Fall 2009

Cakes I made for our annual Halloween Block Party.

Nicholas showing off his handywork.

Nick's class sang several patriotic songs in a concert at the school honoring our Veterans.

Mom came to visit for 3 weeks over Thanksgiving. We had a great time minus a few bumps.

Mom with Yukino and Makoto. Yukino and Mom developed a special bond very quickly. By the way Yukino did paint Mom's toenails hot pink. I wonder what the ladies at Marigold Manor will think of that.

Nicholas playing with some of his second cousin's after Thanksgiving dinner. Kate, Andrew, Nick, Gracie, Addrianna.

Nicholas on his 7th birthday looking all cool. His birthday was 2 days after Thanksgiving this year.

Our friends the Reeves moved back to AZ from Utah in the summer. We enjoyed having them over at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Nicholas with Grandma and Grandpa Boice on Christmas Eve.

Silly picture in front of the tree on Christmas Eve.

A more serious pose.

Nick's new haircut. He has been begging for a mowhawk for months. I finally gave in but told him he had to cut it all off before school starts. He said to me the other day that he knew why I let him do the mowhawk. He said it was a way to get him to cut off all his hair. I told him you're right. I am tired of taking care of his fro (especially when he gets sand in his hair from the school playground).

Monday night for family home evening we went to the Mesa Temple to see the Christmas lights. As usual Nicholas was bouncing around and we had to remind him that we were on the Lord's property and that it was sacred. We had a fun time walking around and even saw a short film in the visitor's center. While we were driving away I asked Nicholas what was his favorite part. He then said, "My favorite part was when I felt the spirit." I could hardly hold back the tears. Later that night when Nicholas was being tucked in bed we talked about some of the scriptures that we heard in the visitor's center. Nicholas was able to quote some of the scriptures with no help. It proves to me that children are listening and feeling the spirit when you don't expect it. I am grateful for this reminder of how precious our children are. We think we are teaching them when in reality they are teaching us. This has been a wonderful holiday season. I am grateful for wonderful parents who raised me in faith. They both had such great testimonies that never waivered and were both a wonderful example to me. I am most grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. He lives and I am so thankful for my testimony of Him.

Yesterday Nicholas and I had an awesome day together. First I talked him into going to the Hannah Montana movie. I just couldn't stomach going to Return to Witch Mountain again. They talked in the movie about Hannah's mother dying. I asked Nicholas what he would do if I died. He said he would visit my grave everyday and then gave me a huge hug. It made my heart melt. Then we visited the Mills Mall. It is so fun that Nicholas enjoys Black Market Minerals as much as me. We then went to a late lunch at Sweet Tomatoes. This is one of our favorite places. Dale does not like to go there so it was a perfect time for us to go together. We ended the day at a baptism for a young man in our ward Matthew. The picture of us was taken in Vegas.

Family Vacation

Gailine, Cathenia, Mom (Mary) and MaryAnn.

Nicholas with his cousin Alex.

Us girls with Mom after church on Sunday.

Waiting for the Manti Pageant to start. Nicholas, McKenzie, Alex and Zachary.

In front of the Manti Tempe. It was so beautiful.

This year we chose not to go to Canada for vacation. It will be the first year I have not gone to Canada in the 18 years we have been married. I am glad I was able to see my 2 sisters and mother in Utah. Mom and MaryAnn (my younger sister) with her family, drove down from Canada and we met at my sister Cathenia's house in Springville, Utah. While there we went to the Manti pageant and attended the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house. Nicholas very much enjoyed playing with his cousins. On the way home we chose to stay in Vegas for a couple of days. There we went swimming, bowling, ate at the buffet and went to the Aquarium. It was a fun couple of days. When we got home Dale had 4 days before he had to go back to work. We were able to go do some fun activities close to home which was really nice.

First Post of the New Year

In January I decided to break out the gingerbread house that I had purchased 2 weeks before Christmas. Regardless, Nicholas and I had a great time putting it together. I think Nicholas ate his weight in sugar and he is not a lightweight by any means. Here are some pic's.

My niece Laurel had her third child, Paul, on Christmas Day (at home). She lives in NM so on the way to see their other daughter in Chino Valley, I was privileged to see my older brother Konrad and my sister-in-law Carla. It is so fun to visit and reminisce about old times. I was 8 when they married so I have known Carla for most of my life. She was my escort when I went through the temple for the first time (my parents were on a mission in Poland). Nicholas was sad when he had to leave for school the morning they left. I am so glad they came out of their way to come see us.

Also in January Nicholas started playing basketball with parks and rec. for the first time. He was rusty at first but has really improved over the last 4 weeks. He has enjoyed playing and learning. He asks me very inquisitive questions like: "When I am in a game how am I going to remember how to hold my hands when I shoot a basket." He really wants to do his best and always shoot with the proper hand position. I think it is cute that he takes it so seriously at the age of 6. Practice, Practice, Practice! The last picture is a little blurry but it is my favorite action shot. What is Nick doing?

January has also been a difficult month in many ways. Our family has been dealing with some personal issues. I know that this experience we are having is for a reason and I am learning to put my faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I feel Their presence in my life and it has been a great blessing to me. I am thankful for the Holy Ghost who guides me to the things I need to do as well as comforts me. I don't always handle things perfectly but I know that They know I am doing my best and that is what matters. February is already turning out to be a much better month and I am hopeful that this will continue through the year.

Mom is Santa Real?

There is one detail about Christmas that I left out. Let me start by saying that as a child my parents told me the truth about Santa from day one. Therefore I am not practiced in the art of Santa storytelling. Well about 3 weeks before Christmas Nicholas began questioning me about Santa. Last year I had to tell Nicholas that I could call Santa to make a change to his Christmas list. When he asked if he could talk to Santa I told him that Santa only talks to adults. Well this year he started with the questions again. I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to lie but I wasn't sure if Nicholas was old enough to hear the truth. I called a couple of people and then decided it was the right time to tell the truth. WRONG!!!! Nicholas started crying. I felt like such a horrible parent. I then tried to save the day by saying if you want you can always believe in your heart. Through his sobbing tears he said, "I WANT TO BELIEVE". In a way I am relieved that I don't have to make up any more stories but I am also sad that this little piece on innocence is lost. I guess the bright side is we can now focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

December Happenings!

On December 20th Dale and I celebrated our 18th anniversary. I am so happy to be married to such a wonderful man. He is a great father, husband, provider and worthy Priesthood holder. Best of all he laughs at my jokes. Thanks to my in-laws who watched Nicholas for us so we could have a night to ourselves.
The Monday before Christmas our family went caroling with a couple other families. We had such an enjoyable time despite the rain. Thanks for the invite Lisa.
Christmas Eve was spent with Dale's family. My niece Kealani is now 7 months and adorable. We don't get to see her very often. Nicholas loved holding her and feeding her.
Christmas morning was quiet and relaxing. Later that day the Mike, Stephanie, Brayden and Carter Hill and Darren, Natalie, Alexander and Courtney Roos came over for dinner. We had a wonderful Turkey dinner that was a group effort. The kids enjoyed playing together as the adults talked and played games. I grew up in a family with 8 kids so I could not imagine having a Christmas dinner without at least 10 people. I am so thankful for good friends that joined in our celebration.
A few days ago I was washing dishes and listening to an Amy Grant Christmas CD. As she was singing a song about the Savior's birth I was overcome with emotion. In that moment I felt so much gratitude for our Savior. His gift of eternal life is so much greater that any other gift. We are all so blessed. I am thankful for these quiets moments that remind me what is important.

The family, Nicholas, Kealani (our niece), Dale and Me (Gailine).

Kealani and her mother Rowena.

Nicholas feeding Kealani

Grandma and Grandpa Boice with Nicholas, Kealani and Joshua.

Opening gifts at Grandma and Grandpa's

Christmas Morning at home.

Christmas Morning again.


Christmas Dinner with the Hill's and the Roos'.

Christmas dinner, Darren seems to be the only one that escaped the pictures.

Nick's Friend Party

After Nick's 4th birthday party I made a deal with him. I was a bit traumatized with the 17 kids I had invited so I told him that every other year he would have a friend party and on the opposite years he would have a family party. This was once again the year for a friend party. Because his birthday was the day after Thanksgiving we bumped his party to a week later and had it on December 6th. He actually ended up having more than one party because we had to celebrate on his actual birthday. Anyway I was smart this time when I limited him to 5 friends. When I asked him which 5 friends he wanted to invite his first 2 choices were his cousins Makoto(18) and Yukino(16). I thought it was so sweet that he would give up 2 friend spots for his cousins. When I told him he could invite 5 friends and his cousins he was estatic. Brayden Ahern, Derick Farabee, Nicholas Allen and Ryan Wresh were the 4 friends that were able to make we. The kids had a blast eating pizza, spending over 300 tokens, getting prizes and eating cake. It was nice to not have a house to clean up afterward. Thank you Mr. C. I Love how they are all stuffing their little faces with Pizza.

Before

After

Isn't he adorable!

I don't know why but Nicholas was thrilled to get a picture with Chuckie.

The Family. As many of you know this is what ended up going on our Christmas card this year. No time for professional pictures. Maybe next year.