The year in review

So, our year: 
In January, Connor turned 8 and was baptized. We traveled to Logan, UT so that Trey could perform the baptism. The children were living in Logan with their mom and grandparents. It was a beautiful baptism and Connor was thrilled with the new scriptures we got for him. Rafa turned 16 in January too.  


February brought Trey's shoulder surgery. He is back to playing volleyball again this fall and grateful that it went so well. Cody turned 15.  


In March, Rafa and Alex spent the week with us for Spring Break. We went camping at Lake Fork and the boys did some fishing.  

By April, the kids' mom decided that she wanted to move back to Texas. That was an answer to our prayers! The kids moved in with us while their mom found housing and a job. They were with us just about full time until August. April also moved me into a new decade. Yes, I am 40! Mary came down from Chicago to help me celebrate. We had Hope join us with her siblings and mom too. It was fun! Hope and I went to see Fiddler on the Roof in May, to NYC with Dominique in July and to see Wicked in August. We have celebrated well!  

In May, Trey took me to Florida for Mother's Day. We spent a day at Disney and another day at the beach. Thanks Dad & Dian for taking such good care of us!  


In June, Alex turned 12 and moved into the Young Men's and Scouting programs at church. He just advanced to second class this past week and he has his eye on Eagle. We are very proud of him. Poor Jim "almost" did a back flip on a trampoline and broke his leg three days before his dad's wedding in Hawaii and had to miss the trip! Taylor hit 21. He is an adult for sure now!  

July was one shining star of the year! We got 6 of our 8 kids together along with Taylor's new fiance (he proposed two days before our vacation) and Jimi's room mate Scott at Fort Morgan, AL. We rented a house and spent a FABULOUS week swimming, eating, playing and sunning ourselves. The big kids could not have been sweeter to the little ones and the little ones came to adore their older brothers. Jim even managed to enjoy himself in spite of the cast on his leg. (see family photo) Mary and her family met us there too. They baptized Nathan in the gulf. That was a beautiful event. We found out that getting a table for 16 is highly frowned upon in Gulf Shores restaurants!  

August quieted down for us. The little kids went back to live with their mom and we found ourselves with an empty nest again...at least part time. Trey's brother Richard got married on the first and Mariah was one of their five flower girls. I made her dress and her cousin Kami's.  

September 5, 2009 our Taylor married his darling SharNell in Rexburg, ID. Trey and I met Jim & Scott at the SLC airport and drove up to the wedding. Mary and all of her family were there, my brother and his wife came, and I got to see my Cody for the first time in over a year. Cody lives in Las Vegas with his dad and step-m0m. The wedding was absolutely lovely. The bride and groom could not have seemed happier. We are so happy to welcome SharNell into our family.  

October brought Marc's 4th birthday. We celebrated with a Rock Band party which he loved.  


November brings Jim to a new decade at 20. Hard to believe I was his age when he was born!  

And here in December, Mariah turns 7. We had a fun party with Princess dressup and make overs then we went to Penney's for a photo shoot. It was precious. The little girls LOVED it and the pictures are priceless.  


Our life is very full and we love it. We have the little kids one night a week, every other weekend, and anytime their mom needs help. Alex comes over one night a week too and two weekends a month, but one of those weekends is a campout with Trey who is his Scout master.  


I am teaching Early Morning Seminary too. I love it. I am exhausted all the time, but the "pay" is worth it. We are so blessed....life is really good!