Thursday, December 31, 2015

2015... What a Great Year!

2015 has really been a life changing year for us.  It has also been a great year for us too.  In February Russell started his new job with the Logan City Fire Department.  This caused us to quit our jobs, sale our home, and totally uproot from our lifelong home of St. George and move to the beautiful Cache Valley.  The decision to accept this job and move was a difficult one to make but after many prayers, we knew it was the right thing to do.  Leaving our friends and family has been difficult but I think we have adjusted just fine and we are happy with where we are at this time in our lives.  We love Hyrum and have met many new friends over the last year.

After school got out for Emily we made the complete move up to Cache Valley.  We lived with my parents for two months after selling our house.  During this time Russell was commuting back and forth from Logan to St. George each week.  We were glad to finally get past that limbo stage.

A lot of awesome things happened for our families as well this year.  Our family grew this year.  In May Traci and Sean got married in the St. George Temple.  Their wedding was so beautiful and we were all so happy for them.  Jess and Danny welcomed Cash into their family on May 27.  Justin and Summer got married in September and then welcomed Grayson into their family on November 23.  Tyrel also got baptized this year.

Logan turned 2 this year and was potty trained a few months later.  Logan is such a fun little boy and he has a funny personality.  Because he is the youngest, he does not think the rules apply to him though.  I may or may not have caused this because I kind of pamper him because he is the baby.  Logan is quite smart and knows most of the letters of the alphabet and some of the numbers.  He is also a daredevil and not afraid of anything.  He can do anything his brother and sister can do.

Colby is now 4 years old.  He learned to ride his bike without training wheels the day after his birthday and rides his bike whenever he gets the chance.  Colby is also very smart and I think he has a photographic memory because he does not forget anything.  Colby learned to read this year and he loves reading.  He can read "Reading for all Learners" books or Colby calls them Sam books.  He is on level three which is higher than some of the kids in Emily's first grade class.  He can also read Dick and Jane books.  We have also had him start reading some verses out of the scriptures at night.  He thinks he is pretty awesome because he can read the scriptures.  Colby is in a preschool that we do with some of the other kids his age.  He loves going to "school." He also started going to music class this year and seems to really like it too. Colby's new love is Lego's.  He can built anything he sees and will play for hours.  Colby also learned to tie his shoes so he is now ready for kindergarten next year!  Colby is our kid that keeps us on our toes.

Emily is 7 and in the first grade.  She absolutely loves school especially because she gets to see her two new friends.  Emily is now reading chapter books and loves the Rainbow Fairy series and the Magic Tree House books.  These books are around a second or third grade level.  Emily also learned to ride without training wheels and she and Colby race up the road all the time.  Emily started piano lessons this year and is learning a lot.  She even performed in the school talent show.  Emily is a great daughter and a big help around the house.

As I mentioned before, Russell's life changed a lot this year too.  He started his dream job and he is so much happier to go to work and come home from work.  Russell loves his job because he knows he is making a difference in some one's life.  Russell also started road biking this year and wants to continue with that in the future.

I looked back over my new year resolutions for 2015 and I don't feel like I did very will in the spiritual aspect of things.  I did complete my fitness resolutions last year though.  I ran over 1,000 miles and ran my first full marathon.  This goal took a lot of time and dedication but I did it and I am so glad I did.  Will I do another marathon?  Well I don't know yet but maybe.  Next year though, I want to focus more on the spiritual aspects.

For New Year's Eve, a bunch of us got together at the Halligan's house and had a little party.  

We partied and played many fun games with the Halligan's, Checkett's, Booth's, and Jones' while the kids watched movies and played.  It was so fun to get together.

As you can see the kids were pretty glued to the movie until the Nerf guns came out and then it was a war.  They had a good time dressing up, playing games. and watching a lot of movies.  
We played a lot of games including Telestrations, Balderdash, and Nertz but the best game we played that night was Pie Face.  This was such a funny game and no matter how many times the hand smashed whipped cream into some one's face it never got old.  We laughed so hard every time.  Even the anticipation when it didn't go off was almost too much.

Around midnight, the guys started having a little too much fun with the drinks and food.  We rang in the new year by banging pots with wooden spoons.  Poor Kristen lost three wooden spoons that night.  The kids were so excited to yell "Happy New Year" they even braved the -6 degree weather and ran outside in the snow to bang the pots and yell.  The adults on the other hand preferred to stay in the warm house.  This was such a great party.  I am glad we have been able to make so many great friends up here.  

Goodbye 2015, you have been a good year.

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