Thursday, January 21, 2010

2009

2009 was a busy year with a lot going on and bunch of change. It was really hard year, but it was also a really good year despite all of the hardships. There was so much that happened and I did not record a lot of it anywhere but would like to remember.
January
  • Move #1. We put around 80% of our belongings in storage when we moved to a small condo in between finding a different house to live in.
  • Our Husky, Myka had to go to a new home. We still miss him so much!
  • Made lots of new friends.

February

  • Brandon turned 7
  • We played outside a lot, in the snow and at the dam.
  • Had to switch the kids to the new school in our boundaries.

March

  • Enjoyed lots of fun time with friends
  • had a fun visit with the Secors
  • soaked up all of the wonderful spring weather outside

April

  • Went to Nebraska for Grandma Fosters Funeral
  • Alyssa and Brandon played on soccer teams

May

  • Enjoyed lots of more great weather and spring colors.
  • Easter
  • Lisa went to Utah for Women's Conference and Dad's 70Th birthday. Our whole family was together and it was wonderful!
  • Move #2. We moved out of the condo and our storage unit back into a house.
  • The pool opens and we swim, a lot.

June

  • Alyssa was invited back to her old school for the end of the year graduation.
  • Lots of fun fishing days
  • Lots of fun swimming days
  • Brandon goes to his fun Summer school classes
  • Lisa gets called as the Young Women's President

July

  • 4Th of July at the Secors
  • More swimming
  • Heather came to visit

August

  • Alyssa turns 5, Secors come for Alyssa's bday.
  • still swam a bunch
  • School starts
  • Alyssa goes to preschool as a peer role model
  • Brandon is in 2nd grade

September

  • Enjoyed lots of outdoor time, bike rides, time with friends etc.
  • Hayden turned 4
  • Trip to St. Louis to the Secors
  • Justin has surgery for his appendix to be taken out

October

  • Justin's Birthday
  • Lots of fun school activities
  • cooler weather
  • our last time to go swimming
  • Halloween at the Secors for Becca's birthday

November

  • Lisa's birthday
  • make decisions to move
  • pack again
  • Move #3- to Utah
  • All of the Finley family is together again after 3 years.
  • Thanksgiving with the Finley's and the Hastings

December

  • Lots and lots of family time
  • settling into the new house
  • Christmas
There are so many ways I could have done this and the time line was the easiest I think. I am sure I am leaving a lot out....
Hayden: Loves boats, trucks, motorcycles anything that moves. His best bud Tre got him hooked on diggers. Loves playing with Brandon's toys and riding his bike while he is in school. Conqured his fear of the water from his accident last year. Is a natural at fishing. Loves everything his dad does. Very inquisitive and takes care of others. very busy. Will bring my a live spider by it's leg when he finds one.
Alyssa: Is so little girly. She loves princesses, barbies, ponies, littlest petshop, dressing up etc... loves to play with others. She also loves to play with bugs including, worms, caterpillars, rolly pollys & is not afraid to get dirty in her pretty little clothes. She is so full of energy and generally happy.
Brandon: Enjoys going to school. Is kind of shy but will play with anyone. Is not judgemental. Is a great reader, does really good in math. He enjoys his time with dad. Loves to fish. Would swim everyday if we let him.
Justin: Going to school. Working full time. Enjoyed working with the youth at work, going on camp outs, canoeing, rock climbing, bike rides along with other things. It wasn't all fun, after all they are teenagers and there were many challenges, but I think he even enjoyed those. Taught our kids how to fish. Enjoyed any nice weather on his motorcycle.
Lisa: lots of packing and unpacking :). Trying to come up with fun things to do with the kids to keep them active and happy. Enjoyed a lot of birdwatching and animal watching with the kids; especially in the spring when the fawns came to our back yard. Looked forward to seeing the sweet baby we watched everyday. (Alyssa & Hayden loved her too) Stayed busy with her calling in YW's. Loved the time being the 1st counselor at the start of the year and YW President in the middle and to have hopefully helped those girls to become better people.
We have had so many changes the past year.
The biggest is all of the moving we did & job change.
We lived in 4 houses last year! And we are not even in the military! haha. Justin is so strong and is working hard to get through school and work at the same time. We know it will be worth it in the end. We already have some exciting things happening this year and I am thankful for all that we have had come to us. It has only made us better within.
Here's to another great fun filled year!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

New Years Eve Fun

On New Years Eve we met up with Justin's family and took all of the kids sledding.
It was fun!
But, way too cold. of course going up and down the hill kept you pretty
warm considering the temps...
When Hayden went down the first time by himself he was scared.
I realized he had never really been sledding before!
(That he could remember) he was not even one the first time.
When he got back up the hill with a huge grin he exclaimed
"That was fun! I want to do it again!"
I love these last two pictures.
It is kind of hard to put them on here though.
~Kesia, Justin, Hayden and Cash~
The next night, New Years day, Cash was hit by a car.
He was Kesia's baby. She had so many hopes to have him with her in the future.
He was so young still. He was so great with all of the kids. Just a really great dog.
It is all so sad! I'm so sorry Kes.
You will be missed so much Cash.
Can you see Hayden peeking out from behind him?
He thought it was the coolest thing to sled with a dog.

Christmas

I Love these pillows my Mom made for the kids.
They love them too! So cute!!
Hayden just itching to open those presents from Grandparents. Christmas Eve. Listening intently. Okay, probably not so much, but it was fun for the kids to "be in character" while we read scriptures. Alyssa took her part very seriously. She was sweet to watch.
I think we had a wonderful Christmas being together and spending time with all of our family.

Family Get Togethers

Alyssa, Liz, Lisa, Matt, Mike & Heather It was so fun hanging out
with my siblings on Christmas Eve.
Hayden and baby K. They hit it off right away. Very cute together.
Sheriff Brandon, and his cool scooter he wouldn't let leave his side.
Liz's Birthday is the day after Christmas. Hayden helped unwrap all of her presents.

Christmas Festivities

We invited cousin K. & Uncle Matt & Kirstyn over for
decorating cookies for Santa...
She put on quite the load of sprinkles.
One thing the kids love to do every year is a gingerbread house.
I keep thinking that one time we will try one from scratch all on our own. I think that would be even more fun! Hopefully next year it will be on my to do list.
The elf house she made at school.
The kids school had songs to perform all day! This was also Grandma Finley's birthday, so it was fun to invite her along to go listen to the fun songs!
After the school performances. A very snowy day.
That night some of the grand kids joined in
decorating reindeer cupcakes at Grandma & Grandpa's.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Imagination

Being 4 years old comes with quite an
IMAGINATION.
I love it!
So young, sweet, carefree, creative, energetic and fun!
(well, for the most part, not counting the other
personalities that come with being 4)

What we believe

About Me

My photo
Utah
I am a SAHM with my three wonderful children. It's really a lot harder than I ever imagined but, I love being with them, learning, and growing from and with them.