going swimming

One of the reasons you should go swimming with your very fabulous sister-in-law is because she has an underwater camera. Thanks for bringing your camera, Suzy, and for being an exceptional aunt. We went swimming with a big group of cousins last week and had a ball.

Draper Temple Open House

Yesterday we had the special privilege of going to the Draper Temple Open House with our children, Jer's parents, and our nieces and nephew (here from Detroit). The temple is breath taking, the spirit was strong, and we had the tremendous privilege of talking with our children about the blessings of the temple and about what it means to be a forever family.

In the sealing room I was sitting with Anna, Griffin, and Jane and we were talking about where we would be sitting when they get married. Griffin said to me, referring to his wedding day, "When I'm sittin' here, I'll hold your hand, mommy." It was a choice experience.

highlights

Highlights for January 2009: sledding and fireworks at the cabin with Wright cousins to ring in the new year, Jer & Zachary went cross country skiing, Dad and Linda visited from St. Louis, Zachary and Griffin were chosen from their classes as students of integrity, Zachary received his Bear in cub scouts, Zachary turned 10 (!!!), Zachary and Anna played city rec basketball, Jer had his last physical therapy appointment, got his fancy knee brace, and was cleared to go back to playing sports, and Jer and I went to Atlanta to the Giftware and Home Furnishings Market and had some success (our kids love us going out of town). I'm sure there's more, but these are the highlights. It was a good start to the year!

the rest of December

So the rest of December was full of more fun. The Techmeyer Annual was great--dodgeball, good food, good company, Jemmett cousins, teams, spaghetti and marshmallow buildings, year in review slide show (thanks Michael), presents, visiting, and fun. Thanks Sarah & Neil for all the planning.

Cousin, Naya, and her family came into town for the holidays. Naya was baptized, and it was a special day.


Anna and her Aunt Suzy decided at the beginning of 2008 that they wanted to grow their hair out so they could donate it. They both look fabulous in their new haircuts.

We experienced a first in our family: we didn't have plans on Christmas Eve. We enjoyed a relaxing evening, watched a movie, and then took a long while to fall asleep. Christmas morning we spent at home and then enjoyed the afternoon and evening with the Wrights. The following day we went sledding on lots of new snow. Great times!






My baby brother, James, was home for Christmas (he's stationed in Monterrey, CA in the Air Force learning Chinese). We went sledding together, and he taught us how to play Zachary's newest game, Settlers of Catan, which was very fun!

As we reflect on 2008, we do so with gratitude for good people in our lives, for a loving and supportive extended family, and for the blessings we enjoy as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

where did December go?

We enjoyed Thanksgiving with the Techmeyers and then headed to Boise for cousin Spencer's baptism and cousin Heather's missionary homecoming. It was a delightful weekend.

December has been quick and fun! We enjoyed time with Mindy, Clinton & Lizzy (they were here for a week or so). Zachary and Anna have been playing Junior Jazz basketball--fun for them to play and fun to watch. Anna had a number of dance performances including Festival of Trees, the Christmas recital, and at the Murray Care Center.

Zachary, Anna, and Griffin are all in the school choir. Zachary and Anna both had solos in the Christmas concert and did amazing!

The Christmas piano recital was an enjoyable evening as well. It is very rewarding to watch the kids who practice and prepare well perform well. Our kids were happy with their performances, as were we. Zachary and Anna played a duet together as well as solos and Griffin was the opener with Jingle Bells. He played though his song several times because he liked how it looked to watch the hammers hit the strings.

Our ward party was Return to Bethlehem. Everyone dressed in appropriate attire and had a true Bethlehem experience. The boys were asked to be the wise men for the Nativity and the girls were asked to be the angels. Thanks to mom for all the great costumes.










We scored six tickets to a Jazz game so we drove downtown, had to park a ways away so we walked a bit and then took the train the rest of the way to the arena. We had a good time together. There's something fabulously festive about being downtown with the lights and snow and Christmas music.

being responsible

Anna was recognized yesterday in the Character Education Assembly as being responsible. Here she is pictured with Sharky, the school mascot.

Anna is very responsible. When she puts her mind to it, she can accomplish anything including having the best attitude or being the most helpful or getting her room cleaned up in record time or memorizing a piano piece.

She's a great girl and an important part of our family.

Jeremy

Yesterday I was asked to make a clever (or not) handout for those judging the Reflections contest at the elementary school and I agreed. It was a busy day. Jeremy agreed last night to go purchase the 100 Grand candy bars ("Thanks. You're worth 100 Grand" was the plan) while I got the kids ready for bed.

I'll be honest, sometimes bedtime isn't calm, nor is it a sweet, bonding time at our house. Not that I wouldn't love it to be that way. So I'm in the bedtime process, a little irritated, and the phone rings. Sigh. The caller ID identifies that it's Jeremy and I mumble, "you're the creative one, just pick something that works." I answer the phone and I hear: "What about 'don't be an Idaho Spud.' No, that's not quite it. What about 'Thanks for judging even if you're a nerd.' No. Oh, here we go. 'You're a red hot tamale and a good judge, too.'" On it went for several minutes while Jeremy made me laugh, helped to change my attitude, and made me feel grateful for the blessings that I have been given.

pumpkins and leaves

Jeremy is so good at so many things. He completely orchestrated the pumpkin carving--you may notice that each pumpkin was designed by it's holder--and leaf cleaning up. It's a good thing he's here to provide fun, memory making opportunities for our kids.

I love fall for the crisp air, sweaters, pumpkins, zucchini bread, and crunchy leaves. I love these little people.

halloween festivities

This is Jeremy's idea of Halloween decorating. He's pretty amazing. Here's the fabulous cowgirl and cowboy.

Just down the street is a fun little nursery called Engh Floral. Each October they set up a pretty fun straw maze and other cool fall things. Here are the kids on the Black Pearl; the weather was very pirate appropriate.

The kids humored me while I took lots of pictures. Naturally, this one is their favorite.

El Dia De Los Muertos

We had our annual Dia De Los Muertos party a few weeks back. We ate delicious Mexican food, enjoyed visiting with family and friends, and even had a few newcomers (welcome John and Sarah with the UPS man). The kids played in the Haunted Back Yard (compliments mainly to Zachary and Jeremy) and watched a Halloween movie (projected on a bed sheet) from the trampoline (it wasn't quite as cold this year so none of the kids came in with frost on their blankets). Jer was hill folk (you can't quite see the arrows coming out of his back) and I managed to squeeze into my prom dress (the "dead" aspect was very disturbing, especially to Griffin and Jane) and assigned myself the title of "prom queen." It's amazing how your body changes over time (and babies).