Calvin is 2 but not terrible

Calvin had a birthday and is now two years old. He seems like a different young boy. He loves to run and explore and he likes it when we come over to visit. The day was backwards with the presents being unwrapped first. Actually he opened some early in the day.

He didn't have a chance to open the gifts from the invited guests until we got there. There were a lot of relatives there to watch this fun time for him.

Looks like he likes this one.

Then it was time for the cake. The candles were lit but what is that look on his face? "Stop taking pictures so I can get down to business!"

Nothing beats cake and ice cream. Great day for everyone.

Lorelei's baptism

Lorelei turned eight years old and was now ready to be baptized. The room was filled with everyone who loved her. She was excited and couldn't wait. Lorelei asked her Aunt Erin to give a talk on baptism and me to give a talk on the Holy Ghost. Her dad performed the ordinance.

Elin, one of her many BFFs, was there to watch and be with her.

Calvin, on the other hand, just wanted to eat the treats afterwards. "This is really good!"

Lorelei with her family, Dad Calvin, Joseph, Mom and Gretchen. what a great family.

One parting shot of Lorelei under the picture of Jesus being baptized.

Interactive Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night

Starry Night (interactive animation) from Petros Vrellis on Vimeo.

Lorelei had a birthday and a pancake party

Lorelei turned eight last month and had a party with a bunch of girls at the Barnhart Pancake House. The rule was that you had to come in your pajamas. The Barnhart Pancake House was open for business and the girls would be piling in soon. The table is set and waiting for the girls to arrive.

This was a make-it-yourself-pancake-breakfast, though after adding all the whipped cream, chocolate, sprinkles, bacon, strawberries, etc, I don't know if anything was eaten. But what wouldn't taste good with bacon and chocolate.

Zoe with her plate.

Elin is chowing down and Joseph wondering if he could sneak some.

Calvin wanted in on the action.

Zoe's finished product.

Is there actually a pancake under all that stuff, Tori?

This is the birthday cake or cupcake.

One candle down, seven to go.

Eating the birthday cupcakes was more of "let's see how much we can get on our faces that actually eating them."

Then it was time to open the gifts. everyone was anxious to help.

It was a great pajama/pancake breakfast birthday for Lorelei. Everyone had fun.

New Years Day at Chuck-E-Cheese

New Years Day is a day for Chuck-E-Cheese with the Smenteks. Mairin was the perfect angel and slept half the time there.

They each got a cup of tokens to use. Kellan is trying his hand at this game.

Then Kellan was getting some pointers shooting spiders from Logan and Liam. He thinks they are pretty good.

Kellan is at the Wack-A-Mole.

Liam is the explorer in the jungle maze. He loves to climb.

This is the boys doing damage to the big angry spiders.

Just dance

One of the most favorite things the Barnharts like to do is "Just Dance 1, 2, or 3", three being the best. Gretchen, Calvin and Lorelei before the dance off.

Lorelei and Calvin, phase one.

Lorelei and Calvin all warmed up and the dance off is on.

Calvin must have beat Lorelei because he is challenging Joseph to another dance off. Looking good!

Another catch up time

As usual I have not posted much for a while and so there will be several new posts so check back often. One week last December. Liam was the Star of the Week. We visited his kindergarten class with Kirstin and Mairin.

It was his job to introduce all of us to his teacher and classmates. Then the kids had a chance to ask questions. They all seemed to center around Mairin.

After the school visit, we went to Kirstin's house for the annual Christmas cookie making/decorating project with the kids. We had to bake all the cookies before Logan and Liam got home from school so that they could get right into the decorating phase. Mairin was there to observe and get pointers for next year.

The boys got home from school and got right into decorating, and they did not take it easy on the frosting and sprinkles. The cans of frosting didn't last long. The shirts came off at the beginning to help with the cleanup afterwards.

Look at mine! aren't they great?

Even Kellan wanted to help.

In full swing.

The white frosting was applied to the gingerbread man or star wars character....

Then the red frosting was added. Now that looks store bought. Don't the ones in the store have this much frosting?

This one is perfect.

Just a bit more and I'm done.

This is one of Logan's finished cookies with sprinkles.

My best one is the triple layered one. Delicious.

This is Logan's finished plate of of goodies.

And this is Liam's finished cookies.

Kellan with his bunch. Now he is the youngest one in this Christmas cookie decorating project and it looks like his cookies are the most eatable.

Ta da! I'm still pretty clean. Now the question is, did they actually eat them afterwards. I know that the super-duper cookies were eaten becasue I ate them.