Thank You Kindly

Ah, Christmas is over. 

We squeezed in a quick trip to SLC to see the lights on Temple Square.  Kyle had never seen them, so it was a wonderful trip.  In fact, it really was great.  We took Swagger with us, and the kids were happy as bugs to go see Chad and Courtney, even if it was only for two hours.  Then we dressed up in winter garb, snow pants and all, and walked around for three hours looking at everything.

As we arrived on the grounds we met up with the Gordons to see the lights.  BEST. TIMES.  Love them.  The kids really had a ball hanging out with their friends, but so did we adults.  Saw Luke II and the statue of Christ, and the old Tabernacle.  The South VC has sure changed a bit since I last saw it.  VERY COOL replica of the SLC Temple. Wish we could have made it over to walk around in the Conference Center.  Next time!
 

We may have looked dumb in our snow suits, but it was worth it.  NOT one complaint about being cold.  That's awesome, in my book, I tell ya.  Awesome.  We took the kids up to the highest floor that they allow you to go too, at the Church Office Building, too.  So fun. 

Saw President Monson.  He was like, "Ah, Bishop Larsen!   .....Yes, I remember calling you...."  Okay, kidding.  Didn't see anyone prominent.  Wish we would've though! 

We then grabbed a quick bite to eat and drove home.  It was awesome.

I am glad Christmas is over andas I feel like we have been celebrating since October 31st.

Perhaps that's because we have been.

We were blessed and spoiled.
We're excited about the Roku and the kids seemed genuinely happy all day.
Brooklyn was ill, but she was still happy.

We had Blake and Blaine to hangout with on Christmas day and then two days later Janelle and Ryan joined the fun.

We played board games, and WE EVEN GOT MY DAD TO PLAY a game!

This is monumental history in the making, people.  MONUMENTAL.

What a fun filled year it's been.

I sent out Christmas cards that looked like this:

And a letter that read:

A

s the year comes to an end, it’s fabulous to look back on what 2011 brought us.  If you’ve followed our blogs at all, this might be a bit of a repeat, but if not well then, feel free to read on or quit now!

As a family: Talk about a busy year! We’ve laughed a lot, prayed constantly, felt frustrated, excited, nervous, and blessedly happy- sometimes all at once too.  We enjoyed 9 cases of strep throat from January to March, too.  Lucky, aren’t we?!  We talked and talked and talked and researched twice as much as we talked about getting a dog.  Then we went to Canada!  That was a big deal.  Like HUGE. (It was an epic adventure, as the kids had never been and it had been just short of eight years since I had been. Spending time there and seeing all that we did with family was wonderful.)  We welcomed an exchange student in the fall, and said good bye to her as well shortly thereafter due to complications with her being honest, which we were all sad about. Then, at the first of November, we HAD Christmas.  Yes, that’s right.  We opened ALL the Christmas presents on Nov. 9^th.  This was because we were able to get a puppy, and due to the timing of getting him, we just decided to surprise the kids and celebrate early, because he was indeed our Christmas!  Have no fear, Santa is still coming Dec. 25^th, and the grandparents have a few gifts we will need to unwrap.  We survived tithing settlement season with ease this year, and have big family plans for next year! (Like T-Ball and soccer, and theater camp.  Because, those are big plans, depending on whom you ask!) It’s been an adventure-filled year, to say the least!
             Kyle was called to serve on the high council right at the start of 2011. That lasted seven months and he is now currently serving as the Bishop for our ward. I won’t mention his dedication to being a bit healthier this year. His skinny bum can’t handle it.  He continues to work for Coltrin Mortuary, and loves his work.  He didn’t golf nearly as much as he would have liked, but each New Year sets a goal to hit a few more rounds than the last.

Gina started a book.  She is about half way to reaching her goal.  She can’t believe how fun it’s been to create this way. She didn’t anticipate ever writing, but alas, she is.  She had to have surgery on her wrist at the beginning of June, and that was a very hard, long six weeks.  It’s vastly better now, and she is more than grateful to have full use of her hand. As is the rest of the family.
            Catelyn turned 8 -March 19th. It was a big and special day.  Although it was her birthday, Grandpa Dean had passed away, and it was also his funeral.  We also baptized her that day.  Like I said, it was a very big, special day, full of all kinds of emotions.  Catelyn also spent two weeks at summer theater day camp. That was a major highlight to her summer!  She’s grown like a weed and her head is as high as Gina’s shoulders.  She loves to read, draw, and go to school.  Third grade rocks! Rumor has it that she chases a few boys around at recess too.  Exactly like her mother at this age, minus the glasses so far. Scares us a bit. She even adds eyelashes to her people when she draws!

Landon continues to be a skinny bum! He turned 6- February 2. He loves to read, and he enjoys first grade quite a bit.  Turns out that he’s quite the class comic relief, not class clown though, according to his teacher.  Funny, ‘cause he’s usually really shy, but within the walls of his first grade class, not so much.  He has outgrown Thomas the Train and holding Mom’s hand.  (Seriously, he will not hold Gina’s hand.)  But he’s a joy to have around, and loves to take Swagger outside.  He started Jump Roping recently and that is a new favorite activity. His two front teeth have arrived just in time, too.

Sassy and eager to be the boss, Jocelyn is a busy girl.  She turned 4 on January 27^th.  So she is nearly five now.  She did play T-Ball this past spring for the first time, and her coach gave her a trophy at the end of the four week season.  That is a prized possession.  Along with her little Disney princess dolls.  She was also evaluated for speech and did indeed qualify for help.  Strange a bit, cause we all understand her, most of the time. She has been working with a therapist this school year and is definitely improving.  She enjoys shopping with Gina and being at home.  It’s incredible how well she plays independently and with her little best friend, Brooklyn.

Brooklyn was potty trained and has reverted a bit, but what’s a girl to do when she has to keep up with a puppy?  She finally got her ears pierced, which she loves.  She speaks with such clarity and precision, there is seldom any misunderstandings as to what she wants.  Still hanging on to a blankie and pacifier for security at 2 ½, we cherish her, as it’s clear she really is outgrowing being a baby in any way.  She tells us constantly that “going to Canada” was her favorite thing this past year.  So much so, that it’s a family joke now.  Brooklyn still has a scratchy, smoker’s voice, which is funny and endearing to us as well.  No hair worth noting.  Least, not yet.

We get a lot of questions about what kind of dog Swagger is; He’s a Shiba Inu. We get a lot of compliments on how cute he is, and he’s super popular at PetSmart.  He’s a rare breed to the SEI area, so everyone thinks he’s a Husky. He’s nearly 4 months old, and has melded into the family with ease.  He’s hilarious, and naughty, and obedient, and silly all within about twenty minutes.  He seems to be incredibly happy here, and we adore him. 

                                            All our Love and Happy Holidays!

And that my dear friends, family, and blog readers, is the end of 2011 for us.

Thank you kindly, 2011. 

2012 Be. Nice.

I mean it.

Be. Nice.

I'll conquer this soccer ball if it's the last. thing. I. do.

Thanks for the Dog Bed, Grandma Cindy!  I w♥♥f it.