Thursday, December 31, 2009

2009: In Hindsight

For my handsome hubby, 2009 will be remembered like this: survived the lean water truck season, finally have boys old enough to really hunt, took 'em turkey hunting, took 'em deer hunting, made/modified some really cool guns, loved shooting with my boys every Tuesday night...can't wait until more of my kids want to shoot! When's the next hunt??? (Well, I might have left out a few highlights, but I think I covered most of them).





This year for me will be remembered as a year of accepting. It has taken awhile for me to accept that my kids are growing up and my babies are not babies anymore. For some reason I have wanted them to stay little (safe, cute, dependent, ....). But they are growing up and I have realized that it's okay and life continues. Roles change and needs change, but mother/child relationship will never end... I know that sounds simple and obvious, but it has been a long process for me to come to that realization.





Speaking of babies, my baby isn't a baby anymore. This year he learned how to use a toilet, he can turn on lights without any help, he learned how to be nice (thank goodness!!), he got to be alone with Mom every day after everyone else left for school, he can tell you all about star wars clone troopers (probably more than you want to sit and listen to), he doesn't like to snuggle as much anymore, but he still likes to rub your ear. Oh....and he has a girlfriend. A much older girlfriend.




Our sweet Star Wars fan became a big kid this year too! He goes to school everyday now and is a professional kindergartner! He caught onto reading faster than any of our kids...he was definitely the easiest to teach. He is happy, confident, friendly, and kind-hearted. For him this year has been a year of stepping out of his comfort zone, being brave, and becoming confident in his ability to learn whatever he wants to.




Our beautiful daughter is our social bumble bee. She has spent this year growing up and learning the ropes of who likes who and who likes what and she is our little informant. If anything is going on anywhere she probably knows most of the details and will openly share her knowledge. She is only in the third grade, but her awareness of what's going on seems much older to me! We may be in trouble!




Our cute fifth grader has spent this year growing (he is finally catching up with his friends after being behind last year.) He earned a medal shooting in the Summer Games shooting and loves the gun Dad made him that fits him perfectly. He will remember this year as the year he shot his first big Tom turkey (and there is a great story to go with that memory), and it's also the year he shot his first deer on a hunt in Wyoming with Dad and his brother. He is exactly like his Dad...they have the same personality, the same hobbies, and they are great friends.





For our oldest he will remember this year as the year he finally turned 12! He finally graduated from Primary and loves going with the Scouts on camp outs. He loves being able to pass the sacrament and collect fast offerings. This year he shot a trophy whitetail on his first ever deer hunt. He came away with six medals in the Summer Games...and almost beat all the adults in high power! This is the year he cleaned his first target...his first perfect 100 in a match! This is his last year in elementary school...next year is junior high! Yikes!!

2009 has come and gone. We look forward to 2010 and the adventures we will have together!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Lounging Around

We are getting spoiled! Without school in the morning, we have been getting up whenever our eyes open...it has been so nice!


During this vacation we have spent time getting acquainted with all our new toys, Dad and the boys have attended a two-day shooting clinic, we have watched the snow come floating down outside, we have played with cousins and friends, we have watched a few football games.....along with many more vacation-worthy activities. However, most of all, we have just enjoyed lounging around without any have-tos or schedules! It has been wonderful!!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Fourteen Years

Fourteen years ago this morning, my hubby and I were married in the Salt Lake Temple. From the perspective of eternity, we are still just getting to know each other!

5110 days later, he is still the man of my dreams and I feel so blessed to be his wife. I look forward to many years yet to come!

Monday, December 28, 2009

All Boxed Up

I spent this afternoon gathering up all our Christmas decorations and putting them back into bins for storage.


As much as I love the warmth of Christmas decorations and the piney smell of our Christmas tree, I also LOVE the feeling of renewed simplicity and extra space that comes when we put all the "stuff" away. Until next year....

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Christmas Day

After waiting and waiting until 7:00 a.m. to open gifts...




the kids lined up to come upstairs and see what Santa left.



They were relieved to find that he found our home and left a big pile of gifts.





He even brought what we asked for!






Star Wars was a major theme...




We have lots of new figures to add to our Star Wars family.




Dolls, clothes, and art supplies made her day!





Legos are always a home run!



We also have a few more mounted trophies to add to our growing collection!
We spent the rest of our day enjoying a delicious breakfast, a visit from Grandma and Grandpa, watching some new movies, and we even got in a late Christmas Day nap. It was a great day!

Friday, December 25, 2009

Christmas Eve

After meeting at the cemetery and lighting some candles, we gathered at Grandma and Grandpa's for some good food,
fun cousins,


and good laughs.


Then we listened as Grandpa read the first Christmas story...


and the kids got dressed up and acted out the nativity.


We had some sheep and shepherds,


and some kingly wise men.


Then the kids opened their Christmas pajamas....

and gave some last-minute hugs to ensure that they were on the "nice" list instead of the naughty one.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

A Jolly Surprise

Grandma and Grandpa have a friend who conveniently "looks the part." They surprised all their grandkids and invited him to our family Christmas party last week.


He was a hit!



This little guy was disappointed when he left without giving him his trooper (star wars figure) that he asked for. It was a tough sell to convince him that Santa had to go make it first.



This guy had a big list of requests.




Her list wasn't long, but she thinks Santa has some serious savings in his retirement accounts!



This one thinks he's too old to sit on Santa's lap, but wasn't afraid to tell him that he wants a laptop. Geesh! Santa IS loaded!!




This guys knows he is too old to sit on Santa's lap, but Santa chased him down anyway! He was embarrassed, but got a candy cane filled with chocolate out of the situation, so it was worth it!

Older!

My cute hubbie turned ?? yesterday! Yep, he's old! And he'll always be older than me so I can tease him about his multiplying gray hairs!



The kids could hardly wait for the cake to finish baking and the presents to be wrapped!


....finally we had a little party....



Happy Birthday, my love!

Dancing Queen

Recently our daughter performed in her Christmas dance performance.


She really likes her outfit this year.


This is her fifth year dancing.



She looked beautiful and danced so well.


We are so proud of her!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Yummm!


I have spent the past couple of days hating food...even the thought or smell of it! Finally this afternoon we made up and I like it again! I am now praying that my bout of stomach issues was because of something I ate and NOT because I am the first to bring such holiday cheer to our household!! Oh, dreadful thought!!!

Friday, December 11, 2009

"Mom, I'm Famous!"

After their third place in the National Sporter Air Rifle Competition, out boys have gotten a little attention from the media. To see the article, go here: http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/south/santaquin/article_050a984f-a17d-5d6c-b82c-fd82b94b8b87.html



They had a photographer come and shadow them at practice the other night and then they were interviewed by a reporter later in the week. They are flying pretty high!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Santa's Back-up Reindeer

I wrote Santa yesterday to let him know that if any of his reindeer aren't feeling up to the task, I have a few he could borrow!!












Some may be more willing than others!!

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Tree Decorating

December 4th is a special day for us. It's a day we remember family members who have gone before us. It has become our tradition to decorate our tree while we are remembering.


When the kids get home from school, the decorating begins!


Dad and the boys had to break off some ice and trim the trunk.


It barely fit through the door....



but soon we began decorating.

We put on some Christmas music and did a little dancing too!


Thanks for the snowflakes, Grandma! They are beautiful and we think of you every time we see one.


We love our tree...and our cute kids!
Let the season begin!