10. Joel, Coelton and Caden got the "passport" to Bogus for Christmas. Equipment lease for the year, 5 lessons and a season pass. They all learned to snowboard and LOVED it. I was able to tag along with my trusted skis a couple of times and even took Hailey for her first time. All in all, it was a great season with LOTS of snow and fun. I think the guys went up about a dozen times.
9. In February Hailey and I were able to fly to SLC and catch a ride with my sister to Logan, where we stayed at the "scrapbook house". All of my sisters and sister-in-laws and nieces ages 9 and up came. We brought all our scrap booking stuff and spent 3 days and 2 nights working on scrapbooks, laughing, eating and a little shopping and movie watching. The girls went sledding at a nearby sledding hill. It was so much fun.
In September my sisters and I ran in the women's fitness celebration 5k in Boise. It was really inspirational and we had a great time spending time together for a couple of days.
8. Coelton turned "sweet 16". His friends came over while he was at work and filled his room with balloons, candy and streamers. Then the girls drove a car down the street and parked while the boys hid in my garage and waited for Coelton to come home. When he drove in and got out of the truck, his friends jumped on him and blind folded him and tied his hands behind his back and carried him to the "get away car" down the street. They all drove off to JB's and had all you can eat ice cream bar:) Coelton went on his first date in May.
7. In April we celebrated 17 years of marriage! We went to NYC and spent a few days touring and taking in the big apple. We saw a couple of Broadway shows; lion king and Wicked. We also were audience members at the David Letterman show! And I got to pose with the Naked Cowboy:) Joel's parents came and stayed with the kids. They are so kind to help us out.
In October Joel and I ran a half marathon together.
6. We had lots of visitors in 2008. We love to see friends and family. My Dad came and stayed with us for Easter, and again just before Christmas. That was fun to have him here. Although it was strange and sad to not have Mom with him. We miss her so much.
In March our niece in Nampa was baptized. So we housed the Hammer family with Joel's parents, 2 sisters, one brother-in-law, 1 brother and 5 nieces and nephews. It makes for a crowd and a little stress for my type A personality, but it's all good:)
My sisters came to Boise in Sept. we stayed at my house one night and had a blast.
My brother and his family came and stayed for a couple of days in October while they were in the area for a family reunion. It is always nice to be with family on a one on one basis. Coming from large families we don't get those opportunities very often.
5. Family reunions are always a highlight in our year. Once again big families make for big reunions. This year we went to Joel's Mom's side reunion. The Oler reunion is held every 3 years. This year it was at the May Family Ranch near Red fish lake. When we have the big Oler reunions we don't have a Hammer reunion.
In July we went to my family reunion. The Judy reunion. We went to Mountain River Ranch and camped and went on a 4-wheeler ride and Joel and Caden decided to fall off the mountain. We also went swimming to Heise. After a couple of days of that we went to Clifford's mountain to the BIG Judy reunion. My Dad was in charge and we made an amazing race game that we did. It was fun to see all the cousins and my Grandma who is 90 years old.
All in all we spent 7-8 nights sleeping in our trailer.
4. The kids' activities are alway a big part of our year. We are very proud of our children and their accomplishments. Hailey started clogging in 2007 and it has become the love of her life, she took 1st place in her competitions in her solo and team divisions. She also takes piano lessons and art class twice a month. Activity Days for Girls twice a month keeps her busy learning how to set goals and achieve them.
Caden plays the tumpet in his middle school band. He plays Joel's old trumpet. He also ran track and cross country in 2008. He did well and ran a mile and a half in 10 minutes 20 seconds. He also placed 3rd in the 100. Caden only has 3 merit badges left to earn before he can do his Eagle project.
Coelton has worked really hard with his cross country. He runs on one of the best teams in the NW. His best time for a 5k was 18:15. He also ran track and did well in the 800. He played church ball and he has a job with Chem Dry where he goes in 3 days a week and cleans the office and vans etc. Mutual is fun for him to be with his Dad and other boys his age in our ward. He enjoys the activities they do together each week.
3. I got a wild hair and decided I wanted to teach preschool, so I did. I filled up with 4 boys and 4 girls age 3 turning 4! We had preschool in my home on tuesdays and thursdays from 9:30-11:30. Chloe was the biggest reason why I did it, and it was a joy to be with her and her sweet friends. I grew to LOVE these kids and looked forward to seeing them each week. I taught Sept.-June and must say it was a good experience and I had a blast. It was a lot of work, but it was worth it.
2. We saw 2 temples! Before the Rexburg and Twin falls temples were dedicated,we went to the open houses and walked through the temples. What a wonderful experience for our children to see these beautiful temples and to know that we are sealed together forever as a family.
1. Boating! Buying our boat has been one of the best things we have done for our family. It creates such great family time. We have owned it for 8 years now and each year it is so fun to see what the kids will do. This year Coelton began jumping with the wake board. Caden learned to slolom and Hailey crossed the wake on skis, Chloe loves the tube and likes to go fast. 2009 is the year she gets to learn to ski. When all the kids turn 5 they have to give it a try. They cry and cry and scream in protest, but once they get up, they are hooked.
