Here comes a NON-PHOTO post! (Not very fun. It's one for posterity, so go ahead and scroll over this entire long winded post to more entertaining ones below if you like!)
Here's a quick look at our family's 2012 in review:
* In January, Justin started a new job working for Motorfist, a company that builds and sells high performance snowmobile gear. He began in sales, traveling all around the country and Canada. During the 'busy' season, he was gone almost constantly. A few months later, he took on the position of Marketing Director, getting to do all things 'creative' for the company. Justin is decking all of our family and friends out in Motorfist gear, serves as a primary teacher in our ward, and loves playing in the snow with our family--whether it be snowmobiling, skiing, or building a snowman... as long as it's snow--he's smiling.
* In January, along with teaching 20 piano students a week, I also started a new job working for ConnectShare, a networking business. It was a unique job, and I found it very interesting to interview and write profile pieces for business owners in this region. As fun as it was, I was happy to QUIT six months later! The two jobs together were just too much. Phew! I serve in the Young Women's presidency, watch dance competitions and ball games, and drive drive drive my kids all around town all day long. My kids are my life and I couldn't be happier about it.
* In March, we sold our home in Quail Ridge and moved to a townhouse a few miles away. Though we moved out of the school district, we kept our kiddos at the same school.
* McKenna was thrilled to make the competitive Extreme ballroom team this year. It's very time intensive, but for now, she is loving it, and I love watching it! It was super exciting to see her take first place in "Swing" at a recent regional competition. (Almost as exciting as seeing Dancing With The Stars pro, Derek Hough, across the way at the same competition. Boy, I was STAR STRUCK!) McKenna also played softball this past summer and pitched for her team. Another summer highlight for her was being in the Miss Idaho Falls Pageant alongside her older cousin as a "Junior Gem." McKenna was thrilled to join Young Women's in October.
* Kyler began 2012 playing basketball (though he just endures this sport. Not his favorite.). He had a blast in his first year of Little League Baseball as his team's pitcher. (Having two kids pitch just about put my nerves over the edge. Lots of pressure on those little pitchers--not to mention, their mothers!) The big event for him, however, was TACKLE football. Watching him put those pads on the first time felt like I was witnessing something truly sacred. Kyler has great work ethic and focus, and was a great little player! He started as running back, but broke his thumb just a few weeks in. It was sad, but his attitude was awesome--never missing a practice or game with his huge padded hand! He added a"Wolf" and "Bear"patch to his Scout shirt. And lastly, Kyler has discovered the love of his life: Math.
* Carson continues to live in costumes and almost always carries a toy weapon. He played soccer this year and started piano lessons with mom! He attended one of McKenna's ballroom dress rehearsals and fell head over heals for those costumes, and begged and begged and begged and begged to take dance too. We finally caved, and it has been delightful to see his fun personality and great rhythm on stage! He has loved first grade, and is a really good reader. His teacher tells me that he is quite the "social butterfly." Are you surprised? I always smile when I walk down the hall at church because I can hear Carson's voice over the entire primary in singing time. He makes us (and anyone who know him) giggle everyday.
* Ashton had a BIG year... He became a model for Motorfist--appearing in ads across the country wearing only a soggy diaper! He also started preschool this last fall. Everyday, he insists that he's not going and makes me walk in with him until I can sneak out when he's not looking. With no help from Mom, he has learned all of his letters (upper and lower case), their sounds, and his numbers. (I'm pretty sure it was those Leapster shows!) He also surprised me by typing in his name to set up a profile on a video game. Not sure who's teaching this kid--but he's super smart! With the incentive to start preschool, Ashton also FINALLY got potty trained. Wah-ooo! This past winter, Ashton learned to ski in one day and tears it up alongside his siblings! Ashton loves his Dad, his Dad's i-pad, Caleb Warner, his brothers, the alphabet, balls, and going out to lunch with Mom.
