Encore, nous avons attendu tout le matin pour etre renvoyer chez nous. J'imagine que le cas a ete resollu entre les parties. J'etais triste de n'avoir meme pas vu la salle de jury, et d'observer comment le jury est selectionne... Peut-etre une autre foi.

Jury Duty Summon

I've been summon to Jury duty. Since I became an American citizen, I knew it was coming! I went to the courthouse this morning, to be sent home after waiting for 4 hours in a room full of random people. I was a little disappointed because I am curious to see the process, whether I am picked or not. It would be hard for me to serve this week for Mike is going to Huston for work until Friday. I need to call tonight to see when they need us back in.

J'ai ete selectionne pour apparaitre en tancomme jure. Depuis que je suis devenue une Americaine en 2003, je savais que cela allait arriver eventuellement. Je suis allee au tribunal ce matin, pour etre renvoyee chez moi, apres avoire attendu pendant 4 heures dans une piece pleine de gens a random. J'etais un peu decue car je cela m'interesse de voir comment les jures sont selectionne. Je dois rappeler ce soir pour voir si je dois retourner demain.

New Yoga class

I'm so excited! My favorite yoga teacher is having her own yoga class. It is a lot cheaper ($4 for over an hour) than when she was teaching at the Mason community center, and it is closer to my house! I only took it for one session a year ago.We are meeting 3 times a week; Monday's, Wed and Friday mornings. I was having a hard time sticking to my routine since I had family here. Now, I just need to get into a cardio routine. I did so well this summer and fall... I ran all the way up till the end of November.. But it is too cold now. My goal is to do cardio twice a week.

Snow Day

Today was the 2d snow day this week. The kids were home from school. I made some yummy crepes for lunch. I so love French food! I had a few too many. Mike took the kids sledding with the neighbors.
It was so nice to stay home all day! I didn't go out at all! I would have stayed in my PJ"s all day if Mike had not invited the missionaries to dinner tonight! We had some hearty beef stroganoff, mashed potatoes with a veggie medley. What great food on a wintry cold day.
It looks like tomorrow will be another snow day. I might go and take a few pictures outside.

Aujourd'hui, nous avons eu le deuxieme "snow day" de cette semaine. Les enfants n'ont pas eux d'ecole. J'ai fait des bonnes crepes a midi. Oh que j'aime la bouf francaise! J'en ai manger un peu  trop! Mike a emmener les enfans faire de la luge avec les voisins.
C'etait super de rester a la maison toute la journee. Je serais restee en pyjama si Mike n'avait pas inviter les missionnaire a dinner ce soire. Nous avons manger un bon beuf stroganoff, de la puree et un arsortissement de legumes. C'etait bien bon pour un jour d'hiver si froid...
On dirait que demain sera rebellotte. J'irais peut etre dehors pour prendre quelques photos.

New Year in Gatlingburg

New Trampoline

For Christmas, the kids got their own trampoline. Papi, Mami, and aunt Audie all chipped in to help Santa get one! It got put up by Mike, Chris and Ben Johnson on Christmas Eve in the dark. Amelie was so exited when she saw it on Christmas day! She said "My dream came true!" She was actually praying to Santa for one!

Pour Noel, les enfants on eux la joie d'avoir leur propre trampoline. Papi, Mami, et tante Audie on tous aider le Pere Noel a en avoire un. Mike, Christopher et Ben Johnson l'on monter la veille de Noel dans la nuit. Amelie etait trop contente quand elle l'a vu dans notre jardin le matin de Noel. Elle a dit: "Mon reve c'est realiser!" Elle priait meme au pere Noel pour un!

No more guests

Every one is gone... Papi, Mami, and the Browns. It was so nice to have family staying with us... But after almost 6 months of having guests, it is nice to have our little family unit back to just us.

Tout le monde est partis. Papi, Mami et les Browns. C'etait bien d'avoir eux la famille avec nous mais apres presque 6 mois d'invites, nous sommes contents d'etre de nouveau que nous.

New look for Alexi too...

Lexi got a new look, short hair and glasses...

His eyes are not as bad as Emric's but he wanted some anyway.

Alexi a un nouveau look. Cheveux plus court et lunettes. Ses yeux sont mieux que ceux d'Emric, mais il a voulu des lunettes...

How far will a Parent go for their kid?????

How about this: Going to the movie theater at 3:00am!!!!! So Justine could see the new New Moon movie with her friends, she would have gone at midnight, but they were sold out! I told her that I wouldn't do this for Mike or anyone else! Only for her! My sleep is rather sacred... I didn't do too bad the next day. I got a little tired driving with mike for our Friday night date. I think she owes me big time!!!! :) I must be nuts! OK, I admit, I wanted to see the movie, but not that bad. I would have been just as happy seeing it later, after a good night's sleep...

It was kinda fun though to see her so exited, in doing something out of the ordinary. She went strait from the movie theater to Seminary at 6am, before going to school for 7.15am. And I, I went strait to bed!

19 years

Mike and I celebrated on Monday the 9th our 19 years of marriage!

Mike et moi avons celebre Lundi le 9, 19 ans de mariage...

Our Little Holloween Kitten

Emric is the first, and hopefully the last kid, in our family to get glasses... He got them right when school started. He is so happy to see things from far away clearly now! We think they look kinda cool on him! :) He looks smart, and still so darn cute!

Emric est le 1er des enfants (et j'espere le seule) a avoir des lunettes. Il les a aqueri a la rentree des classes. il est super content de voire les chose de loin clairement. On pense que ca lui va tes bien, il a l'air intellgent et il est toujours aussi mignion!

Mami hard at work

Mami has been busy knitting, cooking and sowing for us. Photos are to come of the things she has made! Thanks Mami!

Mami est bien occupee a tricoter, cuisiner et a faire de la couture... Les photos sont a venir de ce qu'elle nous a fait! Merci Mami!

Sunday photo shoot with Mami!

Il y quelques dimanches nous avons fait une petite seance photo dans un ferme pres de chez nous. Mami a aussi pris sa chance devant la camera! :)

A couple of Sundays ago, we went to my favorite little barn by our house and took a few pictures there... Mami took her chance in front of the camera too! :)

A good day!

Today, I woke up with a dozen roses in my kitchen! What a man I have! Still romantic, after almost 19 years of marriage...

I got a lot of messages of BD wishes from tones of people (Thank you! for thinking of me!) I did the mom stuff and had lunch with Mike and my Mom at my favorite Indian Restaurant. I got a package in the mail of some neat inspiring stuff from Deseret book among it, my new favorite CD: "Nearer: A new collection of favorite hymns." :)

Ce matin, j'ai eu le plaisir de trouver une douzaine de rose rouge dans ma cuisine... Quel bon mec que j'ai; toujours romantic apres presque 19ans de marriage...
J'ai recu plein de mesages d'amis et de la famille (Merci, Merci!) J'ai fait ce que les mamans font pendant la journee et je suis allee rejoindre Mike pour un dejeuner a mon restaurant Indien prefere! J'ai aussi recu un colis de Deseret Book avec des truck bien sympa donc un nouveau Cd que j'adore!

Braides

Mami braided Amelie's hair this morning. She looked so cute! I couldn't resist stopping time by capturing this little beauty when she got of the bus... She is growing up too fast!

Mami a fait des tresses ce matin a Amelie. Elle etait trop belle! Je n'ai pas pu resister l'envie d'arreter le temps en saisissant ce moment a la sortie du bus. Elle grandit trop vite!

Missing teeth

Amelie had her 1st tooth fall out on the 15th of September! It was quickly followed by the on right next to it a few days later! She talks funny now! She is such a big girl now! Going to school all day!

Amelie a perdu sa 1ere dent le 15 septembre! Elle a ete vite suivi par celle d'accote quelques jours apres. Elle est une grand fille maintenant, elle va a l'ecole toute la journee!

Make a Smilebox photobook

Rock climbing and repelling

We did a lot of activities this summer! I am going to try to put a few here... I may have lost a lot of photos on my external hard drive from this summer... Yep it died! :( But most of my photos were backed up on another drive! Thank goodness!

Justine and I went with a few young women from her class at church rock climbing with our Bishop. Emric was already there with at a scout camp out. We had a lot of fun! I even repelled and rock climbed! I find the repelling still very easy, but the climbing was a little more challenging than when I remember in my younger days! I loved it though! Justine was like a monkey and the Dare Devil that she is! Emric was quiet at ease too!

My little baker!

I just had to take a brake from our vacation to post these photos of my little baker! She is so darn cute! When I start cooking she goes and gets a little stool and her apron, and comes to helps. But that is not all! She pretends she has an audience and describes everything we do! Like a TV cooking show! She asks me what we are doing and why, so she can tell her audience! Simply adorable! I should record her!

Je dois prendre une pause de notre petite vacance pour mettre ces photos de ma petite cuisiniere... Elle est trop mimi! Quand je commence a cuisiner, elle va chercher un petit tabouret et son tablier et vien m'aider. Mais c'est pas tout! Elle imagine qu'elle a une audiance et decrit tout ce que l'on fait! Comme a la Tele! Elle me demande ce que l'on fait pour bien pouvoir tout expliquer a sont audience! C'est trop adorable! Je devrais la filmer!

A Fun Cousin Visit!

I am posting this in retrospect. 

I've been looking through some of my journals and found one with just a few entries, my last ones before I started blogging more.

This is what I wrote.

I have had a lot of family stay with us this Summer.

My Cousin Fabrice, Sarah and their boys Paul and Tom came to stay with us for 3 weeks.

They are the perfect guests! Fabrice would cook almost every night. 

They would do the dishes, clean up dinner, and help with chores.

Having the 'Vanaquer man family trait', Fabrice would fix anything that needed fix'n!

Mike's car brakes, irrigation gutters during a bad rain storm that started flooding our basement!

During which as a true French man he ran out only waring his underwear!

I did give him a clear plastic rain pancho for the neighbors benefit that is!

We had a wonderful time while they were with us.

The kids would all go to Kings Island together.

We also went to Hocking Hills.

Emric and I took a road trip with them to Washington DC.

There we did a LOT of walking! 

Like we do a lot in France.
Emric was not used to it!

We went to the Air & Space museum, the Holocaust Museum, The Indian Museum.

We did a little shopping and the Boys went to the Spy Museum.

They left with promises of us visiting them in France in the future!

I'm sure I have some pictures somewhere! 

I just need to find them and I can post them here!