Thursday, December 23, 2010

Season's Greetings

In case we didn't have your address this year, here's a Christmas card for you. I didn't get around to writing a 2010 family summary but if I had it would have said something like...

Todd is 14. He's only "ours" for a few more short years. Does he know how to cook, do his own laundry, and clean a bathroom yet? Nope but we're working on it. He is hilarious and smart. His English teacher calls him "Walking Jeopardy". Todd is everyone's favorite young man in the ward and grown-up cousin in the family. We love him.
Kenna is 10. She is THE best little and big sister to her crazy brothers. She's probably making a crafty project right now and recently picked up sport stacking as a hobby. Her room is usually a mess but her goals are creative and brilliant. Kenna is the most well-rounded girl we know--a friend to all, smarter than her parents, and more beautiful every day. We love her.
Alec is 5. He loves Kindergarten and play dates with his best friends. He works up quite a sweat when playing Wii games; partly from the action but mostly from celebrating--with donkey kicks and leg sweeps--or ruing--with grouchy yelling and foot stomps--his performance. Affectionate as he is silly, Alec always makes us smile. We love him.
Brent is 40 and looks/acts 20. Brent weighs 169.7 lbs as of this morning. (That's so skinny for a 6'3" guy!!) He's a running maniac with the lofty goal to qualify for the Boston Marathon this year. He enjoys working at Control4 programming home/hotel automation systems and regularly reminds his co-workers through example that it's okay to be nerdy AND have a personality.
Rita is 40 and looks/feels 50. She runs a few times a week with the best partners in town and wants to do a sub 2hr. 1/2 marathon this year. We'll see. She loves her part time job as a School Psychologist and her favorite student at work is Alec who attends her assigned school! Rita's most constant but alluding goal is to find peace and balance in her life. Maybe some day.

We feel overwhelmed by the love of family and friends and blessed to have all that we need. We wish you the happiest Christmas and joy in 2011!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Boys' Road Trip

Todd and I (Brent) drove to Albuquerque with my father and my brother Russ to watch BYU play in the New Mexico Bowl. It was my third trip to New Mexico in two years. The first trip was a weekend fishing trip with my brother Steve. The second trip was a week-long vacation with Kenna and my parents. This trip was the shortest of the three.

We drove down Friday night, stayed in a hotel, then went to the game Saturday. Our seats for the game were right on the 50 yard line, six rows up. It made for a unique view of the game. We could see the action really well and even hear the players yelling and colliding.
After the Cougars' 52-24 win, we went down onto the field and took pictures with several of the players.
Other activities on the trip included eating out, watching a movie, and going for a morning run along the banks of the Rio Grande. After the game, we drove home. We got home Sunday morning and went to church. I think it'll be a couple of days until I've recovered from the trip, but it was well worth it.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

I'm thankful...

* that my parents live so close now that they can come to dinner once-in-a-while.
* that my kids enjoy their cousins more than any friend they could have.
* for a spouse with electric knife-wielding skills.
* for two beautiful sisters-in-law that helped make dinner.
* that the honeydew melon turkey was a big hit.
* for nieces & nephews so darling that it is hard not to constantly squish them with kisses.
* that no one was bothered by cold mashed potatoes, too-hot turkey, & stove top stuffing.

I am thankful for THANKSGIVING DAY!!
(I'm also thankful that Andrea won't mind that I snagged these photo collages from her blog...hopefully.)