It went way too fast....We loved having them come!!! As they left, it was hilarious.... the 3 camera happy people in the family- just couldn't get enough shots!! There were at least 55 just like this. I didn't even need a video- I have every step recorded. It's sweet to scroll through really quick! The best part, is that if I would have known we were taking so many, I might have gotten out of my Pajamas!
As they left, we thought John could use a Good "Dutch Hug" himself-- We Love that kid!
And as they rolled away-- the kids were so sad to see them go. Thankfully we would see them in a couple of weeks. While walking in, we were in awe of how pretty the snow looked! It was going to be an awesome White Christmas!!!!
After they left, we realized we only had 2 days before Christmas so we got busy- and finished our shopping!!
Christmas Eve at the VanTassell's
After a fun day of delivering to the Single Sisters- we were ready to celebrate. Mark made his annual Prime Rib- and we all enjoyed a tasty feast!!
The Nativity was spectacular of course!! The kids all did a great job reenacting, as Josh read the scriptures. Our favorite part- singing "Away in a Manger."
Fun times together!
Maddie made Cambri a poster of fun memories of the two of them since they were 3 years old!
And Cambri gave her this adorable Candy Bar Bouquet!! Mmmm Mmmm!
Not sure why I took pictures of the cakes-- but hey---They do look tasty!! Mmm Mmm always love a good dessert on Christmas Eve!
And finally home to open "CHRISTMAS JAMMIES!!"
Before we called it a night! We opened the last and final 12 days of Christmas Gift! Meemaw and Grandpa are so awesome! This year they decided to give the "12 days of Christmas!" Each day filled with all sorts of fun stuff....games, cookies, fudge, books, gingerbread house, cook book, candy, popcorn the list goes on and on! On the last and final day.... we got this Amazing Book Of Mormon!! Isn't it beautiful?!?! THANK YOU SO MUCH- we loved every minute of it!
Christmas Morning!!!!
So-- This is SUPER SAD.... Somehow I have lost all of our Christmas morning pictures, along with most of the ski trip/gift exchange with the Crane Family. It's KILLING ME!!! I had all these cute shots of the kids- on Christmas morning, and they are gone! I had all these fun shots of our White elephant exchange and adventures all together with The Crane side- and they are gone. I am going to keep looking. It doesn't make sense, because I know I loaded them on to my computer. Thankfully I had my little camera while we were skiing etc- so I did get some shots. If anyone has any they would like to share-- I would love some. Maybe I'll look at your blogs, and try to get them off of that. :( So SAD!!!
Christmas Morning was a hoot this year. We all got a few random things- since none of us are in "Need" of really anything! So-- we decided lets focus on our talents. Tap shoes and Guitars! Mary Poppins- in NYC inspired us , not to mention reminiscing on the old BYU tap class. We were inspired to broaden our horizons! :) :) We had a sweet shot all holding our guitars- but it's gone :( Since it was sunday, we had a hoot all sitting around and learning some tap moves together, and strumming a few tunes. It was awesome!!! The boys were especially thrilled with the tap shoes. We told them- -all the best athletes take dance lessons- so buck up and join in!! And now..... they have become a great toy for all the friends to come over and play with!
Tap on Dude!
CHRISTMAS-TIME .... ALTA SKI RESORT
One of the favorite Crane Traditions lives on! We had such a great time this year skiing all together at ALTA! From Sugarloaf- down to WildCat- good times were had by all! Even though this year was sparse on the snow front-- it didn't stop us for a second! We found that this group can find the good snow anywhere.
Since Ski shots are basically unrecognizable-- here's the rundown:
Stephen, Maddie, Josh, Zack, Paul, Mark, Jeff, Dad, Brian, Laura and Becca.
Kate and Allie were loving every minute of Ski school!
Loving the chance to SKI!!!!!
Good Times in the Lodge beforehand-- downing the hot chocolate so we can stay warm!
Max and Tom came up for a day-- And the boys were off in splendor! :)
Mom Crane's Birthday Celebration
What a treat!! We all had such a great time going out to dinner for her special day!! I'm SO sad I don't have these pictures either-- seriously-- -this has never happened to me to lose so many. It is crushing! I had some awesome shots of the Birthday Bash!
Another day on the slopes! It was a total WHA--ZEA!!
We were doing our best to stay on the Mountain-- There was some sweet wind!
And THIS is why we have CC&R's!!! Mark and I went for a walk in good old Sandy, and found this treasure. You know, I used to think neighborhood rules were kind of funny. Not any more....this neighborhood could have used some! Were they trying to be funny? I guess we all have a little wild finger!!! :) :) :) Maybe it's the new look!
I might need to mention why we went on the walk! So.... about day 3 of being together all in the same house, the Barf's started!! Of course- it wouldn't be a good family reunion without it! One by one they were dropping off. I think in the end almost everyone had it except for 2-3. It was violent! No mercy- as we say! Our family hadn't been infected quite yet- so we thought that maybe getting outside for a walk would protect us from further germs. Not so!! As the Crane Reunion was coming to an end, we asked the Gibson- Doxey crew if we should just head home instead of infecting all of them. They said No-- Come along. So-- we did!!
It started out great! Mom got to hold the two new little babies all at once! I think almost every picture with Jackson and Tommy side by side-- has Jackson screaming in it! Hmmmm What's Jackson sensing with Tommy? :) Just kidding RICHARD!!! Tommy is the cutest-sweetest little one. Jackson is clearly a bit tempermental!
Always so fun to get together for the The Annual Gift Exchange!!
DOUG AND AMBER and EM and CHAD we missed your sorely!!!!!
This year we decided to pool all of our money and do a sub for santa instead of spending on the kids. So--- we decided let's all give something nice to each other from around the house (that doesn't fit, a toy that you love etc.) Zack was seriously Stoked when he got a sweet BYU hat from Mitch. Mitch knows Zack well!!
Then we went on to the Adult gift exchange. White Elephants at it's best!!
Mike got some awesome 100 pound Snowshoes Dave had made with the scouts! :)
Johnny inherited the Sweet Batman underpants from Richard! Rich- I still haven't seen you shovel Mom's snow in those-- You owe us!
And Mom got the lucky prize! A Pickled Snake! Mmmmm Mmmm
This is always one of my favorite memories!! Mom trying to explain and pass out the gifts with 80 people in the room-- 55 of them ---kids-- screaming, or totally not paying attention! With most adults saying "Shhhhh" (notice Cher!) It's hilarious!!! She is SO awesome to even attempt this!! This year was extra special because she brought gifts from NAUVOO!!
Each Grandkid got their very own Nauvoo Hat!!! And look how awesome they look wearing them! Our own Nauvoo working boys right here in Cheri's house!
The Teenagers were LOVING their new digs!
Loving every minute of down time!! I LOVE Christmast AFTER Christmas!!
Finally time to just relax!
So-- This picture is great!! These girls were SO helpful getting all the food prepared for the New Year's Eve Party! It all tasted so awesome!!
Good times hanging out-- waiting for the Dance to Start!!!
THE ANNUAL NEW YEAR"S EVE COUSIN DANCE!!!
14 Years and Counting!!
So many smiles....laughs.....crazy dance moves.... and sweaty pits! AWESOME!!!!
That's the true sign of a good dance!
Megan and Jake were so awesome to play with Jackson while we were hoopin' it up! Megan had just had her wisdom teeth out- so she was feeling a little under the weather.
The tunes were spectacular!! Every year- full of new finds!
Every kid cut the rug....no kid left behind! What a hoot!
I always get WAY too into it! :)
Zack, Tom, John, Nathan and Ammon had their fair share of sweat! They were killing us with all their moves!
Since we have now entered the years of Stake Dances- We start the dance a little earlier so that the teens can all head off for their own adventure! Here they are all headed out. They ended up hitting 2 stake dances that night-- and LOVED EVERY MINUTE!!!
As the teens were away- the little ones had their own party with Fireworks to bring in the new year! Sparklers were a fave!
Remember that awesome picture of these Girls helping so much?!?!?! Well- bummer of a day-- right during Mom's Welcome Home talk- one by one they ran out of Sacrament Meeting to throw up. We quickly took them home and got them isolated. Maddie and I had already had it- so we thought we were clear. Obviously not!! This was the first of almost everyone else getting it! It was awesome-- after Church- we had a wide spread of tasty food-- The girls had helped prepare almost all of it! Nice!
So many memories in Mom's Yellow Kitchen!! Nice to be back again!
Jackson and Tommy again-- Only this time Jackson's Happy!!
Hours of giddy laughter!
Mom and Aunt Linda looked so cute! It is so nice to have Mom home!
Since we have to make the most of every minute we are together.... Dan gathered us all for the "Newly Wed Game" Hilarious!!
Nothing like a Good Old LAUGH!!!
Which item of clothing would you get rid of in your wife's closet???
Rob: A teal blouse!
Epic Stories of DeeAnn and Andy's dating days!!
So like I said.... One by one we dropped off throwing up (just like with the Crane Side.) Perfect timing traveling back home with the ralphs! I get this email half way through our drive from Julie--The whole family was having a traveling barf party!
Sick-Hideous--and Hilarious!!
Like I said.... It wouldn't be a good family reunion without it! Doesn't it seem that whenever families all come together over Christmas- we pass this? Many different states, No sleep, lots of sugar, party hardy--and we finally let our gaurd down. It's AWESOME-- definitely makes for good memories!
After we got home, the kids still had a whole week off school. So we cleaned up Christmas one day, chillaxed at home another. And finally just before we went back to school we celebrated having nothing to do and went to Fort Fun!! They always dream of going- but I always have some awesome excuse. This time I didn't- but that's ok it ended up being a a hoot!
Zack hit the jack pot. He put the first token of the day into one of those spinning token drops, and hit the biggest ticket winner. All these with one token!! Woohoo!
And Just like that Christmas Vacation was over and it was time to get on with Life! It's always fun to have Allie's birthday just 2 weeks after Christmas so we can celebrate again! Here she is for her Sunday Dinner Birthday party!
Oh what a feeling to be 8!!!!
Allie had grown out of her bike a long time ago- so she was so excited to get a big one that will go fast!! Blue is her favorite color!
We couldn't do her party on the actual day- so we lived it up and went out to RED ROBIN for dinner!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLISON!!! Since Stake conference with Elder Christofferson was the weekend after (and Mark would be gone most of the day)- we postponed her party for two weeks.
Family Home Evening-- Josh was in charge.... so that meant we were having Root Beer Floats!!
Josh is awesome! He works so hard on school work, winter track, scouts and makes sure he gets to seminary every day. This has happened too often.... when I come down to make sure all is well before I go to bed, and there he is, Sleep praying!!! The poor guy- we've got to figure out how to get him more rest!
THE PINE WOOD DERBY!
Zack's last year - wow- can you believe it's gone so fast? He and Mark worked hard to get his car done, and finished just in the nick of time. He had a great race- but didn't win. Our ward is quite intense! It's alright though- Zack had a great time making it and spending that time with Dad!
The Standard....."Silver Bullet!"
Allie's Birthday party finally rolled around- and it was glorious! Well-- at least I was proud we actually did one! We decided a while back to only do one every other year. However, we missed two years ago--- then had to skip last year since I was throwing up with the pregnancy- so we tried to make it extra special this year!
She wanted a "Fancy Ladie's Lunceon" All in Pink- "Since that's what girls like!"
This was the dessert table
She invited 12 little girls- and they all gathered around the table for a tasty lunch- followed by an afternoon of pampering. Maddie and Cambri gave them facial massages, and pedicures, and did a spectacular job. They were so good with the girls- and made it extra special!!!
My friend Sandi Garrett- was so sweet to lone us some of her cutest pink napkins, holders and serving pieces.
The best part of this whole party was that it was truly a Family Affair!!! We all chipped in to make it extra special. Maddie took care of all the pampering stuff- and took orders from all the girls. Josh and Zack were the waiters--- complete with French accents! SO cute!! We didn't even ask them to--- out of the blue Josh walks in talking in an accent- and was so darling with the girls! The were all giggling. Zack was amazing as well- helping them and rolled his arms to say "Let me be at your service!" And--I wish I had a picture of the kitchen. Mark was going crazy cooking up some tasty Homemade Mac N Cheese!
I told Allie she was extra lucky to have two big brothers (and sister and friends) willing to help her so much, and make everything so special. Not many girls have that!
Maddie and Cambri serving the breadsticks.
Zack was a fabulous water boy- So proper!
This appears a little funny! We served Sparkling apple cider- so the boys served it. When we looked at the pictures- we realized.... maybe that doesn't look so good!
And finally time for the Cake!!! Allie wanted a fondant cake this year. It was our first try. We learned a few things- so it wasn't perfect-- but over all- it was fun to make!
HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY ALLISON!!!!
Wow- this is a SUPER LONG POST!! No need to read.... it's just for journaling purposes. I am sure you are SO BORED!
Anyway---On with life. Jackson is loving the bath these days. He's figured out how to MOVE everywhere! You should see him spin!
and wiggle out of everything!
JANUARY is national AIRWAY ISSUE month for us. Not even kidding-- I don't ever remember a January without wondering if my kid was going to breath again. Josh started as a baby- Zack in the hospital a few January's, Allie's RSV, FLU, Pnuemonia scare was in January, and it wouldn't be right if Jackson didn't have issues as well. Yep-- He ended up in the hospital as well-- RSV. We tried everything possible to keep him out - steam showers etc. (In fact- I'm not sure why we have a picture of this-- it's pretty hideous. Oh well- that's our life.) Nothing seemed to work- so they wanted to get him on some oxygen.
Thankfully he is on the mend now!
Mark was so awesome. Only one person could stay at the hospital- and he insisted since he didn't have work the next day. So I went home and actually slept through the night for the first time in a long time. THANK YOU MARK!!!!
HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY JOSH!!!!!
16 years ago-- WOW--it's hard to believe! So Josh came to me a few weeks before his birthday and said "Hey Mom..... ummmm...... Just so you know..... I REALLY don't like parties for my birthday!" I was shocked :) I was totally planning on inviting the whole school for a big SWEET SIXTEEN PARTY!!! I told him I only posted it on Facebook so who knows if anyone will get the message! :) He was a bit freaked out. We all had a great laugh!!
Josh's Birthday Breakfast before Seminary!!!
Maddie was super sweet and made him her famous "Chocolate Shake!"
The Baer's were so awesome and brought by a Sweet Candy Bar poster!!!
And we finally made it out to his favorite Steak Place- Austen's!!
Josh was loving getting new track shoes and a super duper, dandy, back pack and money for his birthday!!
SAY GOOD BYE TO THE "GIRL CAR!" From Day one, Mark has felt like his car was a girl car. But it has been so reliable and practical that he didn't care. Well- now it is totaled!! It's too bad I didn't get the picture on the crashed side. The whole side was T-boned. I had no idea how bad it was. When he called he made it seem like a little fender bender. What a blessing he was ok!!! Bummer of a day!!! It had been quite a week with Jackson in the hospital, school issues, a speeding ticket, and just when we had talked the night before about "When it rains it pours" and trials- he gets hit and totals his car. THANKFULLY all is well- and Mark is ok. What a BLESSING!!!
As I wrote in my journal that night, I realized how blessed we have been. Every one of those situations could have been horrible. We are so GRATEFUL to have
everything work out so good.
Katie gets her braces off!!! Isn't her smile Beautiful!!! We are SO happy for her- it was worth the many years of torture! We tried and tried to find another time for braces weekend- but the only other option was the end of March (which is way too long!) So- we piggy backed it with Allie's baptism.
As I came home from taking Josh to bball- the house was silent. That NEVER happens. I came in to every one asleep -- crashed in silence. The night before they had had a doozy of a drive. The blizzard hit- and the road closed right behind them. We were all stressing-- I of course was pulling out my hair :) What a huge blessing they were all ok- we were so thankful they could come.
A blizzard brings a New Adventure!!! Apparently these kids were running in and out doing snow angels, races etc. What a hoot!!
After Josh was done shoveling the driveway- he took the ladies for a spin out in the fields!!!
Wow-- was it a ride!!! They were diggin' every minute!!
ALLISON'S BAPTISM
What a blessing to have family come for Allie's baptism. This is huge to an 8 year old!! She has been looking forward to this day for a super long time, and having everyone there was the highlight!! We are so proud of Allie and her decision to be baptized! She is such a light in our family. Full of love, kindness, and sweet thoughtful surprises!! She is a get it done kind of gal- who goes out of her way to help in any situation- even if it's not fun. We LOVE you ALLIE!!!
Grammie flew in just for the day since she was to be in CA for Ella's blessing. We were so thankful she could come!! We have such awesome Grandparents! Mom and Dad Crane came even in the crazy snow storm. We were so grateful they all made it so safe. We are SO thankful for their awesome support and examples in everything we do!!
WE LOVE YOU ALL!!
Grandpa and Allie- What a special day!!!!
Stephanie and Camila were the shiggidy bomb dizzle (that means a lot around here!) They flew in Friday night and decided to wait until morning to drive up because the roads were so bad. They were so awesome to wait until Grammie flew in and bring her up. This was such a HUGE help-- and saved so much stress driving back and forth that day! THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!
After Sacrament Meeting on Sunday Josh got ordained a Priest!!! Wow- a Priest! Life has gone too quick! This past sunday- we all sat down and looked around for Josh (we thought he might be at the back doors- doing his Teacher responsibility) but we still couldn't find him! Until we looked up at all the Priests- and there he was sitting up there! How did he get this old? Crazy how fast it's gone!!
It was fun to have Jeff and Becca come up from Denver. They brought Jackson a sweet Winter Park "No Pain, No Jane!" Starting him off right!!
Jack Jack (that's what the kids call him) is such a ham!! In the hospital he would be crying and wining, and the minute the nurse walked in he would turn on the charm. Suddenly smiles- all around!! He is so funny, he especially loves when friends come over. Zack and his friends just love every minute they get to be with him!!!
Jackson just LOVES Mark-- they definitely have such a bond!!
Happy Valentines!!!
You like this giddy up?? Every year we go to a benefit dinner called Simply Red. It is an organization that helps prevent kids doing drugs and alcohol. So, usually we wear the standard red tie, red shirt etc. However--this time it was a little different as you can see. The night before a box was delivered to our door. Inside.....was this stellar red suit!! Mark's friend sent it to him and his partner! Nice!! So they wore it with pride- and thankfully others were dressed just as ridiculous!!!
Fifth grade is Valentine Box --Competition year. Zack wanted something that they could "Do" not just some.....drop candy in a box kind of thing! Josh had a great idea to do a Skee-Ball (or Z-ball) Valentine Box. As soon as it was mentioned they got to work-- and voila, Here it is!! Zack and Allie tried it all out and had a great time. Zack even had extra treats for
those that got the 1000 hole!
We woke up Valentine morning with a huge Surprise! The kids had made US breakfast. Complete with a Sugar Cookie, and pink and red punch! :) YmmmmYummmm!
Valentines his hilarious. It seems like everyone I have talked to this week has a few flecks of red glitter on their face. Compliments of all the Valentine boxes, and craftiness!
Allie was so excited to have her desk decorated when she got to school! All the 2nd grade parents snuck in to leave a surprise. She already ate the candy and took off the pictures- but it made for a special day!!!
The kids loved making sugar cookies for the neighbors and the piano teacher!! LOVE those sugar cookies!!
I love Valentines---Especially "The Day After Valentines!!" That's the day we got engaged (Mark didn't want to be too cheesy :) Mark is just the BEST!! Seriously-- such a delight to be married to my best friend in the whole wide world! I hate to get cheesy -- but I am so THANKFUL for him and the blessing he is EVERY DAY!! I LOVE YOU --MARK-- Thanks for the Awesome Life-- and Awesome Flowers!!
They're even my favorite.... Tulips!
