2009 Already!

Wow.. I really can't believe that another year has flown by. It's amazing how quickly the time goes by. I can hardly believe it! Although this year has been full of challenges and hardship, it has also been one of blessings and happiness. We have truly been humbled and are so grateful for everyone's support and our belief in our church. It's truly amazing in the midst of fear, chaos and despair how much we truly have to be grateful for and it can calm the soul.
We spent a nice Christmas at home just having fun, opening presents and hanging out in our pajamas. Grandma Donna & Grandpa Wayne put the kids' money together this year and bought them "Rock Band" so needless to say a lot of music was being played by the 5 Paints Band!!! It was an instant hit and continues to be played nonstop.. and not just by the kids! :)







We had a fun time going up to northern Utah for New Year's and seeing our family again. The kids loved seeing their cousins and playing in the snow and we got to go to Grandma Lynn and Grandpa Marion's and open presents there, and they always spoil them.. it was just like another Christmas!! The kids ate it up.

Koby's lost his 1st tooth!

Well, I have to admit.. it took a LOT of convincing, some tears, some trust (or lack thereof) and a few wiggles and here it is.. Koby's 1st missing tooth! He is convinced the new space looks like Texas. The tooth fairy brought him a Hot Wheels wristwatch and a set of jax. He has been walking around telling us the time all morning long. What a cutie!

Christmas is Coming!!

Wow.. it's hard to believe another year has literally flown by. It's still sinking in that it's another Christmas and New Year. We went up north for a wedding and it snowed and was freezing! I was loving it though, believe it or not. Then we came home and the next day it snowed all day here! It was beautiful and really brought the Christmas spirit out. It never stuck but it was fun and nice and what little did stick the kids tried to gather what they could and make a snow "man". :) Even in these hard times right now we have SO much to be grateful for and we are SO blessed. We have incredible family, friends and neighbors. Thanks to all of you for being a part of our lives!!



Koby had his Kindergarten Program and made gingerbread houses in class this week.



This is our "St. George Snowman" Ry & Kob made this.. isn't it cute?!

Arizona

Well it definitely isn't a good time to take a vacation money wise but we had this trip booked almost a year ago so we figured we really could use some time away to "regroup". We went to Scottsdale, Arizona for a full week in the timeshare and had a blast away from reality. We spent a lot of fun time as a family and celebrated Koby's 6th birthday! It was hard to come home, but even coming back to hard times and uncertainty I realized there is still no place like home!

Getting settled in and feeling at home..

Bowling for Koby's birthday

What a game!
Beautiful Fountain Hills

Enjoying the beautiful sunset

Mom and her little man

Steve's Last Day of Work!

Wow.. it's hard to believe it but Steve had his last day of work last Friday!! He started working for Hansen Insulation in Lindon, Utah when he was 15 as an installer. He still worked there when we were married and in January, 1999 we had an opportunity to move to St. George, Utah where Steve became a salesman for Gale Insulation, the sister company to Hansens (since being bought out by Gale) This was a huge leap of faith (especially on my part!) but turned out to be an incredible experience for our marriage and family. Steve has had the opportunity to work for an incredible boss, and along the way have some great men come in and be close friends. It is very bittersweet but we are getting ready for our new road to travel! I went into have the final farewell with his shop and had to embarass him with some snapshots!

Gentlemen, Start Your Blogging...

Well, I can't believe MALINDA of all people sent me a link to something like this! :P Usually I would be the one more into all the computer stuff and doing things like this.. we had a family site up a few years ago but I haven't done one since. Hers was sooo cute I couldnt' resist making one of our own! I think this will be a great way to keep in touch with all of our friends' and family.. so I hope you enjoy!