Christmas

We had a great Christmas this year.

Laura and Sitota met Santa for the first time.  

Graham really wanted to sit on Santa's lap but he didn't want anyone to know how excited he was because he wanted to be seen as a big kid.

Truman and his friends (Scott & Isaiah) didn't think they were too big ;)

The kids had their own tree this year.  Almost all the ornaments were homemade.

Our annual sing-along was different this year.  We had an Eschler party at Albert's house the night before so only the Gundersens came to our sing-along. 

Sledding Christmas Eve was a blast, just like it is EVERY year.

Christmas day was quiet.  It was wonderful to spend time together as a family.

Graham worked on his crystals kit.

Dexter put together a volcano.

Eve and Laura played with play dough.

Truman played the Wii.

We all watched a Christmas movie together.  

There's no better way to celebrate the Savior's birth than with family.  Merry Christmas!

Eleven

Here she is, the cutest 11-year-old EVER!!

Eve had her party in the gym of our church.  The kids played kick ball, dodge ball and glow in the dark tag.  It was a huge giggle fest!

Hair

We tried out a new hair salon for Sitota.  Skyla did a great job and I loved her, even if she did lecture me about what a poor job she felt I was doing on Sitota's hair ;)

Thanksgiving

 We went to Oregon for Thanksgiving this year.  All of my siblings and their families were there except Albert.  We had so much fun! 

 Instead of our traditional Turkey Run in Draper some of us ran 3 miles with Becky and her kids Thanksgiving morning.

My nephew, Taylor got a new truck while we were staying with him.

 

We celebrated my grandma's 84th birthday.  I love my grandma.

The highlight of the trip for me was going to the temple.  My brother-in-law, Daniel, was sealed to his mother.  What an amazing experience.  It was especially meaningful for me to be back at the temple where I was married.

St. Jude's Benefit with Kim & Rick

Bret's Aunt Kim and Uncle Rick invited us to a benefit dinner.  Rick's AWESOME band played at the benefit.  What a fun evening!!

Sitota's 4th Birthday

Chocolate & Vanilla, get it??

A hormonal teenager, a veterinarian,  Zoro, a dinosaur and ice cream, what more does a family need?  My favorite costumes?  You guessed it, our chocolate and vanilla ice cream.  The costumes were my idea but Bret did all the work making them.  Zoom in to read the ingreedients if you want a laugh. 

Bret dressed up as a patient and I was a nurse at Cassi's party this year.

Happy Halloween!

Texas

My cousin Joseph married a great girl, Rhonda.  Esther, Jennifer & I went to Texas for the reception.  

Below picture, left to right: Aunt Sandy, Aunt Kathleen, Kathleen, Esther & Jennifer (& Liam)

We spent most of the weekend driving around Ft.Worth lost and laughing.  We really had a lot of fun together.  I love my sisters and am thankful we get along so well.  I wish Becky could have joined us.

Running with Riah

Mariah has been our babysitter for the past seven years.  She is so much more than just a sitter.  She is Eve's hero and a big sister to my kids.  She is my friend and I count her as one of the greatest blessings Heavenly Father gave me as a young mother.  I cried this Fall when she left for college (even though the college is only 20 minutes away).  She called me last week and asked me to go on a trail run with her.  It was a beautiful run.  We live in a beautiful state.

Labor Day

We started the day at the High School Fun Run.  Truman and Bret ran the 5K, the rest of us ran the 1 mile.  I was not planning on Laura running but she woke up in the morning and told me, "I will run the whole thing, I will not walk at all." I was super impressed with her.  She ran so fast.  She was very determined.  She finished in under 10 minutes which I think is very impressive for a 5-year-old.  Some of our neighbors were at the run (Julie Hatchett, the Steeds and the Nimmers).

I know this is an odd picture to include but I wanted to show how hard Truman pushed himself.  He beat all of his friends and even better he did his best.  Bret and I were VERY proud of him.

After the run we spent the rest of the day with Bret's family.  Broc and Julie were visiting from Arizona.  We went hiking with the family and spent the evening together.

What a team!

No one volunteered to coach Truman's soccer team so I got assigned.  Um...I mean, a top notch soccer star called and begged me to share my talents and offered me so much publicity and fame that I couldn't say no.  

What an AMAZING exceptional group of kids.  I loved EVERY second of my Fall season with them.  We were undefeated this Fall and even more exciting everyone on the team scored at least one goal.  These kids amazed me with the sense of team spirit they showed.  Our team is coed and ranges in age from 11 to 18.  We have all different skill levels.  The fact that they all helped each other score is really remarkable.  We had a party tonight to celebrate that HUGE accomplishment.  We played indoor soccer and had pizza.  I LOVE these kids!!

 Back: Chris, Garrin, Kent, Me, Dante, Elijah (16-year-old Assistant Coach), Seth, Joel
Front: Bethany, Heidi, Truman, Natalie, Becky, Emily, Isaiah

The Purse

Laura's favorite treasure is her purse.  She keeps all of her love notes (from grandmas and cousins, etc.) in her purse.  She also keeps the wallet Graham gave her for her birthday in her purse.  She took Bret on a date to Macey's.  She paid for her donut with her own money.  She was very happy to be able to take her purse to the store.

Party with Cousin Esther

My sister, Esther, threw the best birthday party ever fro her daughter, Esther.  She made little horses for all of the party guests and had the kids play at least eight games in an hour.  My girls had a blast!!

Formal Party

Bret and I got invited to a black tie birthday party. It was a fun night and I told Bret I expect nothing less for my 40th birthday (you know I am joking!!).

 We were too cheap to rent a tux but I did get a new dress.  I bought my dress from an outlet store for $40.  Of course it had a plunging neck line and sheer sleeves.  My friend Merry fixed both, thanks Merry!!

Daddy Daughter Date

Blog Post by Eve: 

My dad and I went to Bridal Veil Falls and had a supper fun time. We rode our bikes up the trail to Bridal V Falls.  We forgot to bring quarters to by fish food to feed the fish but we were able to find some fish food. We fed the fish and I ALMOST CAUGHT ONE!!! But it slipped right out of my hands. We hung out with the fish for about 5 to 10 minutes and then we climbed the water fall all the way up to the top.  We went close to the water fall and we got wet.

First Day of School

 

What happened to my little kids? They are growing up so fast. 

(Above taken in 2008)

I've got a way too cool teenager, a bun on the top of the head t-shirt wearing sports girl, a Bret Jr. and  THE cutest toothless kid ever!

To celebrate the first day of school I always paint the baby girls' toe nails, fun tradition! Big surprise, Sitota chose to have hers painted...pink (that was a sarcastic comment, she ALWAYS chooses pink).