Our New House

We FINALLY moved into our new house. After 1 week shy of four months, hours of worrying, and many frustrated tears--We did it. We are so happy! The kids finally have space to run around in and Joe and I have our dream home. We have a very large yard, which we can not wait to put in a pool and many other things, but for now I am content with dirt! Why you ask? Because it is MY dirt!! My dogs think that they have died and gone to heaven. We bought in a cul-de-sac, so the kids are enjoying a little more freedom riding their bikes. Our neighbors have been so welcoming. We stayed in our same ward boundaries and school district, so we are thrilled about that. Here are some pictures of the front and I hope to post more of the inside and backyard soon. Hooray!!!

LIfe without Training Wheels

Today Jenna and Ryan learned how to ride their bikes without training wheels. (I know, I know, you are all thinking that Jenna is a little old to still need training wheels, but to those of you that know Jenna at all, it makes perfect sense).

We pumped up all the kids tires and as soon as we were finished with Ryan's, he jumped on his bike and took off. No help or teaching necessary. He was a natural! He was so excited. What fun!!

Jenna, on the other hand, was not quite so easy to teach. She was scared and so frustrated and that just made it worse. After an hour of instruction I finally said enough and told her we were going to put the training wheels back on because we all wanted to go for a ride. This made her angry and she finally got it! (Who said a little reverse psychology hurts any one).

We went for a long bike ride with all of the kids. It was a beautiful day. Joseph and Jacob were so cute giving Jenna and Ryan tips on the proper way to ride and how to do jumps and wheelies. Ryan is doing it all (jumps, wheelies, crashes, you name it). Jenna is just learning to ride in a straight line--we are so proud!!

Christmas 2009

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. It was just the kids, Joe and I, and Joe's brother Brian so it was a little more quiet than we are used to, but we loved it. In spite of missing all the craziness and fun at my parents house (everyone was home in Glenwood but me this year) we wouldn't trade it for the world. On Christmas Eve we went across the street to our friends from chruch, The Arnolds, and had dessert and read the christmas story from the Bible. The kids love spending time over there, especially Jenna because they have 2 girls her age. We are so blessed to have such great friends who are members. We went home and Jenna and Ryan opened the pjs. (Joseph and Jacob were with their mom until Christmas afternoon). We talked about Jesus' birth and really felt the true meaning of Christmas.

On Christmas morning the boys called the house at 6:30 AM and were so excited to tell us everything Santa had left them. Joe and I laid in bed and chatted until we finally went in and woke Jenna and Ryan up at 7:30. They ran out and the merriment began!! I love watching my kids open the gifts on Christmas. I cry every year! This year I also bought Joe his first shotgun and he was even more excited than the kids!! I loved it! Joe also spoiled me this year. I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful, loving, and caring husband. I adore him!

We opened some of the presents under the tree and left some to be opened with the boys later. We went and picked up Joe's brother and the boys and then it really got crazy.

After all of the gift opening and playing with all the new toys we started dinner. we decided that we wanted to cook what we love to eat for our Christmas meal this year so Joe made homemade salsa and guacamole, carne asada and barbacoa pork rolled tacos and I made pollo asade enchiladas. It was sooo yummy. The kids loved it and we ate until we could hardly move. My dad said it was sacreligious but I don't care. It was tasty.

After we ate, we just spent the rest of the day enjoying eachothers company and talking on the phone to family. We didn't turn the TV on one time!

I hope everyone and wonderful Christmas this year and may the coming new year be cheery and bright!!

Seasons Greetings to family and friends

I know, I know, It is crummy of me not to put any real photos on my blog, but I don't have the time or energy right now to download any from the camera so this is what you get! I did update our family photo so that is something.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We spent the holiday in Utah with my parents, Ashleigh, and Scott's family (and Grandma Lois of course). We were also lucky enough to hook up with my cousin John and his family in Beaver (they were on their way to St George for the holiday). We were in Utah for 6 days and loved every minute.

We are staying in California for Christmas this year and should be getting a visit from my parents at some point during the holidays. The kids, Joe and I are so excited for Christmas this year. I love this time of year. I love the feeling in the air. We were able to give to two families for the Salvation Army this year at my work and it was so fun. I think I get more excited over giving to others than I ever do about getting gifts for myself.

I also love this time of year because everyone is reflecting on Christ and his birth. Every song has that special meaning behind it. I find myself in tears most mornings on my way to work because I put in my CDs and I just feel so inspired and close to the Lord. I am so thankful that I have my Savior in my life. I would be lost without him.

May you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Love,
Susannah, Joe, Joseph, Jenna, Jacob, and Ryan

Odds and Ends

Just thought I would add some new pictures. I have been way to busy lately and have had no time to do this. So--here are some new photos. They are from all kinds of places and festivities.

Big Bear Camping Trip

For the last outing of the summer, Joe and I took the kids camping at Big Bear Lake to a place called Hanna Flats. We had so much fun and the kids had a blast.We saw Tyson, the original skate boarding dog. We went to the Big Bear Discovery Center, we went to the Zoo, we went on the Alpine slide and just hung out at camp and enjoyed nature. It was a great way to spend the last few warm nights of summer.

Ryan's first lost tooth!

Ryan lost his first tooth the other night when we had the missionaries over for dinner. he was so excited. We had to stop dinner and get pictures and call grandma. My baby is growing up way to fast!!