Our Family Notes: 2008

I have much to be thankful for this year. What a great year this has been for our family. We have had few trials this year. We are thankful for the lessons learned by those we had. Here is my list in no particular order: I am thankful for

my healthy pregnancy
my husband of 8 years who is so helpful to me: makes me a better Mom
my parents who are still happily married and love one another
my car though I wish it would stay clean...... thx kiddies for that
my sweet new baby Vance who is so so precious and smiley
my wonderful Blane whom is not short of personality.... crazy, silly, intuitive, loud, loving
my sisters who are my best friends... help me through things and make me happy
my handsome, sweet, charming, cute, agile, dedicated boy Davin
my strong, creative, accepting mother in law Sharon
my beautiful, bright, smart, friendly, sweet, caring only daughter Madison
my fun brother who we saw numerous times this year... so thankful
my sister in laws who are so wise and helpful and fun
my grandma dahlston (dad's mom) so fun, happy and positive about her life
my church and all the wonderful teachings
my savior Jesus Christ.. his perfect life, his forgiving heart, his love for ALL
my grandparents in boston.. so thoughtful & loving... I know they love me
my brother in laws who love my sisters and sis in laws
my church calling I love our 6 year olds we teach.... or that teach me
my scriptures eventhough I did not pick them up much this year... I will do better
my Grandma King(mom's Mom) who I have recently got back in touch with
my body eventhough it is still post baby and definately far from perfect, but healthy
my amazing free country I live in which I can call HOME
my brothers sweet fun girlfriend from the UK Sara (my kids LOVE the accent)
my laptop so I can sit and nurse the babe and play
facebook that has helped me connect and reconnect with family and friends
my healthy, good , happy, loving kids EACH and EVERY one of them
my sometimes annoying dog Penny..love her.. my first baby
my mom for loving my kids and taking time to make them feel important.
my wonderful fun neighbors The Lee's... we will miss them next year..
my Dad who makes my kids laugh and likes to give them lots of hugs...and nicknames (Blane= Bob; Davin=Dave )..... love this
my friends in our old neighborhood (The Howards especially)
my kids GREAT teachers who truly LOVE them and teach them.... so thankful
my Mr. Blane who is potty trained YEAH!!!
my marriage that I know will last forever
my mother in law who loves my children and is silly with them....20 grandkids .. yikes!
my husband who is a truly amazing, patient(for a guy), respectful Dad.. thank you
my opportunity to be able to stay home with my kiddies.... so thankful
my home.... i love being hOme.

My FAVORITE memories of this past year

Valentines dinner @ 9:00pm after the kiddies hit the sack... lOve crab legs... yum

The Dairy with Mats' kindergarten class

Davin turned 4 and learned how to ride a bike... so proud of him

Madison lost her 1st tooth on our 1st family camping trip

Ms. Jennie.... we LoVe her

Madison's best friend moved.... so sad! We miss them.

Ms. Traci is the bEst swim teacher.... the kiddies love her.

We have been going through her since madison was 3 years old.

OuR sweet Blane turned 2.... such a big boy!!

Camping trip with the Derf crew... including Ricky & Sara @ Ponderosa camp grounds

Annual Cali vacation in Newport Beach, knotts berry farm with the Derfs

CamPing with the Dickenson's

1st day of 1st grade! All DaY. She was so happy & only a little nervous. What a special girl she is!

This was hillarious. Imagine seeing this: An 8 month prego lady wearing a white top & flip flops running through the pelting rain, pushing a stroller while holding a 4 year olds hand to pick her daughter up at school.... PRICELESS, I KNOW!!! CraZy weather day!

Our 1st time fishing @ the Power Ranch lake

Allen family reunion at the cabin

Vance Danuel born on 10.21.08 7lbs 11oz 21.5 inches What a jOy he is!

HaLLowEEn 2008

OuR 1st early Thanksgiving dinner in oUr hOme.

Our oNly daughter turned 7! I can't believe how fast time flys.

Scottsdale train park...an annual eVent for the Derfs. Chris and Taylor came as well.

MeRRy Christmas 2008!

Our Allen family party was @ our house again. It is fun and crazy to prepare for a large group of people like we have. I decided that it would be cool for the kids to make scarfs to wear during the winter. The girls had blue snowflake scarves and the boys had multi colored striped scarves. I hope the kids will enJoy these.

We had to get a Santa to come to our home. Thx Ryan for the great job of pulling off Santa! Thx to Tenneal for spray painting his hair white for the event.. way to go the extra mile! They totally ROCK!

We had the kids all exchange names and each buy eachother their favoRite candy. This was a nice change to the regular tradition of gift giving. Who doesn't like candy, right?