Happy New Year

Here is our trip to Utah! We really enjoyed our visit. It has been a whole year since we went to Utah! I can't believe it! We've never gone that long between visits. And I hope that never happens again!

We had dinner and Family Home Evening. The boys love playing with their cousins!

Grandma June and Grandma RaNae joined us! The babies are Aryk and Cousin Addy.

We got together with everyone and exchanged Christmas presents. Who doesn't love a second Christmas?! We were spoiled!

We were able to go visit our friends who recently moved from our ward, to Mapleton. This is Abi, Jonny, Ashton, and AJ. AJ and Jonny are best friends! It is hard to have them move, but we will visit often!

On New Year's Eve the family went snowmobiling. We had a lot of fun! Jeff REALLY enjoyed driving the sleds!

The boys enjoyed the tube! They liked flying across the snow and screaming. And boy did they scream!

While waiting for lunch, the boys tried snowboarding. This was fun, especially since it was small hill.

Aryk and I even went for a ride in the trailer. Aryk fell asleep!

Grandma Ashton was a BIG help with the babies!

Dad made the big girls ride on the tube while he drove. He was nice at first, then slowly we hit more bumps, rounded more corners, flew threw the air... but alas, no one fell off! Erika, Kendra, and I proved we are tough! Until the next day, Kendra and I were complaining of sore muscles! Time to hit the gym, I guess.

Here is our most recent family photo.

That night we got together, and Grandma Ashton made us enchiladas. They were yummy! Thanks grandma! After dinner the cousins ran around and played, and watched a movie, stayed up until 12:30, then all four of them crashed on the floor. The BIG boys played the Wii. And the girls played a card game.

The babies even found some fun with each other.

Grandma and Grandpa Holbrook with Aryk and Addy.

The four boys- Zach, Ashton, AJ, and Tyler.

We love visiting my family in Utah! And we always have good food, good fun, late nights, lots of laughs. I must admit, it is nice to be back home to our regular schedule! Here's to 2009! May it be prosperous, fun, and full of Family and Joy!

Last Soccer Game

Ashton and AJ had their last soccer game today. It was great!

They both played so hard, and seemed to be having fun!

I love watching AJ run up and down the field just smiling and waving and

trying to be as fast as a Superhero! He even kicked the ball a few times!

Ashton is always trying to be the best at everything he does.

He played goalie for a couple of the quarters. He did really well.

After the game coach gave them all trophies for a season well played. Sports just wouldn't be worth all that running if it weren't for the trophy! Good Season!

And don't forget those of us who went and cheered!
Here's Grandma Likes holding Aryk while cheering for Ashton and AJ.
Thanks Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Nicole for all your support! We Love You!

Here's Coach Jeff, All Star players AJ and Ashton, and their smallest (only in size) Fan, Aryk!

Boys = Scouts

A couple weeks ago, Jeff's family held a court of honor for Cam.

He received his Eagle Scout Award. I know this a big deal, and a hard award to reach. Good thing these scouts have their moms! Cam actually did his Eagle Project last summer (while I was in Europe), it just took a while to get everything processed, sent, and an event held. Cam's project was to paint an elderly woman's home. With the help of The Boise Police Department, friends, and Young Men from the ward, they were able to get the paint and supplies donated, and free labor. Ashton and AJ helped Sherryl deliver a pizza for the boys, for a lunch break. The house was completed, and the community improved through service! Way to go Cam (and Rod and Sherryl)! I know that it is an effort on the part of family, friends, and ward members, to help a scout get to this level. And the Boy Scouts of America recognize this too, because there are pins/awards for the Eagle Scout to present to their parents and mentors. Here are a few photos of Cam's Court of Honor.

Sherryl and Rod Pinning on Cam's Eagle Award

Cam pinning on Sherryl and Rod's Mother/Father of an Eagle

"helped my son achieve this goal" award.

Cam pinning the Mentor Pin on Jeff. Jeff didn't do a lot to help, with the actual project, but He is a good example for his younger brother, and did receive His Eagle award hmmm... 16 years ago!

Cam being "sworn" in. I don't even know what the actual word is...

I need to learn the Scout jargon. I got three boys to do it with!Grandpa and Grandma are good at taking turns holding the baby!Big Brother AJ. He will show Aryk how Scouting is done!!

Thanks Uncle Cam for being such a GREAT example to these boys!

They really do look up to you!

Aunt Darlene was still here and was able to participate too, and of course, hold the baby!

Ashton is 7!

Ashton turned 7 on August 6th. But we had parties all week!! Grandma Likes came the night before, and gave Ashton and AJ new Clone Trooper guns. Then on his birthday the Likes' side came with more Star Wars toys. Even Aunt Darlene came!! Aunt Nicole gave him a Clone Trooper Costume.

Here are Ashton and AJ showing off their Star Wars Skills. May the force be with you...

We took the boys to a Boise Hawks game, the night of Ashton's birthday. Grandpa Likes and Uncle Cam came too! Here are the three boys posing with Humphrey the Hawk.

Middle of the seventh inning, the kids went down on the field and sang "take me out the ball game." Then on Friday Grandma and Grandpa Holbrook, Great Grandma Ashton, and Uncle Devin flew up for a visit. Ashton, Jeff, Grandpa Holbrook, and Devin went to another Boise Hawks game. And on Sunday afternoon, we did another party, where the Holbrook side spoiled him. And we had a Superman cake, with ice cream. What fun birthdays. Thanks to Grandma's and Grandpa's for spoiling Ashton. He did get gifts from Mom, Dad, and brothers too!

Wow! Ashton is growing up. He is such a great kid. Ashton LOVES Star Wars and Baseball. He also enjoys swimming at Grandma and Grandpa Likes', Taking trips to Utah to see Grandma and Grandpa Holbrook, Transformers, Superman, Batman, Spider man, Basketball, Lego's, Reading, Math, and Science. Ashton is usually willing to try new things. He always tries to be good at everything. Sometimes he is disappointed if he isn't good at it right away. But, after some practice, he has become a pro. He is going to try soccer this fall. He is nervous that he won't be good at it, but is still willing to try. Ashton is a good older brother. He takes good care of AJ and Aryk. He is a great helper to mom and dad. He is such a people pleaser. He made becoming parents EASY, and helps us all enjoy our family. We love Ashton.

February Visit

In February Grandma and Grandpa Holbrook came to visit. What fun we had! The boys REALLY enjoyed the extra company. We barrowed Jeff's parent's Nintendo Wii. We stayed up every night playing this! We also went out to lunch and to see The Spiderwick Chronicles. Between Lunch and the movie we stopped at The Harley Davidson store. This picture was taken with the cell phone camera, not a very good shot, but it's the only one we took! Thanks for coming to visit Grandma and Grandpa! AJ can't wait to see them again. He reminds me DAILY, that he misses his Grandma Holbrook.