2015 Here We Come

2015 started whether I was ready or not.  Between the business of kids' activities, everything to do with Christmas, and getting sick way too frequently it definitely seemed like the year started without me.

Right at the beginning of the year I had to give up my Wiseman trophy.  I had won it last year - but had to relinquish it to Jeraldine - the big winner for this year.

My 2014 Wiseman Trophy!

Bye, bye trophy!  I hope I see you again soon.

Before the end of the school break I managed to take the kids to Sky High.  They are always begging to go so I finally took them.  I thought they could have a fun time together.  They had an "okay" time.  They did not play together.  They got bored quickly.  Halle did practice some gymnastics (when little kids weren't invading her space).  Chad enjoyed a little dodge ball and basketball.  Sean just got tired out.  Next time they need friends!  I had originally hoped to jump with them - but was still not in good enough health to do that.

We also finally managed to go and see the new Hobbit movie.  We couldn't go earlier because of my stupid, never ending cough!  Christ didn't go (not into Hobbits or 3 hour movies).  It was great!  The theater was pretty full so we sat on the very front row - just like Grandpa Hansen would have done.  The movie and treats (which the kids got plenty of) were gifts from Nanny and Grandpa as they couldn't be there to take us themselves.  Thank you!  We had a great time.

Back to school was finally a day for me to breathe!  Chris managed well at school (still recovering from foot surgery and wearing a boot), but we did have to exchange cars for a while.

We had a stake temple day on the 10th.  We scheduled our youth to attend the 7am baptisms!  I was so wanting to go in the temple - but I got put in charge of providing breakfast for everyone after.  40 breakfast burritos later and it was all good.

The thing that really killed me this month was having to register Chad for High School.  That is right - I will have a Freshman next year.  I can still hardly believe this is happening.  Registration was a 3 hour deal!  All I know is that I don't know how Chad is going to be able to take all the classes that he wants to!  (He wants to do Orchestra plus be a part of some science curriculum that adds extra classes.)  Plus doing sports and early morning seminary.  I'm already totally stressed!!!!!  I'm sure Chad will handle it all like a champ.  Next year will absolutely be crazy!  One in High School, one in Middle School, and my last at Elementary School.  Where did those baby years go?!  I'm totally ready to just sign them all up for preschool again.

For Martin Luther King day Chase celebrated by having a con with Happy Watkins giving part of the MLK speech.  The Jazz Band performed and the Orchestra performed, and I played along with the Choir.  (So no pictures of course).  Adams also had their con - but I couldn't make it.  Sean got to sing in the choir for their con, which I didn't even know about until a few days later.  Oh well.

Chad had another bass recital.  He worked really hard on this piece and did an excellent job.  It is amazing how far he has come and what is possible to play on the bass!  The talent at the recital was amazing!  (Just a little long a times.)

Sean started doing basketball at school.  I can't wait for his first (of two) game(s).

Sean has also been working hard at Cub Scouts.  He earned a lot of activity badges and his Webelos patch at the last pack meeting.  The pack meeting was also the Blue and Gold banquet (why don't they do this in February when it is supposed to be?!) which we had to miss in order to attend the Math Night being held at Adams.  Sean, dad and I went to the Math Night but were only there a little while when they closed shop (a half an hour earlier than the flyer said).  Oh well, Sean still had some fun.

Sean and buddies getting their awards at the Blue and Gold banquet.

One very proud "Webelo"

Dad and Sean playing a math game at Adams.

I was crazy enough to let my kids have a party to celebrate the half way mark of school.  At first when I introduced the idea - I was only imagining them/us/family having a party.  But then they all decided to invite some friends so I went with it.  I made them totally in charge.  It turned out okay.  Chad had invited two friends, and one cancelled right before the party.  So he was disappointed but still had a good time with the other friend.  Halle invited two friends also, and only one showed up - but it was kind of nice.  This is a new friend for Halle and it gave them time to have girl time together.  Sean invited two friends and they both showed up!  They were a rowdy bunch - but fun.

My last bit of news.  I was finally able to see an allergy doctor.  Good  news and bad news.  Dr. Drain thinks she can get me feeling way better again.  The reason?  I have plenty of allergies that have been building up in my system and making me sick and cough all the time.  The devastating news is that I am allergic to cats, gerbils and rats.  All animals that I love!!!!  And we have gerbils and rats in the house at the moment.  So I can't clean out their cages (darn shucks) and have to wash my hands after handling them (which I already do anyway).  But I am so sad to know that I am allergic to cats.  That was going to be my one consolation if anything happened to Chris.  No dating - never getting married again - just be a crazy cat woman.  I guess that plan in now cancelled.  (Now I will have to go with plan B which is to get goats - they are totally cool!)   I am also allergic to grass, weeds and sage.  I am now on daily allergy medicine, an inhaler, and nose spray.  I have another check up in 6 weeks.  Life will be so great if I don't get sick every week!

December 2014

Wow - then end of the year.  As usual, can't believe another year has flown by.  December has got to be the longest and busiest month ever.  It hardly seemed like December, or Christmas for that matter, as we have had no snow (until Saturday).

Halle had one last volleyball game.  (At Chase against Northwood)

Serving

Ready for the incoming serve

Ready as always.

I actually see a smile on her face.

My van got hit.  I was parked out on the street at a Young Women's meeting when it happened.  Luckily the guy who hit me came and found me.  If he had not told me I doubt I would even have noticed anything for at least a day or so as it was on the back passenger side.  More than anything I was just mad that I now had one more thing to take care of during December when I was already stressed to the max.  It is now fixed and looking great (and smelling like new paint).  Grateful that this was our first "accident" and that everything worked out okay.

Cracked bumper.

Pushed in side panel.

The Chase Jazz band performed along with the Ferris Jazz Orchestra at First Night in December at River Front Square.  They did a great job.  There is nothing like jazzy Christmas music.

Halle ready with her tenor sax.

Chad with the electric bass.

Both of my Jazz kiddos.

Saxes get a spotlight.

Chase and Ferris together.

Chad finished off his wrestling season with the Spokaloo tournament.  He went into the tournament ranked second.  He got a bye the first round match.  He had a tough second round match and was ahead in points until the third round and then just lost at the end.  It was a disappointing loss as it meant he was kicked down to the losing bracket and could only get to 5th place at most.  He stayed tough and won his next two matches to get 5th place in the tournament.  He has really become a good wrestler this year.

Chad and Northwood opponent in the background.  He just couldn't quite get this guy.

Against Mt. Side.

It is a win for Chad.

Chad gets ready for his last match against fellow Chase wrestler for 5th place.

Chad wins to take 5th place.

90 lb bracket

 The Chase Orchestra and Choir had their concert.

It was a packed commons room - but you can see the basses.

Chad playing "Jingle Basses"

More of the orchestra.

Me at the piano.

The Chase Band had their concert - including Jazz and Wind Ensemble.

Chad is on the left, Halle is behind the piano music.  Chase Jazz performance.

Chad at the bass.

Standing for the end of their performance.  I can finally see Halle.

Getting ready for Wind Ensemble - sucking on their reeds.

End of performance.

The Chad Man.

My musical kiddos.  Just wait until Sean gets in the picture!

Chris had surgery to fix his toes.  He gets to wear a boot for six weeks - and has to have my van as he can't drive his car with a clutch.

The first look at the incision area - a week after surgery.

The big toe and plenty of swelling.

We shared our talents for our family Christmas Eve party.

Sean attempts to solve the Rubik's cube in record time.

Solved!  In 1 minute and 27 seconds.

Halle gets down with some funky sax music.

Justin reads a funny Christmas poem.

Chad and mom play "O Little Town of Bethlehem" together.

Jackson makes a video for Alyssa.

I forgot to take more pictures after that.  Chris presented everyone with a spiritual "gift."  Jeff, Linda, and Alyssa played Christmas Family Feud, and Mike played Christmas trivia.  (And of course mom and dad read the Christmas story and we sang Silent Night.)

Before going to bed, the kids got to open their Christmas Eve present.  This year is was BYU jammies and a BYU ornament for all plus a favorite book.

My BYU triplets.

On Christmas day Santa had delivered some awesome gifts.

Chad finally got an electric bass guitar.

Sean is now our little drummer boy.

Halle finally got her I-pod (hooray for a quiet gift!)

It is not Christmas until we have breakfast lasagna and English Christmas crackers!

Sean got to be first at everything this year.  Opening gifts from Grandma and Bompa.

Sean got an orange shirt, sweat pants, a karaoke machine, and CDs.

Chad showing off his new fancy basketball shoes.

Getting the video game he wanted:  Madden 15.

Halle has a huge stack of boxes to unwrap.

Lots of new clothes for Halle.

Dad gets his usual socks, golf shirt, and golf balls.

The big gift from mom and dad?  The kids got new bath towels and the promise of an updated kid bathroom!

My parents spoiled the kids too!

Sean got an assortment of puzzle cubes and more hexabug stuff.

Halle received a doodle book and an office chair.

Chad got all the necessary equipment needed for his bass guitar - an amp, wires, and strap.  (I didn't get a picture though - you will just have to come and see him jam out with all his cool stuff.)

For New Year's Eve there was a "plot twist" this year.  The kids all got parties and Chris and I just stayed home and watched some TV.  Unfortunately I was too sick and exhausted to host our annual Five Crown's Tournament so I had to cancel our party.  Chad got to attend the youth dance.  Halle and Sean got invited to a friends house to party.

Bye, bye 2014.