Goodbye January

January is a long month. It started like this . . .

Not much happened this month. McKell and I attended the USU/BSU gymnastics meet and then we took a family outing to see "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" which after much complaining from our kids (about how I ruined a Saturday afternoon by making them go, and they didn't even want to go, and couldn't they just stay home) they really ended up liking it. Crazy me for wanting to make some family memories, I guess.

And now the month ends with even more of this . . .

Goodbye January, and next time take the white stuff with you.

Top 9 of 2009

I realize we have been in 2010 for almost a month but I have wanted to do a quick recap 2009. Here it is (in no particular order):




1. Derek said 2009 was the year of projects. We had a huge tree taken out of our backyard, got a new roof, and buried the trampoline. We also painted a bedroom and bathroom downstairs for Braxton (thanks Hollie.)





2. Braxton had a big year - he turned 16, started driving and dating. This has also been a big thing for me as I have had a hard time letting go. It is slowly getting easier.





3. Got a new car. Finally, after 13 years of the Honda we moved onto something bigger.




4. Took a fun family vacation to Yellowstone Park and Jackson.




5. Derek ran a 5K and beat his previous time by 1 minute.





6. McKell turned 9, danced, spent a lot of time with friends, danced, got and survived the swine flu, and danced. Busy year for her.





7. Spent many holidays with my family: Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas



8. My dad survived a serious motorcycle accident and multiple injuries. We are so blessed that slowly he has made a full recovery. He and my mom also celebrated 40 years of marriage.


9. Last, I had 3 (Spring, Veteran's Day, and Christmas) successful music programs and wrote and got a grant funded for my classroom.


Overall, 2009, was a great year. I am looking forward to a busy, fun, and probably sometimes stressful 2010.

Date Night

Jen and I have entered an interesting chapter in our lives where every once in awhile both of the kids are at their friends house and it is just the two of us - we actually really like it. Last night was one of those nights so Jen and I decided to have a little date night.

We started by going out to dinner at El Toro, our favorite place to eat in Logan, and then headed to Hollywood Video (I am a little embarrassed to admit the next part) and rented a couple of episodes of Gilmore Girls.

We watched a couple of episodes and then picked up McKell from her friends. A while later Brax was home and our family was together again, which was great but it meant our date night was over.

I really like spending time with Jen. She is a great wife and my very best friend (sorry Destry you are in 2nd place). I am happy that Jen and I have can enjoy spending time together - just us. I feel lucky to have her in my life. I love you Jen.