Friday, January 11, 2008

Going to the Park






We took the kids to the park for a picnic lunch and fun park activities. I love going to the park as a family. The kids have so much fun running around, climbing trees, making new friends, playing in the sand, sliding the slides and swinging in the swings. Unfortunately, I am officially old, and my favorite park activity of swinging actually makes my head spin! However, it is great to watch the kids enjoy themselves. Mijken found a little girl about a year older than her. She ran around following her yelling, “Mom, my new friend.” She makes me laugh because she has to be just as old as everyone else. She climbed up all the ladders without even thinking, as I sat back and had a heart attack thinking she might fall. She did not fall and continues to amaze me with all that she can do. Jared is in my opinion the best 5-year-old swing pumper and monkey bar climber out there. I believe he agrees with me on that one! I am always grateful when we take the time to do things as a family, even when they are as simple as going to the park. I am learning that great family memories do not have to be elaborate; kids just like to do something together.
Of course, I do not have it so together to actually bring my camera to the park this time. But these pictures are from the time we took Zac and Max to the park while they were here in November.

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Christmas 2007





We had a wonderful Christmas. We made sugar cookies, looked at lights, and enjoyed the season. Mark, Lauren, Madison, Sarah, and I participated in the ward choir Christmas presentation. Mark and I took a night to watch one of our favorite Christmas movies, “The Family Man.” On Christmas Eve, we had Pete and Vickey over for Dinner and to watch “The Nativity.” After we got everyone off to bed, Mark and I went to the Codella’s to play games. Christmas morning was great. Everyone was very excited. We have a tradition of gifts at our house, everyone gets something from Santa, and then everyone buys for everyone else. It is so fun to watch the kids pass out their presents. Often they are as excited to give their presents as they are about getting presents. Jared kept going around the week before telling Lauren that she was going to LOVE his present. After several clues and a little slip from excitement, I don’t think her present was much of a surprise. After opening presents and cleaning up we packed up the van and drove to Utah. It was fun to see family around this season. The kids had a great time sledding, making snowmen, and seeing cousins. Mark got a day of “very cold weather” skiing, and we both enjoyed a wonderful meal at Emily’s. It was great to see all the family. Christmas is a wonderful time and we are looking forward to the New Year.