Back Home...Looking Back and Forward!

We drove straight through the night--although rough on me and Kevin, all the kids slept so it was quick and almost painless. We arrived home around 7am. Everyone went to bed for a few hours and then the children joined Kevin on the roof to take down Christmas lights. As usual, I stayed inside and refused to watch.

Gracie also did a little window washing.

It's always fun for me, at the beginning of a new year, to look back at all that happened in our family the year before...

-Kevin went back to school and retired from towing (if you're wondering, he and we haven't missed him towing not for one second!)
-Lilly joined our family!

-I was able to get together with all my sisters in Seattle for the first time in 10 years!

-I got to meet THE Daryl Hoole and continued to build a friendship with her throughout the year.

-The kids all started a new year in school--with Dakota and Emmy starting Jr High and High School and Jackson starting his Sr year.

-We have a baby boy on the way!

-Janie is officially potty trained!! (Possibly the most exciting news of the entire year :)

I also love to look ahead to what's in store for the coming year. The best part I find are the things that come as surprises, that we don't anticipate or see coming! A few things we're looking forward to are...

-Jackson graduating from High School, being ordained an Elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood, and starting college up at Utah State University.

-Welcoming Fin to our family in May (I've nick named him Fin, short for Finale, until Kevin decides what his name will be--we have a little agreement, I pick the girls names and he picks the boys names)

-Emmy finishing her goal of doing baptisms at all of the Temples in Utah before her 16th birthday, getting her drivers license and being old enough to date.

-Gracie turns 8 and will be baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

-Lots more fishing for the boys and if the girls behave Dad may take them along too. And in addition to that, lots more episodes of Sluffin' It Outdoors!

It's going to be a great year!