Mark's Birthday

Mark's birthday was December 16th. We quietly celebrated as a family. Mark was woken up by all the kids climbing all over him and then being served breakfast in bed, that they had helped me make (somewhat.) 

Mark got season tickets for Portland's new soccer team, the Timbers, whose season starts this spring. His colleagues at work got him some Timbers gear to wear to the game.

We decided that eight candles would be enough because if we filled the cake with how many candles he really needs, we might start a fire. (I can't tease him too much because I'm only 6 months behind!)

That weekend we made a quick trip down to Eugene to visit with Grandpa John who was spending a few days in the hospital. The kids were surprisingly well behaved and we had a lovely time. Grandpa is now home from the hospital and slowly feeling better.

I cherish the short time when everything that goes wrong in Sarah's life can be solved with "Hold me, Mommy!"

2010 in Review

Paxton
Achievements: learned to walk, said his first words (baba, mama, dada, uh-oh), sleeps through the night (most of the time!)
Likes: putting everything in his mouth, giving slobbery kisses, climbing up and down stairs, books, warm milk with cinnamon and honey in his "baba"
Dislikes: leaving Mommy, falling down, naptime

Sarah
Achievements: makes up her own songs, graduated to a big girl bed, gave her pacifier to the "binky fairy"
Likes: princesses, purple, babies, saying hello to everyone, snacks, church nursery class, dancing, being on stage, sparkles
Dislikes: getting her nose wiped, going to bed, Daddy leaving for work

Bennett
Achievements: started kindergarten, learned to read with lightning speed, played soccer for the first time, learned to ride two-wheeled bike
Likes: reading everything he sees, recess, choice time, making cards for cousins, soccer, swimming, weapons, building forts, Book of Mormon stories
Dislikes: all vegetables except spinach, being told what to do

Jackson
Achievements: Honorable Mention for Overall Performance at Lego Robotics competition, able to sing The Elements Song by Tom Leherer (karaoke-style), played U11 soccer on almost undefeated team, climbed both South Sisters and Little Granite Mountain with his dad and uncles
Likes: swimming, mountain climbing, science, history, math, Legos, Scouts, fantasy books, chess, board games, Village Home
Dislikes: waking up early, doing the dishes (though he still does them nightly)

Genet
Achievements: maintained her sanity while adjusting to the reality of four children, made it possible for everyone else to achieve all the things on their list!, volunteer as Cub Scout committee chairperson
Likes: having a son old enough to babysit, traveling with Mark, Flyin' Hawaiian zipline, St. Bees, reading stories with the kids, one-on-one time, being with family
Dislikes: plantar fasciitis, multiple children conspiring to have tantrums at the same time, wiping noses

Mark
Achievements: coached Bennett's soccer team, re-landscaped yard, captained our Hood to Coast team, completed 3 triathlons including a half-Ironman, another successful year at Krames
Likes: running, biking, wrestling with the kids, date night, beautiful lawn, iPhones, exciting new challenges at work
Dislikes: kids waking him up at night, never enough time in the day

Wright Words

I read this article in the Mormon Times today (dated 12/11/2010). Jason Wright is the author of The Christmas Jars which some of you may have read. I liked the sentiments he expressed in this article and thought I'd pass it on.

Wright Words: Mormons don’t celebrate Christmas and other myths

I need blog addresses!

When I switched blog web addresses, everything transferred just fine, except for my family & friend's blog list. It was totally gone! I use it all the time to check everyone's blog and keep up with them. So if you read my blog, and you are not listed on the side, PLEASE send me your blog address again because I want to read it!! Thank you.

Last night I have a vague memory of Sarah's little feet wondering into our room. I hear Mark say, "Sarah, where's your diaper? Why are you naked? Aren't you cold?" Apparently at some point in the night, she had completely undressed and then fallen back to sleep. She had wet her bed so came to climb into our dry bed. What a girl! Do you think it's time to finally finish potty training??

Christmas is Here

After the Lego competition, we ran to get a Christmas tree before it got dark. We barely made it! It was freezing!!! It is the quickest decision we've ever made picking out a tree. Bennett had a full-on tantrum because he thought the tree was too skinny, but then later claimed that he helped pick out the tree when it looked so good in the living room.

Jackson's Lego Robotics Team, The Penguins, received an Honorable Mention for Overall Performance on Saturday which means they were one place away from qualifying for the state competition. Although they were disappointed about missing out on State, they felt good about their performance and had a great time. It was fun to see Jackson shine during the presentation. He really knew what he was talking about and was able to answer the judges questions.

Rock it, Juan!

Mark was up late watching the Civil War (Ducks v. Beavers for those of you not from Oregon) on the DVR, only to see his brother, John, rocking the green hairspray on national TV.

Playing with Nana & Papa

While we were in Hawaii, the kids stayed with parents at their house in Prescott, along with my sister, Amanda, and her daughter, Katherine. They had a fabulous time. Sarah was the only one who even missed us a little bit. They had tons of fun. My dad and uncle built this awesome sand & water table a few months ago and the kids have been dying to play with it. Luckily there were lots of warm, sunny days to be outside.

Sarah LOVES to be dirty! She was in heaven.
Katherine's face is healing really well, at least from what I can see. Much better than what I expected.

 

 They decorated cupcakes one day. Sarah loved the frosting.

 They all loved the sprinkles!

 They spent the day at the Wild Animal Park. Everyone loved it!

Feeding the giraffe.

Nana KISSED a camel! That is all the kids could talk about for days and days. She put a treat of some sort in her mouth and let the camel eat it. Yuck!!

Paxton & Papa were inseparable.

They each made their own name banner. Nana spent a LONG time helping Sarah to make hers, only for her to pull everything off again. That's my Sarah.

 Like I said, Paxton and Papa were best pals all week long.

 He was always running up to him and asking to be held.

 One night they all made their own individual pizzas.

 Another day they made snowmen out of rice krispie treats.

 Sarah and Katherine loved dressing up.

 Climbing on the rocks outside was another favorite activity.

Jonah and the rest of the Williams came on Tuesday, just before we returned, bringing his incredible cuteness, and the flu. Families are for sharing! We watched people fall one by one after that. We're not sure, but there may have even been two different strains of flu going around. It was awful.

 Sarah helping Nana roll out pie crust for Thanksgiving.

 Lucas & Bennett on the rocks.

My aunt and uncle are serving as mission president in Las Vegas came down for Thanksgiving. It was wonderful to them. They had great stories to tell. Unfortunately, my dad spent the day in bed with the flu. Paxton came down with it later in the day. Amanda & Katherine came down with it that evening. Then during the night my mom got it as well. We had to cancel the big Sarager family party that was planned for Friday. So sad!! I haven't heard if any of the Christensens got the flu. Maybe their calling protected them -- let's hope!

Newlyweds Fielding & Carissa

Happy parents, Marcinelle & Drew

 My cousin, Fielding, got married on Saturday. Luckily my mom was well enough to go and take pictures. Natalie and I were able to make it down for the reception, although we were embarrassingly late because Mark & Jack got lost on a mountain hike. (I was so relieved that they were safe that I couldn't get mad.) I don't think Fielding knows who I am beyond my name, but it was nice to see all my aunts and uncles since we missed them on Friday.

With my cousin, Paige

Abuela

My cousin, Anson's kids killing it on the dance floor.

It was a great trip, even with the illness. We were grateful to have time with everyone.