Cheer competition

Cassie is on her middle schools cheer leading team.  In January they traveled to Burley, Idaho for a local competition against other middle school teams.  The competition was cheer, dance and students.  They did such a good job.  I was a proud mom.  Here are some shots.  

 Winning first place...they were so excited.  After the competition was over, we all went out to lunch in Twin Falls, then we (as a family) stayed the night in a hotel, saw family in Burley and just enjoyed our time swimming, relaxing, shopping and eating.

Happy Birthday, Mark

Today is Mark's 43rd birthday.  I love that man!!  He is the greatest!  The day started out with him working out at Crossfit (one of his many loves), Chase singing his version of the happy birthday song, then off to work.  I brought him treats to share with his friends/co-workers...donuts ;).  He and I got some quiet time away at lunch and tonight will be the family dinner at The Olive Garden.  Presents and chocolate cake to follow.  Happy Birthday, Mark!

Happy Birthday, Madeline

Madeline turned 11 years old on February 21.  It was a Friday and just happened to be Donuts with Dad day at school, so she started the day off with Mark and Chase at her school eating donuts for breakfast.  Is there not a better way to start off a birthday?!  Then at lunch the 5th graders sang to her and she passed out treats and had Wendy's brought to her at lunch.  After school she opened presents, then off to her dads for the week.  So, when she came home we had our family dinner at the Cheesecake factory, went to watch the Idaho Stampede (basketball) and then had lemon cake (her request).  Happy Birthday, Madeline!

catch up...

Does it always seem like I get behind and then have to do a big catch up?  Well, it does to me!!!  So, here we go again.

family pictures

In January, we had all of our family together for a short 20 hours.  Thankfully, Mark's sister-in-law was able to meet us and take a few family pictures before everyone went their ways.  We won't be all together again for at least another 2 years (now that Caleb has left for his mission). 

Post surgery

 After Christmas, Mark was able to remove his bandages from his knee surgery and check things out.  Here are some pictures.  the recovery has gone pretty smooth.  He worked so hard to get off his pain medication and crutches within the first 2 days of surgery, that he eventually had to go back on them.  He was having so much pain in his foot from trying too soon to walk that there was worry he may have given himself a stress fracture.  He was x-rayed and told to use his crutches, so he was back on them for about 1 week a week after he stopped using them.  He is now about 3 1/2 weeks post surgery and has been working out and is  back at work.  He is hoping to be off light duty next week and given the green light to do whatever he wants to do (which he already does...)

Christmas

Christmas was so great this year.  we had all the kids Christmas eve and Christmas morning.  We woke up bright and early and came downstairs to see what Santa brought.  Mark led the pack down (slowly)

 Then the kids came down.

 And the scene (at least what was captured in this corner).  Santa came and brought each person their stocking a a few gifts.  We decided that this year we would focus on family and family gifts instead of individual gifts.  We got a new computer, a new trampoline, new video games for the family to play, board games, movies, popcorn maker, etc.    

After all the excitement of the gifts, we had breakfast, then the girls left to spend the next 10 days with their dad.  Everyone took naps while I went for a run.  We then watched a family movie and then prepared for our dinner.  We were able to have the LDS missionaries join us for Christmas dinner.  I was so excited they would be joining us.  I can't imagine being gone for 2 years from your family and it being Christmas.  I am so glad the opportunity presented itself.  We also had Mark's parents join us.  We had ham, prime rib and all the fixings.  We ended the night with a big chocolate cake and some games with the family and the missionaries.  I think what I loved most is that having the missionaries there extended the day into the night.  We didn't turn the TV on all night, it was just hanging out time and talking about Christmas and Jesus.  I am hoping having the missionaries every year can become a tradition (especially since over the next 2 years we will be hoping someone takes Caleb and his companion in on Christmas so they don't have to spend it alone)