Christmas Letter 2011

Critchfield Family Christmas 2011
I have an autobiography I had to do as a sort of senior project in my AP English class in high school. My kids ask me to read it to them at bed time. Can you believe I have forgotten some of the things that I wrote happened. Not just forgotten, like “Oh yeah! I remember that now!” I mean forgotten like, “Did that happen? Did I make this stuff up?” It is a sign of my growing older I suppose but also a sign that is it good for me to write things down. So with that attitude, I start our annual Christmas letter.
Bridger has had some shifting of job duties at work this fall as part of a company restructuring to be more efficient. He is now basically a call center claim rep which means he doesn’t have to drive 5 hours in a day to inspect a claim in the nethermost regions of SE Idaho. He won’t be called to work in Montana for a week or more on the last minute because of a storm that just came through. He will have to sit in a cubicle for 8 hours a day from 8-5 specifically to answer phone calls. There are good and no so good parts to the change and we are trying to take them all in stride. I think it is easier on me to take them in stride because he is home more and I don’t sit in a cubicle 8 hours a day. He was also just given a new calling at church. He is the assistant scout master. I had someone tell me what a good job he does with these boys. We also had our neighbor return from Iraq so he is no longer maintaining 2 yards. Instead of working the hours of 2 jobs and having 2 callings and 2 yards, he is down to one of each which is a nice change.
Corban turned 11 this year and is in 6th grade. He has been going on camp out with the scouts. Corban’s response to Bridger’s new calling was, “Does this mean you will HAVE to go on all my campouts with me now?” Corban is not so thrilled with the new calling. Corban started middle school this year and is loving it. He is really thinking of himself as a teenager now and acting more and more like one. It is better to tread into these teenager years slowly. I guess it is good he is giving us a head start to adjusting. He did wrestling at the school this year and really improved in his strength. summer. He did electronics and swimming.
Kjerstin got glasses this year. That is probably what she wants everyone to know. She asked if she had to wear them in the shower, in bed, at gymnastics while doing back handsprings, etc. She likes her glasses, and color coordinated her outfits to match her glasses her first few days of use. She is 9 and in 4th grade. Her best friend across the street moved this summer. She did sewing, fitness, electronics and swimming in 4H. She liked sewing so much, she has also sewed PJ pants for herself since then as well.
Brynna is 7 and in 1st grade. She is an excellent reader. Many times I find her reading a book I think is too hard for her but she wants to read it and figures it out. Brynna’s friend also moved this summer. She is still my snuggler. Brynna did sewing, fitness, electronics and swimming as well in 4H. She also tried out gymnastics this year and is improving in her handstands and cartwheels.
Daven is 3 years old(4 in 10 days) . His speech has dramatically improved! Now I find myself wishing if for just a moment he wasn’t talking non-stop. He is very busy and the things he says often crack me up and make me smile. Last night at the store, he asked Bridger to carry him. Bridger picked him up and threw him over his shoulder. Daven said, “Not like that!” Bridger said, “Yes, like that!” Daven said, “Okay, whatever you want” as he was carried upside down. When he sat on Santa’s lap at the church Christmas party, he received a brown paper bag with an orange, some nuts and candy in it. He came joyfully down and said, “Santa gave me a lunch!” He loves Mario and wears his Mario hat more days than he doesn’t. Corban is his best friend.
Gideon is 22 ½1/2 months old. He is not a whit behind Daven and wants to be doing whatever Daven and everyone else is doing. He is saying new words everyday it seems. The only baby thing about him is his binki which he is reluctant to get rid of. He has a killer smile and is a Grandpa’s boy. He has a special relationship with his Grandpa Critchfield. He is also a little mischievous. He currently will stealthily look for anyone to leave a bathroom door open so he can climb in the sink (and has turned it on twice now). We have to keep our eye on him!
I stay busy with the kids at church in primary, volunteering at the elementary school, PTSA president at the middle school, mystery shopping and generally duties of wife and mom. My only complaint is I don’t have as much time to read or write as I would like right now. I still find time to exercise as it helps me keep my sanity J. My accomplishment of the year is I finally refinished the table I have been talking about for several years. Woo hoo! 1 down!

Here is a quote from a blog I like to read to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas!

"Tis the season! And no, I’m not talking about Christmas. I’m talking instead about the season of illness, of cold, flu, strep, croup, and all the other contagions that seem to prey on the unwilling. Turns out, viruses and bacteria aren’t the only things that are contagious. So are moods and actions.Studies have shown that both sadness and lonleliness can be spread from person to person. Luckily, positive attitudes can be just as contagious. We’ve heard of pay-it-forward movements, where acts of kindness spread like a particularly pestilential pink-eye. Happiness is also contagious. This year, as I’ve been thinking about what I’d like to give (and get) at Christmas, I’ve also been thinking of what I’d like to give (and get) in terms of spiritual contagions. I’d like to catch a spirit of optimism and a gift of discernment. I’d like to pass on kindness, persistence, and thoughtfulness.Of course, I realize that these attitudes are earned through our efforts–they don’t simply pass through the ether like germs. But I think that we do find ourselves inspired by the attitudes and behaviors of those around us, often more than we think. And if that’s the case, why not seek out those who possess the attitudes we’d like to have? Why not strive to embody qualities we’d like to pass on? This year, what kinds of contagions would you like to be part of?"

Halloween 2011

I looked at my posts and realized it has been 2MONTHS since I last posted! The song, "Sunrise, Sunset" applies to my feelings about life lately. I remember the sun coming up and I see the sun go down and I wonder what happened in between that time. It seems to fly by. We successfully made it through our primary program at church. I think the Sunbeams were ready to be done! I was sitting on the front row by them and kept them from crawling on their chair and up over the front wall. Daven kept saying, "Another song?" "Is it my turn, YET?" We have had our first snowfall over the weekend. I am waiting for it to melt so I can mow up those leaves that are all over my backyard. Bridger was called to be assistant scout master. They have yet to release him from his other 2 callings. He has had some changes at work and his job duties have changed to where he will be working in the office more and covering 6 states instead of SE Idaho. I am hoping that means less travel and we will see him some more. Corban has started wrestling and has been at school at 7 am to 5 pm including practices and meets 2x a week that last 2-3 hours. He has been to several merit badge pow-wows trying to knock as many merit badges out of the way as he can. It is seriously impedeing on any time I used to do laundry/cook/etc. It will last through the beginning of December and I can't wait! I have been busy with PTSA at the middle school. I am also trying to use up all those tomatoes from my garden that are finally ripening in the basement. For Halloween, Corban was half skeleton half Corban, Kjerstin was Princess Tiger Lily from Peter Pan, Brynna was Little Red Riding Hood, Daven was Mario (although he had 4 differnt costumes-his photo is his attempt of saying I am tired of dressing up and this is as good as it gets after Trunk or Treat, trick or treating to grandmas/grandpas, class parties, etc.), Gideon was Yoda and loved answering the door and telling the kids trick or treat and bye. I was Madame Hooch from Harry Potter (the flying instructor). I have put the Halloween decorations away, put up Thanksgiving, and am already anticipating Christmas . I trying to remember to be grateful for all we have been blessed with. I am trying to re-read the Book of Mormon again before the end of the year and am thorougly enjoying it. Happy Fall ya'll!

School bells now are ringing!

Our start of school this year has gone a lot more smoothly than I anticipated. Corban started 6th grade at the middle school. He is loving the fact that he has so many lunch options now! Kjerstin did not get the teacher she wanted and everyone told her she had a grouchy teacher! Kjerstin has loved her teacher so far this year and is doing great as a 4th grader! Brynna is now in first grade and is doing well. I went to volunteer in her class. They are a noisy bunch! She loves the fact that she gets to celebrate her birthday soon as school begins. Daven has missed his siblings greatly but is settling into a good rhythm hopefully. His speech has progressed so much over the summer. He almost always has a Mario hat on his head and I am glad I get to keep him home a couple more years. Gideon is SO busy! I literally get exhausted trying to keep up with him during the day. I am glad Daven is home to help me! (The photo is of him helping wash the car. He was very wet. We just tried to keep him from trying to eat/drink the water-yuck!) Things seemed so peaceful and slow and I was enjoying it so much! Then I went and volunteered to take over as PTSA president at the middle school since the president has decided to go back to school. It has been a little crazy but I am hoping that it is just the initial craziness and things will die down a little bit. I am starting my second round of P90X and loving it once again. Bridger and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary this year. We got married about 10am. At 8am that morning I was surprised with a dozen roses and a note that said, "See you soon! Love Bridger" This year I was surprised with a locket with a note inside that said, "Thanks for seeing me soon!" He is still the romantic I fell in love with. Fall is a time to consider all the bounteous harvest or blessing we have in our lives and I certainly feel blessed!

What have we been doing this summer?

Left: City of Rocks Below and right: at Bounce house in Twin Falls

At Planetarium in Twin Falls

At Twin Falls Temple

Modeling their own creations at 4-H Style Revue

I haven't posted for 2 months! We have been busy. The kids start school on Thursday. I will miss them. I enjoy the company during the day and the adventures we find ourselves on. But in the famous words of Tony Horton: Bring it!

4-H (Swimming, Electronics, Fitness, Sewing, Cooking)
Williams Family Reunion
Cousin Camp in Lewiston
Swimming Lessons

Goodliffe Family Reunion
Camping at Lake Walcott
Corban's Arrow of Light
Bannock County Fair
Refinshing our kitchen table

A picture says a thousand words

It seems like it has been forever since I have had time to write. A lot has happened and I thought photos would say it all!

Corban graduated from elementary school and Brynna graduated from kindergarten.

Kjerstin had her 9th birthday!

Corban got to go to work with Dad for a day!

Gideon leared to vacuum!

We've been swimming!

Milestone

Usually you think of milestones in a child's life or development. They happen a lot more frequently than the home improvement projects we have at our house that are waiting for my husband to have time to do them. So when one of them gets done, it is a big deal around here! When I was 9 mo.pregnant with Daven my washer (front loader) overflowed and flooded my laundry room. The linoleum had to be replaced and thus the baseboards came off. He is 3 1/2 now. Two years ago, we had a crazy hail/rain storm that filled our window wells in the basement and flooded our basement. The floorboards had to come off to help dry out the drywall and carpet. They have been off ever since. My kids have come to accept this as just the way things are. I heard on Saturday, "What is so great about having baseboards anyway?" Now thanks to some WONDERFUL friends, we have baseboards again! We were invited over to dinner on Saturday and after dinner, Bridger and Ryan (their dad) came over and knocked it out! I am so grateful for their service! They made it seem like it really wasn't a big deal to them, but it was such a great service for us! I keep meeting all these people that I want to be like when I grow up! When my kids reach a milestone, I say, "My baby is growing up!" I want to say, "Ah, my house is getting fixed up!"

Mothers Day

What makes a good mothers day? Do you have to have breakfast in bed? Do you have to get a gift ? Do you have to have dinner cooked for you? Do you have to have a nap? Is it spending time with the ones who helped you to become known by this name or is it an opportunity to take a break and spend some time alone? Do you have to get the cute kid made gifts? Does someone have to wish you a happy mothers day? Bridger usually takes a Friday off before Mothers Day and plans something for us to do for Mothers Day. This is secretly one of my favorite things about Mothers Day. It didn't happen as planned this year. We were all sick and Bridger had to work and I had to do some things to finish out the jump a thon at the kids school. I was a little disappointed. I did get to sleep in (a little-7am) and didn't have to cook on Friday. Bridger took me out to lunch and got the kids a Costco pizza for dinner. I think that is good. I averted my eyes from my laundry beckoning me to pay attention. It was good. Today we cooked dinner for our mothers and I felt it was a day for them to feel special. I can't say what made Mothers Day this year good- but it was. I don't think it is a check list of what you get or what is done for you. It isn't the same from year to year but it always seems to be good.