Family Christmas Party

Every year before Christmas the Weston family gets together for a little party. The kids always look forward to being with their cousins and most of all opening their cousin gift. This year was no different- a house filled with very excited and noisy kids. I was in charge this year. We put together games but it is always so noisy. The kids are so excited they just can't settle down. It is a fun way to spend the Christmas Holiday.

me & Casidy











Takara, Ally & Casidy watching the family play minute to win it games.









It is tradition in our family that each year we get our pictures taken in front of the christmas tree. Here is our family picture this year. I am not sure if someone pinched Ally's butt or what is making her so giggly.










My sister Laura and I and Jed and I

Bear Lake

Every August the Weston family spends time up at Bear Lake. It has become such a fun family tradition that the kids all look forward to. Before they even arrive the kids are usually talking about who will sleep where and how the rotation will be for the bunk beds. Most of the day is spent in the water and non stop playing with cousins.
This year was a little different for us. A few weeks before the trip we learned Jed was getting put in as the Bishop in our ward. He would be put in the Sunday during the family trip. Because of this we were not able to spend as much time at Bear Lake. We were grateful for the time we were able to spend with Family.

Chase (4) had a blast and loved every minute of it. He became attached to his cousin Ammon and hung out with him all the time. He would not go down the slide or off the diving board unless Ammon was right there. He was so glad to get to hang out with his buddy Ammon.









Ally (11) has fun no matter what she is doing. She can giggle and enjoy anything she is doing. This is her playing around at the pool.









All the kids playing in the pool. I am not sure there is a moment that Casidy (8) does not have a smile on her face. She is always happy- even when she is getting out of the pool.









The kids playing at the lake and me with the coolest sisters ever.

Chase playing with Ammon and Casidy doing her tumbling off the diving board.

We had a great time at Bear Lake with the family and look forward to more family trips. It is always great to get together and spend time with each other.

Oregon

Our family has started a tradition that every other year we go on a "bigger" family trip. A different person is in charge of planning the trip. This year it was my brother Greg's turn to plan the trip. His family planned a little get away to the Oregon coast.
With past experiences this summer we knew our kids would probably not do the greatest with a road trip. We ended up flying while everyone else caravan to Oregon. We were able to do some many fun things on the trip.

All of the family went to the tide pools to check out the different things that are swept up in the water. The kids were able to find a ton of crabs and in fact were convinced they were going to take them home. After the tide pools we went and walked through a lighthouse. The picture below is all the kids pestering the poor worker. They were teasing him that he was Joe Jonas and asked several times for his autograph. Let's just say I am sure he was way glad when we left.

This is a picture of the whole family on the trip. The only ones missing were Josh, Jentry and Brett. The kids had so much fun hanging out with their cousins.

After the tide pools we went down town to see some sea otters as well as visit an aquarium. There was so pretty neat things to see. The kids favorite was the one eyed fish. It was a bit creepy.

We spent lots of time on the beach playing in the water (as much as we could stand the cold), building castles and having bon fires. It was a great trip and one we will always remember.

Running

One of the things I enjoy doing is running. Who knows what got me into it but I have really enjoyed it. The last 2 years I have signed up to run the Ogden Marathon. It is a pretty grueling thing but I have enjoyed having the health and opportunity to do it. I am not sure what it is enjoy with not being able to walk and constantly in pain from the pounding my body takes. I am able to run with some great girls which makes training easier and more enjoyable.
My goal is to one day qualify for the Boston Marathon. Not sure I will ever go to Boston to race but would like to be able to have the accomplishment of qualifying.

This is me with Laura running Ogden 2009. As you can see I am ready to be done with the race. Hoping I will be able to enjoy more years of running and good health.