Blogging Blitz

I have not kept up on all of our family adventures so I thought I would highlight all the best events including all the birthdays and holidays for the last several months. The bad thing is I started this in mid Dec. and now Jan. is almost over. Time is flying by for me!

First Darren's BIG Birthday the BIG 40 on 8-8-08! I wanted to surprise him with some big great event but you know how that goes. I did surprise him a couple days before, with a convertible mustang for the day! Matt told him they had a business lunch so when the kids and I, his parents, and most of my family were there for lunch he was surprised especially when he saw the car.

We drove around for the rest of the day. We even drove up to Squaw Peak.

Look at that smile. Someday baby, you'll have the real thing again!

I wanted to surprise him with a party but he figured that out with a little help from Graham, but we all had fun. We had several family, neighbors, old friends celebrate with him. Even one of his old friends from high school, Todd Bramhall came with all of his family too. Since Darren loves to be with his family and the Olympics started that day I had an Olympic event with games that had to be played with your family. Thanks to all of you for your help pulling it off.

Graham's 7th B-Day and his GIANT pancake! (Aug 18th)

It is tradition to pick your meals when it's your birthday.

(wearing the big B-day hat is a new tradition in our family.)




We had a fun party for Graham with friends and family at Classic Skating and got to jump, swing, bounce, and slide to our hearts content!

Back to school! Don't they look thrilled?




Gavin's 5th B-Day (Sept. 14)

Gavin wanted a party at Chuck E. Cheese.


It was great to have Grandma & Grandpa Olsen and Bohrer there and especially his uncle Brad!

Soccer Star #2 (I previously had a slide show of Hunter's soccer pics)

Gavin loves playing soccer like Hunter and made several goals this season!


In Oct. we went to the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It was really fun and different than a traditional play. The best part was the sound effects guy and of course the headless horseman himself.


He was so real looking to the boys we had a few nights where Graham and Gav "couldn't go to sleep" because they kept thinking about the headless horseman!










Cortlynd was in a swim-a-thon for the high school swim team. She swam 200 laps! Way to go Cortlynd!




This is Miss Karen! (Gavin's preschool teacher) Gavin's preschool got to go to the fire station.



Carving Pumpkins!

Mmmm guts!

Halloween
Gavin was Peter Pan when he went to preschool but when it was time for trick or treating he tried on several costumes before deciding upon Harry Potter. (no he's not the boy from Jerry McGuire!)
Graham is holding an imaginary light saber (couldn't find his) as Luke Skywalker

Hunter posed as himself: a hunter or affectionately known to his friends as "The HUNTSMAN"

Let The Wrestling Begin!

It was so fun to watch Gavin wrestle. He had some great moves and even looked like a wrestler (minus the outfit- groos!). The first time he had a wrestleing match I could not help from laughing. It was sooooo cute and I laughed my head off as I cheered him on!

Picking out the perfect tree.

Cortlynd's 15th B-Day! (Dec. 8th)

For Cortlynd's Birthday this year I surprised her by decorating her locker at school. I also checked her out for lunch and took her home, for homemade strawberry crepes since she had to leave so early in the morning for swim practice. Then after school and swim practice she got her hair cut and a pedicure. Later Grandma and Grandpa Bohrer and Brad came for dinner and cake!

Our Little Gymnist!Graham has always been our monkey; climbing the walls (or anything) making monkey noises etc. so Darren finally suggested he try gymnastics. He is quite good and has a little routine on the rings.

A Night in Bethlahem Ward Christmas Party

Look at those sexy legs. The Bishopric got to represent the 3 wise men in the Nativity.

Christmas Piano Recital: Hunter played a "really cool version" of "We Three Kings", Cortlynd played "Christmas Medoly" by Jon Schmit, and Graham played "Up on the House Top". Graham was really the second in the program to play in the recital but wasn't going to play until his Grandma and Grandpa Olsen got there, which they made it just in time for Hunter to play and got to listen to them all!

The month of December is always jammed packed with late nights and activities. This is how we all felt but how Graham and Gavin ended up too many nights before we got them to bed.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we had a surprise visit from the busy man himself: Santa! He had a gift for each cousin and even Brad and Gabs. The kids got to sit on his lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas but most of the kids had a sudden lapse in memory and couldn't think of anything to say except Gavin came through and said he wanted a bow and arrow and legos.

Brad's B-Day! (Dec. 24th)

It is also Brad's B-day on Christmas Eve. We had fun celebrating with him.

Christmas Morning

2008 was a year full of blessings! I am so grateful for four wonderful children and the blessing to be a mother! For the smiles and laughfter that fill our home. I am greatful for an amazing husband who loves me and our children dearly. For his priesthood leadership and good example. I am greatful for temples and our temple marriage which binds us all together and brings me peace and direction in a world that is full of chaos and misery. I am greatful for a healthy family who has also been blessed with many talents. I am greatful for wonderful friends and neighbors. For their good examples and their concern for others. I am greatful for the beautiful valley where we live and for the opportunity to enjoy it. I am greatful for the gospel, for the joy and peace that it brings to me. I am greatful for my personal relationship with my Savoir. For the sacrifice that he made for me and the opportunity I have to repent and have my sins forgiven. I am greatful for wonderful parents and inlaws and all our extended family. For their good examples, love, and concern. I look forward in faith for this year that we will recognize and aknowledge our blessings inspite of difficulties that may transpire!