Christmas 2010

When I think back at 2010, I think of things that didn’t go how I expected them to at all! Some things didn’t happen. We did some things I never thought we would! It has been very enlightening!

Bridger has now been out of graduate school for one year. We always think that we will have so much time when “…” passes. Yet it is never the case. I put him to work helping me shuffle kids to activities. Work has also kept him busy because they assume he has lots of time, now. In addition, he has started working with two different groups of scouts at church. We still have to work to find nights that aren’t occupied. His promotion for the year is the title of “neighborhood yard guy.” He is taking care of our neighbors yard (who has diabetes) and our other neighbor (who is deployed in Iraq) in addition to our own! He is pretty amazing!

I now have 2-3 days a week with only two kids at home most of the day. That must be too slow of a pace for me because I have started doing some mystery shopping to occupy what free time I have. My kids think it is great when I have a McDonald’s mystery shop! I would love to eventually go back to school. We will see when we can schedule that in! I still love to squeeze time in to talk to friends, read, write, run and cook.

Corban is now 10 years old and in 5th grade and is at his last year at the elementary school. I can’t believe it! It seems to have gone by very fast. He has started playing hockey. He played roller hockey when there was no ice and is just starting to play ice hockey.. He seems to be doing pretty well, and is really enjoying it! ! Even though hockey is new for him, some things never change, which is his love of video games! He has also started staying home to do short babysitting for me. I no longer have to take 5 children with me everywhere I go!

Kjerstin is 8 and in 3rd grade. She was baptized this year. She and Brynna love to perform and will sing or dance for you anytime, with or without a request. She recently wrote Brynna a note that said, “Brynna, you are the best sister I have ever had. Actually, you are the only sister I have ever had. Love, Kjerstin” She is a good cook, is very flexible (she wants you to know that) and loves to plan and organize things. I think she was born to keep me organized.

Brynna is 6 and in kindergarten. She is really shy but is finally making some new friends in her class. She is a good big sister to her little brothers. She decided she liked Gideon when we got him home. She was mad he was a boy but decided he was cute so it was okay. She is naturally loving and will snuggle you anytime you need a little love.

Daven is going to be 3 in 1 week! He LOVES his siblings and they love him. Although he has his own bed, he is regularly asked by them to come and sleep in their beds. He had a hard time this summer when his older siblings went to cousin camp and he had to stay home. I frequently heard, “Where are the guys?” and I was in trouble because they weren’t here! He shares Corban’s love of video games!

Gideon James Critchfield made his entrance into our hearts and lives in a very dramatic way. He was born via emergency C-section on February 10, 2010. He is a happy little guy and has earned the nickname Mr. Giggles. He is not content to be a baby. He is all over the place, and wants all the toys but his own. The only time he holds still is when he is sleeping. He goes to sleep without crying when we lay him in his crib. I have never had a baby do that! He is pretty special.