Working on the Car

Carter and his Dad have been spending some quality time together this week working on Carter's first pinewood derby car. The race itself takes place on Friday and Carter is getting more and more excited with each passing day. Jeremy had a good place to work with Carter thanks to the rolling work tables he made while I was in CA teaching choreography. What industrious boys we have in our family!

Ear Piercing Screams of Joy

The long-awaited day is finally here! Madison is 12 and is officially old enough to get her ears pierced. She thought this day would never arrive, it seemed so far away. It seemed that way to me too! I can't believe my leetle girl is 12. Am I that old? (No answer necessary please.)

Madison's friend Joy went with us to the mall for the event and afterwards I took the girls shopping. They bought jewelry, candy, buttons, and soda. Typical twelve year old fare. I can't recall the last time I went out with a girlfriend and bought fun stuff for myself. Madison soak up your youth while you can!

WARNING... from Grant

For a kindergarten writing prompt the students in Grant's class listened to a book called The Gingerbread Baby, then wrote about something they would run away from. The picture above was displayed by Mrs. P (above)in the hallway and it made me laugh. I hope he stays far away from the end of our driveway, and the zooming cars there, for the rest of his life. Run Grant run!

Rolling in 2010!

Remember a while ago when I wrote a post about relatives giving my kids awesome toys, that Jeremy and I probably wouldn't buy... This super wammadime bumper ball was a Christmas present from Aunt Hollie and Uncle Sean. The kids played and played in it until they were feeling a bit too green from being in a "spin cycle". But the very next day they wanted to do it again! Jamesy just liked to loaf around inside of it and hang out. I personally think he had the right idea. Hollie and Sean- my kids think you have some excellent present-picking skills.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2009 LETTER

We’ve enjoyed another year in the Northwest and we think ALL of our family and friends should move here to enjoy it with us. Here’s a bit about each of our endeavors, adventures, and awards for 2009…

Jeremy has continued to be a hard working engineer at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and as YM President he’s had loads of fun working with the youth of our church. Jeremy’s family awards include: Grill Extraordinaire, Busy Beaver, Best Wookie-Noise Maker, Electronic Whiz, Happy Camper, and World’s Greatest Dad (for the 12th year in a row!).

Shauna has been working with the Young Women at church, but has been asked to be the Stake Primary Secretary instead. Apparently the knowledge that she loves to organize overshadows the lesser known fact that she has no typing skills. Besides her family work, she also choreographs for a show choir in CA and does amateur photography. The awards she’s been given for ’09 are: Family Historian, Top School Volunteer, Coolest Chauffeur, Spontaneous Song Guru, Best Blogger, Craziest Mom, and Food Producing Machine (awarded by James).

Madison is enjoying her last year at elementary school and was elected as ASB VP this year. She had fun playing soccer for the first time this fall and she continues to excel at playing the piano. Madison loves to help me with James and is currently training to become a super babysitter. Madison’s awards are: Creative Cat, Book Eater, Aspiring Writer, Best Hungry Bob Voice, Most Stylish, Fun Socks Collector, and Great Game Player.

Carter got baptized in October and loves being a cub scout. He wants to check stuff off in his scout book every day. He played a second season of soccer this year and tried baseball for the first time. Carter throws his entire being into whatever he is working on and is a fireball of energy. Awards he’s earned for 2009: Most Energetic, Best Apologizer, Earnest Worker, Outdoor Enthusiast, Critter Collector, Pokémon Expert, Speediest Sprinter, and Hardest Batter (nicknamed “The Bullet”).

Grant got hit by a car while riding his bike this summer and ONLY broke his leg. Phew. He will be restarting gymnastics in Jan. Grant has enjoyed playing baseball this year, and has also been having fun being a Kindergartener. His awards include: Best Cheeky Monkey, Giggly Guy, Star Wars Expert, Most Improved Reader, Lego Architect Builder, and Movie/Video Game Fanatic.

Our sweet baby James, the joy of our family, is learning how to do everything by himself at the ripe old age of 1. He constantly entertains us, although we know that isn’t his sole purpose for being on the Earth. He really likes following people around and discovering new items of interest. James’s awards for 2009: Most Popular, Best Halloween Costume (Yoda), Greatest Growth, Walker AND Stalker Pro, Best Kisser, Deepest Thinker, and Snuggle Bean of the Year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

With Love from- Jeremy, Shauna, Madison, Carter, Grant, and James

We Love Technology...

We had a bit of electricity in the air on Christmas. We've held out on getting any form of game system for a long time. We have finally caved and bought both the boys a DS. We also got Madison an ipod. Now we'll have to make sure we are not always "plugged in" and ignoring the here and now. My friends with kids say it can be done, so I will have courage as we venture forth into an electronic wonderland. Once again "Santa" was overly generous this year.

Christmas Eve Traditions

On Christmas eve our family reads about the Savior's birth in the scriptures. Sometimes we just listen, sometimes we try to act it out, but mostly we just try to feel the spirit and focus our family on the birth of Christ. We also open one present a piece, which is always jammies. The boys always groan about this and ask why they can't open something "good" instead of jammies. I also hide a pickle ornament somewhere amongst our tree after the kids have gone to bed. Whoever finds the pickle in the tree the next morning gets a special present (usually something to share). This years pickle present was a large bag of Lindt truffles. Chocolate is never a bad gift. I hope our kids want to continue some of our family traditions when they have families of their own in the future.

Sunday Best

Since our Christmas photo this year was fun instead of formal, I still wanted to get a picture of our family dressed up fancy. My friend Jill snapped this one of us after church looking "spiffy". Thanks Jill- you saved me a tripod fiasco.

Hodgepodge Tree Trimming

James liked putting ornaments on the tree for about 2 minutes, then he found the joy in taking them off the tree. Unraveling the red berry garland fom the tree then trailing it around the house like a snake was his favorite thing to do with the trimmings. We got our tree a bit late this year because I'm paranoid about my toddler tipping it over. Carter and Grant have both done that in the past...

Starvin' Marvin

Sometimes your too hungry to use a spoon.

Nervous Innkeeper, Mad Cow, and Happy Narrator

Carter was the third innkeeper and right before his part in the Nativity play he became a basket case and was convinced he would not be able to remember his lines. He had already memorized them, but needed to be reassured that he would do a great job. He is continually concerned with doing his best. Not a bad quality to have. Grant was upset that he had to be an animal again this year and asked "When do I get to be a human?". Madison narrated instead of being part of the angel choir this and she was very articulate. Jeremy helped with the set-up earlier in the day. I sang with the YW, took photos, and made awesome crock pot stuffing to bring. We had a great time celebrating the birth of Christ. We love Jesus.

Stocking Full of James

I had to wrap a skateboard up to give as a gift and decided the way to go would be to put it in a giant stocking. We had some fun with the stocking before putting the skateboard in it. By "we" I mean Jeremy and I.