Goodbye 2009!

This winter has been cold, but pretty light on snow.  We have been waiting for some good storms to blow through so we can go sledding.  Today ended up being great.  New snow came just yesterday, and since it's New Year's Eve, Dad was home early and we all went together!  Thunder found a spot up by the point of the mountain to try out.

 Poor Tornado.  I took him on a run and we wiped out.  He then pronounced that he didn't want to go sledding "ever again."  He sat and watched everyone else for the rest of the time.  Sorry buddy!

 Sunshine had a great time and kept running up the hill to go down again even after everyone else was done.

 Looking good hun!  And see that other guy in an orange coat?  Tornado walked over to him, mistaking him for Thunder, and said "I don't want to ride down with you."  Still traumatized!

 Cloudburst also had a great time. She is such a daredevil.

 I realized that I am very out of shape today.  It's a big hill people!

 Sunrise didn't get in on the action this trip, but I'm sure he dreamed about it while he napped.

 We had fun ridin' out 2009.  Here's to a great new year!

Christmas 2009

This year we were blessed to have Thunder's family join us again for Christmas.  His mom and dad drove in, and also his brother, wife and two kids.  These are our kids only cousins, so everyone was very excited!  Since there were 2 more kids added to the mix since our last big family pictures, we got those taken care of (you can see them here).  After pics we ate at a family fave, Tucanos!

Since Thunder's brother and family couldn't stay for Christmas Day, we got to have two Christmas dinners. Yummmm!  We had wanted to try deep-frying a turkey for a while, and actually received a fryer for a gift.  It cooked in an hour and was so moist and full of flavor.

 To accommodate 6 adults and 6 kids, we brought in a kids folding table, which of course, the kids loved.

 Christmas round one!  We opened gifts with Thunder's brother and family before they had to leave on Christmas Eve.  They got us a certificate for a hot-air balloon ride... how fun!!

And of course, Sunrise loved playing with the paper more than anything.

And back by popular demand, karaoke night!  Tornado kicked it off with "Proud to be an American" complete with his own lyrics ("there ain't no doubt I love Disneyland, God Bless the USA!)

 Nana had us all going with her version of "These boots are made for walking"

 Everyone got in on the action, it was a fun night!

 They left on the morning of Christmas Eve, and this year Santa was able to get everything under the tree relatively early (by 9 PM, wahoo!).  I was glad it got done early cuz I had a horrible crick in my neck- I even fit in a visit to a chiropractor.

Then... Merry Christmas!  The kids woke up around 7 AM, so we really can't complain.  It is priceless to see their expressions as they walk into the room for the first time.

 Here is a fun gift- the Gigaball!  The kids can roll around on top of it, and inside it.

 We received so many nice things and feel so blessed.  But we enjoyed spending the time with family most of all.  We hope you also had a memorable and loving Christmas!

December performances

As many of you parents know, December is not only crazy with family, holidays and treat-making, but also performances!  Why must everything be all at the same time??  The first for us was for Cloudburst's school choir.  They put on a cute Christmas concert with lots of fun songs.  We got there a little early, so the kids got to run around the gym and blow off some steam.

 Then it was show time!

 Here is Cloudburst with her good friend and carpool buddy!

 Next it was up to the "North Pole" to watch Sunshine and his preschool.  They memorized a lot of great songs and put on a great show.

 What a fun elf we have here!

 We also had our ward Christmas party.  It was packed!  It was a breakfast and there was a great turnout.

 We even had a special visit from Mrs. Clause

 Next up... the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City.  Cloudburst's choir also performed there.

Isn't it just beautiful there?  The songs echoed and created a lovely sound.

 And last but not least, gymnastics!  Cloudburst's team had an exhibition performance at the gym and they did great.  This is to get them ready for a meet at Disneyland in a couple weeks!

Happy Birthday Thunder!

At the beginning of December we all got to celebrate Thunder's birthday!  And from the looks of it, Sunshine really got to enjoy it.


 Awwww what a proper father-son duo....

 ...whoops, spoke too soon!

We had a pretty low key day at home due to crazy schedules, but we tried to make it as special as we could.  We love you very much!!!!

Merry Christmas!

I don't have all the Christmas pics uploaded yet, but I do have some special ones... with family (Thunder's parents, brother and family) in town we decided to have family portraits taken.  We went to Portrait Innovations in Provo, and they were really great working with our large group. Here are a few favorites!  Merry Christmas everyone!