Highlights:
January
Celebrated Brian's birthday, played in the snow, went ice skating, and Courtney made honor roll at school.
February
Evan turned 9, we were in a car accident (but are ok), went sledding, and Courtney did amazing on her clarinet solo.
March
Jacob rocked the hand bells, Courtney did great at her band concert, and Evan won the "Most Musical Car" for his piano pinewood derby car he built with dad.
April
April Fools Day pranks, celebrated Easter, went swimming and bowling with friends, Courtney's first time to the temple, visited a farm, had giant slurpees at 7-11, and lots of family bike rides.
May
Evan wins a prize for his "Makey Makey" invention at school, celebrated Star Wars Day, we went to Evan's 5th grade showcase, Evan had a piano recital and did super, celebrated Mother's Day, and went on a field trip to the museum with Courtney.
June
Took the kids to the mountains for lunch by the river, Courtney got a super cute short haircut, made homemade ice cream, visited Skyline High School to see Evan's invention for Innovation Academy, and visited Grandma Alexander in Utah where the kids had a blast making homemade suckers!
July
Went to the local parade, blew giant bubbles in the backyard, went on a tour of Hammond's Candy, Evan got braces, rode paddle boats and fed the ducks, celebrated Pioneer Day with friends, and spent a day at Boondocks.
August
Brian and I took at trip to Oregon to celebrate 20 years together, Courtney and I saw "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" with my mom, school started (Jacob 11th, Dillon 9th, Courtney 7th and Evan 5th), and went to a Rockies game as a family.
September
Went swimming a lot, Evan started playing the tuba, Evan ran into a pole at school and got a huge bump on his head that had me worried (he was ok, thankfully!), did some canning from our garden, and many other service projects.
October
Courtney played on a volleyball team at church, Dillon turned 15, went for a nice drive to see the leaves changing, was surprised with the best 40th birthday party ever!, carved pumpkins, got flu shots and went trick or treating.
November
Took a trip to Disneyland/California Adventure, spent some much needed time with family in California, Jacob turned 17, had Thanksgiving dinner at my mom's house, and Courtney fell while roller skating and broke her left wrist.
December
Courtney and Evan have their first band concert together, Christmas shopping, gingerbread house making, awards at school, wrapping gifts for Santa Cops, celebrated Christmas, Courtney turned 13 and she also got her cast off the last day of the year!
These are just a few of our favorite family highlights for the year. It is always fun to look back and see everything that you have done together and look forward to all that is in store for the future!
I thought I would share one of my favorite quotes that I have thought about many times this past year:
I often will doubt myself or get caught up in trying to get everything off my "to do" list. This coming year I need to take a breath, enjoy all the little moments that make me happy, and realize that I am doing better than I think I am. I have so many great things in life such as my family, friends, and my testimony of the Savior. He has never stopped believing in me and can see my potential even when I cannot.
Happy new year everyone!
