2011: Our Year in Review

As 2011 winds down let's take a look back at a few milestones from our year.

• Jared spent most of the year working on his book.  It should be coming out in the Spring, but we'll have to wait and see how everything turns out.
• Tara was busy this year with kids and projects.  She volunteered for the PTA and spent some time helping out at Oakwood, Twin Peaks, and Spring Lane Elementaries.
• Kennedy moved from Kindergarten to 1st Grade.  She claims the best thing about school is hot lunch.  She also started taking piano lessons this year.
• Alex graduated from pre-school and is currently attending pre-K (let's just call it this for our sakes).  He finally broke through and started riding his bike without training wheels in October.
• Dylan started the year as our family hippie.  Back in February he celebrated his birthday by having his first hair cut.  Now, we're hoping for another milestone with potty training.
• Vacations in 2011: Nashville, New Harmony, St. George, Bear Lake, and the Uintahs.
• Our last milestone was getting a dog.  The kids had been asking for years and in June we finally agreed.  Kai joined our family and we're adjusting to life as dog owners.

So that's 2011 in a nutshell.  Kids are growing up, Tara and I are growing old.  Let's see what happens in 2012...

Dede at Dede's

Each time we drive down to visit my parents we take a few trips in to Cedar City.  Along Main Street you'll find a giant sign for the restaurant Dede's.  On this vacation it was time to take our Dede to Dede's. I think the best thing about the restaurant was the photo-op for Kennedy, but I'm sure we'll go back again to have another $5 omelet......

Christmas: The Day in Photos

Note for Santa

As Alex and Kennedy were preparing for bed on Christmas Eve they asked if a final note for Santa was ok.  Since the computer was right there I asked if they wanted to make a little video for the big man to watch later that night.  Here were their final requests...

Temple Square Lights

Everyone's doing it.


That's what Christmas is all about.


Your kids will love it.

We've all heard that taking your kids to see the lights at Temple Square is a marvelous holiday tradition.  Tonight I want to tell you the best thing about visiting Temple Square are the photos.  The parking, the crowds, the temperature, the chaos - everything else is something I can do without.

So, take a look at the best part of Temple Square Lights.

Christmas Fun

Kennedy's Birthday

Kennedy had a great birthday this year.  We started the week of her birthday by going to The Forgotten Carols at Cottonwood High School.  Kennedy enjoyed the show, up until the end when we all thought it was over and it kept going for another 45 minutes!

On her actual birthday, Kennedy was a little sick.  We ended up just going to dinner at Bonsai and Coldstone and then having a quiet evening at home.

The party started on Saturday with a friend party.  Eight of Kennedy's friends came over for games, bracelet making, face painting, presents, cake and ice cream and a pinata.  Kennedy was so excited for this party and she wasn't disappointed.  All the girls had a blast.  I think the face painting was the popular station. Char, Jess and Alicia all helped with the different stations and keeping things somewhat organized.

Sunday was a family party with Jared's family.  We had dinner, more cake and ice cream and more presents.   Kennedy definitely got spoiled and had a fun birthday week.

I can't believe Kennedy is actually seven years old.  She really has grown up so much this year.  She is such a special kid and we love her so much.  We love the spirit and fun that she brings into our home (and the drama!)  We love you, Kennedy!

Photos of the Day: Gingerbread Houses

For Your Birthday

Kennedy,


I wanted to take a moment to reflect upon our year together.  I am so proud of all you have accomplished over the past few months.  You are doing so well in school and have adjusted to all day learning.  I know you always  say your favorite part of school is hot lunch, but it is exciting to watch you read, write, and work with numbers.  You are excelling as a student and you can accomplish great things!


At home I can't tell you how much you mean to your mom and me.  You are really starting to become a big helper.  It is so important to us that you continue to take on more and more responsibility and I love that you are willing to pitch in.  You have a great chance to set an example for your younger brothers, as they want to follow your lead.  I hope you'll continue to show them that we can do hard things in our family.


Dede - you have so many talents and I hope you'll explore new opportunities to grow and learn.  I know you were a bit reluctant to start piano, but it is so fun to listen to you practice new songs.  It has shown me again that you can do anything you set your mind to.  Trust in yourself and keep working hard.  You are incredible!


I love you little girl.  You bring a smile to my face and joy to my heart.  I hope you have a wonderful birthday.


Daddy

Not Forgotten

Last night Kennedy, Tara, and I went on a date.  Call it an early birthday present for Dede or just a good excuse to go out, but we joined with Tara's family to see the play The Forgotten Carols.  The play wasn't new to us.  Tara and I saw it 15 years ago when we were dating.  Like so many young couples it was a good chance to go out around Christmas time.  Both of us loved the play.

I don't know why it took us so long to see it again.  It was even better the second time around.  Maybe it was the chance to share the music with Kennedy.  Perhaps it was because the music has a greater impact on my life today.  Could be a magical date with the same girl over a decade later.  I don't know.

The story is simple and powerful. It reminds us that the Savior didn't just impact the world in the past.  He still impacts our lives and His message is the same today as ever.  If you haven't heard the music I hope you'll add it to your Christmas traditions.  It will certainly help you feel the Spirit of Christmas - the Spirit of Christ.

Photo of the Day: Squatter

We were putting everyone to bed tonight and when I went to close the blinds we noticed a little squatter who had set up house on our window ledge.

Anyone missing a hen?

A Night with Who?

Our annual Christmas party for the ward had a fun twist this year; it was a party for all the Whos down in Whoville. For our family it gave us the chance to dress up in fun costumes and do crazy things with our hair. I know how stupid I look in this getup. Trust me - I wasn't sure if I should show up dressed this way, but then I figured - who cares?! The party was a blast and we had a great time.

One of my favorite parts of the night was a live rendition of "The Grinch who Stole Christmas." It was replete with a narrator, live acting by the Grinch, a quartet of minstrels, and a multimedia version of the story. It truly stole the show. Everyone loved the party and Tara and I could only marvel at the amazing people we are privileged to live amongst. It was a fun way to celebrate the holiday season and to enjoy our friends and neighbors.

 

Holiday Traditions: Old and New

One thing about our family and Christmas - it is a time of traditions.  Some of them are old, like the advent calendars the kids get at the start of December.  They absolutely love getting a new chocolate each day and seeing what shape it will be.  Alex is certainly the most excited about this one.  He woke up extra early today to open the first little door.  The hard part for Alex will be only opening one door each day - he'd grab them all if Tara would let him....

A new tradition at our house this year is the Elf on the Shelf.  A friend suggested we buy the book and doll to get our kids excited about the holidays.  We opened it up tonight and the kids were hooked.  Our little elf is named Starry and everyone loves the idea of finding him each day.  Kennedy made Starry a little stocking for the fireplace and Dylan keeps talking to our new little elf.  The tradition was complete when we watched the Elf on the Shelf holiday special we DVR'd last week.  What a fun new way to have some Christmas joy!

The Tumbler

For the past few months Alex has been involved in a class - a tumbling class.  I've always thought that Alex has a gymnast's build.  Lean and wiry - the kid has a body made for jumping, vaulting, and flying through the air.  Sure enough, Alex has been a natural.

I don't know if gymnastics will be in his future, but for now it awesome to watch his moves.  Cartwheels, handstands, somersaults and more -  Alex can do it all.

 

Turkey Bowl

I've enjoyed playing football on Thanksgiving for years.  Back in high school it was a chance to get out some nervous energy while waiting for dinner.  In my twenties it was a good competition with friends and a chance to rekindle past glories.  Now, the turkey bowl is a way to get out and be active.  My number one goal is to walk away from the field without any injuries.  I don't care about the score, the moves, the competition - I just want to stay healthy.

Over the past few years I've had a couple of Turkey Bowl injuries and I thought about hanging it up.  Then 8 o'clock on Thanksgiving rolled around and I couldn't resist.  It was a simple game.  A few of the youth from the ward and some of old dudes.  It was a great morning.  Everyone had fun.  Best of all - no one got hurt!  Especially me!

Turkey Day

Our Thanksgiving Day was full of blessings.  We wanted to help the kids understand a little bit more about all the great things we have in our lives so we made a little craft.  We made Thanksgiving turkeys.

Each of the kids wrote down something they were thankful for on a paper feather and we created our gratitude turkeys.  It was a simple reminder of our blessings and a fun way to prepare for Thanksgiving dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving

Diary of a Utah Fan

The Utes first season in the Pac 12 has certainly been a wild ride.  Confidence was high in the beginning as we played well and started with a 2-1 record, including a 51-10 drumming of the y.  Then the injury bug hit, we lost Jordan Wynn for the season (no big surprise there) and the Utes stunk.  They lost their first four conference games and the year was dead in the water.  Utah was 3-4, the offense was terrible with the backup QB, the team couldn't stop anyone, and the season was bleak.  The low point was the Cal game, when the Utes were thoroughly outplayed and looked overmatched in the new conference.  The score may have been 34-10 but the difference in that game was huge.  We looked and played small.

Then an interested thing happened.  Utah changed the game plan.  We had to become a one dimensional team on offense.  John White emerged as the lone option and he started taking over.  Every game he seemed to top 150 yards rushing.  Even better, he held onto the football.   It gave us an identity.  We could run the ball.

The defense has been good all year.  There were a couple of games where teams scored in the 30's against them, but that was mostly due to short fields because of turnovers by the offense.  Since the Utes started taking care of the ball - the D has been stout.  Teams can't move the ball and we are creating turnovers instead of giving the ball away.

The Utes are back, winners of four straight conference games.  They now stand at 7-4, with a 4-4 record in the Pac 12.  This was unimaginable a month ago.  We were dead, but things have a funny way  of evening out.  Sure the schedule helped, as we started playing the lower teams in the conference - still, Utah has improved.  We are going to finish above 500 for our first year in the Pac 12.  Who knows, we might still play in the conference championship if the ball bounces our way.

A wild ride - that's for sure, but it's been a great time to watch Utah mature into a Pac 12 contender.  GO UTES!