...and this is what you missed!

You know when how when you watch a TV show and at the beginning they give you a little glimpse to catch you up on things you might have missed...well here is a small look at our lives the last few months. It has been crazy busy but crazy fun.

I met my wonderful friend, Stacey Selle, in San Francisco in February to hang out and to see"Wicked".

Lane's 4th Birthday in March. He had a Transformers party and lots of friends over.

Our family all dressed up for Easter.

Me running my 3rd half-marathon during the 1st week of April. I set a personal record of 1:56:45.

Rhett and I traveled to Boston to see him run his 4th consecutive Boston Marathon in April. He had his best time yet in 2:59 ish.

Rhett ran a great race and had a blast running this race.

Chase celebrated his 11th birthday in April. He had a few friends over for a sleepover.

I was able to go up to Women's Conference in Utah to spend the weekend with my college roomies.

My college roomie, Lara Zarecor and I staying in our exact dorm room in Stover Hall (just 20 years later).

Chase had his big school project in May - Kid City. This was his business and he sold zipper pulls that we made.

Tally had her Spring Piano Recital in May and she did an amazing job. She has really improved this year.

Tally received the highest award from her teacher. She is a great student.

Tally had her annual ballet recital in May. She looks so beautiful in red.

My little ballerina was so poised and pretty on her special day.

Cade on his last day with his teacher, Mrs. Lewis. She is a saint for surviving Cade.

Chase on his last day with his teacher, Mrs. Youso. She has really brought Chase out of his shell and he had a great year.

Quick trip to Death Valley, CA

Rhett decided to run a trail marathon inside Death Valley National Park, so we loaded up and made a fun overnight trip out of it.

While Rhett ran, I took the kids exploring. Here they are on the sand dunes!

They loved climbing in all of the soft sand. There were some pretty steep hills that we all went over.

Some more climbing on the dunes.

Here the kids are wishing we had brought some buckets and shovels but we had fun regardless.

We went on a short hike in "gold canyon".

Chase in Gold Canyon.

More hiking in gold Canyon.

More Gold Canyon - it was beautiful!

Cade and Lane posing with Old Dinah - the original engine for removing borax from the area.

Here is the whole photo of Old Dinah. Death Valley was a blast. It even rained on us. We want to go back next winter and spend some more time exploring. (just remember not to visit in the summer - HOT).

Our home on Christmas morning.

The kids waiting in the dark until I flashed the camera at them.

Tally opening her stocking.

Cade opening his stocking.

Chase with his stocking.

Lane with his stocking.

Opening new Wii Stuff!

Cade with one of his new Batman toys.

Chase in his new Yankees Jersey.

Tally on her new wiggle car.

Lane opened his new Batcave and forgot about everything else.

We got ROCKBAND.

Lane playing with his dad's new exercise ball.

Lane with more Batman stuff.

Rhett trying on his new fuel belt.
Merry Christmas! Ok, I know it is now January but I just haven't gotten around to posting our holiday photos. I guess a lot of that stems from denial that Christmas break is over. This is the first holiday season in 10 years that we haven't had a baby or small toddler and it was quite refreshing. We actually slept in, stayed up late, played games with the kids and truly enjoyed the time we had together as a family. I was sad to send the monkeys back to school. That being said, it was a great Christmas. The kids were so excited to see what Santa brought them and the family. This was the first Christmas that my parents lived here. They got up and came over about 7 am. We opened stockings and started breakfast before they got to our house. We have a rule that the kids can't come get us or go and peek until 6:30. To some families that seems late but for us that is as early as I can handle starting the festivities.

We opened presents all morning, ate, opened, ate, etc. My two older brothers were here, my two niece and my parents. It was a great morning. The kids were so excited because we got two more wii controllers, some new wii games and Rockband. Lets just say that our family gets booed off the stage when we play together. My husband surprised me with a trip to San Francisco in February to see Wicked. He arranged for me and my long time friend, Stacey, to meet me there. What a great hubby.

We had CHristmas dinner at my parents house and it was nice to have someone else host the holiday meal for a change. I think I can used to this arrangement.

We spent Christmas Eve at home singing carols, eating treats, and reading the story of the birth of the Savior. As I looked at all my family I realized that if there wasn't one present under the tree, I would love the holiday just the same because of the warmth and joy it brings into our home.

It was a great holiday season. Now on to a very busy 2010!

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Pre-Christmas festivities included the annual tradition of making and decorating sugar cookies. I started making these when I was little and have been going strong ever since. I have seriously great memories of my brothers and I decoration our special cookies for Santa with precision and care. We would plan out what cookie cutter, what colors of frosting and what decorations would go on top. I am now doing that with my own kids. This year we had my nieces, Alene and Ciana, there to help us get the cookies just right. We had a blast and I think we ate as much dough as we made cookies.

The other tradition over the last 7 years has been going to the preschool Christmas program. Since all of the kids have gone to the same preschool, they have all had the opportunity to be in this adorable program. I have posted a few photos of Lane on his special night. I am not sure he truly appreciated how cute he was but he sang so I can't complain. I love the 3,4 and 5 year olds. They are so cute at Christmas.

Santa Claus is coming to town...

As many of you might know, the London Bridge is located here in Havasu. There is a small (and very humble) little English Village underneath the bridge. Well, every year the village decorates for Christmas and they have a lighting ceremony on the friday after Thanksgiving. We try to go every year. This year the weather was really nice and warm and the kids all went up and talked to Santa. Chase wasn't sure he was going to but at the last minute he decided he didn't want to miss out on the whole Santa thing. Lane was very adamant about wanting a batman cave. Cade and Tally kept changing their minds. They got their candy canes and photos and off we went. Now, we just have to wait a few more days before Santa comes down our chimney! Merry Christmas.