Closing Down 2009

As our family begins the final countdown to Christmas, I am putting up a few pictures from last weekend. Saylor's violin class played Christmas songs with the Hastings Symphony and that same evening we attended a play. Happy Holidays to everyone and see you next year.

Christmas Letter 2009

This year, I was debating about wether or not I should write and send a Christmas letter to friends and family. After a long conversation with myself, weighing all the pro's and con's, I decided to post it here in one small effort to reduce paper consumption. So, here goes:
Matt continues to be the hard worker in the family, and enjoys singing in the church band. It is fun to see him enjoy himself doing something that he is talented at. He is still serving on the school board and finds it challenging and interesting to be part of such an amazing group.
Saylor is now 9 years old, plays the violin and competes on the Tigershark swim team. She is really a great kids, who is ready to chime in with a quick compliment! She is active on the her elementary school's student council and loves to read.
Tagg is now 7 years, plays the piano and also competes on the swim team. He continues to be our quick witted child that you just have to laugh with. He loves to play games and is surprisingly sweet and tender hearted. He told his student teacher that will be finished this week that he hopes Christmas doesn't come because then he will be gone.
I will be taking my last class in graduate school on my adventure of becoming a counselor. I am currently working on my internship hours at an elementary and middle school outside of Hastings. I continue to get my Iv of IGG every 3 weeks and remain, for the most part, healthy.

One story to share, this morning, I was coming upstairs after running on the treadmill to see Saylor and Tagg with huge grins. They were anxious to tell me about their future life plans that they had hammered out. Saylor has decided that as an adult she will be moving to Myrtle Beach, SC to become an artist and paint pictures of the ocean every day. Tagg decided that he would move with Saylor and sell hotdogs on the beach. Saylor explains that Tagg can't live with her for free, so he will be paying her rent. Tagg was really excited about all the money he would be making, as everyone wants to eat a hotdog at the beach! Furthermore, he wants to adopt 2 children, because he is NOT getting married, for the purpose of running the hotdogs all over the beach. They don't need to go to school. Here's hoping that 2010 will find us on a beach, painting the ocean and eating a hotdog.

Skier's

I wish that I could convey in words how difficult it is to take pictures on the mountain. It seems like such a good idea while you ride up the chair life but then you realize at the top, 1) there are tons of people who don't know how to ski 2) everyone at the top is trying to get down 3) you have to stand still on a steep hill while you are wearing ski's that promote sliding 4) The sun is INTENSE at the top of a mountain 5) You have to dig the camera out of some secret pocket in your coat 6) You are weraing gloves while trying to push small buttons. This is my short list but never mind, you can tell by the expression on my face and Saylor's closed eyes that I believe it to be a miracle that we have tried to take a picture. And yes, we have tried to pay the expensive people who wait at the chairlift to take our pictures and those are so bad we would never Pay for them. I hope you enjoy the magical pictures.

Thanksgiving 2009

This year for Thanksgiving we traveled to Breckenridge for some skiing to go along with our Turkey. John and Cathy were nice enough to not rent their house and host us. As Tagg and I usually have altitude sickness, Cathy and I took the kids as far as Denver to acclimate before going up the mountain. John and Matt worked 1/2 of Wed and followed us later that day. Cathy was very brave and drove our van up the mountain and through the tunnels. The weather was fairly warm with little wind and of course, a beautiful view. Cathy and I cooked the meal while the other skied. On Friday I skied with the others and had a great time trying to keep up with my kids.

Saylor's Birthday

Saylor had a wonderful 9th birthday with many phone calls, gifts and cards.This year her birthday was not as close to Thanksgiving and we were able to have a party too. On her actual birthday we to a movie and had Chinese take-out for fun. She is such an amazing young lady, mature and wise yet still precious and naive.

Funny Photos

I can't believe how tall my little ones are getting so I let them take pictures tonight. I like to see their view of the world from the camera and document how close they are getting to being taller than me. Tonight, Saylor was vacuuming the basement when I heard a loud crunching sound. Tagg shouts "Keep going, that's a good sign. You hit the treasure of dirt."

First Swim Meet of the Season

The kids had their first swim meet of the season and they both did great. I wanted to share a few pictures.

Trick or Treat

Who ever thought having Halloween on Saturday was really brilliant! The entire day was equal to Christmas Eve with anticipation and excitement for the upcoming night. Our good friends had recently moved out in the country and hence started the idea for a Halloween gathering. What was really fun was a few of the teenagers wanted to join us and asked if they could bring friends over too. After the Dad's returned with the kids from trick or treating we got out the Beatle's rock band. All in all it was a fun evening for everyone.

I love this time of year

Like every other family I know, we have been very busy and I was starting to wonder if I would get my Fall pictures taken this year. The kids are both on the swim team and Tagg has also played soccer, if you throw in the music lessons, student council, critical thining club, well, you get the idea. We took time yesterday to go outside and play, and it felt great. I took my Fall pictures and enjoyed an afternoon of being a family doing nothing in particular.

Lucy turns 3!

Our little niece had her third birthday this weekend. Saylor, Tagg and I were able to go to Iowa for the big weekend. We had such a good time hanging with the kids and seeing them "live".

Fun in October

We went to the pumpkin patch today with Mimi and Papa. the weather was perfect and we ALL had fun doing the different activites and eating lots of junk food.

Nonnie in Omaha

What a weekend!Matt's Grandma was able to come to Nebraska so 25 member of the family members met her. Unfortunately I had an eye incident on Friday, so I was a bit out of sorts during the time together. It almost looks like we were wearing uniforms but it was a home football weekend so we all coordinated.



Nonnie flew in for a few days from Arizona and we met at an Embassy Suites in La Vista. Our rooms were over-sized and the pool was great for the large group of kids.


We had a wonderful cocktail hour and breakfast spent all talking and catching up, as if we all don't live near each other.Another version of a staycation, only a family reunion with family that should see more often.