Our Talented Kids

Jacob had his first piano recital on Saturday. He did such a great job! He has a very talented (and very patient) piano teacher. She taught her students how to introduce their piano pieces as well as how to bow when they were finished. When it was Jacob turn he quickly walked to the piano while introducing his piece. He was so relieved when finished that his bow was very big and very dramatic!

And . . . Laynie learned a new trick! Not only is she sitting up by herself, but she claps as well! Can you believe Kelly and I have such talented kids? We are very proud!

It's a New Year!

2009

Kelly

Favorites
Cereal: Oatmeal Squares
Vegetable: Green Beans
Drink: Fresca- peach flavor
Toy/Gadget: GPS
T.V. Show: ER/SNL
Game: Chutes and Ladders
Book: Book of Mormon
Restaurant: Jim 'n Nicks BBQ
Holiday:Christmas/4th of July
Animal: Woolly Mammoth
If you could change your name what name would you choose? Skippy John Jones (aka Mr. Fuffer Nutter
What do you love about each person in your family? Mom-she is a great cook and always has good hair, Jacob-he is very handsome and a good big brother, Ryan-he is a good brother and awesome on the drums, Laynie-she laughs at my jokes
Where would you like to go on vacation? Guatemala
What are some of your wishes for this year? lose weight, read the whole BofM, take mom on more dates, learn more chords on the guitar



Angie
Favorites
Cereal: Honey Bunches of Oats
Vegetable: Zucchini
Drink: Chik-Fil-A Diet Lemonade
Toy/Gadget: Insulin Pump
T.V. Show: House
Game: Uno
Book: Too Many! (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Glass Lake, Exile, Wild Swans, etc., etc.)
Restaurant: Texas Roadhouse
Holiday: Christmas
Animal: Penguin (because of The March of the Penguins)
If you could change your name what name would you choose? I tell my kids that if I hear "mom" one more time I am changing my name (but I am not telling them what my new name is!)
What do you love about each person in your family? Kelly-he is patient with me, Jacob-helps those in need, Ryan-good sense of humor, Laynie-looks for me and lights up when I come in the room
Where would you like to go on vacation? NYC
What are some of your wishes for this year? to lose weight, read the BofM, keep up with the laundry, be more patient


Jacob
Favorites
Cereal: Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Vegetable: Celery and carrots
Drink: Peach Fresca
Toy: Electric Guitar
T.V. Show: (movie) Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe
Game: Clue
Book: Harry Potter
Restaurant: Casa Bonita
Holiday: Christmas
Animal: Dog
If you could change your name what name would you choose? Braxton
What do you love about each person in your family? Mom- cooks, Dad-crazy, Ryan-good bongo player, Laynie-super crazy
Where would you like to go on vacation? Disneyworld
What are some of your wishes for this year? to move ("we've been here two years!"), to play tackle football


Ryan
Favorites
Cereal: Lucky Charms
Vegetable: Celery
Drink: Sprite
Toy: Bongos
T.V. Show: Martha Speaks
Game: Traffic Jam
Book: Buzz's Backyard Adventure
Restaurant: Casa Bonita
Holiday: Christmas
Animal: Rhino
If you could change your name what name would you choose? Lance
What do you love about each person in your family? Mom-always helps people, Dad-does cool stuff on the guitar, Jacob-good guitar playing, Laynie-I like when she laughs
Where would you like to go on vacation? Hawaii
What are some of your wishes for this year? get better at playing the Bongos, do better at writing

*Idea for above interview courtesy of this blog

Why We Love Ryan

Ryan is such a good boy. He always wants to help, and is very apologetic when he can't. He is very sensitive to the feelings of others. He gives the best prayers and always tries to choose the right. Here are two examples of what a good kid he is:

(Dear Great Grandpa, How's heaven? I miss you! Love, Ryan)

During Sacrament Meeting this past Sunday he wrote this letter to his great grandpa who died in in November 2007.

He made this prayer rock at the most recent Primary Activity Day. I have found it on his pillow each morning after he has left for school (and he even makes his own bed!).

See what I am talking about!?! Don't you just love him too!?!

A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We had a wonderful Christmas! We made a trip to the Salt Lake Temple to see the Christmas Lights. It was soooo cold, and like every year before we vowed that this time would be our last!

We had fun with family and especially enjoyed watching the kids (and Kelly) act out the Nativity.

And what Nativity is truly complete without a little Feliz Navidad?

Jacob received an Electric Guitar and a Karaoke Machine. Ryan's favorite gifts were his Bongos and Buddha glasses holder. I am definitely writing a letter to Santa letting him know that next year we only need one musical instrument!

We arrived back in Colorado without incident. However, soon after we came down with the stomach flu. Jacob was the only one not affected and of course, he wanted to stay up until midnight. We just couldn't do it so we promised him we would make it up to him on Friday night.

On New Year's Day we pulled ourselves together and went to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. The boys were able to observe a lung dissection. They told the docent all about their Aunt Cammi and her bad lungs. Despite being a little grossed out, it was very interesting.

Thankfully, some good friends invited us over on Friday Night for a U of U Football game party. We had a great time and especially enjoyed playing Rock Band with the windows open until all hours of the night! And, Jacob even accomplished his goal of staying up until midnight "for once in his whole life"!

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!

The boys have had the best time playing in all of the snow (while Laynie and I stay safely tucked inside my parent's warm house!). They have built snowman after snowman and have shoveled the sidewalk and driveway of every house on my parent's street. They especially love being pulled behind the 4-wheeler on their sleds!

On Saturday, my parents, the brave souls that they are, decided to take Jacob and Ryan snowshoeing by their cabin (It is just too bad that I had to stay home and watch Laynie, I was just dieing to go with!) My parents could not believe how well the boys did. Ryan told me he was a trooper, and my parents agreed. It was so cold that even their water bottles froze!

So, while my parents and the boys froze to death on top of a mountain, Laynie and I played at home in her new exersaucer (her Christmas present from my parents. How in the world are we going to get this thing home?) We hope you are enjoying all of this cold weather as much as we are!

Utah

Well, we made it to Utah safe and sound. Our plane ride went very smoothly and the boys have had a great time playing with their cousins. Layna just bought a new camera and was happy to find willing models to practice her picture taking skills on. Here are a few of my favorite pictures:

This Week

This week has been one of the busiest I have ever had. On Tuesday night we had our Relief Society Christmas Progressive Dinner which I, along with an amazing leader and committee, was in charge of. It was so much fun, but so much work! Then we had our craft boutique which Lindsay, Heidi, and I hosted. We also had Kelly's work Christmas Party at our house on Friday night (I didn't find out about this until Monday). So, between making Potato Balls, more Relief Society stuff, decorating our house for Christmas, cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning, finishing projects for the boutique, making meatballs, and babysitting for friends, this has been quite a week! Thank goodness it is done. And, if I didn't have Ryan reminding me constantly that I have not even packed and we are leaving for Utah on Thursday, I might even be able to relax a little!

So, to get me in the holiday spirit, I dressed Laynie in her over-the-top Christmas outfit for church today.

Wouldn't you be happy to find this adorable girl under your Christmas tree?