2011 Year in Review

Holy Moly!!! This year went by so fast!! I seriously blinked and it was gone! {please tell me that you think so too!!}

January 1, 2011

We have had a whirlwind year!!! Here is a look back!
 
1. Benji turned one in August. He has been growing so fast! At 10 months he was walking/running and at one year he was tipping the scale at a whopping 30 pounds!! He loves to eat and can't get enough of anything.

2.Tim is 5 and dirt seems to be part of his wardrobe. If I can't find him I don't need to look any father than the dirt pile in the back yard. Poor Boy has had more bumps, bruises and scrapes this year than ever before. He is working really hard on reading and is the sweetest boy who will be friends with anyone.

3. Tommy is now 7 and had a great StarWars birthday that is still talked about. He learned to ride his two wheeled bike and lost lots of teeth. He is such a clown and says the funniest things!

4. James' big news is that he turned 8 this year and was baptized. He also started Cub Scouts. In April he did a project for the Science Fair and won first place.

5. I am still here at home, and have learned really well to ignore the chaos unless it comes with death screams. I am working in the Primary as the Secretary and have gotten back into spinning and do that 3 times a week.

6. Steve took Part One - Boards and passed! Starting in January he will start his final year in Chiropractic school. He has enjoyed what he has learned but is excited to be in the clinic treating people. He is working on a technique that he will be using called Upper Cervical.

7. In December Steve and I ran the Tough Mudder. A 12 mile course that had 25 obstacles and lots of mud! We finished it and look forward to doing it again next year.

8. In October we decided to take a family trip to North Carolina and found some cabins on a working farm called Randell Glen. It was so fun to just hang out as a family without any outside technology. We fished, and hiked, and took care of the animal. So far the best vacation that we have taken.

9. We are in our 3rd year of homeschooling and are still enjoying it very much. We have been working our way through the Periodic Table and saw the downfall of the Roman Empire.

10. We have had NO broken bones and only one set of stitches.

 December 31, 2011

2011 was a good year but I'm glad that it is over. I am looking forward to 2012 and all the changes that are going to happen.

Christmas 2011

Christmas day was early magical!!

It was late night with friends Christmas Eve as we giggled over gifts and paper and wrapping, and ate all the left over goodies. {and falling into bed at about 2:00}

Christmas morning I was startled awake by James who was informing me that he was awake and that Santa did in fact came to our house and that he would be really quiet and won't wake anyone up while he opens his presents.

In the groggy state that I was in I told him that nothing can be opened until the brothers are awake too.

Apparently I was not clear enough about that.

Ten minutes later he came back to tell me that Tommy and Tim were in fact awake and they were going to open presents.

I rolled my body out of bed and pushed Steve out too. The boys were ready and they were going to open present with our with out us.

It was nice... even at 4am

It was small but it was really nice. And when it was over we hunkered down and watched a new movie that James got. I fell asleep again as I was snuggled up next to Tim.

It was a wonderful Christmas. I love the simple, small Christmases that we have had, and I will always remember our time in Florida.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house....

 The baby apparently didn't like the ribbon, so he took it upon himself to fix it. As I was getting up to thank him for his help, he giggled and ran away.... I took that to mean he changed his mind about the ribbon.

 My poor Jello creation did not turn out what I had imagined.... it was a complete disaster!

 James, Tommy, Benji and I went to the Ward Christmas party. Poor Steve and Tim were sick so they stayed home and played the Wii. Just so all know... Benji did get fed but then he went around to each table to see who would feed him.

 Santa did come to take last minute requests.

 James....

 Benji was less than enthused... rather upset actually.

 Steve decided to make a trifle, and it turned out perfect! I made an angle food {from scratch} and Steve made some custard {again from scratch}

 On Christmas Eve we had a big dinner with some good friends and the Missionaries.

 After dinner, dessert, and clean-up all snuggled down for Steve's annual reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas"... in a Scottish accent

{and even Elder Rumsey was enjoying the story}

 All my babies!!! I love them all so very much!

And I especially love the faces of this fat little guy. I can't get over how cute he is.

And to all a Good Night!

Pomegranate December

The one good thing about December in Florida is the fact that we can be outside sans shirt to enjoy bright red pomegranates! I love these delectable fruit!

Christmas Trees, Blocks, Floors, and Benji

A few weeks ago we went to a friends house to have dinner, she had a gal come over to watch the boys while the adults talked. Everything was great until Benji and the floor got into a fight... clearly the floor won. It was quite sad. {and I felt really bad for the gal... he fell on her watch and she felt so bad about it}

The black eye looked really good... definitely one for the books.

In other news.... Benji can fit more than I want to into his mouth.

But he is oh, so cute. He is so fun!

Technically this is his second Christmas, but it's like his first with how in awe of everything he is.

The lights are fascinating for him.

I'm glad there are lights at his level for him to enjoy.

Every Christmas that Steve is around there are always choice words that are said while the tree is going up. And this year for good reason.... After plugging in and out and trying to figure out the cause of the problem no solution was found... so we have a striped tree this year.

It all makes for good memories.

Dear Santa

Tommy has been busy writing letters to Santa. He has been asking for "spy stuff", Legos, books, and even "sprouts for dad"

Here is one of the letters that he wrote to Santa..... He makes sure to draw his stamp on so it would get to the North Pole

It's pretty cute.

Although.... he has written at least 2 letters a week to Santa.

Since August!

LegoLand

The first part of December we were able to go to LegoLand. It was great. It had opened in October and we went just a few months later. Going to LegoLand this time was way better than the first time. And thanks to the FAITH Co-op, we were able to go for a whopping $5 a person!!

It was a fun day! And although Steve wasn't able to come with us, we had a really good time!

Getting close, and getting so excited!

Once we got close the boys needed to climb on something.

Practicing a force choke.

I was in awe the whole time I was there at what one could make with legos. When I pull out the legos I always have such a blank as to what I should build... apparently possibilities are endless!

I love this picture of the modeling lego firemen! I think they are getting pictures taken for the calender... which I will totally pre-order

Clearly someone did not check his restraint.... he stood up pretty much the whole ride.

James is driving the boat... it's a lot harder than it looks.

After getting stuck twice and going the wrong what nad needed help turning around again, he finally made it back.

Tommy was happy to press all the buttons that were on board.

Tim was able to do a little driving, which he was really excited to do.

He drove all on his own, and I think he loved having the wind blowing through his hair.

Tommy and James were able to go to "Driving School'. It was really cool they had a little road way set up with a round-about and stop signs and stop lights.

James was a much better driver on the road than in the water.

Again... in awe... a car built in legos!

Benji did really well. While we waited in line for the other boys to ride Benji would get out of the stroller to walk around and play. He was really good all day.

This is great picture of James, I love the pure joy that is on his face.

My adrenaline junkie boys. All were tall enough to ride the roller coasters and so it was... off to all the roller coaster.

I love this look in Benji, he's not totally sure what to do with the dinosaur.

It took him a good while before he would touch it, and then he was so very careful when he did.

Once all was deemed safe... he was ready to conquer the beast.

This is a funny ride... It just went up and bounced on down... there was nobody in line so the boys just road it again and again... And the kind woman and her child road with them over and over.

We found a friend that was the sames size as Benji.

It was a long day. Made even longer by the fact that my poor body still hurt. But after a power nap all was well.

The boys also needed a quick nap, as they were worn out as well.

My crazies and I. We had so much fun!!

We went into one of the stores and this is what I found... Ever single lego! Binds and bins of Legos!! Every size, and shape that you could want.

One last time for a force choke... Darth is a strong one and the boys will have to practice hard to take him down next time. {Did you notice Tim??}

We don't buy a whole lot of souvenirs but we do get the smooshed pennies. They are a fun reminder of our travels.... and they are only 51 cents! you really can't beat that. 

A couple parting pictures of our great day!

I was sad that Steve missed it.... but I am happy that we had such a fun time. They boys were tall enough for all the rides and rode them until the park closed. I'm sad that LegoLand is 2 hours away... it makes it a bit far to go to often... I hope we will be back before we leave.

{parenting tip #54.... put your number on your kid just under the sleeve on the arm. That way if someone wanders away, you can get a call right away. This is especially helpful for those that walk but don't speak... although I never lost Benji, this would have been good for Tim... as he was the one that wandered away... twice!}