Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone!

We are so thankful for this time of year to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. We hope this finds you well.

We have had a great year and have enjoyed spending time together.

Brad continues to work at Progressive Insurance in the IT department. He continues to improve his skills programming skills. At church, Brad is serving in the primary with the 9 year olds. He loves his calling and is doing a fantastic job. He is able to occasionally get in a golf or racquetball game. His dad and brother were able to visit us this year in Colorado and spent 3 days golfing. Every boys dream.

I have had a busy year. I continue to take pictures and have enjoyed every photo shoot. I was able to take a photography class and I loved it. I have also started teaching preschool this year. It is going really well and I would love to continue teaching.

Tyler is 6 this year, in Kindergarten and doing really well. He is improving his hand writing skills and his reading is coming along nicely. In November, he finished his 5th soccer season. He finally scored a goal and was the happiest boy you have ever seen. He also played t-ball this year and did fairly well considering he has never played before. He also took his first leap off of grandma and grandpa's diving board. He loved it!

Tyler is a great help around the house and he loves to make Katie laugh. When the two get together they continue to laugh on a continuous basis. He has the best smile in the world.

Katie is 3 and continues to amaze me everyday. She is a little mama in training. She loves to help around the house, she loves to color and draw. Most days you will find her with markers and paper in hand. Katie knows her alphabet and I think she will be reading before she starts Kindergarten. She loves to learn and read books. If I would read to her all day, she would let me. Katie loves to swim. She was so brave as she climbed the ladder to the big slide at the pool. She tried many times but didn't have the courage to go down. One day she had enough courage and took the plunge. She loved it from then on. She also went off the diving board. She continues to ask when she can go swimming again.

We were lucky enough to have a few visitors this year. Grandma and grandpa Clonts, Grandpa Bastian, Uncle Reed and the Lindsey family. We welcome all who would love to visit.

We hope everyone has had a great year.

101 update

Here is an update on my 101 list. I still have a long way to go but I feel I can accomplish this list, at least most of it. I am really excited to really push forward this next year. In Young Women's for one of our activities we are going to be talking about goals and I get to share my 101 list with the girls and talk about how to set and accomplish goals.

1. Go to Disneyland

2. See the Braves play in Atlanta (5-12-2011)

3. Take pictures of all the temple in Utah (that are currently built 13) (2 completed)

4. Design a new business card (10-12-2010)

5. 1 photo shoot weekly for 6 consecutive weeks

6. Fit into wedding dress

7. Attend General Conference

8. Sell temple prints

9. 52 consecutive weeks w/ different theme, post picture weekly on blog

10. Attend the temple everyday for one week (tue-sat)

11. Visit a temple I have never been to...Columbus Ohio Temple 10/2010

12. Earn enough money from photo shoots to buy a full frame camera

13. Take a photography class (5-11)

14. Learn or improve 5 new photography skills White Balance, DOF

15. Read standard works: Old, New, BOM, D&C, PGP (completed BOM 2x, completed PGP)

16. Stop biting finger nails (10-11)

17. Buy a home

18. Cook dinner every night for 30 days

19. Run 5k

20. Go back to school

21. Create a March of Dimes team

22. Go to education week or women's conference

23. Weekly outing with Tyler and Katie for 2 months, then continue

24. Memorize The Family Proclamation

25. Memorize The Living Christ

26. Hold Family Home Evening for 2 consecutive months

27. Kiss Brad every day for 15 seconds for 2 consecutive months

28. Read 5 church books within 10 months

29. Quiet time with Brad for 30 minutes; no kids, no TV, no phone. 3 months daily

30. Bridal shoot or wedding (wedding in April or May)

31. Read entire conference issue for November and May

32. One night a week no TV from 6pm to bed 2 months 12-11

33. Morning scripture study before getting on the computer for 2 months

34. Write in my journal weekly for 3 months

35. Make 100 baby blankets for the NICU

36. Design another website for photography (10-11)

37. Save 10% from every photo shoot

38. Read from Book of Mormon every morning with Tyler before he goes to school. 3 months
Have family scripture study daily, 1 month then continue 1/2011
39. Pay off credit cards
40. Host a game night

41. Visit 3 states I have never been to before (Montana, Wyoming, Georgia, Ohio) 10/2010

42. No fast food for a month 1/2011

43. Watch a sunrise and sunset in the same day with Brad, NO KIDS

44. Visit 5 different museums (visited 2)

45. Encourage someone else to start a 101 list 11/2010

46. Complete a 1000+ piece puzzle by myself

47. Visit 3 national parks (Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, ...)

48. Attend an outdoor concert

49. Donate blood at least 3 times

50. Friday night date night for 2 months

51. Kiss in the rain

53. Go golfing with Brad

54. Finish Tyler and Katie's 1st year scrapbook

55. Donate $5 for PEF for every goal I do not complete

56. Invite a new family once a week to dinner for 2 months

57. Climb the incline with Brad

58. Make a new quilt for my bed

59. Finish Tyler's bed spread (10-11)

60. Make a bed spread for Katie's bed

61. Volunteer at Tyler's school once a week for 2 months 12/2010

62. One week, do not go grocery shopping for food and live off food storage

63. Start riding my bike again

64. Learn to bottle applesauce

65. Identify 100 things that make me happy

66. Plan a 6 month dinner calendar 1/2011

67. Make a "bucket list" of 20 things or places I would like to do or visit, be specific

68. Learn to make homemade bread

69. Get a couples massage

70. Floss every day for one month (Nov 2, 2010)

71. Go on a picnic with my family

72. Do 50 consecutive push-ups (hundredpushups.com) (I can't even do one now)

73. Go on a girls weekend trip

74. Blog at least once a week on family blog for 3 months

75. Start a new family tradition 11-2011 Thanksgiving Tree

76. Take a photo of 26 things, one for each letter of the alphabet and post on my photography blog

77. Go horseback riding as a family

78. Learn to identify 10 constellations

79. Memorize 25 scriptures

80. Try zumba 12/2010

81. Put together a family tree with as many pictures as possible 4 generations

82. Take a picture of my kids with their grandparents and great grandparent

83. Do the 200 sit-up challenge (twohundredsitups.com)

84. Become an organ donor

85. Post on DPS for 3 months, every challenge

86. Go to bed every weeknight at 10 for a month

87. Potty train Katie (08/2011)

88. Make a portfolio

89. Take a random road trip with Brad, we could try spontaneously, but we have kids

90. Watch a movie with Brad in the country

91. Have a big 4th of July celebration party (Brad's favorite holiday)

92. Milk a cow

93. Take a trip to Texas with my mom to find more genealogy

94. Go whale watching

95. Write 101 love notes for Brad 2/14/2011

96. Pay for someone's meal who is behind me in the drive thru (9/2011)

97. Serve 10 people in a month, random acts of kindness

98. Read 15 minutes with Tyler and Katie daily, 1 month then continue

99. Write a letter to self on 1st day of challenge to be read on last day of challenge. Letter should include how I am feeling about self, goals, and where I am spiritually. Also relationship with Brad. (10-2-2010)

100. Write another 101 in 1001 if I enjoy this challenge

101. Move back to Arizona! (really a wish)

Wow I have A LOT to do.

Tyler's 1st tooth

A couple of weeks ago I took the kids to the dentist for their 6 month check up. I was completely shocked when they told me Tyler had 2 lose teeth. He had been telling me they were lose but I never saw them move.

Monday night Tyler's 1st tooth came out. He came in from brushing his teeth with a mouth full of blood. I couldn't believe he had pulled his tooth out on his own. He was so excited. So we rinsed his mouth until it quit bleeding.

Katie was so disappointed that she hadn't lost a tooth. She was really sad.

We told Tyler to put his tooth under his pillow so the tooth fairy could come. Luckily he put it in a plastic bag because it is the tiniest tooth I have ever seen. So we took his tooth, put money in his bag and went about our business. This morning when Tyler woke up, he was the saddest boy in the world. He didn't want money, he wanted his tooth. So when he got home from school, he went straight to his room and was so happy because his tooth was back, along with the money. He thinks he is so big now.

Tyler has already lost his tooth. We can't find it anywhere. With it being so small, I don't know if we will ever find it. He was hoping the tooth fairy would put it back under his pillow. He kept checking every couple of hours. Sad boy.

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving in Arizona. We had a great time. Brad and I celebrated our anniversary and we were able to spend time with family. We were expecting some warmer weather but it was chilly. We spent a day in Mesa at the Dr, Golfland and doing a photo shoot for a great friend.

We didn't do much, but the kids loved it. They love being at my parents house. They can roam free. They play in the dirt and rocks, jumping on the trampoline, playing with the dogs and this year we went shooting. Tyler even hit a couple of targets. He said it was the best day ever. I love when that little boy smiles.

We had a big turnout for Thanksgiving dinner, unfortunately, we didn't get a picture of everyone. We got a picture on Saturday but are missing a lot of people.

We took Tyler and Katie to this coral in town that has donkeys and Shelton ponies. They enjoyed petting them.

I love going home. There is nothing like it. It is comfortable and peaceful.

Family, Friends and Giving Thanks

Last night a tragedy occurred. As we were coming back from Mesa, we saw this light on Superstition Mountains. We couldn't tell what it was, I thought maybe it was a hot air balloon and you could see the flame from it. Not really knowing what it was, we continued on our journey back to Safford. We saw 4 police cars racing down the freeway, lights and sirens driving like I had never see police cars go. I wondered what had happened and wished those safety.

When we got back to my parents house, the news came on saying there was a plane crash on the Superstition Mountains. My thoughts immediately turned to my dear friend Deanna who I knew what traveling from Idaho to Arizona. I thought maybe they had stopped in Mesa to refill their plane. Tears immediately started to roll down my cheeks. The thought of losing her was almost unbearable. The thought of her, her husband and 4 beautiful daughters passing at such a young age. I called her but their phone number had been changed. I tried to reach her on facebook and nothing. I had no way of getting a hold of her. I continued to check facebook and saw that her and her family were okay. They were safe in Safford. I felt relief for them knowing my good friends were okay.

As I continued to watch the news and see what was going on, it became known that the airplane belong to Ponderosa Aviation. That was my friend Mikel's company. Then my thoughts turned to his family. What if it was Mikel's family that was on board that plane. Again the tears rolled.

As information became available it was Mikel's brother who was on board. My heart aches for their family and for the families of those who were on the plane. There was a total of 6 people. 3 adults and 3 children. I don't know any of them but to have such tragedy come to these families is heartbreaking.

I guess the moral to my story is to love those around you. Don't argue or fight. It isn't worth it. It isn't worth being angry or upset over things that have been said or done to you. Life is to short to hold a grudge. You NEVER know when it is your turn to meet your maker. Love your family and friends more. Tell them you love them, show them you love them.

I am thankful for my friends and family. I am thankful for their love of me. I am especially thankful for my little family. I have the best husband in the world. I have 2 miracle babies that I love to death. I would not trade any of them for all the money in the world. I am thankful for the gospel in my life. I am thankful for my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I am thankful for temples and to know we can be a family forever. This is what is important to me.

To all my friends and family, I LOVE YOU! I am thankful you are a part of my life. I am thankful for the things you have taught me.

8 Years

We are celebrating our 8th anniversary this year. We have had our up and downs, many scary situations, fun times, lots of laughs and tears. Through it all it has been wonderful! I am married to the best man in the world. Brad is absolutely AMAZING! He loves me, even all my downfalls and insecurities. I can't wait to spend eternity with Brad. Happy anniversary Brad! I love you! I can't wait for all the years to come.

Happy Halloween

I know this is late but better late than never, right?
We had our 2nd Annual Halloween Party. We had about 25 kids and it was tons of fun. Totally hectic but fun. We had bowling, wrap the mummy, pin the bow tie on mr bones, pumpkin toss and bean bag toss. At the end we had a pumpkin made out of balloons. Everyone got to pop a balloon and there was a treat in side. We then had pizza and cupcakes. I think everyone had a great time, kids and adults. Thanks to everyone for coming and helping this be a success.

Soccer Season

Tyler recently finished his 5 soccer season. He has improved A LOT! He still has a long way to go but this little boy is starting to get the hang of it. He even scored a goal this year. I wish I would have gotten pictures of it but I was way to busy cheering for him. It was so fun to see. I can still see the smile on his face. He was beaming ear to ear.

After the game was over, Tyler's coach called him to congratulate him on his goal and a great game! We have the most amazing soccer coach. We have been with Ron since the beginning and the same boys too. It has been really fun getting to see them learn the game of soccer.
Tyler's coach would tell the boys to get on a red shirt. Tyler would guard his guy....literally! He wouldn't pay attention to where the ball was, he was too busy watching his guy.

Thankful Tree

Tonight for Family Home Evening, we are talking about giving thanks. I found a talk called Gratitude and Thanksgiving by President Marion G Romney (link here:

http://lds.org/friend/1985/11/gratitude-and-thanksgiving?lang=eng&query=give+thanks ) It talks about the 10 lepers. It made me think how ungrateful I am sometimes and I need to give thanks more.
Starting tonight, we will create out Thankful Tree. Every day we each will write something we are thankful for on our leaves and create a beautiful fall tree. I hope it will remind us of the things we should give thanks for everyday. Our Heavenly Father has given us so much and we are indebted to Him for all we have.

Here is what our tree looks like now .

First Snow

This morning we woke up to snow. Tyler's soccer game was cancelled and so we stayed in most of the day. Around 2 o'clock is finally stopped snowing. Oh how I can't stand cold weather, especially SNOW! I think we got between 2-3 inches of snow. I hope this isn't a forerunner of how our winter is going to be this year.

Field Day

Tyler had Field Day at school. The entire school participates. They set up races and all the kids compete against each other. Everyone gets a ribbon. It is really fun to watch. All the kids love Timber, he is the school mascot. Katie wanted to follow him around everywhere.

The first race of the day for Tyler was the shoe throw. He got 2nd place in that event.

Then we moved on to the "sac race". That isn't Tyler's strong point, he ended up in 6th place. Better luck next year.

He ran the 40 yard dash. There are some fast kindergartners. I love the smile on his face!The run around the school. He did good. He got 3rd.

Receiving his ribbon

Tyler truly excelled in the long jump. He got 1st place. I guess the boy can hop.

Last was the go-cart race. He left the start line in a hurry. He ended up getting 2nd which is fantastic. His bike riding really helped him out on this race. He was determined to finish strong. Look at the look on his face. FOCUSED!

He had a great time. The weather was nice, a little windy but nice sun shine. I love being able to participate in Tyler's life, to be able to support him in his activities.

Katie's Bike

We bought Katie a bike a few months ago and I haven't ever posted her picture of her and her bike. She LOVES it! Her and Tyler would ride all day if they could. I love that we live on a cul-de-sac so we can ride and not worry about to many cars. The kids love riding in the front because there is so much more space than our sidewalk in the back. Hopefully soon, she will be riding without training wheels.

Tyler is still loving his scooter. When his friend Brad is over they take turns on the scooter and Tyler's bike. Notice, neither of my kiddos are wearing shoes.

1st Time Camping

We took the kids camping to Estes Park. It was the 1st time they have gone camping and they loved it! The best thing about camping for them was the fire. Tyler and Katie LOVED the fire! We had a hard time starting the fire because it was raining and wet. We finally got it started and it was nice to be able to sit around the fire together.
Tyler and Katie loved roasting the marshmallows and cooking hot dogs over the fire. They asked if we could do it again. So maybe next summer we can do it again.

The next morning we drove into town and this is what we saw....yup, an elk crossing the road. He had no cares in the world. He didn't even know there were cars around him.

We walked around a lake and it was beautiful! The sky was perfectly blue, the water had fish in it, the temperature was great. It was a nice day.

I love this picture! The sun was coming up, the rays from the sun, mixed with the smoke from the fire....I think it is amazing!

Bastian Family Reunion

Over Labor Day weekend we went to Idaho to the Bastian Family Reunion. It was so nice to see family and meet family. We had a fantastic time once we got there. It took us 15 hours to drive. We stopped a lot!

We stayed at Merrill & Darlene's. They have a beautiful home and the feeling inside their home is just as beautiful. We got to meet some of their children, which are Brad's cousins. Tyler and Katie thought they were in heaven having a trampoline in the back yard. Tyler went for a ride on the wheeler and they got to shoot off rockets and launch water bottles. It was beautiful weather, great company and food. Brad and I are the Bocce Ball champs.
On our way home we decided to go through Utah instead of Wyoming. It is so nice to have something to look at besides open plains. We visited with a good friend of mine from high school. It was so good to see her and meet her cute kids.
We can't wait to do it again!

Gone Fishin'

Have you heard the song "Gone Fishin'" by Louie Armstrong and Bing Crosby....well, I love that song. When we went fishing as a family I thought about that song. Tyler had been asking to go fishing for a long time, okay all summer long so we finally did it. We bought a pole, a license, some worms and bait and headed to the lake. We had a great time! Tyler is AWESOME at casting. He did better than I did.
Katie, well she didn't like it so much. She hung out in the van watching a movie and munching on some chips. Maybe she isn't old enough to enjoy it just yet. I think this might become a family tradition for us.

School Days

Today was Tyler's first day of school. We opted to repeat Kindergarten because he was so young last year. Now, he is the oldest in the class and will hopefully exceed at his studies. He is really excited to be back at school and make new friends. I am excited to see how he learns and grows this year.

Sunflower Trip

Today we decided to take a road trip to find the sunflowers. We ended up in Kansas. There isn't much to see between here and there except rolling hills. It was nice to be able to spend time together as a family. I was getting a little worried because we didn't see anything for a long time. We were almost to Kansas before we saw our first field. I LOVED IT!!!
As we were driving and we didn't see any fields we almost turned around and went to Mt Rushmore. I know totally random but it would have been so fun to just drive there on a whim. Maybe someday we will get to do something like that.