Merry Christmas 2008

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. On Christmas eve the boys got to open one present--pajamas. Taylor was disappointed (next year we will let him open something fun too). On Christmas morning Taylor was up at 7 am and opened his stocking. He came up to tell us what he got every so often. I got up at 8 am and Taylor finally got Tanner and Dad out of bed at 9 am so we could open presents. Christmas was small but Santa was good to us all.
We also enjoyed the season to remember our Saviour Jesus Christ and the gifts from our Heavenly Father and to share the joy and love we have in abundance in our lives.

Hockey Star

Holiday Moosical

All I want for Christmas . . .

Taylor lost his two front teeth waaaaay back in April (or maybe May), and he is still toothless. Since then he has lost two more teeth, leaving the top of his mouth quite empty. His dentist told us last month that he might get his front teeth by Christmas. But I had to get one last picture of his toothless grin.

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a fun Thanksgiving weekend spent with our wonderful family. Matthew and his family came down on Wednesday and stayed with us until Friday. Taylor and Tanner loved playing with their cousins and the adults enjoyed visiting and being together too. We all went to Thanksgiving dinner at Gma Pat's house along with Tara and her family, Fran and her family, of course Tami and her family, Myles & Connie, Jackie & Willie, and Shawn. We truly are thankful to be blessed with such a wonderful family.

Benihana

Saturday night was a night out for the adults. Nicole arranged for a babysitter (the brave girl) and we went to dinner at Benihana. I think this is Kendall's favorite place to eat. It was a fun evening and we learned so much more about our friends than we ever could have imagined! :)

Alaska Aces

Last weekend we went to Anchorage and had a great time. On Friday night we went to the Alaska Aces hockey game with the Skinner family. After a stressful parking experience we got into our seats by the end of the first period. The little boys were so excited, especially Taylor. We all had a great time. It was fun and loud and great hockey. We are looking forward to doing it again soon.

Taylors Birthday

We just had a small party for Taylor's birthday this year after his baptism. He picked out a snowboarder cake and was excited to have his cousins from Kenai here for a sleep over. The compound bow toy turned out to be a big hit with all the kids-but he loved all of his birthday gifts.

Husband for Rent

I am doing this to humor Trace.
He thinks someone will see this and want to pay him to travel the world and play. Of course no sex is involved.
tracecarlos@gmail.com

Taylor's Baptism

Saturday night was a very special night for our family.
Taylor was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
He was baptized by his dad and was surrounded by loving family and friends. Uncle Matt & Aunt Angeline came down from Nikiski to share this special time with him and participate in the baptism & confirmation. Also Brandon & Amanda Wilson came from Anchorage to be with us and participate.
Taylor was pretty excited and even though we were to the church early he changed into his white jump suit right away.
When he was baptized, his foot came up out of the water so he had to be dunked a second time. His dad stood on his feet that time.
Taylor was confirmed a member of the Church and given the gift of the Holy Ghost in Sacrament meeting today (Sunday).
Taylor is a very special part of our family. We love him and are proud of the person he is becoming. We hope he tries his best to make good choices and keep the covenants he made this weekend. We love you Taylor. Way to go!

Boots

Tanner has this pair of yellow rubber boots.
He LOVES his boots.
He can put them on all by himself (often on the wrong feet-as pictured above).
Such a big boy in big boy boots.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TANNER

Tanner is 2!
The time has gone by quickly--he is certainly not a baby anymore!
We had a small party on Sunday at Grandmas house for Tanner and Ryker.

Pond Hockey

Halloween

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRACE

Can you believe he is 35?!?!
Today he got to spend his birthday doing what he loves. . .
Kitesurfing!
So happy birthday Trace, we love you
and can't wait to celebrate some more when you get home.

I am a Marilyn!

I was surprised by how accurate this was. . .

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Marilyn!

You are a Marilyn -- "I am affectionate and skeptical."

Marilyns are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Be direct and clear


• * Listen to me carefully


• * Don't judge me for my anxiety


• * Work things through with me


• * Reassure me that everything is OK between us


• * Laugh and make jokes with me


• * Gently push me toward new experiences


• * Try not to overreact to my overreacting.

What I Like About Being a Marilyn

• * being committed and faithful to family and friends


• * being responsible and hardworking


• * being compassionate toward others


• * having intellect and wit


• * being a nonconformist


• * confronting danger bravely


• * being direct and assertive

What's Hard About Being a Marilyn

• * the constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind


• * procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself


• * fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of


• * exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger


• * wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right


• * being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations

Marilyns as Children Often

• * are friendly, likable, and dependable, and/or sarcastic, bossy, and stubborn


• * are anxious and hypervigilant; anticipate danger


• * form a team of "us against them" with a best friend or parent


• * look to groups or authorities to protect them and/or question authority and rebel


• * are neglected or abused, come from unpredictable or alcoholic families, and/or take on the fearfulness of an overly anxious parent

Marilyns as Parents

• * are often loving, nurturing, and have a strong sense of duty


• * are sometimes reluctant to give their children independence


• * worry more than most that their children will get hurt


• * sometimes have trouble saying no and setting boundaries

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

Another Hockey Boy

It looks like we have another hockey boy in the family.
Tanner loves to play hockey,
and he love to watch the "hockey movie" (miracle),
and he loves to watch other people play hockey. If only he could get on the ice . . .

Farewell San Diego--Day 11

Our final day in San Diego we started with breakfast at IHop.
We really got a kick out of this sign. Hello-say what?!Apparently it is required by law that all restaurants in California display this sign.

Then we hit the beach one last time.
Tanner once again did this quite literally. He is such a funny boy.

After finishing up at the beach and a early dinner, we took a walk along the marina.

Taylor thought this "pirate" ship was pretty cool.
And there were all these sculptures along the walk.
We took pictures of our favorites.

And the sun sets on another day and a fabulous vacaion in sunny San Diego.

(If the camera hadn't go to Texas with Trace
I would be posting the pictures of the snow that met us on arrival in Anchorage)

Back to San Diego-Day 10

On Sunday morning we visited Los Agladones one last time before heading back to San Diego.
Trace and his favorite taco man in Mexico.

The wind was really blowing and we stopped in Coronado .

Look at all the kites in the sky. Trace was so excited to see so many kiters but . . .
it was sunday so he made himself content to observe. (what a good boy)

Taylor and Trace counted more than 30 kites.

We walked along Mission beach one more time and decided to eat the Joes Crab Shack.
The atmosphere was great--the food not so much.

We stayed that night in Mission Beach and in the morning moved to a hotel closer to the airport for our Tuesday morning departure.