Merry Christmas!

We had a great Christmas! The kids decided to go to bed at 8:45 so Santa could stop by. They were actually sound asleep by nine o'clock! We had to convince Alyssa to go to bed, though. She wanted to stay up and show Santa her cute jammies. The kids were super happy and grateful. Keaton kept saying 'Santa hit us hard'.

The boys got RC cars, DS games, a hunting game for the Wii, lego toys, giant nerf weapons, and of course, the ever-dreaded clothes and shoes.

They have fun getting similar toys and playing together. Grandpa and Grandma got them giant sleds. They were able to use them on Christmas afternoon.

Alyssa got a stylist chair for her doll and a doll with plastic hair (silly Santa). She also got a cash register, pots and pans for her kitchen, and some awesome wooden food items. She got several cute outfits and pajamas. She changed her clothes at least twenty times that day.

Kaydee got a stereo system for her room, some CDs, DS games, an acrylic painting set, boots, and lots of cute clothes!

We had some good times with family (except no one would play my games). Kyle was really wishing his family was closer, but grateful for his brothers. We have been really blessed this year and are very happy.

Alyssa's Birthday

On Christmas Eve, our baby turned four!! Ok, she is more like our teenager but I can't believe how big she is getting. She is so pleasant and sweet, with slight diva-like tendencies. It is fun to shop for her because she loves everything, especially clothes!

She loves her new boots

She loves to dress up

We love her!!

Random catching-up

I thought I would add a few pictures and ramblings from over the last few months.

Anders joined the North Sevier 'Fast Pack' Cross Country team this year (for 5th - 8th graders). He did so well. He won many awards and improved speed. He also had a lot of fun. It was fun for us to watch.

Some first day of school pics :) First day of middle school for Kaydee! She was nervous about it, but she has loved it. It took Keaton some adjusting to get used to a full day of school but he has settled in just great.

Too bad Keaton is so camera shy.

Keaton, Anders, and Dylan after competing in a one-mile race. Anders finished first, then went back and ran in with Keaton. It was cute.

The American Fork Halloween 5k :) We do this race every year. It is at night. . . in a cemetery. It's a lot of fun and the proceeds always go to a good cause. This year Kyle decided to make costumes for himself and Anders (yes, I said make). He used old t-shirts, scissors, and Badge Magic (for installing cub scout badges). Batman and Robin did very well. Anders was only about two minutes behind Kyle! I wonder what Kyle will do when Anders starts beating him.

October was a great month. We did some fun fall and Halloween activities. The kids had fun making (and eating) a haunted gingerbread house. We dressed the kids up and took a few pictures of Alyssa, then our camera died! We have shots of all the kids on camera phones, but the quality is poor. :( I need to find some pictures from the ward Halloween party.

We are getting excited for the arrival of our baby girl. Maybe a little too anxious, I've been having contractions for several weeks. I've had three ultrasounds and some tests and, so far, the contractions aren't hurting the baby or starting labor. I'm just taking it easy and watching things carefully. We can't find any names that we love. We each have a couple names we like but,of course, can't agree on those. Hopefully, we will know what to name her when she arrives. Feel free to send us suggestions :)

Summer vacation

We took our usually June vacation to Kansas to visit family. This year we traveled six additional hours and took a mini vacation to Nauvoo. It was a great trip. We were able to see some of the places we have learned about our whole lives. Kyle's parents, three sisters, and families came with us. It was a fun way to spend some quality time. We learned so much- it was all very fascinating. We took a wagon ride around the small town and then we walked through each building. The missionary tour guides were dressed the part and they shared personal stories of the pioneers.

The Nauvoo temple was beautiful. There is a road that leads from the town to the Mississippi river- only a few blocks. It is called the trail of hope. We were able to walk down the road and think about how it must have felt for the pioneers to look back at their beautiful town and temple and head on the uncertain journey. Along the way, there are plaques with journal entries that displayed their feelings.

The kids were able to join the experience by dressing like pioneers and playing pioneer games.

Alyssa loved the kitchen in the cabin. When we got home, Kyle built her a table and chair.

The picture below was taken at Carthage Jail. The kids look pretty solemn because it was a bit scary for them.

Kaydee and Kyla enjoyed their new fashion!! Anders played the games but he was not interested in dressing up :)

Time Flies!

Wow. I feel like the blogging authorities might shut me down if I don't update! We have had a great spring and summer. The kids were busy- and kyle and I were busy following them around, holding their stuff, and taking a few pictures.

I can't believe Keaton graduated from kindergarten. It really was an emotional milestone. He loved Mrs. Dobish. She was so good with him and he did great.

Kaydee had her end-of-year singing review. She thoroughly enjoyed every bit of singing lessons this year- and she has a beautiful voice. Several people came up after and commented on her talent.

Anders did great at soccer. Doesn't he look cute in periwinkle?

Anders played baseball this summer. He was a pitcher. I thought practicing almost every day for over two hours would get old for him but he was excited and ready each day. We all had fun watching him play.

Keaton loved soccer, too.

Half Marathon!!

In early December we decided to enter a lottery for the Canyonlands Half Marathon held in Moab every spring. We've been running 5ks for the past few years, but this is quite a bit more. It was kind of silly but we paid our money and then crossed our fingers that we wouldn't get in! As luck would have it, we got in (Kyle, Krista, and I). We felt bad that our friends that encouraged us to sign up didn't get in. We started our training. Sadly, along the way Krista got hurt and had to withdraw from the race. We ended up leaving the kids with the family and Kyle and I snuck away for a weekend in Moab. The whole timeI was running I was thinking was "Is this what we have to do to get a little vacation?"

It was a long 13.1 miles! Longer for me than Kyle, though. He finished in 1:32. It was such a beautiful route. We ran right along the river.

We made it!

Later that day we went along the route and took some pictures. It took me a couple minutes to climb up here. Kyle set the camera for ten second delay and ran up to sit by me.

Our Christmas Was Merry!!

I haven't blogged forever. I can never seem to get everything in! I didn't end up getting my Christmas cards done. . . I guess I'll start sooner next year. Happy New Years!

Keaton and Alyssa were super fun on Christmas morning!!( We missed you Kaydee and Anders!) They were so thrilled and actually very grateful for everything. It was nice.

Keaton got a nintendo ds and he said "wow, I always wanted one of these but I never dared ask."

She has to try out the pom poms!

Alyssa got this kitchen. It was cute- she took all the candy and 'cooked' them in my new pans. (Kyle surprised me with some super nice pots and pans.)

Hoop Shoot Champ!!

Anders did well in his class hoop shoot contest so he got an invitation to the school contest. He moved on and won the school round! He was so happy. Then on December 5th he competed against kids from several different communities. You guessed it . . . he won that round as well! We are very proud of him. He did super great at the next round. It has been fun for the whole family.

Alyssa turned three!

Wow!! Our baby turned three on Christmas Eve!! I know she is not a baby but I can't believe how fast she is growing up. She is such a delight. She is always so happy and loving.

She loves clothes, shoes, scarves, purses. . . So it is fun to buy for her.

She saw this dress in the store while shopping with my mom. She wanted it so bad. My mom got it for her birthday. She put it on as soon as she unwrapped it. She loves her 'perper' dress!

Happy Birthday, sis! We love you!