Road Trip Part 1- New Year's with Bill's Family

On our way to Florida, we stopped in Nebraska for New Year's to see his family. It was a short visit but it was fun. We haven't been able to make it out to Greg & Alycia's since they moved to Nebraska.

New Year's Eve

On New Year's Eve, Auntie Mame and Grandma Denos had a cake making contest with the grandkids (minus Gabriel and Jared)
Ready...Set...Go...

Team Auntie Mame with Ellie and Sammy.

Team Grandma Denos, with Rachel & Sierra.

They decided to make a cake, easy bake style.

Decorating the cake.

Team Auntie Mame and their finished cake.


Team Grandma Denos and their cake.



The judging. Uncle Drew, Bill, and Grandpa Denos having a little taste. Completely non partial. HA HA! And the winners are...

Rachel & Sierra showing off their easy bake oven masterpiece.


New Year's Day
Pile on!
Ellie fell asleep with Grandma Denos by the fireplace.

Sammy & Ellie

The brothers: Greg, Andrew, & Bill.

Christmas

CHRISTMAS 2009

This year was very different for us. It was the first time we have spent a Christmas without being close to extended family. It was hard being away from everyone. Missing out on all the holiday traditions we've shared over the years. But it was also nice, we had a very simple & quiet Christmas. And we started some traditions of our own. One of the kids favorites was reading a Christmas story every night in December by candlelight. This Christmas was probably one of most relaxed I've had since we've been married. Christmas Eve we went bowling with the kids, when it got dark we supplied ourselves with some hot chocolate and went and looked at Christmas lights, and then came back and retold the story of the birth of our Savior. The kids opened one present on Christmas Eve and then to bed for the anticipation of Christmas morning. Christmas Day was quiet and we had some good friends over for dinner. I made my first prime rib ever! I was SO nervous, mostly about ruining an expensive cut of meat. It turned out great, thanks to Paula Dean. (One of the few recipes that doesn't require adding butter, cream, or frying.HAHA!) I was so sad that I forgot to take pictures of the evening with friends!

Making Christmas goodies, or should I say eating Christmas Goodies. Ellie licking the bowl of Christmas sludge. That is what she called the fudge. Too cute!
(Yes, she has crazy wild hair. I only do her hair if we are going out in public because she screams and cries everytime I even think about doing her hair.)

It was so fun to make goodies with Rachel. She is finally old enough to actually do things on her own. She kept right up with me.

Christmas Eve. The kids acted out the story of Jesus' birth.

Christmas morning. Ellie opening up her presents.

Jared got a guitar for Christmas. I think I have enjoyed listening to him more than he has playing it. He said he wanted one so that he could be like his Uncle Colin and write songs. And be like his Uncle David so he could impress the girls. I have caught him singing a couple of songs that have just cracked me up. One was him singing a song for Kylah (a friend that just moved to Washington with her family. He misses his friend) Jared was singing 'Oh bring her back..just bring her back..." and another funny song was a song about life and distractions. (I have no idea what kind of distractions a 6 year old has but it was entertaining)

Rachel has turned into a little creative crafty person. That's what she wanted for Christmas.

Ellie wanted a princess dress.

Jared has been asking for a BB gun since June. We told him that he had to show us he was responsible and that if he really wanted it he has to save up for it. I think it was around October that Rachel decided she wanted one too. So, they pooled their money together and started saving. They had almost $40 saved up for the one they wanted. They were just $10 shy. A week before Thanksgving, Grandma Denos had a stroke. We were trying to figure out how to make it down to see her for Thanksgiving. Jared without hesitating said, "Mom, you can have my BB gun money." I was so touched that he would be willing to give up something that was so important to him for something that was truly important. Something, as a mother, you can't put a price tag on. Christmas morning, Santa surprised them with a BB gun.

Merry Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas from the Denos family. I had the best intentions of getting Christmas cards out this year but failed miserably. Well, I got the pictures printed but never got around to putting addresses on the envelopes. Sorry Everyone! But I couldn't let this Christmas Season go by without letting all of our friends and family know how grateful we are for them and the blessings they our to our family.

This has been a year of changes for our family. We moved up to Idaho at the beginning of this year so that Bill and I could attend BYU-I and finally finish our degrees. It is very different from Southern California and it has been hard being away from our family and so many great friends but we are adjusting and Idaho is growing on us. I love the seasons, I can't get over how beautiful it is here. We are also enjoying the slower pace of life. Even though we are busy with school, it has been easier to enjoy the little things in life.

ELLIE, 3- What a beautiful little girl she is turning into. Before I had Ellie I always told everyone that if I had another girl I wanted to combination between a girly girl and tom boy, Ellie is definitely living up to that. She loves playing dress up, changing her clothes 10 times a day, singing and dancing. But she also loves to playing outside and getting dirty, she will wrestle with her brother, and is adventurous. Ellie has a beautiful smile and I love when her laugh fills our home.

JARED, 6- Is now in 1st grade and learning to master reading, when we can get him to sit long enough to read a book. Jared is a really smart kid, he loves numbers, (math, time, money...) and is very logical, and can figure most things out very quickly. Jared is our social little guy. He always wants to be playing with his friends. He is always asking to go play or have friends over. Jared has the greatest sense of humor and is always coming up with the funniest things. He also has the biggest heart. He knows when to give a hug or make someone laugh.

RACHEL, 8- She had a big year this year, she turned 8 and was baptized. We had the opportunity to head back to California so that family and friends could be there. It was a beautiful experience. Rachel is loving being a third grader. Her teacher is great and has really brought out Rachel's personality in class. Rachel is at a fun age and sometimes when we are talking sounds like a "mini" young adult. Rachel is extremely creative and loves arts and crafts. Rachel has such a loving personality, she is super responsible, and puts 110% into everything she does.

KIRSTIE, ???- Yes, I hit the BIG 30 this year. Didn't do much for the ego by heading back to school with a bunch of 18 year olds just out of high school. I am loving the opportunity I have to attend BYU-I. It has been a lot more challenging trying to be a mom and go to school. Being a mom is the greatest joy in my life and I am blessed to have 3 amazing kids. This year has been eventful and I had my sister Chelsea living with us for a few months, she is now living in Washington. I especially miss her when Bill is working late and the kids are in bed. I also had my brother David and Kyle get married this year. I am so thankful that my brothers found eternal companions. Welcome to the family Sonja and Alysa.

BILL- Is busy with school and work. He is applying for the paramedic program for Fall. He will eventually graduate with a Bachelor's in Emergency Medical Services. He will be a Firefighter/paramedic and will have different career choices. Bill is loving having the Snake River at his fingertips. Almost every spare minute he spent fishing this summer. He would be hunting right now but never found the time to get his license. Bill's mom has a stroke right before Thanksgiving. She is doing remarkably well, and we pray that she makes a full recovery. We decided to surprise her and make the trek to California for Thanksgiving. It was great to see everyone.

My parents had two liters of puppies this year so we added a new addition to our family. A puppy named Maverick. He is just like one of the family now. The kids love him and actually are being really good about taking care of him.

We hope everyone enjoys this holiday season and has the opportunity to reflect on the birth and life of our Savior.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year,
Love,
The Denos Family

Rachel's Birthday!

I can't believe my little girl turned 8. Rachel has such a tender heart. Rachel is so talented and gifted. She loves to learn and try new things. Rachel is so smart and so willing to help others. I can't imagine my life without her and her sweet spirit. Rachel is an amazing blessing to me and to my family. Happy Birthday!

Rachel has been begging to ride a horse. For her birthday one of the guys Bill works with was able to arrange for us to come ride on her Birthday. She was SO excited. She now wants a horse.

Rachel didn't want to get off.

Ellie & Jared both got to ride too. Bill took them.
Then Jared got to ride a calf. The guy was trying to get his calves used to people so that he could take them to the fair. Jared thought this was awesome!
We headed back to the house for some cake and ice cream after we took her to Applebee's for lunch. This is a picture of all the neighbor kids.
This is Rachel's birthday part two. Just two days after her birthday we headed to California for her baptism. So, of course we had to celebrate her birthday again.HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

The Itsy Bitsy Spider...

Last night I was peacefully sleeping when I felt I tickle on my neck. I thought it was just my hair and I went to brush it away. But it wasn't my hair...I flung it off and jumped out of bed. I lifted my pillow up and a little spider went scurrying under the bed. I moved the covers and tried to find but no such luck. I tried to go back to sleep but I kept envisioning that little spider crawling back up and attacking me.
The best part was Bill was sleeping the entire time. He didn't even budge, even when I was ripping the bed a part and throwing my pillows on him. I wish I could sleep that well...

I just wanted to let my dad know what an amazing father he is. Everyone thinks that they have the greatest dad, but I truly believe that no other dad would have been able to do the things that my dad has done for me. My dad has one of the biggest hearts. He is always helping people without asking for anything in return, or expecting recognition for the things he does. I can't thank him enough for all the things both big and small he has done for me and my family. My dad's passion for life and enjoying the little things has made me passionate about the things I do in my own life. I find adventure and joy in the little things which my dad has instilled in me. Everything from cooking a meal to a spontaneous weekend adventure. His testimony and knowledge of the gospel has been a strength in my life. And to watch him continually learn and educate himself makes me want to strive to be a better friend, daughter, mother and wife.
I love you DAD! Happy Father's Day!!!

Nature Park

I went to a baby shower the other day at the Nature Park, and discovered another fun little place to take my kids. We took a Sunday afternoon stroll through the park and fed the ducks. It was perfect because it has been raining for the past two weeks and the sun came out long enough for us to enjoy a few minutes of sunshine.

It was cute, Ellie was trying to smell the flowers, but the picture looks like she is trying to eat them.

Look at those guns!

My sister Chelsea and Ellie enjoying the scenery.

Jared turning a simple park toy into a rodeo ride.

Jared actually standing still for a few minutes to enjoy all the things around him.

Rachel looking for fish.

The kids feeding the ducks.

My parents come for a visit.

How horrible am I? My parents come to visit and I don't have a single picture of them. Sorry mom and dad. You will have to e-mail them to me. It was great, they stayed at a hotel here in town. It was mother's week at BYU-I when they came up so hotel rooms were slim pickings. They ended up with a themed room. It was a space moon theme. We all had to go over to the hotel to check it out. It was a quick trip for my parents. They got here Friday night and had to leave early Mon. morning. So, we crammed as much as we could in the little time we had. Saturday we went to Yellowstone National Park. Sunday, we took a trip to Bear World. It was a lot of firsts for my family. Thanks Mom and Dad for coming up!

Ellie in front of the antler arch in Jackson hole Wyoming. What a cutie!

Bill and the kids in front of the Tetons on the Wyoming side.

Walking through all the hot springs, and mud pots.
This one was particularly pretty, and deep.
Old Faithful. The kids were amazed and continued talking about it all day.
Ellie and Jared checking out more steam pots.
Ellie trying to show me something.
Bear World...this is a baby cub. My mom got to feed a baby bear.
I need one of those...One of the Grizzly Bears. We got to feed them from a huge truck. It was really cool because it stood on it's hind legs.

One of the wolves.

Jared had an Arther's Tea Party for his end of year party for Kindergarten. The kids sang a few songs and then each kid read a book they had written. Jared wrote a book about going to the zoo. I was so proud of Jared. His book was so creative. Jared far exceeded my expectations this year. He is definitely more of a social person. So, I was concerned about the whole academic thing. But he did GREAT. Jared is such a wonderful kid and I am so lucky to be his mom.

Family Picnic in Utah

For Memorial Day, we headed to Payson, Utah for a family picnic. We stayed at my Aunt Sandy's for a couple of nights. My kids loved the basement, being from California my kids have never experienced a basement. I got to see a lot of my cousins that I hadn't seen in a REALLY long time. It was good to see them and see their beautiful families. We got to visit my Grandma Crooks grave while we were there and tell my kids about how much I love her.

Rachel & Jared walking with Great Grandpa Crook.

My Grandma Crooks headstone.

Aunt Sandy, Grandpa Crook, and Uncle Brent.

My family and Grandpa Crook.

My cousin Sandy, and her family. We forgot to take pictures the whole day. By the time we remembered my cousin Sandy's family and her family were the only ones left.

Sandy, Chelsea, Grandpa Crook, and ME.