With 2013 at a close and 2014 here and full of the possibilities of the upcoming year we wanted to share our favorites of 2013 and what we look forward to in 2014. The kids made their own lists and were asked the name their top ten favorite or most memorable things about 2013 and ten things they were looking forward to (and hope happen in 2014).
Peyton's 2013 Favorites:
Scooter from Santa
Played with Grandpa
Played with Macie (next door)
Santa
Built a snowman
Got snow
Got presents
Colored
Did a puzzle
Played with Rylee
Peyton is looking forward to:
Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, Valentines Day, Easter, 4th of July, summer, winter, ballet, tap, cheer, 1st grade, playing with friends, loosing teeth, being a tooth fairy, swimming, birthday party, Hawaii.
Easton's 2013 Favorties:
Saying Bob
Doing pottery
Doing soccer
Making a peg board
Going to Denny's
Going fishing
Having snow
Going hunting
Going to Mexico
Going to the top of Pine Valley
Easton is looking forward to:
Going to Hawaii
Going on the top of Pine Valley
Hunting
Fishing
Eating
Watching Mocking Jay
Getting Pics
Going on a cruise
Eating snow
Caleb's 2013 Favorites:
Played Risk
Made a peg board
Did art
Took pottery
Took tennis
Watching Bailey and Dad run the marathon
Went to the top of Pine Valley
Went to Mexico
Bailey got her appendix out
Christmas
Caleb is looking forward to:
Getting snow
Christmas
Going to Hawaii
Going to the Bahamas
Getting a 22 rifle
Summer
Birthday
New school year
Watching Mocking Jay
Thanksgiving
Bailey's 2013 Favorites:
Braces off
Meeting Madi
Appendix
Level 4 cheer
Christmas
Getting snow
Vegas
Lake Powell
Marathon
Mexico
Bailey is looking forward to:
Choosing the right
Doing well in cheer
Starting high school
Getting snow
Getting along with family
Going to Lake Powell
Going to Denny's
Having fun
Getting a driver's permit
High school cheer
I love the kid's lists and love that they shared so many of their favorite experiences. While it's difficult to narrow it down here is my list:
Watching my boys play baseball. This consisted of Easton doing outstanding as a pitcher (including pitching the entire first game of the season ending tournament) and making the all-star team. Caleb playing his first year in majors and getting put on the mound one game only against the toughest team in the league and striking out their biggest home run hitter.
Going to cheer comps and performances. This year we got to watch both our beautiful daughters compete and perform. Bailey became a strong, amazing cheerleader and leader for her team.
Watching Peyton at dance. As cute as Peyton is on her cheer team it's easy to see she loves dance. Her year end recital was certainly no exception to that. She stole the stage in her tap routine and the crowd (in particular mom and dad) loved her.
Watching Easton's soccer games. Easton is becoming a very valued member of his team. He played great this year and it's been pure joy to watch him enjoy the sport I love as well.
Watching Caleb compete in his first geckathon. I love this event and loved watching Caleb's determination and felt incredibly grateful for how healthy and happy he is.
Our family trip to Mexico was of course a highlight. Staying at a beautiful home on the beach playing with the kids for a week will always be a bonus to any year.
Lake Powell with Mat. Time with my best friend is extremely valuable and something I always cherish.
Watching Bailey and Mat complete the marathon. Not going to lie, quite a bit of pride there.
My birthday spent in Zion. I was so happy Mat got a year pass that day. I love Zion and have missed hiking the trails and seeing it's beauty. I was so happy to share my joy with the kids that day. On a separate trip Mat and I stayed the night and hiked Angel's Landing the next morning. Also, a highlight.
My biggest highlight of the year would be the cruise that Mat and I took. It was a few years overdue for us to take time for each other and I loved it.
Looking ahead to 2014 I'm looking forward to many things a few of which are:
Hopefully after 8 years I will get my front room completed. Looking forward to some amazing cabinets and being able to do a bit of designing.
Caleb turning 12. Which means he will begin to pass the sacrament, receive the priesthood, and we get to take him on a trip just Mat and I and Caleb. Lucky for us his birthday is only a few weeks away...
Easton will move up into a different division in soccer and he begin playing an 11v11 format. I can't wait.
Always looking forward to watching Peyton perform. She definitely loves the stage.
Caleb has said he would like to run the marathon. I hope that he really does want to run it. I think he will do amazing and it will be something he will always have to look back on.
I'm hoping to have a weekend spent in Zion with Mat and the kids, hiking, tubing, and spending time together.
I'm super excited to go the beach for spring break with the kids. We were planning a Hawaii trip but having a few unexpected finances arise we decided getting a beach house for the week somewhere we can drive would be just as fun.
For Christmas 2014 we are hoping to spend away from home this year at a cabin in the snow. We talk about it every year but it is officially being put on the agenda for 2014.
Amongst all the fun trips, performances, competitions, that we have to look forward to, the thing I look forward to the most is seeing my family happy. Nothing makes me happier then seeing the smiles of the 5 most important people in my life.
It's not very often that I write in this blog. First, I want to thank you Jamie for all the time and efforts you spend on the blog. It is a true treasure to me and to our family.
I look back on 2013 with gratitude for the many great experiences that were had. Here are some of those experiences in no particular order
- Jamie and I were able to spend a week together on a cruise. What an enjoyable week we had together. We played games, ate good food, sunbathed, went on airboat rides, relaxed, read books, and had an amazing week building our love for each other. I'm in love with you Jamie.
- I was able to spend several days on top of Pine Valley Mountain with my two amazing sons. I will never forget the mountain lion that tried to attack Caleb and Easton or the fort that we built, or the attempt at making snares, eating wild berries, rolling monster rocks, and hiking about 15 miles.
- Bailey completed the St.George Marathon. What a special young woman you are Bailey. I loved the many jogs that we shared. You amaze me.
- Peyton has started to learn how to speak Chinese this year. I love how full of life and happiness you are. You always love to play games, color, dance, and be involved.
- My dad survived cancer this year. I am grateful for the good influence he has been in my life and am glad his time here on earth was prolonged.
- We took a couples retreat to Lake Powell this year with some other couples. I have really come to enjoy lake powell and the beauty there. I had a blast kayaking, jet skiing, and surfing the boat waves. Gabe and Sandi came and I must mention Gabe knows how to play the games at the lake.
- We were lucky enough to be able to spend a week with the Lofgrans and the Taylors in Mexico at a beach house. We had such a great time together there. I am grateful for such good neighbors and friends.
- Easton scored a goal from mid field this year. Probably the most amazing goal I will ever see.
- Caleb pitched during one game of the major league tournament and struck out Tim Shakespeare.
- Bailey had her appendix taken out cause they seemed to be bothering her and the sprite that I suggested she drink just did not help the pain go away.
- I had some very uplifting, peaceful experiences attending the temple this year and indexing. It was a wonderful year.
Looking Ahead 2014
- We are planning on spending a week at a beach house in California for spring break this year with the kids. I love spending time together as a family and hope that this will build our family relationships.
- I hope to spend time with Jamie playing pickle ball, going to lunch, attending the temple, date nights, working with our kids on their goals, and strengthen our love for each other.
- I am excited to see Bailey try our for High School Cheer as well as meet her goal to read the Book of Mormon.
- Caleb will be receiving the Priesthood and start serving in that capacity. I am excited for him. I also look forward to running the St.George Marathon with him this year.
- Im excited to see Easton shooting his bow and developing his soccer skills. He has set great goals this year and I hope he reaches them.
- I would like Peyton to not grow up. She is such a sweet girl and always so happy and full of laughter.
- I hope that Jamie and I will be invited to Lake Powell again this year. I have really enjoyed spending time together there.
- I look forward to taking Caleb and Easton to the top of Pine Valley camping again and successfully setting some snares.
- I look forward to strengthening our family unit through striving to live the basic gospel principles, serving each other, and others. I am so grateful for this life and all the learning experiences it brings. What a wonderful experience this has been and I look forward to more time together here on earth.
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