New Friends and New Names.

We had Gma's pancakes for breakfast. Same old recipe. I showed Micah the OLD cookbook. I think it looks like I poured the pancake batter on it, it looks so bad.
Then Jim wanted to study the WT with the boys. (LONNGGG study but the boys endured.)
The boys are enjoying sign language a lot. Again, they prepared hard to answer on Sunday. Darren's 2nd answer was " Old friends bad influence. Need new friends."
Micah's answer was " People know you United (Connected with) Jehovah". He wanted to make sure he used Jehovah's name in his comment. It's a challenge commenting on camera, but they did it! Not a bit shy about it.

Since they put so much effort into signing at the meetings, they saw everyone at the meetings have sign names and wanted ones of their own. A sign name is one that a deaf person gives you. Usually they know you well and give you a name fitting your personality, likes, etc. Joan and Joe are a deaf couple in our hall the boys met. Joan gave most of us our sign names. The boys tried to meet them and talk with them at the meetings. So, Joan gave them new sign names! What an awesome gift! Darren's is a D like a tall sign, and Micah's is an M on his dimples. So, the next time they go to a meeting in ASL they can say in sign, "Hi my name is (M or D). I'm learning Sign Language."

After the meeting we were invited over to friends. for pizza and fun. Micah and Darren are enjoying their boys, Tristin and Austin. Julie is one of our regular pioneers and Houston is an huge asset in our congregation, great at techy stuff for ASL.

After Pizza, enjoying a 4 way WII game. Great pizza and fun!

One more day in Winnipeg. We will try to pack as much in as we can in one day. I don't think they are bored anyway! Monday sledding and packing for home. :(

Fun and a Friend with Bunnies.

We finally have snow! Not just a dusting. It has been one unusual winter without huge snow drifts. I think we were just sharing the fun with all the provinces and states around us. So, Gpa Jim had a huge job snowblowing all of it. But he had a willing helper!

Once the driveway was cleared we went to our Human friends home. (Jim kindly did the neighbors. We thought he must be away because he is usually on top of things, only to find out he was sleeping in!)

Our "Human" friend has 4 bunnies. If you look at her face, you can tell, she LOVES all of them!

That is an "Awe" face, not a bad picture! We even got to feed them a treat.
After good food and good friend time, we went shopping, (Boxing day and we couldn't pass up all the deals out there.)

I GOT MY NEW WASHER AND DRYER!!!

Well, I do have to wait for delivery, but on Jan 9th-Bob's your uncle! I will have them!! YIPEE! Now, if I only had them to do the boys laundry, we would be happy campers you can bet!

Simple Ways to Keep 2 Boys Busy

TAKE THEM SLEDDING .

GIVE THE (almost) 14 YEAR OLD A VIDEO GAME TO GET HOOKED ON.

AND GIVE THE 8 YEAR OLD A HARD HAT AND A BALL TO STAND ON!

Music to my ears.

These are some musically inclined boys! We were playing pick-up-sticks and it ended up being a jam session-practicing their rhythm I guess. The game went by the wayside, for sure.

So, I decided to call over a person with a bit more music ability than I have for sure. It was a fun Friday! Except maybe for his son to the far left. I think he has heard his Dad's singing a few times.

And some more new friends to remember. Madison, Wayne and Matthew (Played Guestures and Madison is awesome! She helped our side win!! )

Practicing ASL

My "English" visitors have been learning a lot of ASL! Tuesday was service with our sign language group. Our lone Pioneer Brother "Scott" was our leader and their teacher for the day. Not sure what words they learned from him! But hopefully, the helpful ones. I think he at least taught them their numbers.

They were dressed and ready for service in winter in Winnipeg. Not a bad day, they did experience Tim Horton's. They have learned that there are almost as many Tim Horton's as there are gas stations. (Coffee shop in Canada-named after a hockey player)

Wednesday we practiced our comments for the meeting. Darren raises his hand. Micah calls on him (Finger spelling his name) and then focus's the camera on Darren (If you don't have a camera to practice with you can use a hockey stick) . Then Darren signs his answer. We were successful in one comment from Micah and 2 from Darren! What troopers!!!

They have been signing to me all week. At the stores, at home. They will come home with signs that I certainly didn't teach them! But, if you ever have the flu, they know how to describe it! (Thanks to the young friends in the congregation!)

Day 2 Lovin it!

We had such a fun day! We looked up things to do in Winnipeg to plan our week. We will pretty busy, if we get to do everything, for sure!
We had to start the day with a game. So we chose, Simpson's Clue and "You might be a Redneck, if...". Darren was the 1st to get his hounddog, sattelite dish, jerky, tv, recliner and flyswatter so he is the official "Redneck" for the day.
Then, it was on to the slopes. Well, in Winnipeg they are really just hills, but the boys had a real riot heading down the hills. We went with a friend and her 8 year old daughter, Kylie. They begged for more, but since we didn't want to end up with a Gma Icicle, we went for something warm at a local bookstore/coffee shop. Micah had leaves all over his hat. I asked him if he was keeping them, or if I could take them off. His reply, "Yes, I'm naming them!"
The boys cam home to Wii games, and the ultimate Pick-up-stick game. Again, Darren won. Whats up with that? And, yes I tried.
And after the movie Mr Beans Holday is over, it's off to bed for another busy day.
And, for you mom, yep... the boys commented. Micah once and Darren 3 times! They have been signing to me all day!

YIPPEE!!! THEY ARE HERE! But they are gone :(

I don't often get to see my grandkids because we live so far away. So, my son and daughter in law gave me the BEST they could give! They loaned me their boys for 10 whole days! They even brought them to me, drove up and back in two days! WOW! Am I ever blessed!

I got to spend Saturday with the whole family. But sorry they had to leave so quick.

Okay, now we start the fun. Not without a disclaimer, boys. "What happens at Gma Cheri's STAYS at Gma Cheri's!"

First project is Sign Language. We were preparing comments for the meeting. We need a lot of techy stuff to even prepare. I can't imagine what it would be like even 20 years ago!

We have had several "visitors" to our little congregation, most are scared to even try to comment. But not these guys! Micah had his answer ready and Darren his 4 answers.



I might just loose their passports so that I can keep them! New adventures today!