January 2010

Ok. So it has been a year since I posted. I couldn't even remember my password to sign into by blog. But I thought for the sake of posterity, I would at least TRY to blog once a month. So here goes....

Well first of all we did have a great Christmas. So here are a couple of pictures of Christmas.


I have never had Christmas presents put away so quickly as I did last Christmas. We hosted the Wells Family Christmas party and had all 41 members of the Wells clan at our house on December 26th. That meant the house had to be spick and span.

January has been a fun month for Maren. She has found the fine art of Dress Up,make-up, and friends. It never ceases to amaze me how "girly" Maren is. And just how inherently different little girls and little boys are.

Maren has also fell in love with "Zhu Zhu" pets. As has her mother, who thinks they are the perfect pets. They are little mechanical hampsters. Very cute! They of course go everywhere with us; from the grocery store, to the mall, even to church.

Maren has earned her "Zhu Zhu" pets by going to the Potty. Potty training is going well and we hope to be diaper free soon!

The boys have spent most of the month trying to get back into the swing of things at school. Logan was deathly afraid of the "BAD" air from the inversion and would try and hold his breath all the way to school.

Both Logan and Ashton had the stomach flu this month and had to miss school. They are feeling better and mom is glad not to be cleaning up vomit.

Logan participated in our stake's pinewood derby this week. Grandpa Chris and Ryan helped him make it. He won the first three races which put him in the final race for 1st place. Unfortunately in a photo finish race, he was beat out. But hey, second place is not too shabby. He won the Raingutter Regatta last summer with the scouts so I tried to tell him he couldn't win everything.

Well I guess that is it for January.

Happy New Year!!

Over the last few weeks I have been reprimanded in my lack of blogging over the last month and a half. So as part of my New Year's resolution, I resolve to get back on the blogging bandwagon. I will also try and back blog a few things that happened in November and December.

With that said, here are my other New Year's Resolutions (I hear if you write them down you are more likely to do them:

1- Keep in touch with friends and family by blog, phone, and email
2- Lose the rest of my baby weight (does it count as baby weight when your baby is 2?)
3- Let my husband know how much I appreciate and love him more often
4- Get my house unpacked and decorate
5- Read the Doctrine and Covenants
6- Laugh more and stress less
7- Play more games with my children

I think that will keep me busy all year. Wish me luck!!

Fun at the old Snow Fort

Logan and Ashton got to have a camping trip (sleep over) at Grandma Lu and Grandpa Chris's house on Friday night. They were really excited to try out their new sleeping bags and flashlights that they got for Christmas.

In the morning they made (Chris made) an awsome Snow Fort in the back yard. Logan was a little nervous that it would cave in, but Ashton was fearless. They all had a really good time until boring mom came and picked them up. I am so thankful for wonderful grandparents who will play in the really cold snow so I don't have to!

Merry Merry Christmas

Once again the highlight of my year was Christmas. There is just something about the glow of the lights on the tree and the anticipation of gifts to make you feel like a kid again.

And once again we were abundatly blessed with many gifts under the tree and many excited faces. Logan was excited about the Nerf gun Wii game that he received. Ashton wasn't sure about the Gorilla Mountain animal set that he got, but since then he and Maren have spend a lot of time playing with it. Ashton has also enjoyed the Dora Wii game that he got.

Maren must have wished for a cleaner house since she received a toy broom, mop and vacuum. You can find her busy around the house trying to carry them all in her arms.

After our family Christmas we headed off to my parents (all of next door) for breakfast and more presents. The boys were more than excited to open Ninendo DS game systems (but I must admit that I have been playing them too). Maren received a Little Mermaid ride on that she really enjoys.

Ryan and I also enjoyed opening our gifts of towels and rugs, video games, gift certificates to restuarants for dates (something we really need after all the stress of the house), calendar, and books.

The best gift, I think, was the Japanese outfits that my parents brought back for the kids from their trip. My uncle had brought back me a Japanese outfit from his mission when I was much younger, and so it reminded me of that. The kids were so cute.

After all the festivities, we went home for a long winter's nap. The only down side was that Ryan had to go to work that night. But we are extremely grateful for his job, especially at this time, so we won't complain too much.

The kids never have enough time to play with their toys on Christmas, so they have enjoyed the Christmas break. It has been fun playing their games, watching their shows, and playing with the toys they got for Christmas.

Wells Family Christmas

Due to crazy schedules, we usually have Christmas with Ryan's family before Christmas. This year we had it on the evening of the 23rd. We had it at our house since there is more room. We had a nice dinner that Lu prepared and then we exchanged gifts. I am always amazed at the thoughtfulness of Ryan's family in coming up with gifts for our children. Logan got a chess board. Logan has taken up chess this past year and will play anybody who will play with him repeatedly until they tell him they can't play anymore. Ashton received a scooter. He had one that was too small, so now he will be able to keep up with Logan as they zoom around the block. Maren really liked the fish book that she received. She makes us read it to her often. I am greatly blessed to be part of such a great family.
Logan also received a fishing pole from his grandparents. This is his dance of joy after getting it.

Unexpected visitor

We had a very unexpected visitor come today. Santa Claus came bursting through our door about 8:00 p.m. He had reindeer antlers and blinking red noses for the children to put on. Then we all sang "Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer." Maren was so excited and Ashton was a little star struck. Logan thought he looked ridiculous but didn't want to offend Santa.

After singing, we each got a chance to sit on Santa's lap and tell him our last minute wishes for Christmas. Ashton told him that he didn't need anything else but me for Christmas. How sweet! Logan went on about getting another Wii (we already have one) and some Bakugan stuff. Santa said that he would have to see about that.

I wished for a clean house or something like that and Ryan wished for tools (he actually didn't get any tools for Christmas, he must have been bad this year). Maren didn't wish for anything, but got a candy cane and that was the best gift he could have given her.

We all had a great time and when Santa had to leave we all watched out the back door to see if we could see his sleigh and reindeer fly off. We must have missed him, but hopefully we will catch him next year.

Logan's Baptism

We had an amazing day today. Logan decided to be baptized a member of the Church. We were so proud of his decision and were excited for this event in his life.
What we didn't expect was the overwhelming showing of support that we were shown. Not only did Logan have many family members there, he had many of his friends there.



Logan took the pre-baptism lessons from the Hooten's in our ward and Bishop Brock did his interview. His birthday is in September, but we waited until now because my parents were out of town on their cruise and because Colby and Emily were in town for Thanksgiving.

Before his baptism my dad (Grandpa Zobell) gave a great talk about baptism. After him, Grandma Lu gave a very personal talk about the Holy Ghost. She compared it to the light of the camping fires that we light when we go camping with them.

Next, Ryan performed the baptism. Logan was a little scared of the water, but he did great. Ryan also confirmed Logan and gave him the Holy Ghost. It was a very sacred day and one full of the spirit (at least when Maren wasn't screaming).

After the baptism we had everybody over to our new house for a little luncheon. Since we had only moved in a week before, not everything was put away, but enough to have the party. It was a great day and one we will remember forever!