Our lives in 2008

Since I didn't send a Christmas letter this year I thought I might summarize our adventures here. We've had a lot to be grateful for.

Jeff is grateful that, through the miracle of traffic school, he yet again has a clean driving record. Work had led him on many travels and driving the speed limit all the way to the Salt Lake airport is more than he can bear. One morning this year he got dressed in a jacket and tie (unusual) and when I asked why he was so dressed up he mumbled "...uh..I have to go to court for a ticket..." That was just one incident I will mention.

He is also grateful to love his job at Cybersource and to have such a beautiful, talented and adoring wife who cooks delicious meals and runs an immaculate house. Really. He told me to say that.

Jeff is grateful for the snow so that he can take Caroline skiing every Saturday and grateful to have some time off to relax with the family this holiday season.

As for myself, I feel grateful to be livin' the dream every day (okay, so it's a little bit more like groundhog day).
I'm grateful to serve in the Stake Young Women's presidency in our church, grateful for my improving health (still struggling with Epstein Barr virus and esophogitus) and grateful for friends and family who I adore. Most importantly I'm grateful for my family- for my kick-in-the-pants girls and my awesome and handsome husband (and he didn't tell me to say that).

I'm grateful that I truly believe things are only going to get better for us all in 2009.
Merry Christmas!

Gracie in 2008

Today our little Gracie Baby turned two. Unbelievable.

She does all the things two year olds do, such as throwing things in the toilet, climbing into the tub fully clothed and turning it on, hiding plastic teapots in the oven (what's that burning smell???) etc. The most significant thing to notice about her is the amount she talks. I mean, this kid is a jabberjaw. Constant blabberling. Full sentences. I can't imagine where on earth she gets it, but this kid always has something to say. I kissed her tummy this week and she said, "No Mommy! No kiss on me tummy, kay?"

The other interesting thing about her is that she is a huge daredevil. She has the Jeff gene... and those of you who know what I'm talking about know what I'm talking about. We feel so lucky to have her huge spirit in our family!

the dismount

The first ten times she did this my heart pounded with motherly fear, but now she could jump off the refrigerator and I wouldn't bat an eyelash.

Brinley in 2008

Our sweet girl started Kindergarten (or as we call it, "Brindergarten") and began a piano prep class with our piano teacher. She played rec league soccer, although the highlight for her was scoring a goal and then running on until her head got stuck in the net. Two parents and the coach had to untangle her. Let's just say that her interests lie elsewhere...

She loves her little sister, loves playing with friends and loves eating treats.

Caroline skiing 1 - 2008-12-22

While doing the dishes I glanced out the kitchen window to see Caroline skiing in the back yard. I died laughing. These little surprises are what keep me falling in love with her.

Caroline took ski lessons every Saturday last winter and was moved into the teenage class by the end. She is brave like her dad (not like me).

December Piano Recital

A natural musician, Caroline performed Minuet in G today. Her strength is playing by ear - she will sit for an hour and figure out songs, complete with the right chords. Our goal is to practice 40 minutes before school each day, but often she's been up so late reading she can't quite get up in time. I love listening to her play!

Caroline in 2008

As busy as a bee and as sweet as sugar, Caroline turned ten, started fifth grade, played city soccer, took skii lessons, got straight A's and read over 100 books. She is a natural mother: attentive and nurturing with Gracie and bossy with Brin. She loves it when I tell her that having her around is like having another one of myself.

Tennis... and my continual need to be good at everything

I love tennis.
I love it, I love it, I love it.
I love the way the ball "pops" when you give it a good, hard top-spin-stroke. I love watching tennis. I love watching it on TV, and I really love watching it live. I love the way the crowd is reverently quiet during a point and the way the players respect the tradition of it all. I love that my kids call Roger Federer "mom's boyfriend" and the way Jeff says, "Honey- I'm not worried. Roger Federer wouldn't have you." I love the friends I've made at the club. I love league matches. I really love the clothes.

But the truth is, I sort of stink at tennis.
For as long as I've been playing (about five years) I should be really good. I should be competing in tournaments and beating 4.0's. I've certainly spent enough money on lessons...

As Jeff reminds me, much of a persons ability is natural aptitude and I sort of think I'm wired to play an instrument... or quilt... or decorate... I mean, I'm crazy good with scrapbook supplies and last week I had to SPIT OUT MY GUM while serving because it was throwing me off. How's that for a contrast?

I wonder if this is dilemma many men face. Men are sort of "supposed" to be athletic in our culture, and most men love sports. So it must be a real disappointment for some to realize they are better at bookkeeping or the trombone or photography than baseball.
It super-duper stinks.

I keep going --every week--to league and to workouts and to lessons. I do believe I'm better than when I started. It's great exercise. I have the best tennis friends in the world. But a small, unspoken part of me mourns to know that I'll never be as good as I want to be.

BTW- the player in the red shirt above is Rogie Baby! Jeff and I went to the US Open again this year. We only got to see one match before a hurricane hit the coast, but it was AWESOME!

A little behind...

Talk about being a little behind... I'm just now posting pics from the end of October. And talk about a little behind...while at the witch festival at Gardner Village Brin asked me, "Mom, why do all these witches have so big of bottoms?"

Jeff commented this week on how lucky he feels to live within minutes of his family. Growing up with the Burkes it was one move after the other, and they never lived near cousins. This cute crew is together every week and little Paige stays over, sleeping between her cousins in the big bed. I really do love these babies as if they were my own --maybe even more, since I don't have to do any of the hard parts! Maybe this is what being a grandma is like?

I don't even want to know...

Our favorite date-night treat is Baskin Robins. Thanks to Jeff I have become a real ice cream snob, so imagine our surprise when we saw these boxes stacked by the door as we sipped our shakes. So...what's the other purpose???

Cousins

Gracie Baby and her cousin Brock (Jenny's second child) thought they were in heave when they discovered a new treat: Capri Sun. I literally never buy juice (too much sugar) and these aren't even a relative of juice, so they thought they had struck gold at this extended family BBQ. Who is cuter than these two???