Ok, sure we're far into 2016, but I am just now thinking about the year. Let's just walk through some of the bigger events:
Sheralie left a pot on when she left the house for the morning. We smelled like smokers for days. We can laugh about it now, right?
Laird's Pinewood Derby was a success - much more so than last year.
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| Looking official |
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| Second place overall |
We were joined in March by Greg and Krisina, and later Keith and Bev. Our local mountains were totally barren of snow, so we had to go up to Whistler for some decent skiing. There are some pretty serious mountains up there!
Jeff turned 13 and did some climbing with friends.
James started cello! He loves it and he is really getting good.
Ah, the baseball season. Jeff and Laird signed up for baseball for the first times ever. I volunteered to be a coach on both of their teams. Another coach (who actually knew what he was doing) also had boys on both teams, so between us, we figured things out.
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| Looking managerial |
Jeff had a great year. Our team was a bit young and our roster was a bit thin, but we managed a few wins here and there. Jeff played a lot of second base and outfield, and even a bit of catcher.
Laird also had a great year. He had a lot of great hits and made some plays and even did some pitching and was pretty successful!
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| At the park with Grandpa Keith |
We made a trip down to Eastern Washington for an inflatable obstacle race with the Seals.
And I relived the Tough Mudder. This year it was really cold and rainy (and much muddier). My fan base endured though, and we still had a fun time.
We trekked down to Texas for a family reunion.
The kids enjoyed seeing their cousins.
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| James laughing his head off. |
Starting school again. Jeffrey has shot up in height.
A trip out to Provo in October for a BYU game
And General Conference
And to hang out with cousins.
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| Halloween |
Lucy was baptized in November.
And on Christmas Day we flew out to San Diego for one last hurrah.
Individual Updates:
Levi has grown a lot and is learning new words everyday. He loves loves loves basketball, though we are getting him more interested in baseball as he goes to more games. He gets a kick out of wearing matching PJs with James, and is always up for an adventure. If you are leaving the house, he wants to come with you. Loves the park, petting dogs, yogurt, and doing things by himself. Has a huge independent streak and thinks he can and should do everything he sees his siblings doing. Really loves Jeffrey and looks up to him a lot.
James always has a smile for everybody. He enjoys playing sports like baseball and basketball with his brothers, and is a diehard BYU and Nationals fan. Started Kindergarten this year, and enjoys it, though I don't think it is as challenging as he originally thought it might be. A great little skier, he has plenty of energy, though he will quickly wind down (i.e., fall apart) after 7 pm.
Lucy is a kind-hearted big sister. She looks out and plays with James and Levi a lot. She has a lot of friends at school and is a favorite of her teachers past and present. I love reading books to her, as she is a most enthusiastic listener. She is also a great skier, and she and James are hilarious together when they ski. Lucy is quite a bit more daring than James is, but they enjoy it. Lucy enjoys ballet, and she is getting to be a very good violin player.
Laird started home school this year and really enjoys the freedom and the time to spend with his mom. He loves animals and is greatly enjoying our annual pass to the Aquarium this year. He loves legos, continues to play the piano, and ran his first 5k this year (the inflatable obstacle race).
Jeffrey is getting big! He officially passed me in height at the end of the year - and he's only in grade 8! He had a tremendous year in basketball and in baseball. He can ski circles around me and easily beat me one-on-one in basketball. He is a great big brother and takes great care of the kids, Levi especially. He is a skilled pianist and freuqHe loves to watch Nationals games, go to the park to hit balls or throw the frisbee, and just be active.
