Happy New Year!

New Years Eve started at my parents house. Dec 31 is my dad's birthday so we usually go out to dinner to celebrate. This year, we decided to have enchiladas at home. So 21 people came over for dinner at cake. The kids all gave my dad a Wii Fit (that's what he wanted) and Bubba found these rockin' awesome sweatbands. Dad was a good sport and put them on for this picture.

Then after the Maynard party we went to Clark and Susy's to ring in the new year. Clark lit a TON of illegal fireworks in the street, and then we went inside to eat some more. Finally we got the kids settled and in bed, and the adults went downstairs for the real party. But we were so tired from watching Clark's awesome pyrotechnic display, we all fell asleep at 12:20 (or so). But regardless, we had a great time, and are very grateful for the Cotterells and their illegal fireworks. (okay, there were no illegal fireworks. Clark is a bishop now, he can't really do things like that.)

So on the way home from Clark and Susy's, the night before finally caught up to the kids.

So Happy New Year to all!! We hope that 2009 brings plenty of fun, and plenty more rest!!

Hooray for Santa!

I know it took me a long time to post our Christmas, but here are a few of the highlights.

When I was a kid there was nothing better than waking up on Christmas to a room full of presents and day to play with them. I think you could literally feel the magic on Christmas eve as you anticipated what Santa would leave you the next morning.

Now that I am (slightly) older, the magic is more real to me now, as I see the joy on my kids faces. On Christmas morning Brynnlee came in at 5am to ask permission to look at the presents downstairs. Just to see her face and know that she believes in that magic is so wonderful to me. I know that there are people who think that Santa shouldn't be part of this season, but not me. I am all for something that represents such joy and happiness, not to mention innocence. I love that my kids believe. And I do too.

Let It Snow

Saturday brought about 4 inches of snow, so we took the kids to the park to do a little sledding. Most all the parks by our house have a hill, probably for this very purpose. So while the kids took turns sliding down the hill, what was Jeff doing? A little sledding of his own! Turns out they make skiis for airplanes. It was fun, and he gathered quite the crowd to watch him fly his bi-plane. And don't worry, he didn't crash!

Sue's Christmas Party

The care center where Sue is staying (hopefully not much longer) had a Christmas party last week. So the kids and I went over and had a delicious dinner and listened to some high school madrigals sing. It was nice to have a little holiday cheer.

15 stitches

We had a bit of an accident on saturday. Want to guess who the lucky recipient of 15 external (and 4 deep tissue) stitches is?

Yep, that's right. It was Jeff. He was fixing an airplane (RC) and the engine started up, and the propeller cut right through to the bone. I won't even go into the mess he left on the carpet. So he went to the instacare and they fixed him right up! Some people might be a little gunshy after an encounter like that, but not Jeff. He came home from the doctor and went flying. Way to get right back on the horse, honey.

Disneyland!!

Last Saturday, we took our kids to California, and surprised them with a trip to the Magic Kingdom. We went with our good friends the Cotterells, and stayed for 5 whole days! (which guarantees that I don't want to go again for a while.) We are definately a Disney family, even Jeff has been converted, I think. He loves to go with the kids. So we got back early this morning, around 3am (I am still buzzing from the 3 AMPs I drank for the ride home). So while we love Mickey and the gang, it's always nice to come back home.

Josh the HERO!

Josh the super computer doctor saved my computer! So I am back in business! Read below for an update of all that you've missed!

Poor little man

The night before Sue went in for surgery, Ethan was jumping on the couch, and fell onto the coffee table. We just thought he bumped his neck, and like good parents, sent him to bed. The next morning, he was complaining of his shoulder hurting, so I took him to the Instacare. And guess what? He has a broken clavacle. And now that Ethan knows that is the right term, he tells people that he "has broken clavacle-that means collarbone". He will be in a sling for about 4 weeks, but so far, it hasn't bothered him too much. Except when Lauren pokes him and asks "Does that hurt?"

Sue in the hospital

I won't post a picture, because I know Sue would be mad, but after a month in and out of the hospital, she finally had a surgery to remove a blockage from her small intestine. The surgery was a success(an eight and a half hour surgery), and she is recovering. Considering all my mother-in-law has been through, she is doing so well. It's going to be a slow recovery, but worth it in the long run. We are glad she made it through okay. Soon she will be back on solid foods, and out of the hospital. we love you, Sue!

Trick or Treat

For Halloween this year, The girls dressed as witches and Ethan was a Jedi (with a light saber). We had a really fun day, first at the school parade, which cousins Morgan and Justin came to, and then trick or treating all over. We went to go visit Grandma Sue in the hospital, then we went to Jeff's work, then to Grandma Maynard's with all the cousins, then to Grandma Silcox's, then home to our neighborhood. It was raining a little, but a little precipitation can't stop us!!