A Look Back...

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2012

Happy Birthday Max!

Wow! Eight years...

Max is such an amazing kid and we are very proud of him. His birthday always falls near parent/teacher conferences and we got glowing reports about Max. He is a hard worker and is doing well in school. He loves math and does well in spelling. He tends to socialize a bit too much but his teacher said that he is always kind and willing to volunteer.

Max loves Legos still and now loves the Denver Broncos and Tim Tebow. He loves playing with friends and cousins. He loves to ski and had a great session in lessons. His teacher's comment was "I like the way you find adventure." He is in lessons with his cousin Klaire and the two of them are pretty adventurous on skis. Max has been playing basketball at the Sports Academy twice a week and has really liked being able to still play. He also had baseball practice on Friday nights. He loves his Orangemen team and the boys that play on it.

Max will be starting Scouts and hopefully we can keep up with all his activities. He will be baptized next Saturday and is really looking forward to that. He got a new suit for the occasion and when he puts it on it makes me want to cry thinking about how he is growing up. The other day he was telling me the places that he hopes to go on his mission. I don't even want to think about that...

We love you Max!

Ski Day

I have been to Beaver Mountain twice in two weeks which might be a record for me. Max is in lessons and we took Klein up yesterday for her maiden voyage. It was somewhat successful. We put her directly into a private lesson with Tonya and she is strong and has the basics but is still just three and had a few moments of tears. She has also outgrown her new ski outfit that I bought in November. She might be wearing her cute pink helmet with Max's hand- me -downs next time.

Max is pretty much tearing up the mountain. I can honestly not keep up with him. He thinks that lessons are boring but we are going to keep him in lessons for as long as possible. He looks for every little jump or tree path to take no matter where we are. His new favorite run is a "secret" trail at the top of the Face and then across the top of the Face and down the Ridge. He can ski top to bottom without a break. I am just glad he is in green so I don't lose him.

Most people are complaining about Beaver not having enough snow. It really is sparse but honestly, it isn't that bad. And it has been pretty warm on both days I was there so it was nice. I am definitely a fair weather skier. This warm January weather is nice but I am afraid for what might be coming...

Christmas Day

Oh the magic of Christmas morning! The kids were not up too early thanks to the wild parties from the night before but as soon as they were up, they were ready to open presents. Klein and Preslee got a kitchen to share. Klein also got a Leappad Explorer, clothes for her doll, wooden food, a Rapunzel doll, a pink ski helment and Just Dance for Kids. Preslee got a baby doll with a stroller, some little dolls, wooden food, and a toy guitar. Max got lots of Legos, Wii games, DS games, baseball stuff, and a baseball helmet. The kids were then spoiled by both sets of Grandparents. Because church landed right in the middle of the fun, the opening presents lasted most of the day. Grandpa and Grandma Major came over after church and then later we went to see Grandpa and Grandma Hansen because they got really sick. Jason surprised me with some Ugg boots and I finally got a Kindle-- maybe it will stop the books from overtaking our house. It was a wonderful Christmas. We are very blessed!

Christmas Eve at the Major's

We started the party pretty early with the Major's. As always, DeeAnne had wonderful food and fun games for the kids. They each made a scrapbook page and then they played a pass the candy game. The girls all got socks and the boys got IQ puzzles. Max had a blast with his older cousins- he especially loves Jake. Klein loves to be with her cousins too. Preslee kept having messy diapers so she had to keep changing into fresh clothes. The kids were all so excited and full of energy.

Christmas Eve with the Hansen's

Christmas Eve was a busy night. We started at the Major's and then headed over to the Hansen's. We had prime rib and potatoes for dinner with lots of appetizers. We then had a short program. The Christmas Story was read and acted out with costumes and talents were shared. I read a story called Christmas Day in the Morning about a boy who gets up early and milks for his dad on Christmas. We were all in tears. Grandma Dixie gave all the boys ties and all the girls pioneer bonnets. It was a fun evening with family.

Random December Pics

The girls in their Christmas dresses... I couldn't get them both to look at me. They just kept looking at each other and laughing.

Grandma DeeAnne gave us some mischievous Christmas elves. The kids loved to wake and find out what they had been doing in the night. Once they even showed up in the fridge!

Preslee enjoyed licking the frosting...

I got a picture of Max doing some service for our neighbors. I can't get him to wear anything but shorts...

Max finished his Jr. Mustang basketball season. He had a great year and continues to improve. We really need to get a hoop outside for him because he loves to play.