Cubs!

No not baseball. Scouts!! Jonas got his first patch last week. Bobcat! His mom is supposed to get a pin that he puts on her, but his leaders forgot to order it. He's got great leaders....

I thought black would be slimming on me, Kels must have used the wide lense.

When one of the scouts gets a patch or moves to a new animal the scout master does something a little fun. A round of applause, or a blast off. He tried to do some sort of watermelon thing and was shut down. The other leaders in the room said it had been banned due to ratial connotations. So we got to eat corn on the cob.

On a side note, Essie and I love nursery.

Addicted to Jane!

I must admit that I have been an addict since the eleventh grade. I had to choose an era book to read for a literature class. My sister, Alli, talked me into Pride and Prejudice. I loved the story, and soon rented the black and white movie version of it. The 70's version is quite a joke now since all of the newer versions; the Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth version is my favorite.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that the works of Jane Austen are the most loved in all British Literature. It is true for me! I wish I could thank her for all the joy her work has brought to me. For every time I re-read one of her novels, I revel in the pleasure of a well-loved tale.

It is an amazing thing to see these beloved characters come to life on the screen. I have been addicted to Emma of late. I have loved both versions of it with Kate Beckinsale and Gwyneth.

The latest version with Romola Garai is no exception. I proclaim it a success. I loved how, at the opening, we see scenes from the past. Emma and Frank have lost their mothers, and poor Jane is sent away from her family (losing the only mother she had known). Romola's rendition is quite different than the others, in that she is giggling, unladylike, and has the most expressive face. This film feels more contemporary than the others.

I loved this film at once and ordered it staight from England, not thinking that it would not work on my DVD player here in the U.S. Luckily, Costco had it a week later.

"It was badly done, indeed! You, whom she had known from an infant, whom she had seen grow up from a period when her notice was an honour, to have you now, in thoughtless spirits, and the pride of the moment, laugh at her, humble her--and before her niece, too--and before others, many of whom (certainly some,) would be entirely guided by your treatment of her.--This is not pleasant to you, Emma--and it is very far from pleasant to me; but I must, I will,--I will tell you truths while I can." - One of my favorites.

"It darted through her with the speed of an arrow that Mr. Knightley must marry no one but herself!"

"Vanity working on a weak head, produces every sort of mischief."

I had no idea that Jane Austen's books and movies would become literary comfort food for me, but there it is!

Skiing!

Bright and early last Sat. morning we headed up to Brighton Ski Resort for a day of fun.

We invited Morgan and Andrew to come up and help out.

It was Hannah, Jonas, and Marens first trip.

Kelsie and I haven't been for a few years, but it came back fast.
Kelsie stuck with Morgan and Andrew, so we don't really have any pics of them. I just had flashes of her going quickly down the hill. Once she flew off of a jump and didn't know it till she was in the air. Josh and I saw her from the lift. We tried to get down quickly to see if she was okay. When I found her she was in a different spot trying to get one of her skiis back on. I learned to ski when I was an adult. My kids go fast and they have no fear, which I guess is the difference in learning as a child.

Hannah, Jonas, and Maren all took lessons. We never did see Jonas on the hill snowboarding.

Nice form on this curve.

Maren wanted to keep skiing, but she was so tired and could not direct her own skiis. So she had to go to the car for a nap.

We would like to go back up before winter is over, so the kids don't forget what they have learned.

Suddenly Seventeen!

It snuck up on me, but here she is at 17.

Always a nice smile for the camera.

A birthday wish!

Jonas' first scout race.

The dad's got a turn too!

Kelsie lettered in swim this year, she also took the team spirit award.

As she was walking away from her coach with the award, his comment was that she definitely was not a shy one.

Kels, Ambrey, and Erika!