Merry Christmas!

I decided instead of mailing a Christmas letter with each card, I would just post our letter on the blog. It’s been a wonderful year for us; we had several big family events including Amelia’s birth and blessing, Ethan being ordained a deacon in our church and Maddie’s baptism. We were able to see every member of our immediate family as well as many extended family members during family reunions and vacations. We had Munk, Higginson, and Yeoman family reunions in Idaho and we took family vacations to Moab, Park City, Idaho and Minnesota. That is probably the highlight of the year for our kids—they love spending time with their cousins!

Keri keeps busy taking care of her house, husband, 5 kids and 2 large dogs. Running, biking and swimming keep her (somewhat) sane. Scott is currently working as a Development Manager for Symantec and enjoys both the job and the people he works with. His job gives him plenty of flexibility to attend the kids’ many activities. Ethan (12) auditioned for the percussion class at the junior high and was selected, so he has been in a couple concerts with the school band and is eager to audition for the Jazz band next year. He is taking piano lessons and also participates in Boy Scouts. Ethan is still fully invested in soccer, which goes all year—regular season games in the Spring and Fall, 2 seasons of indoor soccer in the Winter, and practices, camps and tournaments in the Summer. Nate can’t understand why we’re hesitant to allow him to participate in competitive soccer! Nate (9) does more of a variety of things and always wants to try new ones. He has been taking gymnastics for a few years and loves it. He also plays soccer, takes piano lessons and attends Cub Scouts. This year he tried basketball, but didn’t enjoy it too much. He tried out for the school play and was cast as a dancer in A Christmas Carol; he looked so cute! He has also started taking an after-school Japanese class. Madeleine (8) just started piano lessons this year and still takes jazz and hula. It’s so fun to watch Maddie perform in her dance recitals, because you can tell she really loves to dance! Harrison (3) has been quite a challenge since he turned three, and we’re not sure if it’s the age or the birth of his baby sister. The fact that he is so cute is what is keeping him alive. Besides getting into trouble, he loves, cars, playing with his friends Brendan and Carson and watching his favorite movie (which changes every few weeks and is currently School of Rock.) Amelia (7 months) continues to be a joy in our family. Everyone comments on how happy she always is. She gets up on her hands and knees and rocks back and forth, so she’s gearing up to crawl, but I don’t encourage that! Our favorite move is her platform pose (see picture.) She’s just our sweet baby girl!

We have been greatly blessed this year. We have wonderful family and friends and we have the blessing of the gospel in our lives. The knowledge the gospel gives us brings such peace and joy to our family. May your Christmas also be filled with peace! Merry Christmas! We love and appreciate you all!

Mia's platform pose

Mia is 7 months old and already doing yoga!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Maddie's Baptism

Maddie was baptized on December 6, and it was such a special day. Grandma and Grandpa Yeoman drove down from Idaho and Kim drove up from Cedar City to attend her baptism, and Grandpa Yeoman performed the confirmation. The Michaelsons, Fords and Wests all attended the baptism. Maddie loved having so many cousins there, and we appreciate everyone's support!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Ear Piercing

Last year, Maddie told me she wanted to get her ears pierced, so I told her it would be a shot in her ears. She then decided to wait "until I'm a little bigger." I thought I had dodged the bullet, but a few months ago, she told me was ready. Since my mom wouldn't let me get my ears pierced until I was 15, I thought 8 was a little young. She was pretty brave, only tearing up a little and jumping a foot out of her chair with each shot. She was so cute though, and the earrings Kim picked out are darling!

Maddie's birthday party

We had 11 little girls (and Harrison) running around during Maddie's "Princess Party!" I won't be doing that again anytime soon--let's see I have 7 1/2 more years until Mia turns 8. I'll just hope for a tomboy! The girls had fun getting their hair, makeup and nails done (thanks Kim!) playing games, and eating chocolate fondue! Maddie was happy to have her friends and cousins there to celebrate her birthday.

Mia's 6 months old!

Mia is 6 months old and changing so quickly! She pushes herself up on her hands and knees and rocks back and forth, so unfortunately she could be crawling soon! I'm not quite ready for that yet--it seems like she was just born! I just started her on solids and so far she is a great eater. She likes rice cereal and loves applesauce and bananas.

Halloween

We now have a 3-year supply of candy! The kids had so much fun trick-or-treating at Symantec and then in our neighborhood. Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Kim were here to join in!

Amelia's 5-month pictures

Amelia is a little angel. I don't know what I would do without this sweet baby. Unfortunately, she has stopped sleeping through the night, but I'm hoping it will be a short phase. Everyone loves her to pieces!

We had so much fun in Southern Utah with Kim. We hiked the Emerald Pools trail in Zion National Park. Everyone was vigilant about keeping Harrison from falling off a cliff! The weather was perfect while we were there, and we enjoyed our hike. On Saturday, we all went to the Wildlife museum, out to lunch, shopping at the outlet mall and to the Fiesta Fun Center for miniature golf in St. George. Ethan got 2 holes in one playing miniature golf--he was quite proud of himself! Scott and Ethan also went to a movie that night, while Kim and I watched a movie at her apartment and rested from our busy day. It was a great weekend and we look forward to going back in the Spring!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Maddie and Princess Mimi

Maddie started calling Amelia "Princess Mimi" and it has stuck! Now we all call her Mimi along with Amelia and Mia (I hope she doesn't get confused!) Maddie loves having a sister!

Mia & Harry

It's just Mia and Harry with me during the day with the other kids at school. Mia is getting big enough to play and interact with Harrison, but sometimes he annoys her (as you can see in the first picture!)

Amelia's 4 month pictures

Amelia is definitely our biggest baby! She is still in the 97th percentile for height, but she dropped to the 65th percentile for weight. Smiling is her favorite pastime. What a sweet girl!

Hula

We all enjoyed Maddie's hula recital Saturday evening. She looked so cute in her costumes!

Another year of school

School has begun once again (it seems like it starts earlier every year!) Ethan had his open house Thursday evening and started on Friday. The seventh graders had one day by themselves and then they got Monday (today) off. The 7th, 8th and 9th graders all go together tomorrow. Maddie and Nate met their teachers at the open house on Friday and started today. So, it didn't really feel like a school day since Ethan had three friends over all day playing Xbox. Tomorrow will be MUCH quieter!

Amelia's 3 months old!

It seems like just yesterday that I posted Amelia's 2-month pictures! Amelia is becoming a wiggle worm; always trying to move--she is rolling over now from her back to her stomach but then gets angry if you leave her on her tummy too long. I commented to Scott the other day how cute Amelia is and his reply was "you're welcome."

Minnesota Vacation

gas: $525
lodging: $250
souvenirs: $125
44 hours driving with 5 children: priceless!

We got to visit with all the Minnesota Smiths on this trip. The kids spent time with their cousins at Grandma and Grandpa's house, the lake, the Minnesota Zoo and the Minnesota Science Museum. Grandma Smith made Maddie a new quilt while we were there to replace her old one which has been well-loved (and it shows!) On the way home, we drove through South Dakota and visited Mount Rushmore, which is always fun. Harrison learned all the presidents names from his older siblings and had a particular way of saying them--Roosebelt, Jefferson, Washington, and Winkin. We enjoyed our time together as a family.

Park City Soccer Tournament

Ethan participated in the Park City Extreme Cup with his soccer team. Since it was a 3-day event, we stayed in Park City at The Canyons resort July 31-August 2. The hotel was beautiful and we had a 2 bedroom suite, so it had plenty of space for us. The kids swam in the pool for hours and did the alpine slide, which they all loved! Ethan and Scott went to see a movie (The Mummy) in between games. Ethan had one game Thursday and 2 games Friday. Since they won all three, they made it to the semi-finals, which they won in penalty kicks. The final game was a tough one for the team, but they won (also in penalty kicks.) It was a great weekend! I missed the final game because I had to get home and get repacked for our trip to Minnesota!

Idaho Vacation

We had 3 reunions in Idaho between July12 and July 20! The slide show is from that week. The main activity was Bear Lake, which was a blast. Scott drove the boat for 4 straight hours, and the kids all took turns on the banana and the paddle boat. Scott only dumped a few people into the lake. Scott and Grandpa took the kids to the Minnetonka caves one day and we had a picnic. The Munk and Higginson reunions were mainly at parks. Maddie did a hula dance at the Munk talent show--she did a great job. We didn't really know anyone at the Higginson reunion, which is usually the case.

Amelia's 2 months old

Time is flying by--Amelia's 2 months old already! She is just the sweetest little baby--so smiley all the time! Maddie loves to carry her around and read her stories--her very own doll! What a cutie.

Thanksgiving Point Gardens

Katherine and I decided to brave the heat and take the kids to the gardens at Thanksgiving Point. After getting lost in the main gardens trying to find a way into the children's gardens (there ended up not being a way!) we finally made it. The kids had a blast in the water and Amelia enjoyed being outside in the fresh air.