Grace's First Goal Today

(Old soccer picture, not today)

Today was an exciting day for Grace. She has really taken a liking to soccer over the last year. The league we started with didn't really offer any coaching or direction and since I never played, I was no help. Last spring we changed to a different league and she was finally learning how to play the game and develop skills. Even though she loved it last year and the team had improved a lot, they still didn't win any games. This year they have gotten together a good team of girls and a great coach. So far they have tied one game and won the other three. Today the score was 5-0 and Grace made her first goal. Dad had to go on a camping trip last night and wasn't able to be there. Right before the game started she said "What if I make my first goal today and dad's not there?" I guess she could just feel it was her time. I told her I would just have to cheer extra loud for the both of us and that is what I did. After the game was over we all went for ice cream cones to celebrate and now I owe her a dollar. That is the deal we made with her and Tyler. We'd give them a dollar for a goal scored. Great job sweetie!

Hawaii 2010

Okay, I know it has been a year and a half since I updated our blog. I keeping hearing it from everyone about my blogging inadequacies! My excuse has been my dog of a computer and how darn long it takes to upload any pictures. I have told many of you that when that momentous day comes that you see an updated post, it's because I finally got a new computer. Well, that day has arrived. I've been talking about getting a Mac for a year now and just couldn't pull the trigger, so Marty did it for me. He got me a new laptop for my birthday last week. I can't believe how fast it is!! It's amazing!! Well, anything would be amazing compared to my old computer. It really does move at snail speed. So, I'm still trying figure everything out and it will probably take a bit but I do love the Mac.

I'm not sure that I can recap the last year and a half so I think I will just start with the summer.

Back in June Marty and I went to Maui to celebrate our 10 year anniversary, without kids!! This was very exciting for us since we really haven't had an actual vacation without kids basically since Grace was born. We drove to CA with the kids and dropped them off with my brother and his wife. Thank you Chad and Karen!! I have to say, I have about the most amazing brother around. Karen was preparing to leave the following week with Sophia on a 3 week trip to Peru so Chad did most of the babysitting himself. He dropped us off at the San Diego airport and headed straight to the San Diego Zoo with the three kids, by himself! I'm not sure I am brave enough to do that alone. Chad, Campbell and Sophia kept them so busy they didn't have any time to miss us. It was great because we got a vacation and so did they. The only problem is they now want to move back to CA so they can spend everyday at the beach.

This was the view from the balcony of our room.

We stayed at the Wailea Marriott Resort. Finally we were

able to take advantage of Marty's occupation. The resort was beautiful!

Our side of the island hadn't seen rain in 4 months,

but the last day we were there is poured and

we were able to catch some beautiful rainbows.

We went snorkeling and swam with the turtles.

This was a big highlight for me.

Roadside fruit stand where we met some members of the

local ward who happened to know some friends on mine.

On the Road to Hana we encountered a man with parrots.

He asked who wanted to hold the birds. It was only after they

were draped across me that he informed me I had t0 pay him $20.

It wasn't the most comfortable experience for Marty.

The claws were digging into his scalp. Another time

he wished he had a little more hair on top.

Parrot kisses!

Waterfall along the way to Hana.

Oheo Gulch

Right after we got in the water we were kicked out due

to flash flood warnings. You would never know by looking

at this, but if you looked in the other direction, the wind was blowing

like crazy and you can get washed out to see with no warning at all.

Nathan's 2nd Birthday

Nathan is officially a terrible two year old!!!

Gracie and Tyler decided that Nathan would like to spend his birthday at Chuck E. Cheese. I think they were right! Nathan had a great time, along with the rest of the family. We decided just to spend the day together with our little family.

Nathan riding the ever favorite clock chair!

We're glad to see that dad & Tyler's love for Monster Trucks

has also been passed along to Nathan & Gracie.

I think the basketball game was his favorite.

He could have played it for hours!!!

After Chuck E. Cheese, we went home for cake and presents. Nathan has fallen in love with the movie, Madagascar 2. He wants to watch it all day long. Gracie and Tyler have been pretty good about letting him always choose the movie, but I think they are getting a little sick of it. He will run up to me and say "Mooie, mooie!!" That is what he calls it. What he is trying to say is "move it, move it" from the song. He really likes Alex the Lion and has the lion roar down pat. So that is why we decided to make him a lion cake.

Wouldn't you know that the cheap "party favor" was

the big hit, for all the kids. I guess we should have saved our money!

Nathan got a new trike since dad accidentally ran over the other

trike just a few weeks earlier and broke off a wheel.
Nathan & Tyler with their matching Harley's.
Playing catch with dad!

Boys Playing In The Snow

Tyler & Nathan decided to suit up and head to the back yard after a nice big snow storm. Who new the play set could be as much fun in the winter as the summer. Doesn't Nathan remind you of the little brother from "A Christmas Story" in his puffy coat. He's just missing the scarf wrapped a hundred times around his head!

At least the snow is a softer landing than the grass!

Snow angel anyone?

Look at that sweet face. How do you ever get mad at that!?!

Christmas 2008

Yes, I am very behind and have a lot of catching up to do. Hopefully I will get caught up over the next few weeks.

Thanks to my friend Lindsay, we finally had a decent family picture this year for the holidays and I could have sent out Christmas cards, but it still didn't happen. I am really hoping that 2009 will finally be the year!! Gracie had a Christmas choir performance at the Joseph Smith Memorial building in early December.

Gracie, Rubee, Cameron & Lizzy

American Fork Children's Choir performance

at Joseph Smith Memorial Building

Keeping in tradition, we attended the children's Christmas Party for all the Marriott employees. This is always a highlight of the season. They get to sit on Santa's lap, make jingle bell necklaces, Rudolph candy canes, color pictures, eat ice cream, cookies, caramel pop corn, and candy from Santa. What more could any kid want!?!?!

Even Dad got to sit on Santa's lap!!!

This was the first year Tyler would go near the dance floor.

He really got into it and started break dancing.

He's got more rhythm than his father, that's for sure!!!

Gracie at her school Christmas sing a long.

Christmas Eve

Keeping with tradition, we had Nana Carol and Papa Reed come down for a sleep over. We made cookies for Santa and celery sticks for the reindeer. We added a little something new this year. We played the 12 Days of Christmas song and dance. The kids had a blast and it was especially fun watching Nana and Papa act out the song.

The kids with their cookies for Santa and

everyone wearing their new Christmas jammies.

Gracie & Kit with their matching jammies. The

one thing Gracie really wanted for Christmas.

Thank you Allie and Autumn for all the

High School Music paraphernalia.

Tyler with his new Monster Trucks.

Nathan & Mater.

Christmas afternoon was spent at Grandma & Grandpa Sandgren's with the whole family.

All the boys with their new Santa hats.

"One of these kids is doing his own thing, one of these

kids is not like the others!"

Go Utes!!

Tyler & his new Ute hat.

Nathan too.

All the girls sporting the newest fashion of flashing reindeer noses.

Gracie, Faith & Megan with their red noses.

Isn't Marty cute!

December 26th with Kris, Kiera, Matt & Jen.