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After 4 months in Primary Children's hospital Dave Bone's daughter, Avalyn, was able to come home on Friday. She was not supposed to survive this long and have no reason why the things happened the way they did. The Bone family are so happy and doing well. Avi's older sister and brother love her. She looks like a baby Dave with cute chubby cheeks and dark hair. (I just wanted to update interested parties.) It sure made me realize how blessed I am. I am so grateful for my healthy children and the love of my Father in heaven. I am so grateful he hears and answers my prayers.

I am no longer watching baby Marcus. His mom had her baby last week. She was able to have a VBAC like she wanted. They named him, Austin Pete and he was exactly the size Luke was at birth. (8 pounds 3 ounces, 20 3/4 inches long.)

Anyway, I just wanted to share. I love you all.

Movie Quotes Answers

I am guessing people weren't as into it as last time. I didn't think these were too hard, but I have a slanted view. Of the 15, 1/3 were not guessed. They were:

4. "We could even repot the ficus." Music and Lyrics

5. "Dude. Dude, there's a chick in our room." The Prince and Me

7. "Hello, this is a recording. You have dialed the right number. Now hang up and don't do it again." Oceans 11 (1960)

13. "Aren't you like the maid of horror or something?" Freaky Friday (2003)

14. "What the schnitzel?" Hoodwinked

Thanks for playing with me. I think they are fun.

First 10 books

No one know the movies that are left? Hmmm...maybe I made it too hard this time.

Anyway, I thought I would grade the books I have read so far this year and if I feel like it, give a blurb and how I felt about them.

1. B- (realistic fiction) It was worth reading, but I don't remember a lot about the hurricane Katrina time and it seemed to hinge on that.

2. B (urban fantasy) 4th in a series of sorts. It was a lot creepier than the first 3, but it resolved a few things that have been hanging in the air.

3. A (memoir) It was amazing to me that people could live like that and later become so successful. I have wanted to read it for a while and am glad I did, though I am pretty sure other people wouldn't appreciate it the same way I did.

4. C (fantasy/fairy tale) I was disappointed with the 4th Bayern book. I have enjoyed the other 3, but this seemed to change voice. It felt like it was all teen angst driving the story and it mostly frustrated me.

5. A- (fiction) A young girl gets caught up in a centuries old mystery. What's not to love? I wish that it had not ended so quickly, though. (Carlye would like it.)

6. A (fiction) I love Clements because he empowers young people and makes his stories exciting. My children enjoyed "Frindle" and this had the same feel. The children rebel, but keep respect for their elders and education. I was not sure if he could pull it off, but he did and I want to read more by him now. (My nieces and nephews would like it.)

7. B (modern fantasy) A tween girl was switched at birth and when she is unswitched she learns a lot about herself and her abilities. She can shake things out of books, so it is fun to see Hobbits, the White Rabbit, etc. The author references so many other great books. It was slow in a few places, though. (Carlye would enjoy it I think.)

8. A- (futuristic fairy tale) The premise is that the faerie kind have come to life after being dormant. Trees, grass, flowers, animals, etc. have more life than people once knew and it is not very nice. Each child born since the war with faerie have magic. It is hard to fully explain, but was a quick read. (Pam should try it.)

9. A- (historical fiction) Set in India during Ghandi's time it is about a 13 year old widow and her journey through education to self discovery. I was hesitant to read it, but since I trusted the person that recommended it I gave it a try. I learned so much and it touched me. (Mom, Pam and even Cari would like it I think.)

10. B- (realistic fiction) I don't relate well to male protagonists so these are harder to get into. However, I enjoy reading Beverly Cleary. This one was for Marcus.

11. No grade. I did not complete the book, but since i read over 100 pages I am counting it until I can replace it. I spent the time, so I get the credit. Andy really enjoyed it, but for me it plodded along and was disconnected. The stories still had not intertwined when I set it aside.

If you want more details I can give them, but I wanted to share some of the books with others.

Movie Quotes Quiz...again

If I could have the charm bracelet and memory card I would be happy. (See yesterday's post.) But, I needed something to lighten my dreary mood.

I did this about 10 months ago and I thought it was so fun. Here are another series of quotes. Guess the movie, or something close if you can't remember the title. Do not guess more than 3 unless there are quotes remaining later no one has guessed. I'll give it about 3 days. (I like that number.) Oh, and I didn't repeat any movies from last time.

1. "First an Albino and now a pygmy!" Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation - Mom

2. "Where questions of self sacrifice are concerned, men are infinitely beyond us." The Importance of Being Ernest - Pammy

3. "I feel like we've died and gone to heaven - only we had to climb up." Barefoot in the Park - Pammy

4. "We could even repot the ficus."

5. "Dude. Dude, there's a chick in our room."

6. "You once asked me why I married your mother. I married her because I loved her." Star Trek (2009) - Pammy

7. "Hello, this is a recording. You have dialed the right number. Now hang up and don't do it again."

8. "Communism was just a red herring." Clue - Annie

9. "It's a big bluish, green man...with a strange looking goatee...I'm guessing that's significant." National Treasure - Elise and Dad

10. "Not everyone is meant to make a difference. But for me, the choice to lead an ordinary life is no longer an option." Spiderman - Mom

11. "I wonder if he is using the same wind we are using." Princess Bride - Heather

12. "As always, this is as good as it's going to get." Princess Diaries - Annie

13. "Aren't you like the maid of horror or something?"

14. "What the schnitzel?"

15. "How can you sell a home? You can't wrap it up. You can't carry it away. And you certainly can't fit it in your car." Pippi Longstocking - Mom

Camera Blues

Remember the middle of December when my camera broke? Remember that I bought a new one and it didn't work very well? It turns out the photos downloaded okay, so I kept it and was beginning to enjoy it.

Last week was Anneke's first day of jazz and tap class. I am not sure who was more excited, her or me. I took about 20 pictures of her at home and class. Halfway through I put her tap shoes on her and took her charm bracelet off, attaching it to the strap on my camera for safe keeping. (I didn't remember this until later when I was turning my house upside down in my search for the jewelry.) Then I put the camera in my coat pocket. At the end of class I squatted on the floor to tie Anneke's shoes and then we went to the bathroom. The camera must have slipped out of my pocket. No one has been honest enough to turn it in. I call and ask the rec center a lot. (I think they are sick of me.) I have searched everywhere and I am so sad. I used my birthday and Christmas money on that camera and the charm bracelet is irreplaceable. Anneke has had it since she was a baby. Bella and Carlye lost theirs, I guess it was only a matter of time. So, until we get some extra money, no photos.

Writing

Writing has been a huge part of my life. Maybe not in the same way it is a huge part of a normal person's life, though. My dad writes amazing short stories. My grandfather composes silly poems. My mom studied English at UTSA. My baby sister just received her Masters in Creative Writing and has written some amazing books. (My favorite is Addelaide, but it could be because my name is a form of her name.) My older two sisters have a way with words and I love reading everyone's blogs. Not to mention the little fact that my husband is getting his PhD in English. I have had some amazing experiences with writing.

*In Elementary I competed in UIL Ready Writing. I never won, but I loved it. (Click on the link to find out slightly more about this UIL event. As a side note, I had no idea that UT started UIL and that it included sports.)

*In fourth grade I created the Forest Friends, Ronni Rabbit, Terri Turtle and Bonnie Bear. I had 3 stories about them (with ilustrations) and I think they are gone. I showed them to Andy just after we were married and I was so embarrassed, but he didn't laugh or tease me. The books were influenced by Mercer Mayer, Beverly Cleary and Rudyard Kipling. (Talk about diverse.)

*I have had several poems published in books and magazines, but have no copies of them. (I don't think I told people, either.)

*I have written a few songs.

*I was an award winning editor for my school newspaper.

*I wrote one of the most popular editorial pieces for the school paper.

*I lettered in journalism.

*I wanted to be a journalist, but realized I am not good at confrontations or making people uncomfortable.

*My favorite paper that I have written was on Lady Jane Gray. To this day I am fascinated by this mysterious queen. (In fact, I am so sensitive about her that I got angry at a book based on her life because they portrayed her love life inaccurately.)

*For about 3 years of my life I wrote letters to 12 missionaries. An average of 3 letters a week. (Some told me that there was only a 3% chance of marrying a missionary you write to. That gave me a 36% chance to marry Andy. Hee Hee.)

*I have 12 completed journals. I wrote every day from the time I was 11 until my marriage. I still write, but not as consistently.

*I write to understand myself. When I am trying to figure things out I journal or blog. (That is why sometimes you get a series of downer blogs like when we were planning our Vegas move.)

*I finally figured out a title for my story, 24 Shoes or 24 Shoes a Week. I like the first one but thought maybe it needed to be clarified. What do you think?

My resolution

I made the resolution to read a lot of books. Apparently, I did not need to, because I have read almost 10 and the first month isn't even over. That was also without effort. Anyway, I got a lot of help creating a book list from friends and loved ones. Some books are not what I would normally choose, but I am giving them a chance anyway. I have been pleasantly surprised and the books I have read so far this year encompass children's lit, YA lit, and adult lit. They are fantasy, urban fantasy, historical fiction, memoir and realistic fiction. I have learned a lot from these books and I am amazed that it has only been 3 weeks since I made this goal. Any suggestions? Any books you are curious about from my short list? I am willing to give my opinions. Some books I am going to tackle within the next little while are:

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Bone Warriors by Bron Bahlmann

Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Fat Cat by Robin Brande

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

Funny in Farsi by Firoozeh Jazayeri Dumas

The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman

Rebekah: Women of Genesis by Orson Scott Card

The Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis

Mudshark by Gary Paulsen

Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Nine Days a Queen by Ann Rinaldi

I could go on and on. My TBR (to be read) list is almost 150 titles long. I am so excited. I am also going to try and read at least 10 Newbery winning titles. If not I may never finish that huge list. (See yesterday's post.) I hope that I don't bore you with my additions and posts about the stories and books I read.

Newbery List

Here is the list of Newbery Winners, including 2010. I have italicized and bolded those that I have read. A total of 70 books. I don't remember if I have truly read some of them, but I marked them if I thought I had. (Remember I have read literally thousands of books and am having a hard time being sure.) I find it interesting that Millions of Cats (1929) and Dr. DeSoto (1983) are not books I would expect for a Newbery, more Caldecott length. But, I guess there is no such distinction. Also, again, just because I have read them, does not mean I recommend them. I have several of these books on my shelf that I bought at the DI. They are on my "To Be Read" list.

I have almost completed 10% of my reading resolution. If you need book ideas. Here are few for you. ;) How many have you read from this extensive list?

1922
The Story of Mankind, by Hendrik Willem van Loon
The Great Quest, by Charles Hawes
Cedric the Forester, by Bernard Marshall
The Old Tobacco Shop: A True Account of What Befell a Little Boy in Search of Adventure, by William Bowen
The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles, by Padraic Colum
The Windy Hill, by Cornelia Meigs

1923

The Voyages of Doctor Doolittle by Hugo Lofting

1924
The Dark Frigate, by Charles Hawes

1925
Tales From Silver Lands, by Charles Finger
Nicholas: A Manhattan Christmas Story, by Annie Carroll Moore
The Dream Coach, by Anne Parrish

1926
Shen of the Sea, by Arthur Bowie Chrisman
The Voyagers: Being Legends and Romances of Atlantic Discovery, by Padraic Colum

1927
Smoky the Cowhorse, by Will James

1928
Gayneck, the Story of a Pigeon, by Dhan Gopal Mukerji
The Wonder Smith and his Son, by Ella Young
Downright Dencey, by Caroline Snedeker

1929
The Trumpeter of Krakow, by Eric P. Kelly
Pigtail of Ah Lee Ben Loo, by John Bennett
Millions of Cats, by Wanda Gág
The Boy Who Was, by Grace Hallock
Clearing Weather, by Cornelia Meigs
Runaway Papoose, by Grace Moon
Tod of the Fens, by Elinor Whitney

1930
Hitty, Her First Hundred Years, by Rachel Field
A Daughter of the Seine: The Life of Madame Roland, by Jeanette Eaton
Pran of Albania, by Elizabeth Miller
Jumping-Off Place, by Marion Hurd McNeely
The Tangle-Coated Horse and Other Tales, by Ella Young
Vaino, by Julia Davis Adams
Little Blacknose, by Hildegarde Swift

1931
The Cat Who Went To Heaven, by Elizabeth Coatsworth
Floating Island, by Anne Parrish
The Dark Star of Itza: The Story of a Pagan Princess, by Alida Malkus
Queer Person, by Ralph Hubbard
Mountains Are Free, by Julie Davis Adams
Spice and the Devil's Cave, by Agnes Hewes
Meggy MacIntosh, by Elizabeth Janet Gray
Garram the Hunter: A Boy of the Hill Tribes, by Herbert Best
Ood-Le-Uk the Wanderer, by Alice Lide & Margaret Johansen

1932
Waterless Mountain, by Laura Adams Armer
The Fairy Circus, by Dorothy P. Lathrop
Calico Bush, by Rachel Field
Boy of the South Seas, by Eunice Tietjens
Out of the Flame, by Eloise Lownsbery
Jane's Island, by Marjorie Allee
Truce of the Wolf and Other Tales of Old Italy, by Mary Gould Davis

1933
Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze, by Elizabeth Lewis
Swift Rivers, by Cornelia Meigs
The Railroad to Freedom: A Story of the Civil War, by Hildegarde Swift
Children of the Soil: A Story of Scandinavia, by Nora Burglon

1934
Invincible Louisa: The Story of the Author of Little Women, by Cornelia Meigs
The Forgotten Daughter, by Caroline Snedeker
Swords of Steel, by Elsie Singmaster
ABC Bunny, by Wanda Gág
Winged Girl of Knossos, by Erik Berry
New Land, by Sarah Schmidt
Big Tree of Bunlahy: Stories of My Own Countryside, by Padraic Colum
Glory of the Seas, by Agnes Hewes
Apprentice of Florence, by Ann Kyle

1935
Dobry, by Monica Shannon
Pageant of Chinese History, by Elizabeth Seeger
Davy Crockett, by Constance Rourke
Day on Skates: The Story of a Dutch Picnic, by Hilda Von Stockum

1936
Caddie Woodlawn Carol Ryrie Brink

Honk, The Moose, by Phil Stong
The Good Master, by Kate Seredy
Young Walter Scott, by Elizabeth Janet Gray
All Sail Set: A Romance of the Flying Cloud, by Armstrong Sperry

1937
Roller Skates by Ruth Sawyer

Phebe Fairchild: Her Book, by Lois Lenski
Whistler's Van, by Idwal Jones
The Golden Basket, by Ludwig Bemelmans
Winterbound, by Margery Bianco
The Codfish Musket, by Agnes Hewes
Audubon, by Constance Rourke

1938
The White Stag, by Kate Seredy
Pecos Bill, by James Cloyd Bowman
Bright Island, by Mabel Robinson

On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder

1939
Thimble Summer, by Elizabeth Enright
Nino, by Valenti Angelo
Mr. Popper's Penguins, by Richard & Florence Atwater
Hello the Boat!, by Phyllis Crawford
Leader by Destiny: George Washington, Man and Patriot, by Jeanette Eaton
Penn, by Elizabeth Janet Gray

1940
Daniel Boone, by James Daugherty
The Singing Tree, by Kate Seredy
Runner of the Mountain Tops: The Life of Louis Agassiz, by Mabel Robinson

By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Boy With a Pack, by Stephen W. Meader

1941
Call It Courage, by Armstrong Sperry

Blue Willow by Doris Gates
Young Mac of Fort Vancouver, by Mary Jane Carr

The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Nansen, by Anna Gertrude Hall

1942
The Matchlock Gun, by Walter Edmonds

Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
George Washington's World, by Genevieve Foster
Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison, by Lois Lenski
Down Ryton Water, by Eva Roe Gaggin

1943
Adam of the Road, by Elizabeth Janet Gray

The Middle Moffat by Eleanor Estes
Have You Seen Tom Thumb?, by Mabel Leigh Hunt

1944
Johnny Tremain, by Esther Forbes

These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls WIlder
Fog Magic, by Julia Sauer
Rufus M., by Eleanor Estes
Mountain Born, by Elizabeth Yates

1945
Rabbit Hill, by Robert Lawson

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes

The Silver Pencil by Alice Dalgliesh
Abraham Lincoln's World, by Genevieve Foster
Lone Journey: The Life of Roger Williams, by Jeanetter Eaton

1946
Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski

Justin Morgan Had a Horse by Marguerite Henry

The Moved-Outers, by Florence Crannell Means
Bhimsa, The Dancing Bear, by Christine Weston
New Found World, by Katherine Shippen

1947
Miss Hickory, by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
Wonderful Year, by Nancy Barnes
Big Tree, by Mary & Conrad Buff
The Heavenly Tenants, by William Maxwell
The Avion My Uncle Flew, by Cyrus Fisher
The Hidden Treasure of Glaston, by Eleanor Jewett

1948
The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene du Bois

Pancakes-Paris, by Claire Huchet Bishop
Li-Lun, Lad of Courage, by Carolyn Treffinger
The Quaint and Curious Quest of Johnny Longfoot, by Catherine Besterman
The Cow-Tail Switch and Other West African Stories, by Harold Courlander

Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry

1949
King of the Wild by Marguerite Henry

Seabird, by Holling C. Holling

Daughter of he Mountains by Louise Rankin
My Father's Dragon, by Ruth S. Gannett
Story of the Negro, by Arna Bontemps

1950
The Door In The Wall, by Marguerite de Angeli
Tree of Freedom, by Rebecca Caudill
The Blue Cat of Castle Town, by Catherine Coblentz
Kildee House, by Rutherford Montgomery
George Washington, by Genevieve Foster
Song of the Pines: A Story of Norwegian Lumbering in Wisconsin, by Walter & Marion Havighurst

1951
Amos Fortune: Free Man, by Elizabeth Yates
Better Known as Johnny Appleseed, by Mabel Leigh Hunt
Ghandi, Fighter Without a Sword, by Jeanette Eaton
Abraham Lincoln, Friend of the People, by Clara Ingram JudsonThe Story of Appleby Capple, by Anne Parrish

1952
Ginger Pye, by Eleanor Estes
Americans Before Columbus, by Elizabeth Baity
Minn of the Mississippi, by Holling C. Holling
The Defender, by Nicholas Kalashnikoff
The Light At Tern Rock, by Julia Sauer
The Apple and the Arrow, by Mary & Conrad Buff

1953
Secret of the Andes, by Ann Nolan Clark

Charlotte's Web by E. B. White
Moccasin Trail, by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
Red Sails To Capri, by Ann Weil
The Bears On Hemlock Mountain, by Alice Dalgliesh
Birthdays of Freedom, Volume I, by Genevieve Foster

1954
...And Now Miguel, by Joseph Krumgold
All Alone, by Claire Huchet Bishop
Shadrach, by Meindert Dejong
Hurry Home, Candy, by Meindert Dejong
Theodore Roosevelt, Fighting Patriot, by Clara Ingram Judson
Magic Maize, by Mary & Conrad Buff

1955
The Wheel on the School, by Meindert DeJong
Courage of Sarah Noble, by Alice Dalgliesh
Banner in the Sky, by James Ullman

1956
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, by Jean Lee Latham
The Secret River, by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
The Golden Name Day, by Jennie Lindquist
Men, Microscopes, and Living Things, by Katherine Shippen

1957
Miracles on Maple Hill, by Virginia Sorensen

Old Yeller by Fred Gibson
The House of Sixty Fathers, by Meindert DeJong
Mr. Justice Holmes, by Clara Ingram Judson
The Corn Grows Ripe, by Dorothy Rhoads
Black Fox of Lorne, by Marguerite de Angeli

1958
Rifles For Watie, by Harold Keith
The Horsecatcher, by Mari Sandoz
Gone-Away Lake, by Elizabeth Enright
The Great Wheel, by Robert Lawson
Tom Paine, Freedom's Apostle, by Leo Gurko

1959
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

The Family Under The Bridge, by Natalie Savage Carlson
Along Came a Dog, by Meindert Dejong
Chucaro: Wild Pony of the Pampa, by Francis Kalnay
The Perilous Road, by William O. Steele

1960
Onion John, by Joseph Krumgold

My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
America Is Born: A History For Peter, by Gerald W. Johnson

1961
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

America Moves Forward: A History For Peter, by Gerald W. Johnson
Old Ramon, by Jack Schaefer

The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden

1962
The Bronze Bow, by Elizabeth George Speare
Frontier Living, by Edwin Tunis
The Golden Goblet, by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
Belling the Tiger, by Mary Stolz

1963
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Thistle and Thyme: Tales and Legends From Scotland, by Sorche Nic Leodhas
Men Of Athens, by Olivia Coolidge

1964
I Like This, Cat by Emily Neville

Rascal: A Memoir of a Better Era by Sterling North

The Loner, by Ester Wier

1965
Shadow of a Bull, by Maia Wojciechowska

Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt

1966
I, Juan de Pareja, by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino

The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander
The Animal Family, by Randall Jarrell
The Noonday Friends, by Mary Stolz

1967
Up A Road Slowly, by Irene Hunt
The King's Fifth, by Scott O'Dell
Zlateh the Goat and Other Stories, by Isaac Bashevis Singer
The Jazz Man, by Mary Hays Weik

1968
From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg

Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth, by E. L. Konigsburg
The Black Pearl, by Scott O'Dell
The Fearsome Inn, by Isaac Bashevis Singer
The Egypt Game, by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

1969
The High King, by Lloyd Alexander
To Be A Slave, by Julius Lester
When Schlemiel Went To Warsaw And Other Stories, by Isaac Bashevis Singer

1970
Sounder, by William H. Armstrong
Our Eddie, by Sulamith Ish-Kishor
The Many Ways of Seeing: An Introduction To The Pleasures Of Art, by Janet Gaylord Moore
Journey Outside, by Mary Q. Steele

1971
Summer Of The Swans, by Betsy Byars
Knee Knock Rise, by Natalie Babbitt
Enchantress From The Stars, by Sylvia Louise Engdahl
Sing Down The Moon, by Scott O'Dell

1972
Mrs. Frisby and The Rats of NIMH, by Robert C. O'Brien
Incident At Hawk's Hill, by Allan W. Eckert
The Planet of Junior Brown, by Virginia Hamilton
The Tombs of Atuan, by Ursula K. LeGuin
Annie and The Old One, by Miska Miles
The Headless Cupid, by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

1973
Julie of The Wolves, by Jean Craighead George
Frog And Toad Together, by Arnold Lobel
The Upstairs Room, by Johanna Reiss
The Witches of Worm, by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

1974
The Slave Dancer, by Paula Fox
The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper

1975
M. C. Higgins, The Great, by Virginia Hamilton
Figgs and Phantoms, by Ellen Raskin
My Brother Sam Is Dead, by James Lincoln Collier & Christopher Collier
The Perilous Gard, by Elizabeth Marie Pope
Philip Hall Likes Me, I Reckon Maybe, by Bette Greene

1976
The Grey King, by Susan Cooper
The Hundred Penny Box, by Sharon Bell Mathis
Dragonwings, by Laurence Yep

1977
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred D. Taylor
Abel's Island, by William Steig
A String In The Harp, by Nancy Bond

1978
Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson
Ramona and Her Father, by Beverly Cleary
Anpao: An American Indian Odyssey, by Jamake Highwater

1979
The Westing Game, by Ellen Raskin
The Great Gilly Hopkins, by Katherine Paterson

1980
A Gathering of Days: A New England Girl's Journal 1830 - 1832, by Joan W. Blos
The Road From Home: The Story of an Armenian Girl, by David Kherdian

1981
Jacob Have I Loved, by Katherine Paterson
The Fledgling, by Jane Langton
A Ring Of Endless Light, by Madeleine L'Engle

1982
A Visit To William Blake's Inn: Poems For Innocent and Experienced Travelers, by Nancy Willard
Ramona Quimby, Age 8, by Beverly Cleary
Upon The Head of the Goat: A Childhood in Hungary, 1939 - 1944, by Aranka Siegal

1983
Dicey's Song, by Cynthia Voigt
The Blue Sword, by Robin McKinley
Doctor DeSoto, by William Steig
Graven Images, by Paul Fleischman
Homesick: My Own Story, by Jean Fritz
Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush, by Virginia Hamilton

1984
Dear Mr. Henshaw, by Beverly Cleary
The Sign of the Beaver, by Elizabeth George Speare
A Solitary Blue, by Cynthia Voigt
Sugaring Time, by Kathryn Lasky
The Wish Giver: Three Tales of Coven Tree, by Bill Brittain

1985
The Hero and the Crown, by Robin McKinley
Like Jake and Me, by Mavis Jukes
The Moves Make the Man, by Bruce Brooks
One-Eyed Cat, by Paula Fox

1986
Sarah, Plain and Tall, by Patricia MacLachlan
Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun, by Rhoda Blumberg
Dogsong, by Gary Paulsen

1987
The Whipping Boy, by Sid Fleischman
A Fine White Dust, by Cynthia Rylant
On My Honor, by Marion Dane Bauer
Volcano: The Eruption and Healing of Mount St. Helens, by Patricia Lauber

1988
Lincoln, A Photobiography, by Russell Freedman
After The Rain, by Norma Fox Mazer
Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen

1989
Joyful Noise: Poems For Two Voices, by Paul Fleischman
In The Beginning: Creation Stories From Around the World, by Virginia Hamilton
Scorpions, by Walter Dean Myers

1990
Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry
Afternoon of the Elves, by Janet Taylor Lisle
Shabanu, Daughter of the Wind, by Suzanne Fisher Staples
The Winter Room, by Gary Paulsen

1991
Maniac Magee, by Jerry Spinelli
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, by Avi

1992
Shiloh, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Nothing But The Truth: A Documentary Novel, by Avi
The Wright Brothers: How They Invented The Airplane, by Russell Freedman

1993
Missing May, by Cynthia Rylant
What Hearts, by Bruce Brooks
The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural, by Patricia McKissack
Somewhere in the Darkness, by Walter Dean Myers

1994
The Giver, by Lois Lowry
Crazy Lady, by Jane Leslie Conly
Dragon's Gate, by Laurence Yep
Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery, by Russell Freedman

1995
Walk Two Moons, by Sharon Creech
Catherine, Called Birdy, by Karen Cushman
The Ear, The Eye, and The Arm, by Nancy Farmer

1996
The Midwife's Apprentice, by Karen Cushman
What Jamie Saw, by Carolyn Coman
The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963, by Christopher Paul Curtis
Yolonda's Genius, by Carol Fenner
The Great Fire, by Jim Murphy

1997
The View From Saturday, by E.L. Konigsburg
A Girl Named Disaster, by Nancy Farmer
Moorchild, by Eloise McGraw
The Thief, by Megan Whalen Turner
Belle Prater's Boy, by Ruth White

1998
Out Of The Dust, by Karen Hesse
Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine
Lily's Crossing, by Patricia Reilly Giff
Wringer, by Jerry Spinelli

1999
Holes, by Louis Sachar
A Long Way From Chicago, by Richard Peck

2000
Bud, Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis
Getting Near To Baby, by Audrey Couloumbis
Our Only May Amelia, by Jennifer L. Holm
26 Fairmount Avenue, by Tomie dePaola

2001
A Year Down Yonder, by Richard Peck
Hope Was Here, by Joan Bauer
Because of Winn-Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo
Joey Pigza Loses Control, by Jack Gantos
The Wanderer, by Sharon Creech

2002
A Single Shard, by Linda Sue Park
Everything On a Waffle, by Polly Horvath
Carver: A Life In Poems, by Marilyn Nelson

2003
Crispin: The Cross of Lead, by Avi
The House of the Scorpion, by Nancy Farmer
Pictures of Hollis Woods, by Patricia Reilly Giff
Hoot, by Carl Hiaasen
A Corner of the Universe, by Ann M. Martin
Surviving the Applewhites, by Stephanie S. Tolan

2004
The Tale of Despereaux: Being a Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread, by Kate DiCamillo
Olive's Ocean, by Kevin Henkes
An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of The Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793, by Jim Murphy

2005
Kira-Kira, by Cynthia Kadohata
Al Capone Does My Shirts, by Gennifer Choldenko
The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle For Equal Rights, by Russell Freedman
Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy,by Gary D. Schmidt

2006
Criss-Cross, by Lynne Rae Perkins
Whittington, by Alan Armstrong
Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow, by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Princess Academy, by Shannon Hale
Show Way, by Jacqueline Woodson

2007
The Higher Power of Lucky, by Susan Patron
Penny From Heaven, by Jennifer Holm
Hattie Big Sky, by Kirby Larson
Rules, by Cynthia Lord

2008
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices From a Medieval Village, by Laura Amy Schlitz
Elijah of Buxton, by Christopher Paul Curtis
The Wednesday Wars, by Gary D. Schmidt
Feathers, by Jacqueline Woodson

2009
The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman
The Underneath, by Kathi Appelt
The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom, by Margarita Engle
Savvy, by Ingrid Law
After Tupac and D Foster, by Jacqueline Woodson

2010
When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice, by Phillip Hoose
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, by Jacqueline Kelly
Where The Mountain Meets The Moon, by Grace Lin
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg, by Rodman Philbrick

Great Help is hard to find

We have teeth issues in our family. My children have never had a cavity. I am hoping and thinking it is because I still help them brush their teeth and floss. Anyway, last week my children went to the dentist. Marcus was told he needed a tooth pulled and braces, Anneke was told she had 3 cavities. It didn't sit right with me, so I made an appointment with my dentist, Dr. Weaver, for a second opinion.

Yesterday, he took a look in their mouths. He mentioned that they had the cleanest teeth of the children he had seen in his practice. Anneke didn't have cavities, just some staining that he scraped away. Marcus has a weak tooth, very much like my weird front tooth. (He said he wants to put us in a study since he has only seen it in our family.) Dr. Weaver doesn't want to pull it because he doesn't want the back tooth to move into it's place. He is worried because of the tooth they pulled in June for the same reason. The permanent back tooth will want to move forward and try to make a home where it shouldn't. Marcus needs a spacer or something. So, we have been sent to an orthodontist to see if braces are necessary, but that seems unlikely. Anyway, drama, drama, drama.

Andy and I decided it is worth it to pay for Dr. Weaver since he is honest and works with us. He actually tells us what is going on. Our insurance only covers the crappy dentists that have not been the best to work with. (Same ones that dealt poorly with my cracked tooth and Dr. Weaver had to fix.) This is why I travel great distances to see my optometrist and hair dresser. Great help is hard to find. (I wonder if I will come back here to get my teeth looked at like I go to Ephraim to get my eyes looked at...STILL.)

The visit

My parents visited for a few days and it was so much fun. We didn't do amazing things, but we had a very good time. Anneke cried when they left. She can't understand why they can't live here. It worked for a few days, why not forever?

At family gatherings you inevitably have a photo shoot of sorts. Here are some of my favorites from my parent's visit.

Mom, Pam and me

My dad is talking to me. (Luke is supposed to be eating lunch)

I was leaning forward to take the camera from Andy, but this isn't a bad shot.

The girls (despite my horn.)

Another girly shot.

The CLBs. The only similarities I can see thus far are the ears and smile.

Pam's birthday

After Marcus's baptism on Saturday we played at the playground, watched football, went shopping and just generally took it easy. That night we went to Joe's Crab Shack for Pammy's birthday. (Her birthday was on Sunday, but she had to leave us that day. ;() We spent 2 hours there and had a grand time.

There was an amazing balloon artist. Anneke and Marcus did not request what they got, he guessed.

Grandma in the foreground with Marcus (If you can't tell it is Darth Vader.)

Dancing to "Love Shack"

Dutch was wearing the menu on his head and took it off as the photo was taken.

Both Pam and Marcus got to celebrate their birthday's at the restaurant. They had a hula hoop contest. (I think if you add their scores together you would get a total of 5.)

Anneke was enjoying her dessert, too.

Dutch DID NOT like his mom doing that. None of us could figure it out.

This was the first birthday in like 10 years I got to spend with my baby sister. I hope it is not as long ever again.

Baptism

The program. (Click to see closer.)

I didn't want to waste any time that I had with my parents while they were here. My children are not going to bed, so we are in a holding pattern. This is the post that comes from that.

Saturday was a very special day for Marcus. He chose to be baptized and he was very excited about it. He tried to involve as many family members as possible. It was a very nice day.

Getting ready. Anneke, Connor and Luke at the podium, Marcus and Grammy at the piano and Michael watching Brian trying to tie his tie.

Landon, Jeff, Jamie and me. (I look pretty good, so I included it.)

Marcus and his daddy in their whites

I liked this one best, but thought others might want to see faces.

Robert Bahlmann (Grampy) and Clyde Bailey (Grandpa) with Marcus

(Zack was supposed to be in this picture but he couldn't remember how to tie his tie, so I have ZERO pictures of him. He will get it this weekend!)

I love that he looks so small.

(This was the smallest jumpsuit we could find. There must have been another place, because he is larger than the average 8 year old and he is swimming in it.)

Marcus's cake, by request

(Andy painted the front of one of our Lego people so that they were both all in white.)

Marcus with his cake.

Zack was thoughtful enough to take this family picture for me.

(Anneke's hair is already half down by this point, but you can't tell. Phew!)

It was a nice morning. Then, we played for the rest of the day. Several people that we wanted to come were unable to be there, so we had a lot of left over food. I am so glad that my baby sister and her baby could come. (Why do I have no pictures of her?)

Baby Sister

It's one of my best friend's birthday! Yea Aunt Tummy! And, I got to see my baby sister. Isn't she beautiful?

8 is Great!

At 7:21am 8 years ago today this cute boy came into the world.

On Saturday he will be baptized. Marcus is super excited. He picked out a forest green quad and had his name engraved in gold script on the front. Instead of it saying Marcus Andrew Bahlmann it says Marcus A. Bahlmann because it was one character too long. (I had the same problem for Andy. That means the younger two will not have that problem, though.) He has loved having Grandma and Grandpa here. He had aebelskivers for breakfast and will have chicken and fetticine for dinner.

It is not a stake baptism so it was a huge fiasco. I had invitations to send to people, but the date wasn't finalized in time. So, please know that we want(ed) you to come if you could/can. (Especially family. ie, the Bahlmann's, the Brugger's, the Dittmar's, the Rowley's, and the Turner's.) Here is the gist of the invite:

(The cover picture) 8 is great!

Inside cover had a photo of Christ and John the baptist with the scripture Romans 6: 4 "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

When: Saturday January 16th 2010

Where: Palora Chapel (followed by the address)

Time: 10:00am

Why? Marcus Bahlmann is going to be baptized!

The back had the bat symbol Andy did that says Bahlmann. I couldn't get it to upload for some reason. Anyway, if you truly want to come let me know and I can give you the address.