Wow! It is a new year already. After a year of one surgery after another we are hoping that 2010 will be a much healthier one for us. We are looking forward to taking some time out for some fun and relaxation. Because of Dad’s ankle surgery we have been pretty much homebound, but we enjoyed every minute of the holidays. It has been fun to have Mark, Rachel and kids here to celebrate with us, and just to be nearby to visit often. We enjoyed having Brian and Steve and family here during Thanksgiving. Thank you all for taking time out to come visit. Peggy has been in and out. It is nice to be on the way, so she can stop and see us often. Dad has been filling up his days building a psaltry and will be an accomplishing psalterist by the next reunion. He has also been learning to fly on “Flight Simulator”, but not so sure about being an accomplished pilot.
We wish you all a most successful and happy 2010. Love to you all, Mom and Dad
Jimmy and Vanessa
January always brings a new semester, and I can't say I (Jimmy) am especially excited about it! I have a full load and Vanessa is going full-time as well. This is the first time she's been full-time since we were married. We ended 2009 well, getting to spend a week in the San Juan Island's with Vanessa's family. I wouldn't mind living out there someday. Braden just got over his first ear infection, and now is sick from something passed on through all the cousins he's spent so much time with the last week. So we're just recovering from vacation and trying to be excited about beginning a new year! Otherwise we're still just managing our little apartment, watching our little man grow up way too fast, and enjoying the snow!
Love,
Jimmy, Vanessa and Braden
Becky
I can't believe we are in a new year. We are definitely ready for a new year. December was good. We got a ton of snow and the boys have had a blast. I am hoping the single digit weather is gone but we will see. This month we were busy with all kinds of things. We had Brenten's school parties and his first concert. He also lost his first two teeth. He did not like the "all I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth song" He said he didn't want teeth he wanted toys. Well, I guess I don't blame him. We stayed home for Christmas and it was so fun. Brian kind of surprised us a couple of days before Christmas and hung out for a few days. We all went up to temple square and looked at the lights. We rode TRAX up and back so the boys had fun on the "train". Jessica was here for Christmas too. Our house was full. It was great. Because we spent Christmas eve running around temple square our kids didn't get up until about 8:30. I was surprised when I woke up before them. We went to the local park and went sledding. We wanted to make sure Brian got in as much of the cold as possible before going back to his California weather. Kelly and her roommate also made a stop by on their way home. It was so fun for them to crash at our place.
We hope you all have a great new year and are already working on your new goals. I know I am.
Love you all,
Becky
Steve
"Yeah! December is over!!! It was a fast month at our house. The month started with basketball season again. Lots of tournaments and travels to get in shape. Then the family headed off to Idaho where we were able to see Brittany graduate in her paramedic program. We are so proud that she was Paramedic of the Year. First woman to ever accomplish that feat at BYU-I. When we returned, Sharon's mother showed up for the Christmas holiday. The holidays were fairly quiet around our house, but nice. I went to Mexico for a week with a buddy from work. I thought that I might get to sleep a little, but as it turns out, I had to get up at 5 am everyday to chase deer. In the end, I shot a medium sized Mexican whitetail deer and 3 javelina. We are excited for 2010. Brittany heads off to Oklahoma City to do an internship. Kelly heads back to BYU-I for more of that college stuff. Kyle is playing winter tennis and Brad just started basketball. The days are getting longer and summer isn't far off. We can't wait!"
Peggy
I decided that this year I need to have more focus. My main goal is to develop a job that will support me and allow me to come see all of you this year. So be prepared. By the end of the year I will have come to see all of you. My other goal is to continue my schooling.
Christmas was a little different this year. It's the first year with no kids at home. I got to make a trip to Utah to see Becky's family, Jessica, Sam and Andy the week before. I spent a nice quiet day at home with Dennis. It was very enjoyable but just different. Brian sent me pictures of Becky's kids opening presents. So I was able to share in the excitement without all the noise....I thought it was cool.
I've made a couple trips to Idaho preparing to start a new job. I'm excited to start a new job and a new phase of my life. I hope this new year brings great things for everyone. I looking forward to great adventures.
Love,
Peggy
Mark actually Rachel wrote Thanks Rachel
Mark continues to travel and is in town for a few days and then gone for a few more. I am not sure what his permanent address is but he does keep my bed warm every now and again. He is also busy with his other business interests and i think now he has just superglued his phone to his ear. That way his arm doesn't get tired.
The rest of us are doing fine. Alex started basketball and is not the smallest kid on the team. He has a mean dribble though and a perfect shot so we expect great things from him. It's so fun to watch your kids play sports although I find it very difficult to sit there on the sidelines and not try to coach. They sure here about it on the way home though. It's all about the win, right?
We finally got a decent piano and Emily and Lauren continue to amaze me with their progress. I think we are a little tired of "Jingle Bells" that Lauren learned from her little friend, Hunter. Time for a new song.
Eric is still Eric and when Emily was watching him the other night he says to her, "Emily, make sure I don't go to Grandma's house. Or they will come find me and bring me home." The 'they' in this sentence refers to the people who brought him home last Fall when he attempted that trick.
Alyssa is a climber and call crawl over the front tray of her high chair and into it. Now she has realized she can push the chair to the food cupboard, climb up, and then get the food she wants. She hasn't quite figured out how to climb down though. Funny girl.
We are looking forward to longer, warmer days and lots more adventures.
