January

January is passing quickly. Life returned back to normal when we got back from Utah. Hospital, babysitting, school. You know the routine. We have only had a few really cold days. It's been nice. The kids have been able to play outside most day.

This is what I LOVE about our neighborhood. Most days you can find a group of kids (1st grade to 6th grade) in our backyard playing football or kick ball. Today, it's football. When it's kick ball, the neighborhood girls join.

Life is good to us. We are happy.

Christmas in Utah

For the first time since Caite was a baby, Aaron had more than 3 days off work at Christmas. It worked out perfectly for us to take a little Utah Christmas Vacation and also baptize Miss Caite. First things first...The baptism. Caite was surrounded by the love of family and the Spirit was strong. Little 2 year old Krewz said it best when after Caite was baptized he jumped up and said "That was AWESOME!"

The next 2 days were spend in Fairview with Grandma and Grandpa Barentsen. Susie, Darin and Maddie joined us. There was much game playing, movie watching, and eating going on. Not to mention lots of laughter while playing "Minute to Win it". We celebrated Halle's 4th birthday and did Christmas with them on Christmas Eve. Halle has quite the personality. She talks non stop, likes things her way, loves going to pre-school, will give you a million kisses (only if you tell her not to), she love Dora and baby dolls, and can do a puzzle faster than any 4 year old I know. We are happy Heavenly Father sent this cute ball of fire our way. Life would be very dull at our house without her.

The kids each got an animal, a hat (made by grandma), and a gift card. I made a Christmas quilt for Mom and we found some cool books about Sanpete County and Utah for Dad. He has had fun reading them and telling us the funny stories about the pioneer settlers of Sanpete.

Nana and Papa have started all kinds of Christmas Eve traditions since we left. The Spanish Fork and Salem Cemeteries (where both Nana and Papa's parents are buried) have a tradition where loved ones put luminaries on the graves. We were also given a hot air balloon luminary the we lit and let fly. It was way cool. Then they drive around the Salem Pond that is has floating lit up Christmas trees all over. I was really pretty. I only with there was a little bit of snow to make it even more pretty. Due to the endless line of car waiting to go through he Spanish Fork Light Parade, we pass on that and headed home for the Christmas Eve BBQ.

Christmas Morning! Santa found us. The kids were happy.

After all was said and done, one big present remained unopened. Aaron had Isaac find out who it was for. To his great surprise it was for him. He ripped it opened as fast as he could.When he only found packing peanuts, he jumped in and started swimming. It was pretty funny.

And what to his wondering eyes should appear? An iPod touch he'd asked for all year. (okay more like 3 years) He was one HAPPY kiddo!

Later in the day we met up with Mom and Dad and the Hansen's for lunch and more celebrating. Food, Food, and more food was the name of the game this year. I think my pants are a little tighter now.

The day after Christmas. More Celebrating! We couldn't exchange Christmas gifts with the Gardners until Monday morning. We waited for Sam to get back from his Dad's. The kids couldn't get enough cousin time.

The flag football set that Hayden got was a huge success. The boys and dads played all afternoon.

Christmas is always a magical time of year. It was even more magic for us because we got to spend it with our family. Every time we visit, we get a little more homesick and hope we can return for good some day.

Caite the Great is 8!

This Diva makes me happy! She's beautiful, sweet, happy, silly, creative, kind, fashionable (her favorite word), and super smart. Who doesn't want to be like Caite? We are happy she's part of our family.For her birthday she wanted her ears pierced. So now she has two crystal flowers in her ears. I had a moment of "what have I done?" when we walked into Claire's and she saw ALL the earrings. A whole new world of Diva-ness was opened to her. YIKES!We love you Miss Caite!

Hayden Gardner #20

Hayden's football team chose to have the end of the year party at Mason Bowl. Very fun for these cute boys! Hayden had a strike his very first throw. That started the night out great.

Coach Ken and Coach Eric giving Hayden his medal. I'm so glad we signed Hayden up for football. He absolutely LOVED it. He had a smile on his face during all the practices and through all the games. During the 3rd game our main QB got hurt and the back up was mad and didn't want to go in. So they put Hayden in. He ran the ball for 3 touchdowns that game. He found his new position...and never slowed down. If he could break away from the crowd not one could catch him. At the this party Coach was saying how much fun he had and how much he learned about the boys..."like who knew Hayden was so fast".

Hayden Gardner #20: Led his team in touchdowns. Proud of our Guy Smiley!

Isaac Gardner #68

The boys have LOVED every minute of football this season. And I have to admit, so did I. I am so thankful we decided to do it. As with most sports, Isaac was a natural. He had a fabulous team of coaches who taught them the game well, but more importantly taught them responsibility, effort, integrity, goals, and teamwork. They took time out of every practice to discuss a virtue and how they were going to implement it as a team and at home. Every game and practice started and ended with prayer. I thought it was great!

End of the year party

getting his metal and picture from head coach Jeff Neubecker

Isaac#68: led the team in touchdowns. proud of that boy!

(Hayden's party is next week...more to come on that cute player)

Halloween

Happy Witch. The only Halloween costume picture I got this year! I know...bad mom...the kids took off with me running behind them, without a camera...life is busy!

carving pumpkins! Don't you always do it in your swimming suit? I told the kids to change into old clothes. This is what Halle came down in...classic Halle.

Finished product: a monster. Dora. Vampire

Although Fall is my favorite time of year...I will be the first to tell you I don't like Halloween. However, Liberty Township has changed that. They have rules. Trick-or-treating only from 6-8 on Halloween night. Everyone come out and sets up "camp" on their driveways. chairs. fire pits. and candy bowls. A billion kids and parents parade the streets as they roam from house to house. no need to knock or ring door bells, everyone is already out. We even had a "mounted police man" (police on horse back) roaming the neighborhood. It was fabulous. Halle lasted the first hour, then I dropped her off with Aaron and kept going with other kids. Isaac opted to go with a few of his friends and at the end of the night he had 10 lbs. of candy...no exaggeration. It was a definitely a memorable year, and one that has changed my perspective on Halloween.

F is for Farm

To took our preschool co-op to a farm for F week. Lots of animals. Halle and I wouldn't get close them. But none the less we had a good time.

Rachael Wilson showing the kids how to pet the cow...you don't see me (or Halle) anywhere near

Halle finally got close to the turkeys...only because there were 2 fences around them.

All the preschool kids (and 2 of my babysitting kids).