2010 in Review
Elise (19) finished an active, memorable senior year at American Fork High. She enjoyed serving as a student body officer with amazing kids, who are lifelong friends. At the end of the summer she said to goodbye to her darling piano students and headed off to BYU with lots of friends and a big smile on her face! She lives in Heritage Halls and is loving college life and takes advantage of all campus life has to offer.
Between school, dating and social activities, we don't get to see her as often as we'd like, but we steal away time with her every once in awhile! She has great room mates and fhe brothers that we enjoy having in our home as well. She's had some fun room mate road trips and loves her BYU ward so much. We are thrilled for her to be having a wonderful experience at school. She seems to have turned into a beautiful women overnight. We really admire her drive and sense of adventure.
Jacob (9) enjoyed lots of sports this year including baseball where his team won all stars and Lynn coached. His real passion is football. He played again this fall with Lynn coaching and wants to move on to tackle this next year despite anything I have to say about it! Jacob helps tutor after school at math club and will start tutoring reading in the new year. We admire how quick he is to serve others. Piano is the price he pays for sports, and he is starting to enjoy it more and more. Cubs round out his schedule and he really likes it.
Jacob is passionate about fitness and working out. He has a hanging bar thingy on his door that he does pull ups from and weights in the basement that we have to monitor... he's still little. ;-) Eating healthy has also been a thing with him this year. I don't want to say it's an obsession, but he snacks on dried Nori sheets. He has a four pack and says he is working on a six. This year he has been learning Creole on his i-touch and would like to go to Haiti on a mission. Kung Fu is another interest and since we didn't want to pay or schedule for lessons 4 times a week, he got a dvd that he practices with. It's pretty cute. He is very dedicated to things he is passionate about. Cleaning his room is one thing he is not passionate about. One big news flash-- he found a single chest hair. Sometimes you can see it, if the lighting is just right.
Lynn & Debbie: We are adjusting to a daughter away at school and only one child at home. Babysitters are becoming more common around here as are play dates so Jacob won't be lonely. I serve as Stake Primary President and Lynn as Stake Executive Secretary. We are grateful to serve in an amazing stake and find juggling not too bad most of the time. It's easier, now that Jacob is older. We took fun trips this year, including one to the Caribbean with the kids for Elise's senior trip-great memories and Jacob's ready to go again!
We started a fun business venture with Lynn's brothers Steve and Alan opening Five Guys restaurants in upstate NY. Lynn and I spent a week there in October for the 4th store opening which was exciting. Lynn's been with Novell now 21 years and is really enjoying the work he is doing there. I still love photography and practice whenever I can, taking photo jobs when time permits. I feel I've learned more about photoshop this year. Cooking and book club are still favorite things! Visit the link to my food blog at the top of this page. I am determined to add to it in 2011! We have been doing some home renovation projects and the calendar always seems full, but we enjoy any time we can get away together!
We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year. The holidays give us opportunity to give thanks for blessings, give service to others and remember our Savior. Of all things we give thanks for, it's the knowledge of Jesus Christ we are most grateful for.
Oh.. wait... one last lonely forgotten present? Jacob holds his breath... crosses fingers... he's asked for this x of a gift for a long time, but I hate gaming systems... Santa was a softy... I blame him.
Yes.. Victorious!! It's a Christmas miracle
Shock & Awe
We had a relaxing Christmas morning and didn't get up until 8am. Whoo Hoo! Cinnamon French toast and Cocoa were breakfast. Lounging in PJ's for several hrs. was our activity!
We had Grandma Christensen and Aunt Pam over for the day. We had a traditional dinner with all the trimmings and ate Grandma's amazing homemade pumpkin pies.. and aunt Pam's incredible fudge...YUM! We played games, and went to the movies and played games. What a relaxing day!!
