We have been blessed this year in many ways and we have many to thank for it, but we are especially grateful for our Savior, whose birth we celebrate this time of year.
What a Trip!
As a family we have had a great year enjoying many camping trips including a backyard camping trip and a neighborhood camping trip, we went to NYC in March with Addy for her 12 year old trip where we surprised her with one of her best friends and her mom (who happens to be one of my best friends :) who came to join us and we had an appearance on the TODAY show's Ambush Makeover segment, a Spring Break trip to St George to visit grandma Sally, a family work trip to Lagoon, 2 family reunions trips to Island Park, ID one with the Halls in June and one with the Wilkeys in Aug (they were totally different so both were lots of fun) while there we took a trip into Yellowstone, lots of trips tubing down the Provo River, a fun trip to Bear Lake with good friends in July, a Fall Break trip to Goblin Valley/Capitol Reef with more good friends in October, Blain and Heidi made a trip to Martin's Cove, WY for the Youth Handcart Trek in June, and we've made several trips up to Sundance to enjoy the theater, Bluebird Cafe, dining, lodging, skiing, kids camps, film festival, hiking, and of course the new Zip Tour - all thanks to blessing of Blain's job at
Sundance Mountain Resort.
Speaking of Blain he is an awesome father and husband and works so hard for our family. He was just released after 6 1/2 years in the bishopric and called as the Stake Athletic Director. He is amazingly handy around the house and saves us lots of money every year repairing old parts on our old home. He works hard and fast and he makes me feel lazy by his inability to sit still, something he got from both of his parents. (It's not a bad thing :)
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| Little Wild Horse Canyon |
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| Yellowstone National Park |
I was released from Cub Scouts after 14 years and it's bitter sweet. I am now serving as the Young Women's President of 20 adorable girls in our ward and I am so blessed to be able to learn from them. I keep busy with our 5 kids shuttling them to all their activities, serving on the PTA and organizing neighborhood gatherings. (Addition from Blain: Heidi is the most amazing wife and mother; managing family finances, shuttling kids everywhere, always helping friends and neighbors with projects without being asked, going the extra miles with Cub Scouts, Relief Society and now Young Womens, working out at the gym...she just loves everyone but most of all me and her family!)
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| Yellowstone Nation Park |
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| Zip Tour at Sundance |
Elder Christian Hall (19)
Was the biggest news at our house this year. Back in March he received his LDS mission call to serve for 2 years in Quito, Ecuador and he was so excited! He was hoping to go to South America. Then in May he graduated from Timpview High School and was accepted to BYU, which he chose to defer for now so he could go serve his mission. He is doing really good down in Ecuador and even though he is roasting hot he has had several special experiences that are helping him grow and become who the Lords wants him to become. We love and miss our Christian!!!
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| Lia adores her big brother |
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| Mission plaque picture |
Addy (12)
Is a lot of fun. There's never a dull moment with her, good or bad :) Addy started taking ballroom in January and surprised us all when she tried out for school team in April and her dance company team in May and made both teams. She loves to dance and prefers to dance instead of walk. Addy turned 12 in June which opened a whole new world for her. She started 7th grade, entered Young Womens, went to Girls Camp and received her temple recommend, which she loves to use since we only live 2 blocks from the temple.
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| 6th grade graduation |
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| First day of 7th grade |
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| Ballroom competition |
Jack (10)
Loves to be a boy. He loves sports (he's playing competition soccer and gave flag football a try, he's currently on a rec basketball team), video games, playing outside, skiing, teasing his sisters (he's the only boy left so what'd ya expect?), whining about playing the piano, singing in the school choir, and doing his jobs. He's the fairness police at our house. He wakes up at 5:55am on weekdays so he can finish his jobs before school so he can play right after. But he still loves to snuggle with his mom so I guess it makes it all worth it.
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| Happy Birthday! |
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| Getting braces |
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| This kid can ski |
Lauren (7)
Is our free spirit! She loves to make up her own outfits, do her own hair (which to her chagrin I redo), write sweet notes and leave them around the house. She loves to serve others and help where and when needed. She is quick to say sorry and make peace with others. She used to hate camping and the outdoors, but has turned a corner and now loves it. She also turned a corner with skiing after taking lessons and now she can ski the back mountain at Sundance. She started piano this year after 4 years of music class, she is doing really well and loves to practice and go to lessons.
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| Lauren in Goblin Valley |
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| Spring Break in St George/Snow Canyon |
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| Yellowstone National Park |
Has a larger than life personality with all the facial expressions to go with it. She makes us laugh all the time. It's sad that our little baby is growing up, but she wants so badly to be grown up so she can keep up with her older siblings. She loves to go to the gym everyday with mom to the kid watch, which serves as her social outlet since she's not in pre-school. But don't worry she's a smarty pants and knows all her ABC's, numbers, shapes, colors and how to spell/write her name. And she's looking forward to when they finish building her new school (Rock Canyon :).
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
