It's Been A Long Time

I haven't even looked at my blog in years but I also haven't put together any photo albums, written in my journal, or anything else.  So I thought posting here would be better than nothing.  Spring 2011 we sold our house and bought a bigger one across the highway.  Considering how horribly the economy tanked, we were lucky to sell our house.  I was sad that we sort of broke even (paid a little out of pocket at closing) since we had been there 11 years and had put so many improvements (and money) into that house.  On the other hand we have a great house in a good neighborhood: almost 3,000 square feet, 4 bedrooms and an onsuite room, 3 bathrooms and 3 car garage, lots of yard.  Kids are growing up super fast.
Little T. started kindergarten, Big T. is now in 4th grade, Little J. is in middle school, Big J. started seminary and High School.
A few months ago my Dad lost his battle with cancer. What a wonderfully great man.  I really want to be like him when I grow up.
Right when we moved Tim got hired as the principal at the High School. It has been crazy busy for him and much more stressful.
I attended Girls Camp as an assistant one year and then as the Director the last two years.  I have amazing assistants who helped to create great camp experiences. My testimony has grown from those experiences.

Visiting Grandma & Grandpa

In April we had gone to visit Grandma and Grandpa. This picture of all the boys turned out SO GREAT! Look at all those fabulous smiles! Thanks Mom and Dad for all you do for my family. On the same day my boysmade a giant snake out of

these interlocking lego things (can't remember what they are

called). They were so proud and wanted their picture taken.

Easter 2009

Here is our tradition of dying Easter eggs even though none of the kids like to eat hard boiled eggs. I guess it's more about the Easter Bunny having things to hide although there were lots of hidden plastic eggs too. Baby T. had a great time finding eggs. He really got the hang of it really quickly. The funny part was when he was outside picking up eggs and putting them in his basket. He leaned over to pick up an egg and lost many eggs that were already in his basket. Then he got so excited because when he turned around there were a whole bunch of more eggs (the ones that fell out of his basket of course).

We have a pretty good backyard for finding Easter eggs. It's fun every year. This is Big & Little J.

My wonderful boys searching for the last few eggs. We had to play a game of hot and cold because Tim and I could see some that the boys just couldn't find.

After church we visited Grandma and Grandpa's house and did some more egg hunting. We had a great time and are so glad that we have grandparents that live close.

Searching for eggs at Grandma and Grandpa's house. It was a little strange being the only ones there this year but my brother and his family went to visit my sister.

Baby T. First Birthday

January third marked our little guys first birthday. We had Grandma and Grandpa come over during the day and then had my brother and his family, and Tim's brother and family over for dinner and cake and ice cream.

Sorry the pictures are backwards. Above is Baby T. after he ate his cake and ice cream (he was ready to get out of his highchair in this picture.
His first chance to eat cake and frosting. He first just put his little fingers in the frosting gently. Once he figured out it was food and it was sweet, he went to town - mostly on the frosting. Ice cream was good but way too cold for him. He didn't like it after a few seconds.

We had spaghetti for dinner - one of his favorites.

Baby T. with Grandma and Grandpa.

Opening some presents.

Same old same old

Not much has been happening in our family. The kids went back to school last week and we are settling into our normal routine. Get ready for school, Kids go to school and Mom cleans the house, kids come home, snack time, homework time, chores, some Wii, then dinner, get ready for bed, sleep, do it all again. I was thinking there wasn't much to write but look at the previous post for that answer. Anyway my Dad had his hip surgery and seems to be doing pretty good. I was able to go visit him at home yesterday. Also, Big J. started basketball and is enjoying it. Games will start in a couple weeks. Little J. will also be doing basketball camps on Saturday mornings beginning this weekend. So I guess really I should be glad things are monotonous right now because once games and camp starts we'll be busy again. Tim has made running a priority and I'm enjoying my Wii Fit so we can both aim at being healthier. I started walking again with my friend this week. It's hit and miss because we both take the babies and often it's just too cold to have them out there for an hour. Anyway, life is good.

Christmas Day

Fun times on our new Wii. Even Grandpa got in on the action. Christmas Day was great because so many family were able to come - both grandparents, brothers and their families, a total of 21. We had a wonderful day.

A very unique gift wrapping job from Uncle K. He got the boys gift cards but the boys had to reach up into the tube and get them. They were taped on the inside. :)

More Wii fun. For the first couple days the Wii was on for over 8 hours. That will soon change once school gets started back up again and we get in a routine but since it's vacation I don't mind them loosing a few brain cells.

Baby T. enjoys playing with everyone else's toys. His oldest brother got a tabletop Foosball game. Baby T. of course wasn't interested in opening his gifts - he just couldn't figure out the unwrapping part of Christmas. His favorite toys are Tigger (who jumps and bounces all over) and his fridge magnets. (Of course his other favorites are boxes and other things he can climb into and the ladder on the boys' bunkbed which he tries to climb up any chance he gets.

A new tool set for Big T. Now he can build and fix like Dad does.

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving we were able to see both sets of grandparents. How lucky we are to have family close by so our kids can grow up knowing their grandparents and having the support of them as well as uncles and aunts. This is the older boys with grandma.
Big T. showing grandpa his loose tooth.

A very special day

Little J. shows off his new set of scriptures We were very fortunate to have Grandma & Grandpa come (both sets of Grandparents were there). We are so blessed to have family close by.

A wonderful family on a wonderful day.

A proud Dad with his son on a wonderful day. The day was so wonderful that Big T. was a little jealous and he said he wished it was his baptism day. I'm sure the time will come more quickly than I realize.

Good Luck Grandpa

Just thinking of Dad today and want to wish him luck with his treatment today and his transplant tomorrow. We love you guys Mom and Dad and you are always in our prayers.

Happy Birthday Grandpa

We hope you have a wonderful 70th Birthday!! We love you very much and miss you. You and Mom stay in our prayers every day.