Random January

The laundry basket is a popular toy around here. Matthew loves to push Emily around, and they both like to pretend it's a boat.
You can't really tell from the picture, but the boys stuffed Emily's pajamas full of tinker toys. The poor girl could hardly walk! It reminded me of days when we would play in the sandbox at my grandma's and fill my brother Houston's clothes full of sand. It was so funny. Emily was a good sport, but we did empty out those pajamas not too long after.
This is a pretty common site, the kids snuggled up together on the chair or the couch reading books. Emily and Matthew love books, Caleb is starting to read pretty well, and Jacob reads very well. Sometimes if I need some time (or quiet time:) I'll have the older boys read a story to the younger kids. It works great and I love seeing them all snuggled up together.

All the kids love time with Daddy too. It's pretty common to see at least one of them sitting on his lap while he works on his lesson or other things.
Emily got this stroller for Christmas and is pretty possessive of it- she's not too happy if anyone takes it from her, but she does like Matthew to give her a stroll around the house in it. Sometimes I just have to remind him that it's not the Indy 500, he likes to go fast. :)


January has been filled with lots and lots and lots of tinker toy playing. Matthew loves these things! I haven't been very good at taking pictures of his many creations, but they provide hours of entertainment and I've been pretty impressed at all the cool things he comes up with. Definitely a great investment!

Happy Birthday Jacob

I have a hard time believing we've already reached this monumental birthday! Jacob is eight! It has been a much-anticipated day, especially by Jacob. We went right into the birthday festivities, and started off the day with Jacob's favorite- crepes for breakfast. Later on, we opened birthday presents.

Jacob got some really nice things for his upcoming baptism, including a special book and his very own journal from Great Grandma Tanner. This really has been the highlight of his birthday- being so excited about his baptism.

He also got another gift he's been wanting for a very long time, an alarm clock. I thought it was interesting because I remember getting my very first alarm clock when I was 8 years old too, and I still have it! It's been great having the boys get themselves up and dressed in the mornings all by themselves.
I love watching all the kids during the present opening. You'd never know whose birthday it was by the excitement- all the kids are so excited regardless of whose birthday it is.

As you can tell by the look on his face- he was pretty excited about everything. He got a metal detector, a cd alarm clock, some shoes, pants & a couple shirts, a book, a journal, and some cool legos from Grandparents.
For his birthday cake, Jacob requested a BYU cake, so this is what we came up with. Nothing too fancy or exciting, but Jacob and the boys loved it.

Everyone had fun taking turns blowing out the candles. All the kids did pretty well- even Emily, she's definitely gotten the hang of it. Then we all enjoyed cake and ice cream and playing games together. Both sets of grandparents are coming to town for Jacob's baptism and we'll continue the part then!

Annual Staff Party

I thought that Jeff's annual staff party was held before Christmas time, but apparently that was just their special anniversary celebration and the annual staff party for all the physicians is held in January. But I sure wasn't complaining, any excuse for a party, an excellent meal and entertainment is good with me! We got a babysitter for the night, and headed off to the party.

As usual, Jeff's employer did a fantastic job putting on the evening. We first had a social hour with all sorts of hors d'oeuvres and drinks, followed by a dinner with filet mignon, marinated grilled chicken, rolls, and fresh vegetables. During this time, there were some presentations on company business, financial information, etc. I love that everything is always opened with prayer and once again, we were both filled with such a feeling of gratitude to be part of such a wonderful, amazing company. Jeff loves his job, and it's easy to see why.

After the speakers and presentations, mini chocolate mousse trifle desserts were served and the evening of entertainment began. It was an evening of 'magic' and we had a pretty impressive magician. We loved watching his acts- he was excellent! That is, until he needed a volunteer.
We specifically sat well in the back, but the magician came down from the stage and you know when you just have that feeling that you know you're going to be chosen? Well, somehow I just KNEW I was going to be chosen out of that group of 200+ people. Sure enough, he came back to our table and I found myself as the next not-so-willing volunteer.

I guess it wasn't too horrible, I helped him do a couple of tricks, felt dumb being up in front of such a big crowd, and finally got to go sit down again after about 20 minutes. But because it is such a close-knit company, I was sure people were going to remember. And sure enough, about a week later, Jeff got a call from another physician who had questions about a patient with an eye emergency. They talked for a while but before they hung up, the doctor asked Jeff if his wife was the one who had been the volunteer during the magic show. I joked with Jeff that he would forever be known as the doctor with the wife in the magic show. At least we had a fun evening out together and I did get a pretty cool magic book for participating- the boys have loved it!

Welcome to Scouts

With Jacob turning 8 this month, not only will he be able to be baptized, he will also get to start his highly-anticipated, long-awaited entrance into the scouting program. He has been so excited! We were invited to come to the den meeting a couple days before his birthday to be officially welcomed to the program. Jeff teaches institute the same night as scouts, so he couldn't make it, but all the kids and I were all excited to be there with Jacob. I feel a little overwhelmed with everything the scouting program entails, but I'm grateful to have a good program with dedicated leaders and a husband who knows all about it and is willing to help!

After the den meeting was over, Jeff still had another half hour of institute to teach, so I took the kids to go get a car wash and cash in their coupons for a free drink at the local gas station. You'd have thought it was Christmas again by how excited they were.

I can't believe this awesome big guy is already in the scouting program!

Then the boys started being funny with the camera and wanting to take all sorts of funny/crazy pictures. It was fun until Caleb dropped the camera & it started acting up.

Caleb was telling me that he can hardly wait until he gets to start scouts too, but I'm glad we've got a couple more years before he gets started with it! (Especially since I just finished sewing on all of Jacob's patches onto his new scout shirt. :)

Visit from the Moores

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to have a visit from one of my good high school friends, Caroline (Walton) Moore and her family. We haven't seen each other in almost 8 years and when we found out they would be traveling through the area on their way to visit their family, we thought it would be fun to get together for lunch!

It was so fun to see them and meet Calvin and Sophie for the first time. Jeff was able to come home for lunch, which made it even better. We ate lunch together and let the kids run around and play for a while.

It was fun to catch up and especially entertaining to watch the kids play together. Ryan, Calvin, and Matthew had fun racing cars down the track and Emily & Sophie were totally enthralled with the treadmill. They loved to climb up and then jump off over and over again.
We finally had to say goodbye, and the Moores loaded up in their car and headed off on their trip, but it was sure fun to spend the afternoon together.

Snow Day

As I've written about before, we are having an exceptionally dry and warm winter this year. So the kids were pretty excited when we got a snow storm that dropped about 6 inches of snow. When the boys got home from school, everyone got bundled up in their snow gear and went out to play.

My aunt Tammi gave me this little snowsuit for Emily that she had used for some of her girls, my cousins. I thought Emily looked so cute, all bundled up. She looked like a colorful little marshmallow puff to me. Of course I need to get her some of her own boots so she doesn't have to wear her brothers' hand-me-downs, but I guess it's better to have a girl in boy boots than a boy in girl boots. :)

Jeff was finally able to use his snow blower, but you always end up with a wall of snow in front of your driveway after the snowplows go by. So Jacob and Caleb helped me shovel the snow again, then they started working on an igloo. Emily and Matthew had fun riding their bikes around on the driveway, and we even did a little sledding on the big hill in our backyard.
I loved watching Emily ride her 'tractor'. It was only about 8 degrees outside that day, so I wasn't sure how long Emily would last, but she loved being outside playing in the snow.

Winter

It's definitely winter here. Many days will look like the picture I took a couple weeks ago at about 8am when the boys were headed to school (Current temperature: -5, feels like -20, with a high of 2 degrees (which still ended up with a 'feels like' temperature of -10)

The weather is cold! However, it's the wind that really makes you feel the chill. I love the winter cold advisory- telling you to take care in the weather because frostbite can occur in a matter of minutes. I definitely believe it!
Fortunately this winter has been abnormally mild and warm compared to years past. Apparently most winters, there will be many days down at -40 and many days that will never even come close to reach 0 degrees. We also haven't had much snow at all this year. That's probably good because once the snow lands, it stays cold enough that it doesn't melt until Spring. I'm definitely happy with a more mild winter!

We have had some really beautiful weather this winter. One morning we awoke to a a beautiful layer of frost that covered everything in sight. A 'winter wonderland' seemed to be a perfect description, even though the temperature was well below zero. By noon, with the sun shining, the frost was gone, but it was fun to see it while it lasted!

Pancake Party

A few friends got together this month for a 'Pajama Pancake Party.' We all wore our pajamas and met up at Marjorie's house where we enjoyed some yummy buttermilk pancakes and visiting together. We see each other a lot at church and at the gym, but there isn't always a ton of time for socializing, so it's nice to meet up once in a while. The kids love playing together and Nicole had put together a fun bird-feeder craft for them to do as well.

Emily didn't want to wear her pajamas to leave the house, but she did have a lot of fun playing with all the other kids.

Me, Shelly, Nicole, Marjorie, Val

January Temple Trip

Normally when we take a temple trip, we get up early on a Saturday morning, drive a couple hours to the temple, take turns going through sessions, then turn around and come back home. It's usually a full-day event. We decided this month to go down on a Friday evening and stay in a hotel. The kids were so excited, especially since we were able to go swimming that night. The next morning, Jeff went to an early session while I took the kids to breakfast and got them ready for the day. Then Jeff came back and I went to a session while he ran some errands. We got back home about 5pm. I don't know that we'll do this every time we make a trip to the temple, but it was a fun weekend. Even though it's a bit of a sacrifice to make trips to the temple, we're so grateful for the opportunity to go and hope that our children will always recognize how important and wonderful it is.

New Year-New Changes

At the beginning of the new year, I got a new calling at church. I am now the Primary Pianist! I was thrilled! The primary pianist is pretty much my dream calling. I love the chance to watch the kids during singing time, and I love that it's an excuse to spend more time on the piano. I used to feel guilty when I would spend time playing, but now I call it my 'lesson prep' time. I hope I can keep this calling for a long time!

Jacob is now in an advanced placement program at school. His teacher has been so impressed with his work and abilities that back in November, they put him into a program for advanced students called Tiger Trek. There are only a couple kids chosen per grade and they've done some really fun things. Jacob's favorite so far has been the study of China which included learning to eat with chopsticks.

The new year is a good time for changes- I got my hair cut. Not too much, about 5 inches, but it's a fun change. I didn't take a picture, but all the future pictures will show. :)

Fun Distractions

One Sunday after arriving at church, we happened to lock our keys in our car. Fortunately, church is a great place to do it because there are lots of people you can catch a ride home with to get your spare keys. While Jeff went home with Mike Homer, the kids played with friends in the gym. Then they found another fun distraction and spent the next 20 minutes giving each other rides around in a box.

Our little runner trying to escape once we were finally on our way to the car.

It's a good thing Daddy can catch her

And good thing she's so darn cute.

2012- Kids

I've seen this idea a lot, and thought it would be fun to start a New Year's tradition of asking the kids questions at the beginning of each year. Then we can look back through the years and see how their answers change.

*Favorites* January 2012

EMILY

22 Months [21.5 Pounds (3rd %) 33.25 Inches (49th %)]

1. Color: pink

2. Toy: doll, stoller, & cars

3. Fruit: watermelon

4. Show: Dora

5. Treat: sucker

6. Movie: Cars

7. Game: Trick-a-roos with daddy

8. Snack: milk & cheese

9. Animal: puppies & kitties

10. Song: Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam

11. Book: Little People Look & Find Farm

12. Friend: Lilah, Matthew & her family

13. Cereal: Lucky Charms (the marshmallows)

14. Outside activity: Being outside & riding the tractor

15. Drink: Chocolate milk

16. Holiday: All of them, especially if they involve candy

17. Breakfast: scrambled eggs

18. Food: pasta

19. What do you want to be when you grow up: mommy/gymnast

20. What do you like to do in your free time: play pretend & play with brothers

MATTHEW

4 Years 2 Months [36 Pounds (44th%) 41.5 Inches (65th%)]

1. Color: blue

2. Toy: cars

3. Fruit: watermelon

4. Show: Dora/ Leapfrog

5. Treat: 'Wowiepop' (lollipop)

6. Movie: Cars

7. Game: Duck duck goose

8. Snack: cucumbers

9. Animal: deer

10. Song: Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam/ Dynamite

11. Book: The Gingerbread Man

12. Friend: Varity Kocmick- our cute little neighbor

13. Cereal: Frosted Mini Wheats- he loves these!

14. Outside activity: riding bike

15. Drink: chocolate milk/ hot chocolate

16. Holiday: Halloween & Christmas

17. Breakfast: waffles

18. Food: pasta

19. What do you want to be when you grow up: I don't know

20. Sport: soccer

21. What do you like to do in your free time: play with cars- race them

CALEB

6 Years 4 months [(54 pounds (80th%) 48.25 Inches (82nd%)]

1. Color: green

2. Toy: legos

3. Fruit: watermelon

4. Show: Phinneas & Ferb

5. Treat: giant cookies

6. Movie: Kung Fu Panda 2

7. Game: Car racing kinnect game

8. Snack: apples

9. Animal: tiger

10. Song: Dynamite -Taio Cruz

11. Book: Cars

12. Friend: Max Carlson

13. Cereal: Peanut Butter Captain Crunch

14. Outside activity: ride bike

15. Drink: rootbeer

16. Holiday: Halloween

17. Breakfast: waffles

18. Food: pizza

19. What do you want to be when you grow up: paleontologist

20. Sport: basketball

21. What do you like to do in your free time: dig up bones, color & draw (This one made me laugh, Caleb's class has been doing a focus on dinosaurs so he's so excited about digging up dinosaur bones, but he also really loves to color & draw)

JACOB

7 Years 11 Months [ 66 pounds (82nd%) 54.25 Inches (95th%)]

1. Color: blue

2. Toy: metal detector

3. Fruit: pomegranate

4. Show: Phinneas & Ferb

5. Treat: butterfinger

6. Movie: Star Wars

7. Game: Kinnect Star Wars

8. Snack: chips & salsa

9. Animal: all of them

10. Song: Dynamite- Taio Cruz

11. Book: Star Wars

12. Friend: Michael Pruett

13. Cereal: Peanut Butter Captain Crunch

14. Outside activity: Playing outside- riding bike, sports, everything

15. Drink: rootbeer

16. Holiday: all of them

17. Breakfast: waffles

18. Food: salmon

19. What do you want to be when you grow up: horse owner/paleontologist/eye doctor

20. Sport: football

21. What do you like to do in your free time: read

2011 Year in Review

I have a tradition of doing a 'Year in Review' at the end of each year. I love to go back through my calendar and see all the events and happenings. It sure brings back a lot of memories. Goodbye 2011! You were a busy, changing, but wonderful year.

JANUARY

- Start off the new year by taking Jeff to the airport for an 11-day trip to India. I have fun playing single mom for eleven days. Lots of projects and fun times with kids.

- Lots of playing outside. Baseball is the current favorite for the boys.

- Jeff signs contract on his new job.

- Emily 10 months old

-Lots of scouting activities for Jeff. Our family enjoyed watching & cheering the pinewood derby.

- Jacob turns 7! Birthday party with friends. Mom & Dad come to visit for the weekend. Brian Regan concert with Colemans and party weekend with family!

FEBRUARY

- Date nights. Going to the gym is a favorite to play tennis together & enjoy the hot tub.

- Start to pick up a little running again. Enjoy the bike/walk trail near our home.

- Daniel Forman's mission homecoming. Fun weekend in California with the family. Lots of tennis, running, laughing, mission stories, homecoming talk, and wonderful time with family. Beautiful weekend.

- Special Family Valentine's Dinner

- Solo trip home with kids on President's weekend. Fun weekend with family. Boise Valley Junior Miss Program. Grandma & Grandpa Haworth visit. Run with Kristie. Head home on Monday.

- Emily is 11 months old.

MARCH

- Lots of regular day activities- preschool for Caleb, church callings & activities, visits with friends, dinners with Mohlmans, housework, date nights, playing outside together etc.

- March Madness- BYU's amazing basketball year with basketball sensation Jimmer Fredette. "You got Jimmered, Fredette about It" Sweeps player awards.

- Lots of studying for Jeff for the Boards. Takes his boards.

- Grandpa Haworth's 80th birthday party. Traveled to Franklin alone with kids. Blizzard over the mountain. Stopped to visit Michelle along the way. Lots of time visiting with family. Fun weekend with games, talent show, playing at the gym, and just enjoying time together. Haworth girls sing in church. Big Sunday family dinner. Travel home on Monday.

- Emily turns 1 year old! Birthday pictures. Birthday dinner and gifts. Party with family. Emily completely destroys her cake. Our sweet baby is one!

APRIL

- Travel to future hometown for house hunting weekend. A couple of very long days. Finally find a home to put an offer on. Exciting times. Kids had fun with grandparents.

- Jeff turns 34! Birthday party at home for Jeff with family. Kids having fun with cousins.

- Jeff and Angela's amazing 10 day trip to Kauai. Solo time together and time with Dean, Linda, Daniel, & Joseph. Pretty much the trip of a lifetime- swimming, boogie boarding, snorkeling, hiking, boating, sight-seeing, luaus, warm sandy beaches & gorgeous scenery. So thankful for wonderful parents & family helping to make sure kids had just as much fun as we did.

- Easter weekend with the Cahoons. Run for Risa half marathon with Tami, Easter egg hunts, exploring by the creek, and games, so fun.

- Jeff business trip to take care of more paperwork and set-up for new job.

- Goodbyes and lasts. Caleb's last day of preschool. Sad to say goodbye to such a fun place. Jeff and Angela released from callings.

- Easter bunny's belated visit to our house.

MAY

- Movers finish up their work. AMAZING! After 13 moves, it was a dream to have someone else come in and pack everything up. All we had to do was clean. Fun working with Tami.

- Final goobyes to friends and family. We'll miss the Colemans the very most! It was wonderful living so close. Say goodbye to our city and head to spend one more weekend with family before our big move.

- Mother's Day Weekend with family. Shopping trips, run with Amanda, tennis, bowling, fun and games. Mother's day was the best- being able to spend time with both mothers & families.

- Start the big drive to our new home. Luckily we were able to see family on the way. Nights at the Haworths, Tanners, and time with Grandma Forman & Grandma Hiller. Long drive. Finally arrived at 5:30 am.

- Unpacking, unpacking, and more unpacking. Love our new neighborhood. Meet most of the neighbors on our whole street within two weeks.

- Jeff passes his boards! Awesome day! Jeff's first day at his new job.

- Getting settled into life. Kids love all their new friends. Build garden boxes and keep busy mowing the lawn. Summer projects & activities for kids. First trip to the zoo.

JUNE

- Sign up for the local gym and start getting back into running again. Luckily I can run outside while they're in the kids gym area. Kids enjoy the swimming lessons.

- Sign up to run Vegas Ragnar with friends in October & Pocatello Marathon in September.

- Start working on the unfinished basement. Electricians, plumbers, drywallers.

- Paint the boys room & get them registered for school.

- Ward temple trip & local hot air balloon launch. Speak in church for the first time and take kids to Kung Fu Panda 2 at the theater. First ward potluck lunch- a monthly occurrence.

- Leave for the Tanner family reunion.

JULY

- Grandma & Grandpa Tanner's 50th Anniversary celebration. Fun times with the Tanner extended family. Talent show/program, special presentations, and swimming & lunch at Coleman's.

- Tanner family reunion. Hiking the Y, running with Kristie, Stadium of Fire- date night for Jeff, Ang, Tom, & Kristie thanks to Qualtrics, testimony meeting, family movies, 4th of July parade, 7 Peaks water park, fireworks, games, laughing till we cry. Fun times.

- Stevens family reunion. Traveling to Oregon, so fun being with family, camping on the coast, chilly but no rain, running with Gina & Amanda, talent show, games, running races, swimming at the campsite pool, lunch and window shopping in Seaside, playing at the beach, family pictures, hiking, campfire fun. Wonderful memories. And camping is awesome with an air mattress! :)

- Long drive home, lots of unpacking and withdrawals from family.

- Fun times with friends, dinners and game nights. Date nights- Harry Potter final.

- Family activites- swimming, games, movies, parks, lots of trips to Home Depot & Lowes, and working on getting the house filled.

- Lots more running for Angela- Saturday long runs for the month (6, 10, 13, 15, 20). The hot, humid, muggy summer makes it a little painful.

- Scott & Amanda and kids come visit for a night on their way back home. So fun to have them even for just a night.

AUGUST

- Happy Anniversary Jeff & Angela. 9 wonderful years!

- Register Matthew for preschool. Zoo trip with friends. School shopping trips with kids. Lots of projects around the house, State Fair.

- Angela turns 27. Happy Birthday. Kids make birthdays fun! Date night with Jeff.

- Boys start soccer.

- First day of school for Jacob and Caleb. So exciting. Walking to & from school together.

- First day of preschool for Matthew. He could hardly wait!

- Church callings- Institute teacher for Jeff, primary teacher for Angela.

SEPTEMBER

- Caleb turns 6! Treats to school and family party.

- Angela travels to Idaho for Pocatello Marathon. Fun weekend with family. Run marathon with Kristie & Amanda. Great race- PR's for everyone. Angela- 3:56:10, so happy. Weekend at the Haworth's.

- Lots of soccer games and soccer practice for Jacob and Caleb. Sometimes Mom feels like she lives at the park.

- Jeff teaches Institute every Tuesday night at the church. Lots of study time.

- Drywall guys finish the basement. We start the fun job of painting. Install new carpet.

- Angela runs the Bismarck marathon. Last minute decision. Fun weekend with the family. Great race, felt good. 'Official' time of 3:36:09.

-Jeff ribbon cutting ceremony for new Ophthalmology office. Exciting times. Loves his job.

- Primary program and Relief Society General Broadcast- love both!

- Mom diagnosed with breast cancer again. Scheduled treatments to begin.

OCTOBER

- General Conference weekend. Love, love, love.

- Find dining room table & treadmill on Craigslist. Slowly furnishing home.

- Travel to Idaho for wedding of Jonny & Emilee! Visit Rhinehart family, beautiful wedding, time with family, kids love playing with cousins, run with Kristie & Amanda, set up for wedding reception, fun at the reception, church, Daniel Menssen baby blessing, Tanner family pictures.

- Matthew turns 4! Fun day with presents and birthday celebration.

- Angela leaves for Las Vegas to run Ragnar Relay with Philly friends. (Kristen, Annette, MaryAnn, Staci, Calli, Megan, Kim, Alyssa, Jamie, Holly, Jordan) Weekend was a blast. Eating, window shopping, decorating vans, RUNNING! crazy times in the vans, blasting music, inside jokes, crazy runners, no sleep, experience of a lifetime. "Red Hot Philly Peppers"

- Halloween fun, carving pumpkins, trick-or-treating with friends

- Family pictures

NOVEMBER

- Angela wisdom teeth extraction. Ain't gonna lie- not the most fun weekend, but grateful it went well.

- Jeff's work 100-year celebration. Black tie event with wonderful dinner, speakers, entertainment, and dancing. Fun night out together.

- More work on boy's room. Bunk beds!

- Miscellaneous stuff- get updated driver's licenses, lots of 'Super Duper' gym class, work on family pictures & Christmas cards, yard work, errands. etc.

- Happy Thanksgiving! Dinner with Bassetts. Shelly and I run the holiday 5K (PR 21:19) and our families enjoy the holiday parade together.

- Set up Christmas decorations. Jeff gets in the winter spirit & gets a black Friday deal snow blower.

DECEMBER

- School and preschool Christmas parties and programs.

- Gym time and lunch dates with friends.

- Date nights with Jeff

- Travel home for the holidays. Horrible blizzard. Wonderful Christmas vacation. Tanner year, all the kids home together, running together, shopping trips, wrapping gifts, cooking together, cleaning together, taking care of mom, wonderful Christmas Sunday, dodgeball, service project, date night dinner at Casa Mexico and Harry Potter night, shopping trip with Kristie, more games, song recordings with earphones, lots of laughing, love.

- New Years Eve with Stevens. Racquetball, fun games, lunch, geocaching, more racquetball, yummy New Year's eve dinner, kids playing with cousins, playing games, ringing in the new year, good times, blessing Hailey Howell. Sad goodbyes to family.

-Travel the long road home. Happy New Year 2012!