I got a huge laugh reading Marilee's update last week. It's funny how older siblings think it is unfair how relaxed and giving parents become as years go on. I felt the same about my own younger siblings who seemed to have more privileges than I did....the Matheson kids seem to feel the same...from cell phones to play dough! You think it's unfair how parents treat different siblings in the same family? Just wait until there are grandkids in the picture (no pressure, Kimberly)!
The biggest news on the Ankeney front is Dave is wondering what to do with so much free time again! He went in to work a week ago prepared to quit his job because it was becoming too difficult for us to figure out how to get kids where they needed to be when we were both working. Despite prior complaints about the management style of his boss, he was able to work out a new schedule without giving up the job completely. He goes in early and is home by 2:30 in time for running the after school carpool. Now he has the best of both worlds - spending money and a happier family!
In addition, Dave was released as second counselor in the bishopric last Sunday. The entire bishopric was changed which always brings some apprehension and excitement for new things to come. Dave commented a couple days ago...it's weird to go several days and only receive a handful of emails! I would love to know that feeling - I cannot go an hour without 15-20 emails!
The rest of us are plugging along as usual. Matthew is loving cub scouts and has assignments to help with meal planning between now and Wednesday night. I look forward to his assistance in the kitchen. Rachel spent the weekend making costumes for her Destination Imagination team who is gearing up for competition next month. Alyson....she's bored and hungry and daily requests trips to Wal-Mart or the local Sonic for a fix of "Dippy" (code name for Dr. Pepper). I've had to curb that really quickly - I can only thank a loving friend from school for introducing my child to such a drink. I personally prefer the diet kind with a little vanilla and cherry added!
Have a great week!
--Kari
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Brr....
The kids were really disappointed that promises of snow last week did not yield a snow day from school. We saw beautiful snow fall, but it melted once it hit the ground. Dave was inspired to light the fireplace and I enjoyed cuddling with him and the kids next to the warm fire. Alyson is always nervous every time we light the fire - she is so afraid something is going to happen and the house will burn down that she annoys the rest of us. I appreciate her concern for our home and well-being, but sometimes it's a little overbearing.
The biggest excitement at our house this week was the big re-arrangement. I opened my mouth and asked the girls if they would ever consider sharing a room again so we could have one room for a game room. Well...I didn't expect they would ever be interested, but I was wrong. They spent the week packing up and moving furniture and all their stuff. We still have some things to move around but we will soon have a dedicated play room with t.v. and game console. There won't be any cable in there, though, because I was adamant I didn't want cable in bedrooms. I didn't pay to drop the lines while we were building the house - o.k., so I had to endure an "I told you so...". I am not placing bets on how long this will last...I know Dave has his doubts and would be willing to put money on it if anyone was interested.
We are back into the swing of things with school, work and extra-curricular activities. The work week was a bear for me but this weekend was quiet and I enjoyed the brief break. Rachel's Destination Imagination team is gearing up for the tournament on Feb. 19th. This means she has meetings twice a week now on top of tuba lessons. Alyson and Matthew have benefited from extra play dates with friends when Rachel cannot be home to watch them. To Dave's dismay, his boss continually assigns him afternoon shifts which is a little tricky for family scheduling but we're making it work! Dave is enjoying getting out and having a job to keep his mind busy; however, he doesn't much care for the store's management style and has vetted his frustrations. There are probably many people in this world that feel same, but we must endure!
All is well here. I pray the same for you all!
Love,
Kari
The biggest excitement at our house this week was the big re-arrangement. I opened my mouth and asked the girls if they would ever consider sharing a room again so we could have one room for a game room. Well...I didn't expect they would ever be interested, but I was wrong. They spent the week packing up and moving furniture and all their stuff. We still have some things to move around but we will soon have a dedicated play room with t.v. and game console. There won't be any cable in there, though, because I was adamant I didn't want cable in bedrooms. I didn't pay to drop the lines while we were building the house - o.k., so I had to endure an "I told you so...". I am not placing bets on how long this will last...I know Dave has his doubts and would be willing to put money on it if anyone was interested.
We are back into the swing of things with school, work and extra-curricular activities. The work week was a bear for me but this weekend was quiet and I enjoyed the brief break. Rachel's Destination Imagination team is gearing up for the tournament on Feb. 19th. This means she has meetings twice a week now on top of tuba lessons. Alyson and Matthew have benefited from extra play dates with friends when Rachel cannot be home to watch them. To Dave's dismay, his boss continually assigns him afternoon shifts which is a little tricky for family scheduling but we're making it work! Dave is enjoying getting out and having a job to keep his mind busy; however, he doesn't much care for the store's management style and has vetted his frustrations. There are probably many people in this world that feel same, but we must endure!
All is well here. I pray the same for you all!
Love,
Kari
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Happy New Year!
Christmas has come and gone. The year 2011 is here! We continued traditions we have carried through the years and enjoyed sharing those with family who came to visit.
Dave's parents came a few days before Christmas and participated with us in a progressive dinner on Christmas Eve hosted by a few families from our ward. We feel blessed to be included in this tradition - this is our second year and we had a blast. I believe the highlight of the evening for the kids was the white elephant gift exchange. Matthew came home with a much treasured pogo stick earmarked for him from the start. He has eyed Alyson's ever since she got one for her birthday; now he has his very own. The rest of us came home with more practical gifts (decorated toilet plunger, LED lantern, used pens, etc.) By some stroke of genious, we did not end up with Hereford's special rose fertilizer contributed by David Sr. I was glad to get that stuff out of my house and car - even wrapped up in gift paper, it stunk! My favorite part of the evening was visiting with friends, enjoying wonderful food, and feeling the spirit of Christmas.
As expected, the kids loved opening their gifts and seeing what Santa brought. We spent Christmas day relaxing and just spending time together playing with the new toys and crafts.
By Sunday evening, Dave's parents had returned home and my parents arrived with Aunt Kaylene. We extended our Christmas for a couple days more with activities around town - to include an awesome dinner with Uncle Garn and his friends Mike and Barbara from Denton. We went to a restaurant in the stockyards of Fort Worth. It was fun to hear the doings and stories from Garn - the food wasn't bad either. Mike has been known for his toffee which he so generously shared with my family.
Plans for the week had a slight wrinkle as my Dad was involved in a car accident Tuesday night. Luckily he was not physically hurt, but it put a damper on the rest of the week for him. Their car now sits in a wrecking yard in Ft. Worth waiting for the insurance adjuster to make his assessment. Mom and Dad were able to rent a car and we continued our plans with a trip to Cedar Park before they headed home this last Friday.
My kids loved playing with their other Texas cousins. Of course, they wished the time could be extended but now it is time for us to get back into our routine and prepare for normal school and work schedules to begin tomorrow.
More than anything, I loved spending time with family. I don't care about the gifts. What I do care about is the traditions and memories we build with our family around this time of year and the knowledge that the greatest gift of all is our Savior, Jesus Christ. With the knowledge that Jesus was born, died, and lives again, I know that I can live again and be with my family forever.
Make this year the best one ever!
Love,
Kari
Dave's parents came a few days before Christmas and participated with us in a progressive dinner on Christmas Eve hosted by a few families from our ward. We feel blessed to be included in this tradition - this is our second year and we had a blast. I believe the highlight of the evening for the kids was the white elephant gift exchange. Matthew came home with a much treasured pogo stick earmarked for him from the start. He has eyed Alyson's ever since she got one for her birthday; now he has his very own. The rest of us came home with more practical gifts (decorated toilet plunger, LED lantern, used pens, etc.) By some stroke of genious, we did not end up with Hereford's special rose fertilizer contributed by David Sr. I was glad to get that stuff out of my house and car - even wrapped up in gift paper, it stunk! My favorite part of the evening was visiting with friends, enjoying wonderful food, and feeling the spirit of Christmas.
As expected, the kids loved opening their gifts and seeing what Santa brought. We spent Christmas day relaxing and just spending time together playing with the new toys and crafts.
By Sunday evening, Dave's parents had returned home and my parents arrived with Aunt Kaylene. We extended our Christmas for a couple days more with activities around town - to include an awesome dinner with Uncle Garn and his friends Mike and Barbara from Denton. We went to a restaurant in the stockyards of Fort Worth. It was fun to hear the doings and stories from Garn - the food wasn't bad either. Mike has been known for his toffee which he so generously shared with my family.
Plans for the week had a slight wrinkle as my Dad was involved in a car accident Tuesday night. Luckily he was not physically hurt, but it put a damper on the rest of the week for him. Their car now sits in a wrecking yard in Ft. Worth waiting for the insurance adjuster to make his assessment. Mom and Dad were able to rent a car and we continued our plans with a trip to Cedar Park before they headed home this last Friday.
My kids loved playing with their other Texas cousins. Of course, they wished the time could be extended but now it is time for us to get back into our routine and prepare for normal school and work schedules to begin tomorrow.
More than anything, I loved spending time with family. I don't care about the gifts. What I do care about is the traditions and memories we build with our family around this time of year and the knowledge that the greatest gift of all is our Savior, Jesus Christ. With the knowledge that Jesus was born, died, and lives again, I know that I can live again and be with my family forever.
Make this year the best one ever!
Love,
Kari
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)