Well, I know that I am a little behind but that is usual for us/me. So, I thought I would do a quick recap of our 2008 for all of you who just never get enough of us...
Shawn: He is still the sunday school teacher for the 12-13 yr olds and has a much more "exciting" bunch this time. He is still a detective for Taylorsville and really likes that position. The biggest and most exciting thing for Shawn was getting his HUGE elk! It was a fun time for all of us and he was so happy to have such a great reward after such a big stuggle.
Heather: I am the activity day leader for 16, 8-11 yr. olds and then I am their primary teacher too. They are all cute little girls, and together they are very "fun". This year is the first year I can remember in my married life that I was not pregnant or nursing! I also got to quit my crossing guard job this year and just do homeschool and mommy. That was GREAT!!!
7 yr. old Sarah: She has lost 6 teeth and is loosing another! (dad calls her gummer) This summer she took Hip Hop dance and loved it! She made a big decision and cut off her LONG hair and donated it to locks of love. She said that she wanted some little girl to feel pretty. We were so proud! She is reading great, learning piano quickly, and has gotten really good at math too. This year we are doing Geography and Sarah loves learning about other people and how they live, talk, eat, and play. She gets baptized this year and is nervous and excited!
5 yr. old Joseph: Joseph did soccer this summer and as always - LOVED IT! He wants to be like his uncle Shaun and play soccer. He also started learning how to ride a two wheel bike. We went to the safety fair and he won an AMAZING bike that was too big for him, it fueled his desire to ride a two wheeler. He started Kindergarten this year and is doing Awesome! He is reading, excelling in Math, and loves earth science. His favorite part so far was the Dinosaurs and the Dino Museum. He says he is having a volcano cake for his birthday this year. Joseph has loved having a little brother (most of the time) They love to restle, play airplanes, trains, cars, balls, and play in the yard.
4 yr. old Hannah: She did soccer with Joe this summer and is really an athlete. She strides out and runs and has good coordination too. She also did Hip Hop with Sarah! It was a little too fast for her, but she gave it her all, and was super cute. Hannah started Pre-school this year and is a learner. She likes to figure out new things, know what her siblings do, and be involved. She and I have the same personality so teaching has been "interesting" but also fun. Hannah is my BIG helper. She watches Caleb for me when I am busy, helps cook, clean, work on school, and basically everything I do, and is always in the middle of my day. Hannah also chose to cut off her hair and it looks really cute on her.
Caleb: This year was obviously big for him. He learned to walk... finally! He had his first birthday, learned to eat alone, got 16 teeth, got a few haircuts, A LOT of bumps and bruises, and talks all the time! He is our little clown. He has the biggest cheesest smile and is always showing it off. He loves to play "boy" with Joe, babies with Hannah, and sing and dance with Sarah. He is now trying to learn as much as he can in this world by being in every inch of it. He climbs everywhere, gets into everything, looks at everything, and never wants to be left out of what the rest of us are doing.
We had lots of fun, lots of crazy, and we are getting older and wiser for sure. Right now we are trying to move, and downsize our lives. We have started new schedules, goals, and parenting and hopefully we get the results we want... :) But really we are still living "one day at a time" and trying to raise our family the way our Heavenly Father wants us to. We are so thankful for wonderful family and friends who have been with us in this journey. There is no way we could have made it without the encouraging words, service, prayers, and involvment from all of you. Thanks again!!! Happy Valentines and Happy 2009!
