Friday, December 26, 2008

Year in Review

Happy New Year!!!

I’ve decided that in keeping with tradition, I will send out a New Year’s letter again this year. We have had a fun year with lots of exciting events. We hope that this letter finds you and your family doing well and having lots of fun.

Kyle is now 12 years old and 5’3” tall. He started 6th grade at the middle school this year and adjusted quickly to the 6 different classes and teachers and was elected student council representative this year. When we went to his parent/teacher conferences all the teachers told us he was a great asset to their class. It was nice to hear he is doing well. Kyle continued with JBQ and did a good job. Kyle’s big highlight of the year was baseball. His team did VERY well this year and went to the district’s Tournament of Champions where they took 1st place. Kyle plays 3rd base, pitcher and once in a while, catcher. Kyle attended two different church camps this summer and had a blast making new friends and renewing old friendships.

Kevin is 7 years old and 4’ 6” tall. He is in 2nd grade and loves reading and math, he does not like writing though. It takes too long but when he does sit down and writes, he has a vivid imagination. His teachers also commented on how nice and helpful he is in class. Kevin played “coach pitch” baseball which he enjoyed so much more than T-ball. He did a great job hitting the ball into the outfield and really enjoyed playing catcher whenever the coach would let him. Kevin also plays soccer in the fall and loves that too. He plays goalie half the game and then plays in the field the second half. All his baseball experience pays off on the soccer field as he can throw the ball over half the field as goalie. Kevin is continuing with Scouts is now a Wolf and enjoyed Scout Day Camp this past summer.

In April, Chris and Wendy flew to Dallas, Texas for vacation. Wendy just could not handle the rain anymore and wanted sun and warmth. We were able to catch up with old friends from church who had moved down the year before, meet new friends from Wendy’s work whom she had only spoken to over the past 15 years, visit with cousin Angie who we had not seen in about 15 years and just drive around the Dallas/Fort Worth area just playing tourist.

In July the entire family went to Palmer (near Wasilla), Alaska to visit Wendy’s brother, Paul and his family. We had so much fun and it was great seeing all five, yes five, of our nieces and nephews. We watched baseball practices, soccer games, mined at Hatcher’s Pass, drove to Seward in the rain, watched the candy parade in Eagle River, watched fireworks at midnight from the Wal-Mart and just hung out together as a family. This is also where Chris damaged his knee taking pictures of a moose, which resulted in surgery in September.

August brought the annua family camping trip. This year we went to Lake Wenatchee thinking for sure we would not have rain but warm sun for the week. We were wrong; it rained for two of the days. There were between 24-28 of us on a given day and we had lots of fun. The boys loved riding their bikes, playing at the lake, playing at the playground, making s’mores (Kyle is a professional) and just hanging out as a family.

Chris is in his 5th year as a radio personality on KVI on Sunday afternoons and is still having a blast as a “techie” with his business. He is continuing with the photography hobby and had one of his photos included in Pentax Photo Gallery in the Premier section.

Wendy is still at 7-Eleven working with facilities and construction. She continues to serve with Cub Scouts and added the Little League board to her list of things to do. She is also involved in planning her 20 year high-school reunion. She is an avid sports fan and supports her boys by cheering loudly at all their games.

We love keeping in touch so drop us a line when you have a chance. Make 2009 a great year!!

Chris, Wendy, Kyle and Kevin

If you click on the picture it will get bigger and you can see the wonderful collage I was able to make.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Happy Anniversary - 17 Years

17 years ago today, Chris and I were married. We had an evening wedding with lots of friends and family.

17 reasons I love my hubby...
1. He loves me.
2. He loves the boys.
3. He will drive out of his way to make sure his 85 year old grandmother is okay.
4. He takes awesome pictures.
5. He loves taking us on vacation.
6. He will go camping in the tent with the family.
7. He puts up with my whims.
8. He lets me go on girlfriend weekends.
9. He makes a mean prime rib.
10. He can drive in the snow.
11. He can fix my computer when it breaks.
12. He has a radio show on KVI.
13. He also loves the movie Down Periscope and laughs at the fart scene every time.
14. He has a huge extended family and loves to get together with them.
15. He loves football.
16. He's a Huskie fan.
17. Oh did I mention, he loves me!

Our wedding picture taken December 21, 1991.

Family Photo 2008

Here is our family photo taken at the park across the street. Chris took it. Don't we all look so cute. We were freezing as it was about 23 degrees out and we were standing in the snow but we knew it would be a cute photo.
Here is Kyle and Kevin. Kyle had to have his signature baseball hat on and Kevin loves those antlers (they play music) but we only let him wear them at Christmas time.

Winter Snow 2008

Okay so it's been snowing and snowing and snowing for a week. But most of the snow fell between Friday and today about 10 inches at our home and more in other areas. School was closed Thursday and Friday and it's a good thing it's Winter Break or the boys would not have school again tomorrow and probably the next day.

Here are the boys at their grandparents house playing around.
Kyle surfing down the hill at the school.
Kevin sledding down the hill.



Friday, December 19, 2008

Scouts Singing at the Retirement Home

On Saturday, Kevin's scout pack went singing at the local retirement home. We had lots of fun.

We had a pretty good group. After we sang, our cubmaster read the story, "Night Before Christmas". Don't you just love Kevin's look.
Here are the boys, Kevin has the reindeer antlers in the back.

Christmas Production at Church - My Date

I'm a little behind on my blogging....

On Saturday, December 13th Kyle and I went on our "date" to watch the Christmas production at our church called "Joy to the Children" a story about George Muller from Bristol Downs, England in 1841. Mr. Muller founded the New Orphan House of Bristol. He relied entirely on God to meet his needs and over his 60+ years of meeting the needs of thousands of orphans, God provided over $7,500,000. It was such a cool story and a wonderful production.

Chris and Kevin really do not care for musicals so Kyle agreed to be my date and go with me.

Here we are with all the dancing toys. Our friend Abigail is the doll behind me.
This one I took of ourselves in our seats waiting for the show to start.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Happy Birthday To Me!

Today is my birthday and the boys made me a cake. We had Ezell's chicken and chocolate cake at grandma and grandpa's house.
My cake made by my boys.


Monday, December 1, 2008

Thanksgiving Weekend - Saturday Dinner

Saturday we had dinner at my parents house with my sister's family. Chris made the stuffing and cooked the turkey at their house and we all just hung around watching football and talking.

My nieces arrived about 3:00 and the boys and girls played until my sister, brother-in-law and nephew arrived for food at 5:00. My sister made the bread. It is sooo goooood.

Here's a picture of my parents after dinner.