Happy New Year!
It is a time to reflect on all we have learned and accomplished,
and chart a course for the years ahead.
We are consistently reminded of all we have been blessed with
and would like to show our gratitude by acknowledging those blessings.
Allow us to rewind a bit.
and chart a course for the years ahead.
We are consistently reminded of all we have been blessed with
and would like to show our gratitude by acknowledging those blessings.
Allow us to rewind a bit.
Here are some highlights from 2011:
We sent my parents on a mission. They were set apart in February and reported for training at the MTC. Then in March, when they finished their training, their visas were still in limbo. So they were sent back home and reassigned to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, where they worked until May 2nd, when their visas went through.
They left for Australia on May 3rd, arriving in Adelaide 2 days later and immediately being assigned to serve in Alice Springs, which was another day's trip and is located in the center of Australia, surrounded by the "outback." They served in the branch there and with the Aboriginis in outlying settlements until October, when they were transferred to Mildura. They have learned to love the people there and we are sure they are a blessing to all they come in contact with. We miss them, but are grateful for their service and for their example... and for "Skype", which allows us to keep in touch frequently.
When Grandma Weenig (G.G.) died in June, my Mom was able to attend the funeral. With permission from the Mission President, Dad sent her on a plane the day after they heard the news of Grandma's passing and she arrived just in time for the viewing! It takes a while to get to Utah from Alice Springs! We missed Dad, but rates were too high for two tickets. We are glad Mom could be with us as we celebrated G.G.'s life.
After a week of visiting with family, she made it safely back to Dad,
to finish their mission together.
A huge blessing to our family occurred when David got a job as Manager of maintenance
at Cache Valley Assisted Living Center in Providence, which is just South of Logan.
He started June 1st.
They love him there because he is able to fix anything.
And besides, he treats the residents very well.
Within 3 months he received a significant raise due to his abilities and his efficiency!
They had never had such a competent maintenance man and didn't want to lose him.
We are so grateful for the stability this work opportunity has provided us this year.
Occasionally, David brings an extra helper along to help him get everything done.
Pictured above is Isaac's initiation with a snowblower at the Assisted Living Center.
He proved a diligent driver that day, spending 2 hours removing snow. He is 9 years old.
I am still working at North Cache as an Academic Mentor. This year, Brigham and I go to the same school. It is fun to give him a high five in the hall on occasion.
Brigham helped on many projects this year as well.
He has proven himself a competent worker.
And when he's done working, he makes sure to get in some fun.
He joined an after school ping-pong program this year where he honed his skills.
Our ping-pong games on the dining room table have since become very competitive.
If you ever visit us, you'll have to test his skills. ;)
Brigham's height has surpassed his Mom's AND Dad's during 2011! He is 14 years old and now stands at 6'0''! Luckily for us, maturity is developing with his height. He does his best to "measure up" and "stand tall."
We sent my parents on a mission. They were set apart in February and reported for training at the MTC. Then in March, when they finished their training, their visas were still in limbo. So they were sent back home and reassigned to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, where they worked until May 2nd, when their visas went through.
They left for Australia on May 3rd, arriving in Adelaide 2 days later and immediately being assigned to serve in Alice Springs, which was another day's trip and is located in the center of Australia, surrounded by the "outback." They served in the branch there and with the Aboriginis in outlying settlements until October, when they were transferred to Mildura. They have learned to love the people there and we are sure they are a blessing to all they come in contact with. We miss them, but are grateful for their service and for their example... and for "Skype", which allows us to keep in touch frequently.
When Grandma Weenig (G.G.) died in June, my Mom was able to attend the funeral. With permission from the Mission President, Dad sent her on a plane the day after they heard the news of Grandma's passing and she arrived just in time for the viewing! It takes a while to get to Utah from Alice Springs! We missed Dad, but rates were too high for two tickets. We are glad Mom could be with us as we celebrated G.G.'s life.
After a week of visiting with family, she made it safely back to Dad,
to finish their mission together.
A huge blessing to our family occurred when David got a job as Manager of maintenance
at Cache Valley Assisted Living Center in Providence, which is just South of Logan.
He started June 1st.
They love him there because he is able to fix anything.
And besides, he treats the residents very well.
Within 3 months he received a significant raise due to his abilities and his efficiency!
They had never had such a competent maintenance man and didn't want to lose him.
We are so grateful for the stability this work opportunity has provided us this year.
Occasionally, David brings an extra helper along to help him get everything done.
Pictured above is Isaac's initiation with a snowblower at the Assisted Living Center.
He proved a diligent driver that day, spending 2 hours removing snow. He is 9 years old.
I am still working at North Cache as an Academic Mentor. This year, Brigham and I go to the same school. It is fun to give him a high five in the hall on occasion.
Brigham helped on many projects this year as well.
He has proven himself a competent worker.
And when he's done working, he makes sure to get in some fun.
He joined an after school ping-pong program this year where he honed his skills.
Our ping-pong games on the dining room table have since become very competitive.
If you ever visit us, you'll have to test his skills. ;)
Brigham's height has surpassed his Mom's AND Dad's during 2011! He is 14 years old and now stands at 6'0''! Luckily for us, maturity is developing with his height. He does his best to "measure up" and "stand tall."
Though Brigham started the year playing trumpet, he now plays the French Horn in the school band. It is a fun to hear him practice. His band director says he is a "very sharp young man." We agree. He has become a smart, handsome, witty young man who loves to make people laugh. We are glad to hear that he respects his teachers.
Amber is still playing beautiful pieces on the piano. She is now a big fan of John Schmidt and has mastered several of his pieces. She is usually found plunking away for an hour or more each day... for fun! She creates nice background music for our home.
She is taking an Interior Design class at Bridgerland Applied Technology Center, and plans to obtain a certification in it next year. She loves to design homes and functional spaces. We took her to IKEA for the first time this year and she pronounced it her new favorite store! She has a good eye for color. When she received new bedding for Christmas, she was itching to match the walls in her room to it and within 5 days had her room repainted! She sure doesn't let moss grow under her feet when it's important to her!
Lisa and Isaac joined a weekly learning group this fall that we called "Friday School." Each Friday afternoon we would meet with 5 other families at a park or a home and do learning activities together. We studied Geography, plant-life, Archeology, and "Jr. Inventor." We had fun together and made some new friends. At our closing social, we taught the infamous game, "Hand for the 50 cent piece," to our group.
We added 3 more kittens this year to our clan of outdoor pets.
"Tinkerbell," who was our adopted mystery kitty of last winter (we never did figure out how she got in our garage alone and so small) delivered 5 kittens this summer. But only 2 made it past the first week. We named them "Spunky" and "Jewels." Tinkerbell is on the right below, Spunky on the right. Jewels in the middle. They like to sneak inside when anyone opens the door. We just scoop them up and take them out again. Do you think they'll ever learn?
Colors is the only cat allowed inside.
Because she earned the right.
(I think they're jealous.)
"Tinkerbell," who was our adopted mystery kitty of last winter (we never did figure out how she got in our garage alone and so small) delivered 5 kittens this summer. But only 2 made it past the first week. We named them "Spunky" and "Jewels." Tinkerbell is on the right below, Spunky on the right. Jewels in the middle. They like to sneak inside when anyone opens the door. We just scoop them up and take them out again. Do you think they'll ever learn?
Colors is the only cat allowed inside.
Because she earned the right.
(I think they're jealous.)
The Ward Campout this year was a blast at Camp Lomia up Logan Canyon.
It was really just 3 families that stayed over, but many others came to join us in the evening and then for breakfast and we had a great time with friends in the ward.
It was really just 3 families that stayed over, but many others came to join us in the evening and then for breakfast and we had a great time with friends in the ward.
Isaac worked hard and earned his Bear badge in Cub Scouts.
Thanks to his great leaders, Sister Judy Ogden and Sister Sheri Newton.
Thanks to his great leaders, Sister Judy Ogden and Sister Sheri Newton.
Climbing trees is also a free activity. Isaac is becoming an expert tree climber. His favorite tree is in our town park. (He is his mother's child!)
Isaac's favorite place this year was the barn roof. I even caught him doing his lessons up there!
Despite many warnings that it's dangerous up there and he could get hurt,
He spent many days climbing and sliding up there. That boy is a wonder!
Despite many warnings that it's dangerous up there and he could get hurt,
He spent many days climbing and sliding up there. That boy is a wonder!
Rachel lost her two front teeth and made a plot to foil the Tooth Fairy...
but changed her mind by accepting her Mom's higher offer for the tooth. ;)
Rachel is an awesome reader and surprises her teachers and parents with her capabilities.Recently, she read me a story with all the voices! The cutest was the grumpy old man voice.
It is surprising that one so painfully shy in public can be so gregarious at home.
(She is her mother's child.)
I hiked the Crimson Trail in Logan Canyon with my friends in the fall. Gorgeous!
That has been on my bucket list for years! Check.
Next year I will bring the kids there with me.
That has been on my bucket list for years! Check.
Next year I will bring the kids there with me.
I took the kids to explore the Great Salt Lake--also on my bucket list. Everyone needs to visit there at least once in their lifetime and float in the salty lake. check.
...It was quite a hike to the water this year because it was so low!
We got to go on several field trips with Lisa's online school, Washington Online School of Utah.
One fieldtrip was to the Clarke Planetarium in SLC!
One fieldtrip was to the Clarke Planetarium in SLC!
The visit sparked our imagination and our curiosity...
We discovered a new free local attraction: a 200 foot hill covered in plastic and water. The owners generously allow the community to use this fun facility. It is near the section of canal we call "The flume," which is also a fun way to cool off. These sites made great motivation for summer chores to get done each day. Pictured below is Isaac and Brigham taking the plunge.
...we also learned how to eat with chopsticks. (Brigham didn't get it quite right.)
We played in the firemen's foam on the 24th of July, then rinsed off under their hoses.
This has become a fun Trenton tradition. It's like walking through soap suds!--with friends!
This has become a fun Trenton tradition. It's like walking through soap suds!--with friends!
Amber, Brigham, and David formed a volleyball team this year... the first year we have ever had an "all Radmall" team. They took second in the 3-on-3 tournament in Trenton on the 24th of July!
We built a fire pit in the back yard (where the trampoline used to be) and had fun using it.
Yumm... S'mores!
Isaac attempted to cook his marshmallows how Grandpa Thompson would: to perfection.
He got pretty good at it. Grandpa would be proud!
Isaac attempted to cook his marshmallows how Grandpa Thompson would: to perfection.
He got pretty good at it. Grandpa would be proud!
We tried out the Giant Swing at BYU-Idaho this August. Fun!
(it helps to have connections--Thanks Uncle Scott!)
Notice the rope crew below who pull the victim up--they were strong!
(it helps to have connections--Thanks Uncle Scott!)
Notice the rope crew below who pull the victim up--they were strong!
The day the Allsop's barn blew down was probably the most memorable day, though it was terribly sad. We helped them clean up, salvaged some wood and metal, and some wheat to feed to our chickens. Luckily, Brother Allsop has insurance that paid to have another built in its place.
Isaac couldn't resist jumping in the barrel of salvaged wheat!
Brigham didn't mind burying him in it either.
Brigham didn't mind burying him in it either.
Heating our home mainly with wood this year has been a challenge. Thanks to a borrowed log-splitter, we chopped and stacked 2 months worth in one afternoon! It even cuts through knots! Thanks, Brother Merrill! We are grateful to have the ability to heat our home.
Skating on the ponds south of our house has become a favorite winter activity. The sun warms our face and the exercise warms our blood.
A new cousin, Tyson, was born on 11-11-11. Lisa is in heaven! Need I say more?
She still has a tender spot for the babies!
This one is a real cutie!
She still has a tender spot for the babies!
This one is a real cutie!
Sleepovers with cousins are the best!
This Christmas will go down in Rad-history as one never to be forgotten.
Santa and some of his elves delivered a magical surprise while we were sleeping!
The gifts filled our entire living room!
Look at all those smiles.
Other memories include the day the fridge broke down, my trip to Maine, Lagoon days, 5 new kittens, our hike to Cecret Lake, and Taunte Marte's 100th birthday party. (those pictures are temporarily out of commission.) Which reminds me of another memory to document: Our kitchen computer also gave up the ghost. We miss her. Hopefully, she will be replaced soon.
This Christmas will go down in Rad-history as one never to be forgotten.
Santa and some of his elves delivered a magical surprise while we were sleeping!
The gifts filled our entire living room!
Look at all those smiles.
And now, adieu to 2011. May the memories we have made forever remind us of the goodness of God and his tender mercies toward us.
We wish you a peaceful and prosperous 2012! Boldly forward!
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