To give or not to give, part 4!

When posting, do NOT push enter after the title or you will have 3 titles with no posts! what an airhead! Anyway, on to the post! I know it's Christmas time and we are all busy, but if you read this even after the holidays, your opinion would be helpful. Recently, the Ralph Hawks siblings had a conversation about the gift giving tradition amongst themselves. Right now, we shop for 1 sibling/sibling's family. Sometimes it is very difficult and stressful to find the "right" gift (and we only shop for 1 sibling!) Chris had a very good point that as our families get larger, it becomes more difficult. So, what do other families do to remain close, yet not stress over the gift giving? I'm obviously in my own "zone" here, so if it doesn't make sense, then still leave a nice comment-k-

When I grow up...

I want to be just like YOU!! "I smile because you are my sister, I laugh because there isn't anything you can do about it!" Trina makes everything funner (is that a word?). She even talked me into running with her and later that day our families had our tradition Thanksgiving soccer game (parents vs kids, and as usual, we won!). The soccer game lasted for 2 hours! Oh, the pain, my thighs still hurt! But the next morning, off we were jogging again. I guess I just like to spend time with Trin! Did I mention that she takes great pictures! And I love her lip color--all natural!

The sound of music

Athena and Derek were involved in this years' musical "The Sound of Music". Athena was the oldest daughter and Derek was the oldest son(bottom picture, center and right; Caleb Holyoak was a Nazi , left). At Friday night's performance, I came to the realization that this was Athena's last play for her high school career. I have been sobbing ever since. The top picture is of Athena, Clinton Day (bff) playing Captain von Trapp, and Ivy Hazelett (bff) playing Maria. Athena and Derek had a superb time. I'm glad that they have this experience to help them be closer siblings. Already, we giggle about the fun things in their performances. Children are such a joy!

KUDOS TO CINDY EREKSON

I just had to post this! Children playing the piano without their mother nagging? Derek said, "Athena come play with me, I learned a new version to heart and soul." Then they proceeded to play the duets they knew. I love this! Cindy is our teacher and a super motivator! Often Derek chooses music that is above his level, and Cindy never dissuades him. I wish this picture wasn't so blurry. Anyhow, we cheer and dedicate this post to Cindy!

SUU here we come!

We toured SUU with Athena last Friday at the Distinguished Scholars Day, and we loved it! So she will be attending SUU next fall. Jimmy and I were delighted with the school and almost enrolled ourselves!! I loved that they are an university with a small college feel. I think that Athena will blossom and grow beautifully there.

Webelos scout leader???

Yes, it is true! I am a new webelos scout leader. And the picture doesn't accurately portrait my bugged out eyes! (but my freckles are cute, :), he, he) When Jimmy was called to be scoutmaster, I laughed at him for 3 days. Apparently, my punishment is to serve in scouts, too. I'm only allowing him 3 days of laughter (we should be equal, right?) But actually, now that I've had time to become adjusted to the idea, I AM SO EXCITED! Scouts just get to play while they learn. Plus Aaron will join my den in February, so that is an added bonus. (I'm letting him come now, he just doesn't get to earn anything till his birthday.

Pumpkin Cookies

Okay, so Jimmy's favorite cookie is pumpkin chocolate chip. We make them, like, never. Today, we thought that we would show Jimmy how much we love him by making his favorite cookies. Amazingly, they turned out really well. So we dedicate this post to Jim-Bob, our favorite husband, father, protector, provider, over-all-nice guy! I wish that I got a picture of him devouring them!

Senior sports awards night

We are so proud of Athena! She did great in tennis and soccer this year! We rarely saw her because of long practices (2) and traveling. Now that the season is over, I can say how much we enjoyed watching her excel (at the time, it was so absorbing.) Isn't she cute?

water aerobics rocks!

Normally, I would never allow anyone to photograph me in a swimming suit, however, I am mostly hidden by the water! he he ha ha! I love water aerobics!!! This picture was taken on a Saturday when Derek was lifeguarding, (who else would I dare ask to take a pic?). Only 2 weeks left of water aerobics and then back to sore knees. Thanks Cass for continuing to teach aerobics even when the weather is chilly.

Halloween fun

Okay, so I am posting backwards, oh well. I will get the hang of this. And this post is for Trina anyway, so Trin, deal with it!!!!! My cute kids: Tierra in a poodle skirt, Aaron as the skeleton, Jameson is spidey, Arthur is frankenstein and Whytters is a dragon. Jimmy and I dressed up as soccer referrees (are you shocked?) too bad we didn't get pictures of us!!

I just want to make the bed!

Here is a picture of Whytney wearing her sheets. She will not let me have them and insists that she will make the bed herself. I took this picture to show the results of her making her bed. Aaron is also in the picture sitting on the heating vent doing his math.

Eating donuts with vampire teeth

Another picture of Tierra's party. We will figure out how to post more than 1 picture as we go along. Help Trina!!!

This is from Tierra's 12th birthday party. We had a masquerade party. We missed Kayley and wondered why she wouldn't travel 4 hrs. to party with us, but oh well.

Athena and her friend Kim waiting for the boys to pick them up for the Jr. Prom. "Watch out boys, you don't know what your in for".

Our favorite couple

This is by far one of the funnest, cutest, most adorable couples we have ever met!! We so wish we could be just like them! You two are GREAT! And so dang cute! Thanks for the great examples and sweet spirits that you are!

Sleeping in the camp trailer

We had so much fun camping during our trip to Salt Lake. The cousins ROCK! Even though it was raining, there was no way that they were going to sleep inside when they could be outside in the trailer.

Yummy Chocolate

Chocolate, chocolate... we love you dear

Chocolate, chocolate.... you are our friend

Chocolate, chocolate....we want you near

Chocolate... please don't go to our rear end!

He he

Read the blog first then watch the video.

Poor Athena! This video is pretty dark, but turn up the sound and you'll get the idea. She has a friend named Greg and they have been chatting about meeting up since she's was in Salt Lake for State Tennis. They decided to meet after the first Sunday session of Conference. Well, we (Brian, Trina, Nettie & Jimmy) decided to play a trick on Athena. Trina went around the house to the front door and knocked - here's what happened next.

Aaron and Tierra's Performance

Aaron was the Big Bad Wolf and Tierra was the Narrator! They were so darn cute and it was so much fun!