The Crane Family: 2009

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Merry Christmas!!!

So--for all of you that got our Christmas card--you can put your hats back on! Our "jotting down" has been few and far between these days! I thought I was on the monthly plan--but apparently-it's now becoming every other month. One of these days I'm going to shock you all (5 readers) and throw in a post before the months up! Hat's off to you guys --who are daily/ weekly posters--seriously, it's impressive! Oh--and I know these pictures don't merit the huge size--STILL working on that--I wish I weren't computerly challenged!

So--since this is like our mini journal--here is our last couple of months!

Christmas is Here! Matchy, Matchy Jammies and all! This year Mark and I even joined in the fun. We had a great Christmas Eve with the VanTassell's and all wore our new pajamas!
Long live the PJ tradition!

We have been crazy busy, and it's been so fun. November and December were filled with all kinds of adventures. We can finally say we're ready for Christmas! Woo Hoo! We made it through tithing settlement (well--still one more day-and Mark even started mid-November) We have a big ward. Mark loves this chance to meet with everyone. We also had one work/church/friend Christmas party after the next--so fun! We even made it up skiing a couple of times. Thanks Jeff and Becca for coming out to see us and ski Mary Jane with us. We all had a great time!

The kids are loving skiing more and more every year. They are so fun to ski with. Allie plows straight down the mountain with NO fear--it's actually kind of scary--but also so stinkin' cute! And, the other kids are now begging to only do Bump runs! I love it! They all beg to go back--even after a freezing/ snowy day.

We also made it up to cut down our Christmas Tree. This turned out to be double the fun we thought it would be. We tromped through the freezing snow--totally unprepared (since this was our first time cutting it down.) We forgot gloves, wore burkenstocks and pretty much froze. Not sure what we were thinking--we did bring the saw and rope though! Needless to say--We finally found our perfect tree, chopped it down and headed back to meet our friends (who were only the Mom and son--since the Dad was gone) Turns out, they were really stuck. We tried everything to get them out (5 cars, a broken tow rope etc.) and finally had to get a tractor with a wench. Mark was in the car as the wench pulled him up the mountain, and at one time both wheels were off the ground ready to roll! CRAZY! It turned out to be $25, several hours, and a life time of memories! We can't wait until next year--we even found a new place for only $10!

We also were so happy to go down and do Youth Temple baptisms at the Temple. This was Maddie's first time it was so awesome being there with both Josh and Maddie.

Another awesome Ski day--with the Browns and VanTassell's --Thanks guys. We had so much fun!

NOVEMBER

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!! Thanksgiving in Provo is always a hit! We had a great time all together. Everyone came except Heidi and Clay (they were moving into their new house.) We partied hard, and celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years all in four days. Rock On!!

We had such a fun time in Utah--going from one thing to the next. Here we are running the Turkey Trot--Good times running with the family. It is so fun now that all of the nieces and nephews are doing it too! Maddie and Josh did awesome in the 5k and Zack and Allie tore up the fun run! It was freezing--but worth running all together!

The Gift exchange is always one of our favorite--everyone is so creative and crazy fun! Here we are just after opening our gift from Dave and Les! Dave made us this frame--it is amazing!!! He hadn't stained it yet--but it turned out awesome! Thanks so much Dave and Les--you guys are awesome!

It wouldn't be Christmas without Mom trying to read her favorite Christmas story (The gift of the Magi) to all 70 of us -at the same time!!! Comical!!! Every year Mom's got some incentive up her sleeve to try and make them listen--This year she gave money if they answered her tricky questions! She is hilarious!!

Go BYU!! I know this is so old--but--What a blast!! Biking down to the stadium all together (thanks Bry!) was so much fun. Yes--we felt like we were back in the good old days--storming the field -jumping over Utah fans and all--What a great game. It was so much fun going with everyone!!

Since we were trying to get in New Years too--- we of course had to have the annual dance! This is the favorite event all year! All 75+ (college roommates etc) joining in to cut the rug! It just gets better and better every year! The college kids even showed us the latest craze- and Amber taught us a few moves--Now, we all rock the house! (by the way--we miss Doug and Amber and the girls living with us SO much! And wish Doug the best as he interviews for his residency here!!)

The music was awesome--of course! Plenty of MJ-and all the latest tunes!

Doug and Dan lived it up with their guitar solos!

Have a very Merry Christmas and an awesome New Year!!! We love you guys!!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

OCTOBER

We made it through October--one of our craziest--most gleeful months of the year!! 3-4 soccer games every Saturday, two braces weekends, Mark's 20 year reunion in Visalia, Maddie and Mark's birthdays, and of course the Halloween craze! Here are a few pictures! By the way--still working on sizing--holy honkin' pictures!!

"Allison" Wonderland

Allie could hardly wait for Halloween this year. Last year we found this costume on the 90% off sale and had to get it. She loved the idea of being her name!! I still don't think she has ever realized it's Alice IN Wonderland--oh well--that's what makes it so fun! She's hilarious. She's been growing out her hair, and watching the show so she could fit the part! She even splurged with the make up--Yikes!!

The Glow Sticks!

Maddie and her cute friend Emma, thought of this idea! They wanted to be glow sticks! Hours of playful preparation--these girls were making us laugh! Finally they came out--all done up. On the real night they were covered in glow sticks around every limb. We didn't get a picture because they were so eager to trick or treat!

ZACK THE PINATA!

(I know--We're total copiers on this one!)

Zack loved this idea and was determined he wanted to be it! He was hilarious--and had so much fun dressing up this year! By the way--Josh is at that last minute- pull something out of the basement stage. He ended up being a a crazy/magician with one of the little kids costume--with the addition of a lovely wig! I can't believe I didn't get a picture. He threw it on so fast and was out the door--he looked awesome!

And of course. . . an all time low!

CAPTAIN AMERICA

Every year--Mark and I love dressing up--Mark is the best--he doesn't care what he is--he races in from work and throws it on right before the Ward party. We're usually a little more comfortable though--you know the standard--70's, Bikers, Movie Character etc. Oh no--not this year!! We went to new levels (of embarrassment!)

We all went for family night to Savers, and the kids picked out these beauties!! And the funny thing is --we ACTUALLY wore them! Don't worry--I made Mark put on 3 layers of baggie shorts underneath so it wouldn't look too tight. Next year--I think we'll shoot for a little something . . . else!

Madison turns 12!!

and finally gets her ears pierced!

We were so lucky this month to have Stephanie and Camila come over Conference weekend for braces (which --because of all of the conference watching--we didn't even get pictures--So Sad) And the next weekend we had the other cousins come. They happened to be here just before Maddie's 12th birthday! So of course --they all joined in on the big day Maddie has waited for! It started so fun --all the excitement of joining in on the fun. What they didn't know, is that it was going to take an hour and a half to get out of Claires! When Maddie sat in the chair, she immediately freaked out!! The ear piercer had to get on 4 new pairs of gloves --to help the other lines of people patiently waiting. So we decided she better, just not do it! Now, she was more determined! After all--she had waited 12 years for this! She begged for her cousins to hold her hand, and explain every detail of what "actually" happens! Finally --she took the plunge and squoze (however you spell that -non word) Katie's hand to death!!! Thanks girls for being so patient! Afterwards she was so excited!

We hope this day never ends--

It's sad because it probably will--These kids are getting too old--College, Mission Calls (Congrats to Caitlin--Brazil, and Andrew--Mexico!) Crazy how life is passing us by. This picture is so exciting. . . but so sad! Here are the first 4 kids OUT of braces. They surprised Mark with an ice cream cake--So perfect! They definitely knew how to get to Mark's heart!! You guys better still come back--thank goodness for retainer checks!!

Finally--amidst all these Craziness in October, we can't forget what we've spent most of our Saturday's Evenings doing. GO BYU! We love BYU sports, and the boys can't get enough of it. Zack pretty much sums it up. So anxious for the game, he's willing to do his jobs all geared up! We LOVE this kid!

Monday, September 14, 2009

BACK TO SCHOOL!

The Good news is--they replaced my computer!!! Yipee--the Bad news--this post is FOREVER long. So Sorry--oh well-finally an update for the journal!

The Fossil Creek Ward's

Annual Labor Day Duathalon!

Go Josh, Maddie,Zack and Allison!

Josh was smokin' fast--so close to bringing home the purse!

The Little ones had fun too! They fought hard to the finish line!

The First Day of School

(Well--actually we had 4 first days of school- this was the final day!)

Maddie was SO excited to finally be in Middle School! Here she is running to the car as we picked her up--BEAMING with JOY

We lucked out! We thought we were moving too close to the school to be bused. Apparently we are 1.1 miles (cut off is 1 mile) from the school--So the kids are bused!! Zack and Allie love the adventure!

Allie graduated from her little bike--and got some new wheels --Yipee! Now she can ride as fast as the BIG kids and go running with Me (if I can keep up with her!)

These kids crack me up!! I was complaining about all of the solicitors one day--and they must have heard. Within an hour they were all dressed up at the door selling all sorts of crazy stuff--bobby pins, grass, candy --they even had a clip board to sign for better transportation to Denver/ clean water act etc. etc.-hmm sounds like they've been paying attention!

Fishing in the Neighborhood Pond!

It's true--we finally made it there. We have a pond that is fed from our local lake. Every time we have family or visitors come, we say we'll go there and we never do--it's a block a way, free and SO fun for the kids. We finally got there right before school started--and what a bummer, we have been missing out on so much! The kids had a great time and all caught a FISH!

Water World!! Our last final adventure before the kids started school! Allie is big enough to do all the rides-- we had such a great time chillin' in line together!!

After Fishing--we had our last night of summer roasting marshmellows and singing around the campfire. Well--I sang-the kids just laughed at me. It might have something to do with my skills-- I stink in both-the guitar and singing! The problem is--I love it! Maddie was the photographer and tried all kinds of shots!-you go girl!

Finally--We actually have NEWS!! Mark got a Partner!! This is Craig Seager--he just graduated from a school in Texas and will associate for 3 years before buying in!! Yipee!! We have noticed a huge relief already (notice --Mark's actually in the pictures!) Yippeee!!