Year in Review

This year has been quite a journey. We are still learning how to be parents to 2 children, getting used to a new teaching job with an added tech contract, preschool at home with Quinn, along with just the normally challenges of life. We have been on quite a few trips to see family. In March we spent time with my mom in California, June was a trip through Idaho for the Elison family reunion, September was a trip to Ohio for sisters, and then another trip to California with a side trip to Arizona for a Mom's recoup at Time Out for Women. We rounded out the year with a Christmas trip to Medford. Yes, this is a lot of my family trips but one has to remember that we live with Ryan's family. This year I also got a seasonal job working at a Gingerbread Bakery to help pay for Christmas and all the extras. Smelled yummy the whole fall through, and had a great time working with wonderful people.
Looking back is so much fun, because it reminds you of all the good times that get forgotten in the muddle of daily challenges.

Quinn's birthday cake. We had a St. Patrick's party, but his big gift was a bike which he LOVES!
Parker's borrowed St. Patrick's dress. This is one of Emily's creations meant for Mena at Christmas several years ago, but it fit perfectly for Parker for the great green day.
She really does like to shop, but she sings to her own tune.

For a Father's day present for Ryan's dad Geri was able to get all the boys together for an awesome trip White Water rafting, which totally surprised Mike.

We had a great time on Fourth of July soaking in the community spirit at the park. We watched the fireworks at the Willamete Park, eating fried chicken and licking up the ice cream.
For Labor day we went to a little park with the whole fam. for a picnic and canoeing. Very quite and relaxing. Water was really "green", but is had lots to look at while on the boat. Quinn hanging out, waiting for his turn to be Lewis and Clark.

Halloween was a whole family event. Everyone was a Wizard of Oz character. Parker was the Wicked Witch, but we thought of her as Elphaba (Wicked was an awesome play), Quinn was the Scarecrow, Ryan and I were Flying Monkey's (along with Rory, Michelle and Geri), Mike was the Wizard, Lilly was Dorthy, Haddie was Glenda, Cooper was the Tin Man, Heather got really into the spirit with her own creation of a Munchkin which was super cute, Gavin was the Lion, Macsen was supposed to have been Toto but he went anti-costume and at eight months no one was fighting him.

Oh yeah you bet we took the Best Family Costume at the ward party :D


And to end the year we had a wonderfully quite Christmas with lots of gifts for the kids, yummy treats, and hopes for another great year.