Goings On....

This past week was full of fun and festivities. A great way to end the old year with a BANG!
First up, I turned 28 on Monday. I was very excited for this birthday. I was determined to have a better day than last year. Not that people didn't make my birthday awesome last year, because they did, but because last year I felt OLD, frumpy, and depressed with life. Well, this year was SO much better! I felt younger, more energetic, hopeful for the future, and determined to have a super year! Plus, I can finally remember how old I am without doing the math! Lame, I know, but I turned 28, on the 28th. Eureka!


He was biting right through the peel of this orange! Crazy kid, I love him!!!

Second big event, we went in for our ultrasound. It was so fun to take the kids! Much to Kaylee's dismay, we are having a boy. Charles was thrilled. I hope this little boy is a lot like Charles. He has really been such a sweetheart. Kaylee is excited, still and I am so glad to have such a good little helper. I have some cute shots of this new little guy, but no scanner.... sorry. At first he was wiggling all over the place so the tech had a hard time finding him to get measurements, then when she was trying to get some cute 3-D face shots, he just snuggles right up and stays put. Oh, I hope he is a snuggler! I just love snuggly babies!!!
Next up, my friend got married on New Year's Eve. Awesome way to end the year and begin the next, eh? I got to decorate and set up for the luncheon. It was my first attempt at doing anything like that without my right hand woman, Amber to make it all beautiful. I tried to convice her to fly out and help me, but no go. Fortunately, she left behind all these awesome decorations from our RS days together and so I utilized her talent. Her legacy lives on!!! The wedding was beautiful and the new family was super cute in their new duds! Congrats, Colleen!!!



That night we partied as hard as two old timers can! I was surprised that this year the kids stayed up until after midnight! They even ran outside to bang pots and pans! Thanks, Donna and Steve for helping us to celebrate! Sorry I was so lame. I was feeling a little sluggish from all the day's activities and it was all I could do not to fall asleep. Next year, a little pick me up.... or a nap first.
I must say, 2009 has not been my favorite year.... I am not very sad to see it go. But I'd like to leave it on a positive note by saying that although I found my weaknesses in great abundance, and greater strength than I originally though, I also discovered strength I didn't know I had, and hopefully I will be able to become a better person (eventually) because of this year and all it's glorious "opportunities" shall we say? I am really looking forward to 2010 because it holds the promise of being so much better!!!

Merry Christmas!

We had a really nice Christmas this year. We began our festivities on Christmas Eve. We went down to Perry to meet up with the rest of the family for Squirmy's first birthday! We had yummy soup and Lion House rolls. Mmmm! Then it was time for presents! It was pretty funny trying to get Squirm to focus on opening all the presents. There was so much to play with. Charles and Kaylee were certainly enjoying the new toys as well.

Then on to the cake. Tressa made a separate half circle cake just for Squirm to devour, and he ate almost half or more! It was really cute. He'd just stick his whole face in it and try to get a bite.

We left a little while after that and came home to watch It's A Wonderful Life. Love that movie. Then we tucked everyone in bed and awaited the excitement of Christmas morning.
About 7:30ish I heard the kids getting up and hurried in to the bathroom before they came down, but I was too late to see their faces right as they found their gifts. They were pretty excited with their presents.

This year Kaylee wanted ballet slippers and a pink ballet dress. She also wanted a jewelry box that played music with a twirling ballerina. She got a Cinderella barbie horse and the book Fancy Nancy's Splendiferous Christmas. I love those Fancy Nancy books. They are so Kaylee!

Charles wanted a new Buzz Lightyear because his other one broke. He also wanted Rex the dinosaur and swords. He was super excited with all of it. Though a bit disappointed that Buzz doesn't talk or have wings, but I think we've convinced him this one is just as cool! He got the book Bye, Bye Big Bad Bullybug. We read that at a neighbor's house once and he just loved it.

We spent some time admiring the Santa gifts and reading the new books they got and then we had a quick breakfast and headed upstairs to open presents.

Louis' parents have a fun tradition of giving the grandkids a science gift each year. Charles and Kaylee were very excited with the Solar System books. Kaylee learned about the Solar System for her science fair project earlier this year and I was surprised how much she remembered. Kaylee got a kit that has you grow a praying mantis. I think she's a little nervous about it, but it will be fun. Charles was so funny! He got a serious look on his face and says, "There are no bugs in the house!" So we explained that we'd be doing it outside when it got warmer... maybe at Uncle Jake's house! ;)

Kaylee and Charles helped to pick out a new griddle for Louis so he can cook his famous breakfast for us with greater ease. They really were quite helpful in picking and they were so excited to give him something. It was really cute.

Jake, Tressa, and Squirm chose the perfect gifts for all of us! Kaylee saw that unicorn a month or so ago and really wanted it so badly. She was thrilled to get it! Charles was overjoyed with his new game. He loves to play this at Grandma Jake's and he said to me, "Now I don't have to go to her house to play it, I can play it here!"

My mom spoiled the kids as usual. One of the things she gave them was an ornament. They were thrilled! Growing up my mom gave each of us a new ornament every year. It is so fun for me to pull those out and remember why she gave me each ornament and the kids love it, too. They have been so sad that they don't have very many, and so each time they get one they love it! Kaylee's is a girl sledding on a tube and Charles' is a penguin. Perfect! Uncle Weston spoiled us with three shipments of fresh fruit from California and UP. We all just love that movie!!!

Kaylee and Louis had gone shopping together Wednesday and I was very excited to find out what they'd picked out. Kaylee insisted on giving me these awesome pj's. Louis was worried, but she refused to leave without them. I got a good laugh, but once I put them on.... I never wanted to take them off! They are so comfy! Yay for Kaylee!

They also got me a new pocket-sized hymn book because Kaylee chewed on my old one when she was a baby and a lot of the page numbers are missing. I got a good laugh out of that, too. The last gift was from Louis and it was a receipt showing that he'd gone out and purchased a new dining room table and chairs for me! And the best part was it was already on a super sale, and then he got to reach in a stocking and pick a prize for more of a discount, and he pulled out the biggest one.... an additional 20% off! Yeah for good deals and thoughtful husbands! Yeah, I cried. So my table wasn't in stock, and the company takes three months to make it, so in March I will get my table and maybe I can host a big St. Patty's Day dinner party!!!! I am so excited!!!
After presents, we headed to Donna and Steve's house where the kids were again spoiled. Charles got this awesome remote control helicopter. He started flying it and attacked Donna's brother with it! It was pretty entertaining. Kaylee got a jewelry making kit. She was thrilled!!! She and grandma made her first bracelet on Saturday and she was in heaven! They also got the kids UP to add to the kid DVD collection for when we are over playing games. They even spoiled the new baby.... Donna found an adorable snugly blanket that is a creamy white. She was pretty sad to have to go so neutral, but we won't know until Tuesday what we're having.
Next we headed down to Woods Cross to hang out with my family. We enjoyed lounging around playing games and eating, eating, eating! I had a super awesome surprise when Dan Hinckley showed up to drop off some shirts for my kids that his amazingly talented wife had made for me. The kids LOVED the shirts and wore them the next day to show off. (I'll have to put up some pics of them in their new shirts later on because I was too lame to take any pictures that day.) Megan is awesome! That evening Zach called and we got to chat with him for a little bit. It was much different not having him home. We had a delicious turkey dinner that mom made and stayed up super late playing Shadows over Camelot.

The next day we lounged some more and played even more games. My parents got a fun new game called Word on the Street. I love word games, so I had a blast playing it. A highlight for Louis was getting a RISK game going with my mom, dad and Josh. I was surprised my mom played! She even won!!!

We ended the day super late with a pinochle show down between Louis and me and my parents. My parents won. We are looking forward to a rematch! Dad was such a good sport to stay up so late with us even with his early morning meetings only a few short hours away. We arrived home very late (or super early...) and tired but happy. We were all very spoiled this year. Thanks so much to all who gave us such nice, thoughtful gifts! Thanks to everyone who helped make this holiday weekend so fun for us! Hope you all had a super holiday as well!

Hardware Ranch

For seven plus years I've heard about Hardware Ranch and kept saying I was going to take the kids up there around Christmas time. While Lynn, Daniel and Karla were here for a visit, we finally did just that. We piled in the car and headed up Blacksmith Fork Canyon to see the elk. It was a beautiful drive and I loved all the snow everywhere. I had built up in my mind, and the kids' minds, that there was a Christmas village and we would take a sleigh ride..... not quite. We still had fun wandering around the visitor's center and the wagon ride was good, but I must say I was a bit disappointed. Kaylee was especially upset that it wasn't an actual sleigh. Louis found out that they do put runners on the wagon, but not until later on. What does Charles remember? Well, he was watching the elk and said, "Mom, what are they doing?" I looked over to see and well, they were pooping. Never seen that before. All of a sudden I realized why it's so funny to give people a box of whoppers with reindeer antlers and a tail with a hole underneath.... that's pretty much what it looks like. I never did care much for whoppers.

A MUCH better family picture than the Christmas tree shot!

Finally!

A few years ago my crafty cousin, Katie gave me the most adorable Christmas gift. It is a wooden plaque to hang your stockings on. I was so thrilled because for the first time we were in an apartment with no fireplace. Well, the season came and went and we never hung it up. Then we moved to our new house, spent two Christmases here and still have NEVER hung it. Finally I put my foot down and Louis helped me hang it this past week. It is the cutest thing I've ever seen! Thanks, Katie!!!

Squirmy

I had the privilege of spending the day with my adorable nephew, Squirmy, aka Eric. He is so big now and will turn one on Christmas Eve. I can hardly believe it! Last Christmas was such a special time to have a brand new baby here to celebrate with us!

We had a lot of fun spending the day together. He is quite the mover. It is so funny to me that he gets into things now. He's very quiet and sneaky about it, and it just makes me laugh! He kept trying to climb into his carseat, and over and over he would end up on his head!

Crazy kid!

His other favorite pasttime here is to play the piano. He always heads for it first thing and gets the biggest kick out of his beautiful music.

I was making pizza dough and as long as he could see what I was doing, he was very happy. I had to set him on the floor to begin kneading the dough, and he let me know that was unacceptable. He clung to my leg and said, "Mmmm! Mmmm!" As soon as I'd pick him up and let him look in the bowl he was content. So, we finally worked out a system. What a cutie, huh?

Merry Christmas!

December 2009

It is hard to believe another year is coming to a close. This has been one of those years where it goes quickly once you get to the end.... but looking back on all that occurred, it feels like several lifetimes all rolled up in twelve months! Some of our big family events this year included sending Camille's baby brother off on his mission to New Hampshire. The kids have talked often of missing him and we still refer to the room he stayed in as “Zach's old room.” The second big event was the wedding of Louis' baby brother. Daniel married Karla Garcia in August of this year. We enjoyed a nice vacation down to the San Diego area for the wedding and festivities. We were exceptionally spoiled to get to have them join us for their first Thanksgiving!

CHARLES started preschool this year and is loving it! He has a wonderful teacher. The only sad part is that he has had to attend without his best friend, Andrew. Their family moved to Virginia this past September and he has felt the loss deeply! Thank goodness for cell phones! He took swimming lessons this past summer and did great. He would like to play soccer or baseball this spring so we'll see what we can do.

KAYLEE is now a first grader! She has been enjoying it more, though she often comments on all the work she does and there is hardly any play time! Poor girl, this is only the beginning! That all day transition can be pretty rough. It's exciting to watch her reading skills improve, and I think she's beginning to enjoy being able to read some books to herself. She has lost a few teeth and thinks that is pretty cool stuff. She also did swimming and it getting really good. It is amazing, and a bit heartbreaking, to see how grown up she is now.


CAMILLE has enjoyed this new slower pace of life! She decided to go back to school this fall while the kids were in school. She took two classes to finish up her generals and hopes to get back into the business classes next semester. It will be a long road to finish her degree at this pace, but it's nice to have a goal in sight. She was not able to continue as a permanent crossing guard and has enjoyed the break.


LOUIS has been on several business trips this year for his company, and we hope that means they can't live without him! We are grateful to have a good job during this time and love that his commute is short. He has been a great support in helping to keep the house running and making sure Camille gets her homework finished.
We hope all of you are well. It is always so nice to hear updates from our friends and family. We hope each of you are safe and well and enjoy this wonderful time of year!


With love,
Louis, Camille, Kaylee and Charles Koberstein

So I'll Always Remember...

I just want to always have this night to think back on and remember with overwhelming happiness! Tonight was bookclub, and I was hosting. I've been avoiding hosting because I don't really have a large area for lots of people to sit, and my house is rather dull, and I don't know how to decorate, and I hate to clean, and blah blah blah blah blah. Finally I got brave. This month we decided to do a little Christmas party. It was a blast! We all brought treats and a book and then played a game to win a book to take home. I love new books! It was such a fun night and everyone was so great. I just really enjoyed myself. And I got a great new book that I can't wait to start reading!!! (Thanks, Emily!)

But here is the greatest part.... Louis had to leave this week on a business trip and so I knew I would have the kids here tonight. I was feeling very anxious about this because all the other bookclub nights the children and husband are gone and the house is so still and quiet and just great for all us moms to escape! Now, my kids are not the worst kids ever, in fact they're pretty well behaved, but it seems like they try their best for that title when others are around or I have high expectations for them and I knew this was a lot to ask. Lock up a six year old girl and four year old brother in a bedroom for two hours with some toys, some books, some puzzles, and some paper to draw on.... no tv, movies, parent, nothing.

The day went well... I motivated myself to get up and clean all day. Charles was a super helper and kept the house clean all day! I treated them to a fun dinner out so they wouldn't feel so ripped off. At least ten times we went over the drill: as soon as people come, you have to go to your room and shut the door and STAY IN THERE. NO fighting, yelling, screaming, AND DO NOT COME OUT! Bless their little hearts. I couldn't even turn a movie on for them because the only place to watch it is in the upstairs family area and you can hear the sound throughout the whole house. I was worried. I was prepared for the worst and practicing how I would respond to their behavior. I was NOT prepared for them to be so good, so quiet, and so obedient!!!! Bless them!!! Everyone was shocked when they learned that the kids were upstairs in their room, without any adult. Just playing and being good and so quiet.

Santa won't forget you this year my little angels! And I will try to remember this night the next time I feel my patience wearing thin. A few days ago during another of their never ending fights I told them both, "Do you know what I want for Christmas? I want one day when you don't fight at ALL!" Thanks Kaylee and Charles, this was the greatest Christmas gift ever!!! I love you!

In Honor of the Season....

Every year I help put together a family calendar for the Koberstein clan. It has become a tradition that I think we all love. Each year gets better and more creative than the last. This year I had the brilliant idea to steal an idea from my cousin's calendar. I mean, I already stole the idea of making a family calendar with each month coordinating to a child in the family.... why not steal actual page ideas now? Thanks Katie! So... a couple years ago they had a page that Ben put together of all the families in front of their Christmas trees. Cute, eh? I thought so too, until I tried to get a picture of my family in front of a tree. Really? Is it seriously that hard? Yes, it is. We took four shots, they were during the day (to ensure nobody changed out of their clothes after church and that all were fully awake), and so not only is the lighting bad, but we look pretty bad, too. Notice my pasted on smile and Kaylee's lack of smile toward the end. I was forcefully telling her she'd better smile nice and hold still or there would be no Christmas. Ah, that's the way to get into the spirit of things!
And now for your viewing pleasure....

I think I need a bigger tree....