To wrap up 2009

Although I have no pictures to post (correction: I "have" the pictures, just not the brains or ability to get them from my laptop to the blog- I usually use the desk top which is still in a box somewhere) I thought I'd do a little post so that I can further prolong having to get back to cleaning/unpacking.

We made it from Massachusetts to Utah all in one piece. Well, in about a million little pieces, all packed up individually, wrapped in paper, and taped shut in boxes and luggage. To our relief, I found the toaster today. That was the one item I had convinced myself that the packers had toted off to keep as their Christmas bonus. Turns out they didn't want my Black & Decker-two-slot beauty from 1998. Their loss.

We went to spend Christmas in a beautiful cabin up Heber canyon. Richard's entire family was there and we had a blast. We went sledding, ate, and visited lots. We also all thought it would be fun to share a common bond in the form of a stomach flu. Well, of the 22 of us there, I believe at least 13 shared that bond. I was the only one of our little family to stay healthy. I'm saving my sick days for January.

Is there anything else to add? Think, think! Those boxes are staring me down and I think I've avoided them for too long. I guess I will move on and hopefully post again sometime in the new year. I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and will have the best new year ever!

UPDATE (almost one year later)- I finally figured out how to post some pictures from my laptop so I just wanted to add a few. Mostly so that I can print out this blog and there are nice pictures to wrap it all up.

The kids on Christmas Eve getting ready to open a present. As you can see Grayson was somewhat less than excited because he knew it was going to be pajamas.

Riley and Richard headed downhill on the tube.

Cute Grayson all bundled up.

Korbin, Shaylee, Kenyon, Savannah, Treyton, and Riley all ready to go.

The gang.

So Santa, what are you going to bring these two for Christmas?

Lots of fun making gingerbread houses.

Be afraid...

Because I'm finally going to post our Halloween pictures. And here a couple of more reasons you should be afraid:

We had Bumblebee (the Transformer, NOT the insect), Darkrai (if you're into Pokemon you should be impressed, if not move on), and a Poisoned Princess.

Scary pumpkins, and even scarier faces (or so they think).

But most of all, be afraid because of the number of children I had in my backyard for our neighborhood Halloween party. I know I was.

Doing the candy corn toss. It was a big hit.

The neighborhood party was actually lots of fun and instigated by my fun loving neighbor, Caroline, who really did do most of the work.

That's it for the Halloween pictures but if you want a couple of more reasons to be afraid here they are:

Grayson's class went to the zoo on a field trip and this ostrich came right up to them, which is pretty rare for an ostrich to do. At least that's what they told us. And last but not least, this one is two-fold. First I'm afraid to say that my Riley is growing up and is working hard in scouts. Also, I'm also afraid to say that my photography leaves much to be desired. But congrats to Riley for being such a great kid!

More apple picking

Who's sick of seeing pictures of the Davis family? Anyone? Anyone? Really? Nobody? Okay, I guess I'll post more. It has been a year, I guess. It really is one of our favorite family outings.

This one's for you, Mom

Since my mom has requested more blog posts, I guess I'll do one. Maybe even two. Seeing as how it is her birthday this week and all.

In October our Tholl cousins came to visit. We had so much fun with them but got too few photos.

Enjoying a nutritional lunch of Mac n' Cheese. Who wouldn't want to come visit us all the way across the country after seeing culinary adventures that are awaiting? Now that's hospitality.

Our two sweet 5 year olds at the Old North Bridge. Of course there's no bridge in the picture. The had more fun throwing sand and rocks in the river anyway.

Gray and Clarke wrestling. All of the kids had so much fun together. I guess my older two were just never around when the camera was out. Bad mom. But we had so much fun with them here. We miss them lots and lots!

A new post already

Wow, look at me. Posting again and it hasn't even been a week. I'm on fire!

This weekend we went up to New Hampshire and stayed in the White Mountain area. It's just about peak foliage time so it was a great time to go. We went to Santa's Village and even got to see the big man himself. Getting started on those lists a little early this year.

Feeding the reindeer.Taking a little ride on Santa's sleigh.

The kids also got to swim at the condo, which they were ecstatic about since it had been awhile. Not much swimming this summer with Riley in a cast. I have some photos but you know what a pool looks like, and they're not all that great of photos anyway.

On the way home we drove on the Kancamagus Highway, which is famous for it's beautiful views. We made a few stops along the way and just took our time and enjoyed being together.

It was a great weekend!

Camp Bourndale

A couple of weeks ago the fifth graders at Savannah's school got to go to the greatest over night camp in Plymouth. I was a chaperon and we had such a great time! Savannah and some of her friends waiting to go have dinner.

This was our cabin, right on the lake. Or maybe it was a pond, not really sure. But it was beautiful. We got the "Taj Mahal" since we had 16 girls.

Savannah with some friends on their bunks in the Taj Mahal. Can you use "bunks" and "Taj Mahal" together? Probably not.

I'm not sure why I look like I just had plastic surgery. It may have something to do with the 3 hours of sleep I got the night before. I was just lucky my eyes were open at all.

Savannah actually held a lobster. I was so proud of her. I know she was freaked out but she did it anyway.

They got to go out on a lobster boat, do a fun team ropes course, do some searching along the beach for treasures, go to a magic show, and of course stay up all night. Thanks for letting me go, sweetie!

First Day of School (now over a month ago)

Savannah and Riley's first day:

Gray started a week later. Here they are again:

I love them!

Continued Summer Fun

So, here is what happened for the rest of our summer, once we returned to Massachusetts. I know you have been waiting at the edge of your seat.

First of all, we went to Quincy to see John Adams' houses. That would be John Adams, plural and possessive. Not sure how to do the punctuation on that one, feels like I should add a couple of more 'S's there. Anyway, John Adams (2nd president) and John Quincy Adams (6th president) had a couple of houses there. Make sense? Okay..moving on.

It was a not a very picture-taking-friendly kind of place. Gotta preserve all that old stuff, ya know? Which worked out well because I forgot my camera. I did take this with my cell phone though. Doesn't do it justice but I'm sure if you're deeply interested you could google it and get some great interior pics.

The kids and I went berry picking. We picked blueberries (and by "we" I mean Savannah and I while the boys ran around wildly) with the Adams' (not related to the aforementioned Johns) and Jacksons.

Savannah and Taylor

Crazy boys

The Monday before school started we canoed down the Concord river. We went to the North Bridge. It was beautiful and tons of fun. We even sang "Row, row, row your boat". In rounds. Awesome. And not as much work as you might expect. My suggestion: take someone bigger and stronger than you and place them in the rear of the boat and appoint yourself as photographer. Perfect!

Working hard

Happy End of Summer!

Next to come: First day of school and Camp Bournedale

Now that the bawling has tapered off a bit...

I think I'm ready to give an update and post a few pictures from the summer. That is, for those you (Jennie and Linda) that have not completely given up on my blog due to my super long hiatus'(Is that a word? Well, it is now.).

So right after the kids got out of school in mid-June our Davis cousins came to visit from the state of Wyoming. We had a blast! We went to the beach, movies, Six Flags, Palmyra (in the 12 passenger van. And there were only 11 of us! Of course 7 of those were tiny little bodies so there was tons of room.), did all the major Boston sites, and were able to spend lots of time together. Here are some pics:

The Good Guys with the Green Lantern and Wonder Woman at Six Flags.

Red Sox game

Not long after that we went to Utah, for what was supposed to be 7-10 days. That's not how it turned out. Things started out really great and fun. We had time with family and went to the carnival and parade and fireworks for Steele Days.

The parade with the Tholl cousins

And then "it" happened. The event that would turn our "visit" into what my parents had to of been guessing would be a permanent situation. Riley broke his arm. Fortunately we do not have the "before" pictures just "after" when the cast was put on. He was in a soft cast and sling from Wednesday until Monday and then got to pick out this beauty of a color: We found out the hard way that yellow doesn't do the best job hiding all of the little things that an 8 year old boy might get on a cast in the middle of summer. But that's okay. Three weeks later he got the pin removed and chose blue instead. I'm very grateful for that decision.

Over the weekend we got to spend time with the Davis side of the family. We had a fun time playing water balloon volleyball.

Good thing my daughter has some height to compensate for being extremely outnumbered when it comes to boy/girl ratios among the cousins. I think the only thing that saves her is that she towers over most of the boys.

Summer was also full of:

A brand new four-wheeler

Fishing

Fun at the cabin

Lagoon

Celebrating Savannah's 10th Birthday

We did eventually make it home again and I do have more to post. But for now I think we could all use a break.

Let me introduce myself...

My name is Stephanie. I've been gone for awhile. And back for awhile actually.

Our 7 to 10 day trip to Utah turned into a month. Riley broke his arm. Bad. He had to have surgery and everything. A giant pin was inserted. And then removed three weeks later. That's when we returned to Mass. And tried to enjoy what was left of summer.

The older kids started school on Wednesday. I'm enjoying my last days alone with my baby before he starts Kindergarten on Tuesday. I'll try to post pictures if I can stop bawling long enough to do so next week. I don't want him to go. :(

Scooperbowl 2009

The Jimmy Fund does a fundraiser every year where you pay a flat rate and can enjoy as much ice cream as you like. There is everything from Baskin Robbins to Brighams to some fancy italian gellato. Tons of vendors. Yum! Savannah and her friend Maria with the ice cream cups they had eaten.

My boys with their friends Zach and Dallin.

The whole gang. Now just imagine getting all of these kids through Boston on the subway. Together. In one piece. Well, we made it. And even had some fun in the process!