A Year in Review

Douglas Family Happenings 2009

Happy New Year! Our Christmas letter is a little late in getting out this year…but I figured better late than never. We have had a wonderful year with so many exciting happenings. In March, Jim and I snuck away for a couple days to the Grand Canyon. It was breathtaking to see the beauty of God’s creations all around. Trevor and Alex had a combined birthday with Grandma Douglas in July this year. We spent the day swimming in her pool and playing on the huge waterslide. July also brought a long family trip to Texas. We spent a week with the Texas cousins during the Douglas family reunion and had a great time. We went to the Fort Worth Zoo, a jump house, the US Mint, and spent sultry afternoons swimming in the neighborhood pool. In August we closed on our beautiful new home after months of waiting for the bank to approve the short sale. We were able to find renters for our home at the last min. and made a smooth transition. We love having extra space for family and friends to come visit and we especially love the beautiful views we have. October was a very special month, as Jim and I were sealed in the St. George Temple. We had many family and friends in attendance to celebrate with us. The rest of the year has been busy with soccer, choir, orchestra, swimming, hiking, scouts, activity days, and family gatherings. We have been so very blessed this year and are so very grateful for our abundance. We are especially grateful for our loved ones and for the time we spend together.
Jim: Is still enjoying his work at the Leavitt Group, is the 11 year old scout leader and 3rd Sunday Priesthood teacher, loves spending time with the kids and is still making us all laugh.
Jess: Is enjoying spending time volunteering in each of the kids’ classrooms, is the 10-11 year old Activity Day leader, recovered well from surgery in June, and loves spending time with the kids.
Alex: Is 11 years old and in 5th grade. He played soccer this fall and is looking forward to spring season. He earned his Arrow of Light award in scouts this year. He is learning to play the viola in orchestra and has grown into a wonderful young man this past year.
Trevor: Is 9 years old and in 4th grade. He won 1st place in the Pinewood Derby with his cheese car. He is in the choir and will be a stage manager for the upcoming play The Principal and the Pea. He loves playing guitar hero on hard and expert and can outplay dad on many songs.
Ellie: Is 8 years old and in 3rd grade. She was baptized in June. She is in choir and will be Alice in the upcoming play The Principal and the Pea. She loves reading, helping mom make dinner, and going to Activity Days.
Zack: Is 6 years old and in 1st grade. He played soccer this fall and can’t wait for it to start again. He has become an excellent reader and is learning lots in 1st grade. He loves playing video games, 4 wheeling, and riding bikes.
Maddie: Is 6 years old and in kindergarten this year. She is learning to read and write “the kindergarten way”. She loves playing with her friends and helping mom around the house. She loves baby dolls and coloring.

field trip

Alex had a field trip to Mammoth Cave, Cedar Breaks, and a volcano near Mammoth Cave. I was really suprised when he asked me to go with him. He is in 5th grade and nearing the stage where parents are not so cool anymore. He really wanted me to go and I am really glad I did. Other than riding a bus for an hour an a half each way, it was a great day. The leaves were all changing colors and it was breathtaking. I love that our kids are in an area that they are so close to so many amazing things and get to take field trips that really enhance their learning.

No school!

The kids had their harvest holiday in October and had a few days off school. They were all really excited for a break and I was excited to have some time with them. It seems like the days all run together and by the time the kids get home and do homework, we eat dinner and it is bedtime. We decided to go hiking in the morning and then swimming in the afternoon. We went to Thunderbird Gardens and had a great time hiking around on the rocks. After lunch we went to the swimming pool and it was closed! The kids were so disappointed so we pinch hit and I let them all climb in the jacuzzi. They had so much fun splashing around and laughing that I had to capture the moment. The other night as we were reading we came across this poem by Shel Silverstein that made me laugh as I remembered this picture of the kids. "There's too many kids in this tub. There's too many elbows to scrub. I just washed a behind That I'm sure wasn't mine, There's too many kids in this tub."

Cedar Breaks

My mom, dad,and Carisa came down for UEA weekend and we went hiking at Cedar Breaks. It is so beautiful! We found the coolest old tree while we were hiking too. Enjoy the pics!

volcano

Alex had to make a volcano for school. It was quite the project and he did a great job. They had a day at school that the whole 5th grade had erupting volcanoes out on the playground. There was quite a variety of volcanoes and it was really fun to watch.

crazy hair day

May the force be with you.....

Our kids love to watch Star Wars (and were appalled that I had never seen any of them and did not know the characters)...so, they convinced me to watch them and then convinced me that we needed to all dress up as Star Wars characters this Halloween. Jim was Hans Solo, I was Princess Leia, Alex was Anakin, Trevor was ObiWan, Ellie was Queen Amidala, Zack was Wikit (an ewok), and Maddie was Ashoka. It turned out to be a much bigger project than I anticipated but we had a great time getting creative. Halloween night we had all Jim's family that lives close by over for dinner and trick or treating. We all had a wonderful night (even though we missed our trunk or treat).

Choir Concert

Ellie and Trevor are in the school choir this year. Their choir teacher, Mrs. Leavitt does a fantastic job. Ellie is in the front row in the green shirt and Trevor is two rows behind her in a blue shirt. Take a moment and listen to a couple of their songs-they did a great job!(sorry some of the video is sideways...If anyone has any suggestions how to turn it upright please leave a comment)

A special day!

Jim and I were sealed in the St. George temple on October 17th. It was an absolutely beautiful day....a complete opposite from our snowy wedding last year. Jim had one of his old professors and mentors, Gary Giles,seal us, which made it a very special occassion. We have had a wonderful year filled with much love and happiness and we look forward to the rest of eternity together. We had many family members and friends join us for our special day and we are so grateful for all the love and support we feel from so many.

Happy 6th Birthday Maddie!

Make a Smilebox photobook