Rochester

We headed up to see Jim and Cheryl's family the day after Christmas. I realized on the way up that this would be one of the last times our two families could all be together like this. Next year Reid will be home from college and the following two years he will be on his mission and Haley will be heading home from college. I'm so glad that we've had many years of fun with cousins. I know that they have built bonds that will keep them close forever.

One of the benefits of having other family members who are gluten free is that is makes it a breeze to travel and spend time away from home. Thanks to Cheryl, who is a much better GF cook than I, for making so many yummy treats and meals!

Most of the pictures are from Taylor's camera. She insisted on being our family photographer and did a great job! You'll notice there are not many pictures of the guys. That's because they spent most of the time playing video games and fantastic contraption on the computer. It just doesn't make for exciting pictures.

Haley playing Wii Fit

Cami was in charge of flipping all the pancakes - she did great for her first time!

Visiting the horse next door

Playing with gooblick - no idea what it is or how you spell it, but they had fun:)

Lookin' Good!

We always go to the mall and ride the carousel at least once.

The girls out for lunch (except Haley because she was still asleep when we left)

Walking to feed the birds... who decided it was too cold to come and visit us.

One last pile-up before we hit the road to come home!

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas!

I always have a picture of them on the stairs Christmas morning!

Santa brought some nice things!

Dallin was thrilled with his Sony Reader from Mom and Dad.

Taylor's Christmas was filled with Polka Dots!

Chuck is his favorite show - he LOVED this shirt (as well as a Nerd Herd clip for his flash drive)

Ed and I stayed up almost all night painting and re-decorating Taylor's room. She loved it!


Cami got this green robe with a pink horse on the back from Grammy. It was her favorite present of all :)

This is me being impressed with the cool gardening flower sensor Ed got me. You stick it in the ground where you want to plant something, leave it there for a few days (it measures light, moisture, soil drainage, etc.), then plug it in to a USB on your computer and it tells you what will grow the best. I love it already!

Cami loves her Littlest PetShop toys!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve holds some traditions for our family. We always open a few games and play as a family. It really helps the time go by for the kids. We also make reindeer cookies for Santa and open new warm pajamas. We had a great day, a great dinner (steak - not tradition but requested by my kids), read the Christmas story from the scriptures, and tucked the kids into Dallin's room for the night.

Christmas in Our Home

There are a few things in every home that just make it feel like Christmas. Often they're not even the big things. Here are a few of the things in our home that bring that Christmas Feeling.

We've had this Nativity since the kids were little. They've all played with it (and probably chewed on it).

We always hang this tassel from our kitchen chandelier. It's nothing fancy, but the kids always ask where it is if I don't get it up right away.

I painted this elf with my long-lost friend Nicole (who recently found me - hooray!) when we lived in Utah.

The tree is not complete until the pretzel Ed made in preschool is on top next to the star. This is probably the biggest tradition we have. The kids would rather have the privilege of placing the pretzel than the star. It's a long story... just accept our weirdness.

I've been receiving this Nativity a piece at a time over the past few years and I love it! I put it on the bookshelf at the bottom of the stairs so that I see it over and over every day.

Merry Christmas!

What?!

I found this picture on my camera the other day.


Apparently it took them several tries with the timer to get it to look just right. That's right, it's not just Cami in the picture (thank goodness).

Ice Storm

We had two ice storms in one week. The roads stayed pretty safe, but everything else was coated in ice. I could have taken pictures of the beautiful trees and bushes... but they weren't as entertaining as this:

Dallin's Concert

Robe Choir had a great Holiday Concert. Ed and Kathy were able to come for the night and we really enjoyed hearing Dallin sing. We braved the POURING rain and shared four seats among seven of us, but it was well worth it! Dallin's on the front row in the middle.

There were about 500 kids performing (7th-9th grade choir, robe choir, another choir called H-Factor and orchestra). There wasn't even close to enough room for all the parents and family.

I took a few pictures in the beginning and then settled in to listen. I was enjoying myself so much that I forgot to record any of it. I'll remember next time.

Christmas Card

In our Christmas Card I directed people to come to our blog to see what we've been doing. I thought I would post a little summary, although you are more than welcome to look through posts from the last year:)

Cami is having a grand time in second grade. The world is full of fun and possibility for her each day. She is always happy and cheerful and loves people. She has continued to love Irish Dance classes and has also begun to take piano lessons. She loves her hamster (sweetie) and is probably the most fashion conscious of our family (as long as you believe boots go with anything). We love her so much and are grateful for the calm, easy-going personality she brings to our family.

Taylor loves ruling the school as a 6th grader. She has a great group of friends and is thriving in her classes. She continues to think lacrosse is her sport and we tend to agree. She also continues to play the piano and violin and has even accompanied primary on several occasions. Adjusting to her new Gluten Free diet has been a little challenging, but she's doing great and is even almost back on the growth chart. She spent a lot of time at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia this last year sorting out her gluten allergy. Luckily, I had been diagnosed with Celiac last summer and we had a relatively smooth transition. She is one driven little girl. We just keep trying to focus all that energy in the right direction and know that she will accomplish anything she puts her mind to. We love you Taylor!

Dallin continues to love middle school. He has a pretty heavy load with all his advanced classes, but handles it well. He surprised us all by announcing that he was trying out for an elite choir and made it! Being part of the Robe Choir is more fun than he imagined and we're glad that he is discovering his bass voice. He is still fencing (he switched to saber), but only when we can work it in between church, homework, and choir. There are 12 boys his age in our ward and he has lots of fun hanging out on the weekends playing video games. He also continues to play the guitar and reads anything he can get his hands on. As always, he is a gentle soul and wise for his years. He is patient with his sisters and we're so thankful to have him in our family.

Jen is always running in multiple directions. I'm still serving the in the Young Women's presidency at church and working in the library at school on Fridays. With Ed traveling almost every week and serving in the bishopric, I also take charge of the house, yard, car maintenance, and all kid lessons and classes. Blogging is my outlet and I love keeping in touch with so many friends and family far away. I'm feeling healthier than ever now that I am diagnosed as a celiac and on a gluten free diet. It's amazing how much more energy I have (it's a good thing with our schedule) and it's such a relief not to worry about feeling lousy all the time. The kids are growing up so quickly and I am making a conscious effort to enjoy every day.

Ed is running all over the United States and Europe for Medidata. He sold Fast Track to them in March and continues to run the Trial Planning division. He loves his work as long as he can get some sleep and some time with his family too. He is serving as the second counselor in the Bishopric and oversees the youth and all their activities. He doesn't have time to golf, but I surprised him with a basketball hoop for our anniversary, and he traded in his car for a new Audi (which he lovingly washes and details in his spare time). He works hard and keeps up laughing all the time. We are so grateful to have such a wonderful Dad!

We are grateful for a blessed year and for so many wonderful friends and family. Feel free to email me at seguinephilly@gmail.com or leave a message here on my blog. Merry Christmas!

Dinner Winners for the Holidays

We had a festive Dinner Winners last Friday. The candles and lights were glowing, the food was wonderful, the girls were beautiful (as always), and the company was nothing short of extraordinary!

Can you hear the Christmas music playing in the background?

Actually... can you hear the girls laughing in the background?

Aren't they so adorable?

I love Dinner Winners! I look forward to the time when we can get every YW in Doylestown to work on her personal progress and join together as we celebrate.

After dinner, we had a mini-spa and Eliza brought everything for the girls to do their nails.


We also watched Mr. Krueger's Christmas and served the girls some yummy cake.


It was a lot of fun and I can't wait until the next time!

Happy Birthday Mom!

My mom had a birthday this week. I thought I would tell you a little bit about her. Did you know...

*Her real name is Laura (she goes by Kathy - her middle name)
*Her favorite flower is the daisy (she had them at her wedding)
*She used to twirl FIRE batons (yep, throw them in the air and everything)
*She grew up in a house her father built himself
*She has always lived about 10 miles from where she was born
*She had two crazy older brothers and it's a miracle she survived (love you uncle Jack:)
*Her handicapped sister, Sandy, spent her childhood playing with her and taking her for rides in her wheelchair. They were the best of friends.
*She has a real soft spot for animals and they love her. (Our horses would only obey her and would come as soon as she called)
*She has been a surrogate grandmother to dozens of kids who live away from their own grandparents (she would even arrange special times for them to come and bake cookies with Grammy)
*She has traveled the country visiting and helping her children and grandchildren - often at the drop of a hat.
*She lost her job when Dallin was born because I needed her help (sheesh - what a demanding daughter. No wonder Dallin would move in with her tomorrow.)
*She has that look. You know the one where a kid is throwing a fit and no one can make them stop? She looks at them and whispers something to them and suddenly they are like little angels.
*She's not a yeller, but beware the look of disappointment. I made her cry once because I wouldn't go in and get milk for her and I've never forgotten it. Ouch - it still hurts.
*She would give you anything you needed - and I mean anything she had. She has more compassion than anyone I know.
*She went back to college when I was a young teenager just to prove to me (and my siblings) that no matter how busy your life was, you could make time for school. She got all A's in her classes.
*She's got wicked common sense. I say that because she can find a practical solution for any problem. My kids think she's a genius.
*She loves to bake, make crafts of all kinds, and do puzzles. She and Taylor always do puzzles when we're together.
*She loves the beach. If I could, I would buy her a house on the beach. We can dream right?
*She cooks the best bacon and eggs in the world!
*She spoils her grandchildren rotten (this one came from my kids:)
*If you're bad, she says either - Do you want me to kiss your face? or Don't make me get a whoopin' on you. (although she doesn't actually spank, it usually makes everyone laugh)
*She's never happier than when she has a house full of family.

OK, so this list could go on and on, but mostly we want her to know how much we love her!
Happy Birthday Mom! You're the best!

More Conversations with Cami

#1 Cami's class is trying to fill a healthy snack chart. She is not actually very fond of healthy snacks before lunch. I mean, where's the reward in working on math for two hours only to eat carrots? Needless to say, she takes a healthy snack every other day and a cookie or goldfish the other.

Me: So, how's the healthy snack chart going in your class?
Cami: Another class already won. But that's fine, we were actually trying for third.
Me: Why's that?
Cami: The reward was extra exercise time in the gym. I mean, that's not really such a great prize. If we get third, we still did a great job and we don't have to eat healthy snacks every day.
Me: (silence - because I can't really argue with that at all, even though I should;)

#2 I don't remember what we were talking about, but I referred to her class as "little ones"

Cami: Mom! REALLY? I mean, little is more like a word you would use to describe KINDERGARTNERS. We are not even close to little. In fact, we're more like AVERAGE.
Me: My apologies. I will henceforth refer to 2nd graders as average in every way.
Cami: Thank you.

Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving with Ed and Kathy a few days late when we returned from our trip. We kept it very simple and just enjoyed the day together. Taylor made a festive gingerbread house (Zoey sat right under her feet eating all the sprinkles and candies that made their way to the floor).


While the turkey was cooking, we decided to go get our tree. We always go to a small farm about 5 minutes away. The trees are skinny and tall - perfect for our corner.



Dallin actually did most of the cutting this year. We gave Taylor a short turn with the intention of letting Dallin actually finish, but it fell while Taylor was cutting. We promised Dallin that next year it would be all him.

The finished product is beautiful!

Miniature Golf

Here's the last post from vacation. It was supposed to rain the middle of the week. Everyone was all worked up over the flood warnings. We assumed that the day would be a wash and decided to go to a local arcade. When we arrived, the weather was still nice so we played mini golf and drove go-carts. It rained for a few minutes while we were inside and by the time we returned to the hotel it was sunny and we headed down to the pool.

Everyone got at least one hole in one except for me. It was clearly because I had the heavy camera around my neck making me feel off balance. Otherwise I would have easily won ;) Doesn't Dallin look old in these pictures?