One serious and one not so serious

I really CAN be serious for more than five minutes at a time. I think I have just inherited too much of the "Lloyd Joking Genes" and have watched my older siblings * cough cough Aaron and Seth and Eric * hold court with their jokes.

So, here is one serious Christmas video. And one not so serious.

A Christmas Coat

Silent monks - I watch every year

The Byline

Dad supplied the photos and simply told me "Please provide some commentary." As any dutiful daughter would do, I obeyed.

Happy Birthday Andrew! Enjoy the pictures - and hopefully, the comments as well.

Even high atop Mt. Hood (right? I'm assuming it wasn't Bachelor or Everest), Andrew channeled our dear mother by breaking out the red bandana. His preparation for sudden desert winds or the fear of being recognized was assuaged with that hand scarf, I mean bandana, around his neck. Side note: How come Matthew NEVER wears long sleeves? Side side note: Was this perhaps an entry for the next GQ magazine. The perpetual pout and sideways glare (even through sunglasses) seems appropriate - except from Josh. Good ol' Josh.
 

Ah - the familiar scene of sand and mud and water and overcast skies that bespeak of the Oregon Coast. (Once again - Matthew is preparing his GQ "grin"). The foot stopping motion of Andrew illustrates how he knows how to get things done. "We need a moat, siblings! A moat - not just a little ditch! This is Operation Moat!" And his teeny blue shorts were perhaps prophetic of his detective blues that would come later one. Maybe he still has them....

Andrew still has that same grin! I saw it yesterday, as he sidled down to sit next to Elizabeth and I. (By the way, we sat on the edge of the row, in the back. All three of us agreed: "Randall's - we sit in the back, on the end.") What I love about this picture, especially coming from the "younger half" of the Randall clan, is how excited BOTH Andrew and Seth (who is seriously rocking that striped turtleneck - all in favor of showing this to Christina say "aye"!) Back to the grin - I see this every time Ellison talks about animals or books or when Kellan knows he is about to get some candy. It looks like some of the "weak" Randall genes have come through.

First - question. WHY ARE ALL THE SHORTS SO SHORT!? Mom didn't even let me wear shorts that short. I guess the 80's really were different. One thing that hasn't changed - the excitement of stumbling upon that stringy, slimy, seaweed rope. I'm sure Andrew used it to whip the troops into shape. I mean, that moat was really important. And to stress the importance, Andrew felt the need to do a Rolling Stones type tongue move. P.S. Who else looks back on all these trips we made to the beach in usually inclement weather and wonder for the millionth time "HOW DID MOM AND DAD DO IT?!"

I love you Andrew! From when you and Jolene took Rachel and I to Enchanted Forest for our birthday to when we helped babysit all of your kids to the marathons and movie quotes and our mutual love for Elder Holland (isn't he really really the best!?).

Adventures in Babysitting - Part 2

The week after I tended to the Newbletts, I found myself watching three very EXCITED and very ANXIOUS and very ISTHEBABYHEREYETANDWHENWILLMOMBEHOMETODAYTODAY!? Randall children.

After sending Aaron and Jenn off to the hospital, I settled in on the couch to sleep for another hour (to at least 7 a.m.) before the kids woke up.

"Psst."

*pause* I laid very, very still.

"Psst. Aunt Joanna?"

I cracked an eye open and saw little Griffin standing hopefully by the couch.

"Hey buddy." I croaked and wondered why little kids are wired to wake up so early.

"I can't sleep and sometimes when that happens I can watch TV or play games or *long pause as he tested the waters* the Wii." His voice went up at the end, tinged with the hope that on this special day, Aunt Joanna would be so nice (and worn out) that the Wii could be played unrestricted.

"How about some cartoons?" I stuck to my guns - sort of. As I drifted in and out of consciousness, eventually Maddox and Reese emerged with their eyes at half mast and their hair at odd angles.

I began reassuring Reese as to why I was there and not her mother, to which she shyly smiled and said "Baby too big *at this point, she motioned with her hand over her tummy* and it has to come out."

It. Was. Adorable.

Around lunchtime, I prepared a fancy feast (complete with crystal glasses) and asked of the children: "Do you guys know why we're celebrating!?"

Maddox (yelling from his perch on the computer): "Because it's a parents free day and Aunt Joanna is here ALL DAY to help us watch TV and the Wii!"

After I stopped laughing and regained some composure, I agreed and said "But also because baby Harrison is on his way!"

Maddox: "Oh. Yeah - that too."

The celebratory feast.

After the feast of gold fish, peanut butter and jelly and honey sandwiches, leftover Halloween candy was had by all.

"There is no peanut!" Griffin was stunned.

Reese's reaction after being informed of baby Harrison's arrival. And after quite a few handfuls of chocolate.

The only person NOT happy that day was this big guy. Oh sure, I gave him his food (twice, accidentally) and plenty of treats. I pointed out the squirrels in the backyard and the threatening pedestrians in the front. Nothing - and I mean NOTHING - could sway him from his Aaron-deprived depression. 

                                        

He couldn't even look at the camera - his pain was took great.

All in all, the thirteen hour day probably went faster for me then it did for Jenn. The kids were well-behaved and very excited for their new brother. We did end up going to the hospital the next morning, where the following things happened:

1) Maddox snuck out into the hall and started chatting it up with nurses. "What does this do? My name is Maddox! What's yours?"
2) Reese was fascinated by the tiny head of hair on Harrison and kept kissing it.
3) The doctor, for one brief second, thought that I had just delivered a baby. I wasn't quite sure how to take that.
4) The highlight of the drive there was the fact that Aaron parked on the very top of the parking garage. You should have heard the cheers from the backseat as the SUV cleared the fifth level and sunlight broke through the windows. It was almost as good as Disneyland.

Adventures in Babysitting - Part 1

A few weeks ago, I headed over to the Newby household to allow the parents to escape to a nearby movie theatre. Unfortunately, a migraine worthy of Mom had hit that morning - but, like Mom, I soldiered on - with my Diet Mt. Dew and Excedrin.

Elizabeth warned the children about my headache and instructed them to be nice and quiet. Natalie quickly took charge: "Joanna, go lay on my bed and I'm sorry there are no sheets but it's the best bed in the house and I'll make sure EllaandCameron are quiet and we'll just watch the movie until Mom and Dad get home" *pause for breath* "so go on upstairs I have it handled." 

Avery and I dutifully went upstairs for our naps. Natalie fulfilled her promise and they were quiet until the parents got home. And they DID watch the movie (twice all the way through) until their parents got home.

Avery and I decided to spend some quality time together in the playroom. She seemed particularly fascinated with the winter hat I was wearing to cover my unwashed and unbrushed hair (I know Mom! How will I ever meet someone?! I'll just put on some nice blush and mascara ... heh heh). I let her try the hat on for size:

I also may or may not have carried Avery downstairs after her nap - while she carried my drink. She became very possessive of the bottle - looks like she is a true Randall and knows the value of a good soda.

Finally, this tidy summation of babysitting the Newbletts would not be complete without a shot of Cameron's artistic adaptation of an ordinary russett potato. I feel like the feather really brings out the rustic nature of the subject.

I also could not stop laughing.

Advice

As I pour Ranch dressing on my salad, Cameron helpfully chimes in with:

"Joanna, don't put too much on your salad. There needs to be enough for everyone."

Suppressed laughter and a serious nod. His parents look mortified but I point out that his advice is simply an echo of what they say to their kids. At least this shows he is listening.

Later that week...

As I take off my sweater, Cameron asks sincerely:

"Joanna, why are you taking off your sweater?"
"Because I got hot."
"Joanna, that's why sweaters are bad and you shouldn't wear 'em."
"Well, what if I get cold"
* puzzled, scrunched up face and a pause *
"That's why you just shouldn't wear them!"

Perhaps Cameron could start an advice column.

"We Are All Enlisted"

Elder Holland, at the most recent general conference, gave a talk on missionary work. Part of that talk, he dedicated to the senior couples of the church. And he gave this promise:

Those little darlings(grandchildren) will be just fine, and I promise you will do things for them in the service of the Lord that, worlds without end, you could never do if you stayed home to hover over them. What greater gift could grandparents give their posterity than to say by deed as well as word, “In this family we serve missions!”

I don't think I can ever say enough how proud I am of Mom and Dad serving a mission. They are an incredible example to their children and their grandchildren. 

Signs

I stumbled upon a website that posts hilarious signs from around the U.S. The two I've posted below are the ones I laughed the hardest at. And I know Mom and Dad would appreciate them. Especially the latter one - we should have posted something like that at Scandia...