The Crane Family: 2008

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Different Christmas!!

We must admit we were a bit sad when we found out we wouldn't be moving in until after Christmas. BUT--as always--it turned out for the best! It has definitely been a different Christmas. It has been so nice without all the extra "Stuff" we thought we needed. We strung some corn, threw a few candycanes on the tree--and we're set! The kids were a little bummed at first, not having all the extra's--So we still did our traditional gingerbread houses with all the Halloween Candy ( Zack's favorite part of decorating--he gets his candy back--for a few hours!) And--we put up this years North Pole piece-Thanks Meemaw and Grandpa! WAY simple and SO nice!

We have loved apartment life--and once again we have been taught "what REALLY matters." We have spent a lot of time together--extra close!!! It has been so awesome! It's been the best, especially at Christmas time!! The girls and I went to "The Nutcracker" and had a great time! When Allie found out we had the music--she freaked out--and ever since, we have had a ballet concert every day!!

It finally snowed and the kids could hardly wait to go sledding--so we headed over to "the Lot" (new house) in the dark to try out the sledding hill. They loved night sledding. Then, the next day we went over again, and the kids were surprised to see most of the neighborhood there--they had already made jumps etc--and were all snowboarding/sledding down. Zack was loving all their tricks!

This month has definitely been a transition time for us. Between tithing settlement, a funeral and Mark

being gone a lot, we have definitely had some growing times, and as always felt the hand of the Lord more than ever! We are so thankful for this Christmas season--and the Birth of our Savior! How blessed we are to have the knowledge that He Lives and loves each of us!!! Merry Christmas Everyone! We love you guys, and are SOOO incredibly thankful for you in our lives!! We are excited to see some of you soon!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Thanksgiving in CA!!!

Wow! What a time! We loved going home to Visalia for Thanksgiving. We hadn't been there for 4 1/2 years (since before Meemaw and Grandpa left on their mission.) It was so nice to go back. We started by flying into LA. We thought it would be so fun to stop by our old hood (UCLA housing), and of course run by In-N- Out (Mark was in heaven) and Diddy-Reese--the best of all. It was all fine and dandy until we started up the 405- just past Sunset. Oh- boy did the memories come flooding back. Sitting in traffic! Although we LOVE LA--we have to say we don't miss the traffic! It ended up taking almost 7 hours to go from LA to Visalia (usually a 21/2-3 hour trip!) What were we thinking flying into LA? Oh well--we had a great drive up and Mark and I were loving the time to talk and hang out with the family. However--Next time I think we will fly into Fresno!

While in Visalia--Meemaw and Grandpa went all out! We had a great time hanging all together, eating yummy food, going running, playing football and bball-awesome Turkey bowl! Eating again--and again and again-we even got to go to Valhalla's! Kate and Allie raided Jonelle and Raeanna's old dance outfits--hours of entertainment! We even got to swim in the heated pool. Grandpa was so nice and had it heating for days before we got there--The kids LOVED it and are begging to go back. The best part of all was being all together (except Paul--we missed you!)--it was so fun to see everyone!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

ALLISON LEARNS TO RIDE A BIKE!!!

Yipee! Allie learned to ride her bike without training wheels! She is SO excited to be a free woman!! The weather here has been so awesome--in the 70's this whole week. In fact we haven't gotten any snow yet (Hopefully Soon?) On the way to get the kids she wanted to ride, so we decided lets venture out and take off the training wheels--she was ready, and hardly needed any help. When we finally reached the kids--she was so excited to show them, and they all joined in! She wouldn't put it down, and wanted to ride even when it got dark--I don't blame her--biking is so much fun!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

IT'S ABOUT TIME!!

So we kind of dropped off the earth--So sorry! I would like to say it is because we just moved, but it's already been a month and a half--so--we have no excuse-- - here's the update--get ready for a novel!

Apartment life is super swell! We are loving the simplicity. For the first few weeks we wondered what was in that huge truck that rolled away from our last house--we didn't miss anything--However--we are beginning to remember what we're missing, I keep running to grab stuff --and realize "It's in storage!" Oh well--it is awesome to not have to worry abt that stuff. We love the neighborhood--it is close by our new house--so it has been handy. The kids bike to school every day, and now live closer to all their school friends. We can't complain-it is so beautiful around us--the trees are all different colors, it is so beautiful right now. Here's a picture of Allie--just after we mo

ved in. She's standing in what she calls "Our Back Yard!"--the balcony! We had a great October! We survived all 4 in soccer--that was fun! I thought it would be easier coaching so I could arrange schedules--but it ended up being a bit crazy! It was so fun being with Allie's team. She didn't like it at firs

-but now is begging to play again. She took the relaxed approach. She and her friends held hands running down the field! We keep wanting one of the kids to do a different sport--but I

guess that's not going to happen--they ALL LOVE soccer--I don't blame them--i

t's definitely the best sport! Zack and Allie's games are over--so we're down to just a few games for Josh and Maddie -for at least a couple of months! Then the winter sports hit--Bball etc.

Maddie had a great Birthday! It's so crazy-- she'll be a Young woman next year! Her party was fun--she wanted to go bowling with all of her friends--they ended up having a great time--they are all

great bowlers! We had prizes if they got strikes/ spares etc.-we

thought it would be a rare occasion--however they surprised us and they all did it! It made me realize once again---how bad I am at bowling.

Mark--hit 37 this month-Whoa! Knockin' on the big 40! We had a great time with friends--and of course he loved his BR icecream cake!

Halloween was spectacular! We have had the best weather here. All week it was in the 70's. It was so nice trick or treating in the warm weather. The kids had tons of fun--and of course brought home way too much candy! Here they are in their costumes just before the ward party--(Josh was already there helping with the games) Mark and I were bummed--we had some great digs--but since Maddie's party was just before-- we were running late, and didn't dress up. Oh well--we'll save it for next year. We did dress up at the Office Halloween Party though. We did the annual party inviting all the dentists/ staffs/ families etc.

Our theme this year was "Dr. Seuss" Mark and I were The Mayor and Mayors wife--It was fun--pretty crazy! Good Times.

They also poured our driveway on Halloween morning! The kids had fun making their hand prints--They are getting excited--things are getting painted, and starting to look finished--it's fun--we actually might move in someday.

The highlight of the week of course was the BYU game. The kids could hardly wait for the game. We went with all of our old Ward friends and had a great time. The weather was great again--it was 80 degrees that day--it was so nice! Crazy game huh? Oh well--our defense stinks--I guess it made an exciting game. As you can see--Zack went to great lengths to give the BYU players 5 (he's reaching in between some guys legs!!) He was and still is so into the game--reviewing every play!

And how about those Elections! YIPEE for the Marriage initiative!!! I had to laugh--Josh and Maddie have been saving and saving and saving for an ipod. They have been really into music lately--infact --they have informed me that the music on our blog is so boring! They said we've got to stop the lame love songs!-- I told them--they weren't love songs they were just calm songs--oh well! Maddie insisted on Bubbly--(her friends song) and they both came up with the others! Anyway--For the last 2 years, with all the money they have earned, they have taken 10% out for tithing, 30% out to pay for soccer, and 40% into savings--not leaving much to go toward spending. Josh finally earned the last dollar this week, and came with the money to go buy it yesterday--and I reminded him about taxes. He about died. "What, I have to pay that much in taxes?" It came on such a perfect day--Obama being elected and all--"Yep--and get ready for more!"

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

TIME TO UPDATE!

Mark just got back from Guatemala. He was there doing a Dental mission, and had an incredible time.--And--we were incredibly blessed here, and everything ran really smoothly - We felt so watched over!(I was freaking out before--with the timing--of moving etc, and the Utah people that died in Guatemala the week before.) Anyway--he has wanted to do this forever, and has had it planned for the last year, and he finally got to go. He went down with a group of LDS Dr.s --2 from Fort Collins (Kieth VanTassell, and Ken Allen) and the rest from Denver. They stayed in Chicimunga (I know I hashed that spelling) in a run down hotel, and then traveled every day to different villages. The villages were way up in the mountains--and they rode in the back of a little truck on winding dirt roads for 2-3 hours each way. He mainly pulled teeth--since their teeth were so bombed, but it was cool--One day a 12 year old boy fell and broke his jaw (it just happened to be the day they were there) and knocked out a bunch of teeth. Nobody had any wire so Mark asked if they had paper clips--they searched and found some, and Mark ended up wiring the boys mouth back together with composite and paper clips! Then taught him--how to take care of it after a few weeks/months etc. --Isn't that cool? I am so proud of Mark--what a great talent he has to help people!!! On the last day they were there, they set up shop in Guatemala City to help all of the missionaries waiting to go on missions, but haven't been able to because of their Dental status--they got a bunch of them ready to send out!!! It was cool to hear the experiences--Mark keeps talking that he wants me to come down next year and be his assistant--We'll see--I would LOVE to go --It scares me to leave the kids though--who knows we'll see. Someday, I want to go with the whole family as they get older--Mark especially wants to take them down one at a time as they get older--so they can be a part of it too! What a humbling eye opener--to put life in perspective!

The kids are doing great too! They have been busy with school (they love their classes and teachers!!) -Josh has been totally jealous of Maddie--she has been so busy with taking care of all the neighbors Dogs, cats, fish, plants, hamsters etc while they have been out of town--she is bringing in the big bucks--and it's not fair (he says)!! She has been busy all summer, and is still going, as some of them are still traveling. Thankfully they are all in our cul-de-sac--and it is convenient. She has learned a ton about animals, and which kind of dogs she likes and doesn't, and she found out she doesn't like cats (she is allergic too!) She's also been catching all the local frogs, and craw-dads etc.--Man, this girl is going to be a vet! She loves animals --Where did this come from??---crazy!

Whew--this is way too long--other than that, guess what we've been doing?????? PACKING! We move into our apartment on the 17--and out of here on the 19th--holy cow! That's next Week! I really should be packing--and not blogging--oh well! We have had a blast --finding old treasures! The kids found green hair spray stuff from Halloween and we couldn't resist!! We also found a yummy Christmas chocolate sucker making kit----Allie whipped them up with no problems--and had a treat for the kids when they got home--it has been handy to keep her busy (we won't mention how old that might have been!) We have found all the missing parts to everything we already threw away--oh the fun! We have also loved listening to Em and Chad's wedding CD while we pack (can you tell?) Most of them are from our good old dating days! It has been fun---but I'm telling ya---it just keeps coming out of the walls! Unbelievable how much junk we have--We are looking forward to the apartment--and a much Simpler life!! We told the builder we might just like it better-and have to sell the house!

We love all your updates keep them coming!!!!! Oh--ya and someday after we move --and then probably move again I might actually get around to making our blog private!!!!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

WE SOLD OUR HOUSE!

HIP HOP HOORAY!! The first day of school --we had a second showing and the next day an offer! Yea! Now where are we going to live? We have to be moved out by the 20th of September. We can't get into the new house for a couple of months--so we are going to have some bonding time in an apt. We keep telling the kids--a one bedroom would be awesome! You know, all six of us share a bed (it will bring back memories of all the girls sleeping in one bed as a kid!) Wouldn't that be fun? Anyone's welcome to come visit--we'll even share the bottom half of the bed with you!

Friday, August 15, 2008

END OF SUMMER FUN!!!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

GIBSON- DOXEY FAMILY REUNION

Having the family all in Colorado was so fun!We were so happy to have most everyone there (we missed you Doug and Amber and girls, Emily and Chad, Dan and Julie and kids) But- we are all very excited to have a new little cousin-Caroline! Thanks everyone for coming and especially for being so patient with my emails! We had such a great time up there. It was so awesome to be able to stay in one huge Cabin together--and actually have room to breathe! The kids (and adults) had a great time swimming, playing tennis, biking, roller skating, playing soccer, riding the bmx trails, and hiking through the mountains! We even found an old 1920's cabin--so fun. The adults had a stellar time playing games until all hours of the night-our favorite still speed scrabble! The kids also loved doing crafts, and making hemp bracelets and the girls gave each other pedicures while the boys were golfing. They did such a good job pampering with ice water and chocolate bon bons (left over from the wedding!) We also found time to Mountain Bike in some of the best trails ever--and came upon fields of Columbines--so incredibly beautiful! It was a bummer it was over so quickly. However, we were so thankful that another 32 got to come up to Fort Collins and stay another couple of days. We had fun boating, going on runs, and chillin' once again--we love being together!

Stephanie and Camila Came to Visit!

We were so lucky to have Stephanie and Camila come home with us from San Diego. This was Camila's first braces weekend, we had so much fun, we only wished Paul would have been able to come too. While they were in town, we painted the town red! We had a great time going to build- a-bear for Camila's pre birthday, as well as going to the Kit Kittredge movie. The kids also had a great time just playing outside in the yard, and hanging at the pool. Most of all--we wanted to thank Steph and Camila for being so patient--in the week they were here (and before we left again) we got the house up for sale. They were so patient in letting us do all those last minute things. Thank You!! Even though we won't move until Oct--we wanted to get it for sale before school starts. Moving will be so hard, we have loved our little cul-de-sac, we have such great friends here--It has been a big blessing though, because the kids best friends since we have lived here moved this last week --it couldn't have been better timing (they were have supposed to move a while back)--but it is still so sad to see them go. The kids are so sad. We loved having the Standards live next door--they are such an incredible family--we will miss them.