Merry Christmas 2011

We went to our stakes Christ back into Christmas Nativity. The Nativities that were on display were amazing. Of course the girls did not want to leave with out dressing up and having a picture taken. Cassie really wanted to be an angel and with out any prompt from us or the camera women she picked this pose and held it. It turned out so cute I thought it would make a great internet Christmas card this year. 

We have had a fairly busy year and I thought I would do a little something on everyone...

Micah played his first year of tackle football with the local Thrasher's team. He had a great time and learned so much. They won many games and lost a few too. The coaches were amazing and Micah is excited to play next year. Micah is loving school. He has a male teacher this year and had thoroughly enjoyed it. Micah has started to get more active in scouts and is excited for camp next year. Micah will also be a deacon in June of 2012.. can he really be that old? Micah is a great help with his siblings and has started babysitting for us a little lately, which has been wonderful!

Emeline played volleyball for the first time this year. She had a great time and I see more volleyball in the future. She also wants to do gymnastics, cheer and dance. She loves to be active. She loves her teacher this year and continues to make huge gains in reading and math. Emeline has enjoyed going to achievement days and has started to learn to sew and crochet. She likes taking her dog on walks and helping watch her sisters while I study. She is such a HUGE helper. 

Cassie wants to do everything. she enjoys singing, dancing, sports and anything else that has her moving. We have tried cheer and now we are looking at trying out gymnastics. She loves to make up songs and sing them to her class. Her teacher really enjoys Cassie's performances. Cassie has just shocked and amazed us on how fast she has taken to reading. She is already reading short beginner chapter books. Cassie truly enjoys life and everything it has to offer. 

Hannah is back in preschool this year. She has met all of her developmental milestones and is on track for a typical 4 and half year old girl, but we all know Hannah is anything but typical. She loves to paint, help cook and clean around the house. She often "feeds" the dog, spreading food all over the floor but she is trying to help. Hannah is a huge chatter box and if you give her your lap and have some books handy, she will have you reading for hours. Hannah loves to tumble so we are going to put her in a preschool tumble class, I think she will really enjoy it. Medically Hannah is doing fabulous! She only sees her specialists in Spokane once a year now, which is AWESOME!!

Trent is busy with work. He is doing more programing now along with the networking of systems and the group that he works with at the University has just been switched to an Institution which is great! He continues to take classes when he can and attends a training in whatever he is interested in once a year. Currently he is in Houston, Texas for Red-Hat training. 

I am in my last year of my Undergraduate. I graduate in May of 2012. I am really excited that I have been able to complete this degree and now have decided to obtain my master's degree. I will be applying to the University of Idaho's graduate program in the fall of 2012. It is perfect timing because Hannah will start Kindergarten next year and it will be all day. 

Our Stake recently changed all the ward boundaries and created a new ward. We are back in the ward we started in when we first attended the family wards here in Moscow. we look forward to new callings and getting to know our new/old ward again!

We have enjoyed this year and hope that everyone is doing well. We have some ideas for the summer but nothing is set yet, we will let everyone know when we do.

Merry Christmas to all... Love, Karen, Trent, Emeline, Cassie and Hannah

sorry this did not make it to the mail.. maybe next year :)

Tree's Up!

Remmy thinks we put it up for him to sleep under. I was worried he would "mark" it because it is a tree.. a fake one but still. it has not been a problem so far. it is nice to be able to put nicer decorations on it this year. The children are all old enough to know better. 

I look forward to a month off of school before my last semester as an undergrad starts. it will be a busy semester for me but I have an awesome hubby, great kids and supportive friends to help me through it!! 

I am not sure that we will get to christmas cards this year and I am leaning toward a great post on Blogger.. sounds so nice and easy after a crazy few months.

Easter, the rest of birthdays and some summer fun...

So we got the opportunity to go to Silverwood this summer with the kids.. it was great! This video is Hannah on the Frogger... she is the one on the end left seat.

 some Easter pictures.. I know, that was in April :)

 For Hannah's birthday we were camping so we just bought a cake..

 Playing by the river where we were camping..

 Micah's birthday. I typically make the cakes but Micah's cake i made was a disaster.. it fell apart and I got frustrated, started to cry and then threw it away.. needless to say, here is the store cake. (it was a rough day too)

 for the 4th of July we went to Pullman for the fireworks. they had all the emergency people there with their fun stuff.. we all go to play.

this is Emy, Micah, Trent and our friend Dave on the Panic at Silverwood.. it goes way way up and drops ya.. yeah I thought Micah might faint when he got to the bottom... :) Emy wanted to go again :)

                                     

 Micah and Emy with their friends Maren and Derek on the bumper cars.

 This summer we participated in a free program called "kids bowling" it was so much fun! we went once a week. for 10 bucks I could feed them a treat and pay for shoes.

Micah's first football game. He really enjoyed Football. He is a great lineman :) He is in there.. but it is hard to see.. three in from the left front line...

Anyways.. so there are a bunch of photos from my missing camera. I new I would find it eventually.

I found my camera!!

I will give you a clue on who had it the most... There were many.. of Remmy's head, ears, and feet. Really Cassie? She had many self portraits, and picks of all of us.. some not as flattering as others. :) now to post the last 6 months...

Sports...

Emy is playing volleyball for the first time this year. she has a natural ability to play.. must be in the blood. She truely enjoys playing and wants to play club ball.. but she needs to be 10.. just something else to look forward to for her.

 I am still looking for the pictures I have of micah playing foot ball. His team took 4th place this year. I see more football in our future for Micah. 

Happy Halloween!! 

we had a zombie, angel, vampire, and an elephant.. oh and the dog wanted to be in the photo..

I am not too found of the aspect of Halloween but it is definitely fun to get all dressed up. We got together will out friends and ate home made chili before taking to the neighborhood. 

My Graduation

I just wanted to give a heads up to those that many be interested in being at my (Karen's) Graduation at the University of Idaho. Commencement is on May 12, 2012.
 I will be graduating with my Bachelors of Science in Child Development and Family Consumer Sciences.  For those that many need lodging, I suggest you book your rooms sooner rather than later because they fill quickly. here is a link that they Moscow Chamber of Commerce gives for lodging:
http://www.moscowchamber.com/DrawOnePage.asp?PageID=109
 We also are within 3- to 45 minutes of Lewiston,ID, Clarkston,Wa, and Colfax,Wa. Pullman is about 5-10 minutes away as well.
We also have a tent trailer and some friends that may be able to accommodate those that can not afford a hotel.
I have the intention to send out an announcement but wanted to give a "save the date" sort of announcement, since I probably will not get it sending them out until the new year.
Also if you are planning on coming, please let us know.
Thanks, Karen

been awhile...

Cassie lost her first tooth..

This was our visit to Sandpoint.. we went up to see Traci and Clint while they were at his dad's house..

While we were in Seattle we went with Alisha and her children to the Everett Children's Museum.. it was awesome!! 

Micah and his cousin Stevie.

My little nephew Mathew, he is such a snuggle bug.. I could not resist :)

Micah at the dock at my parent's house.

Hannah pulling up lilly pads.

It's been awhile since I last posted but things have been busy this summer... we did not travel much but have enjoyed Moscow. We were able to work in a trip to Silverwood Theme Park, a trip to Sandpoint, Seattle to see family (but no trent.. he had to work) and a few camping trips all within 100 miles of us. here are a few pictures of our adventures...
I can not believe the summer is coming to an end and in a week I will be back in classes at the University. The children will start school a week and a half after that. I have a few more pictures but I have to find my camera with them on it first :)

Happy 6th Birthday Cassie..& more

 Cassie is 6.. it is so hard to believe she is that old. here are some pictures of her Birthday celebration. I forgot my camera so these were taken on my phone. they are not the best but you get the idea. :)

 I made the nutty mistake of giving a friend's daughter make-up.. I was repaid that favor. Cassie is thrilled.. me, not so much! :)

 Cassie enjoyed her birthday. She loves all the attention she got today. I think it added to the fun when she was at church and she could tell everyone it was her birthday. She got lots of hugs, high fives, and was sang to many times... which she loved!!

ALSO...

Every year they do a safety fair here in Moscow and have some really fun things to do, all of it is free. One of the activities was the climbing wall. it was about two stories tall. Hannah, Cassie and Emy all climbed the wall.

 Hannah climbed about 8 feet up. She is so brave. She wants to do everything, and shows no signs of fear. I guess when you have gone through so much you have to be pretty tough.. she is!

 Cassie was not about to be shown up by Hannah and climbed about 10 feet. She is a tough cookie. After climbing she told me that she was amazing, I would have to agree :)

Emeline made it to the top. she said it was kind of wobbly but that this wall was so much easier than the ones we climbed for her birthday. She got to the top and pushed the alarm... 

that's my girls! 

Micah decided his time was better spent getting all the signatures of the Vandal Football players. :) 

there will be more pictures of Adventures and Birthdays to come so stay tuned!!!

Tonsils and Adenoids.. Emy's adventure

 Emeline right after waking up...

 Emy's tummy was upset and being so tired we stayed just a little longer at the hospital until she was feeling a bit better.

After many throat infections in the last few months the ENT decided Emy's tonsils and adenoids need to be removed. they were taken out this past Friday and she was a champ. she is doing well at this point, nothing abnormal. she is sore and swollen and loved the excuse to have lots of Popsicles... here are a couple pic in recovery...

Happy 9th Birthday Emy!!

 Happy Birthday Miss Emeline!!

 We had friends over on her birthday for cake and ice cream... and then of course the presents!

 Emeline's new best friend Anne.

 For Emeline's party she wanted to go rock climbing. the University has a climbing area and on the weekend they have a children's climb. She picked her best friend to go with her and we learned to rock climb. I learned to balle' and she was a natural climber!!

 This is about two stories or so up, she even tried the large rock that goes several stories.. but the pegs were to far spaced.. it was so much fun!

 I am not sure where the time has gone but she has gotten so big and is becoming such an amazing young women. She is a kind, loving girl with a dear heart.

this is probably one of my most favorite pictures of her.. it just showed her spirit so well!!

Well that was March.. Easter is just around the corner and we are starting to think that spring is actually coming to Moscow!

Random stuff...

Cassie and her self portrait..

Emeline did such a good job on this paper mache' of the earth for her class..

my ham :)

they really do love each other.. I promise :)

this is Remmy's favorite place to be when the sun is out... 

Besides being sick with this and that.. things here are moving along. Emeline turns 9 next week and she is so very excited. I do not feel old enough to have such old children :) We have our spring break and are planing on doing fun things around Moscow. I am hopeful that it will not snow and maybe we can go on a short hike somewhere close. School is going well for me and the kids. My classes are more of a challenge this semester but Trent has been great with helping out and I am so grateful for that. Emeline has found a book series that she likes and is enjoying reading for the first time, we are so excited! Cassie has decided she wanted to read and is taking off.. her teacher is amazed with how far she has come. Hannah is doing well. her surgery was a HUGE success. she is using her inhaler half as much as before and has not had pneumonia again since before the surgery.. which is a BIG step in the right direction. She has also been sleeping through the night ever since the surgery.. I love it!! It is amazing what happens when she is not choking on her stomach content all night. We are looking forward to seeing her grow now that she can keep her food down :) Micah is starting to test the waters in babysitting. Once a week I go upstairs and do my school work and he takes care of the kids. He does such a great job and I am excited for the first time that he can watch the kids so we can go out on a date. :) 

well that is life in a nut shell. hope all is well everywhere else. We are counting down the weeks until summer is here and we can go camping..

Cheer!!!

Emeline and Cassie love to dance and do gymnastics.. so I sighed them up for a three day after-school cheer camp.. they loved it!! I think I have a couple naturals. Don't worry Linsey.. Emeline wants to try volleyball next year :)

Cassie is in the left front, behind the cheerleader off and on. Emeline is in the back right and is the farthest lift, she was part of the base.. she loved it!

she is a bit of a cheese.. I think I have a little actress on my hands! she is posing here!

not the best picture but you can see Cassie night next to the front left cheerleader and Emy is in the back right.

the snow came back.. It was so pretty, but it does not make me any less jealous when my sister in law posts pictures of them in the sun down in Arizona :)