01/01 at 1:00p: Sledding

This is the new tradition I am starting for my family. It was a great one and we hope to have many more. This is honestly the first time we have gone sledding as a family. I bought our first sleds this year too. Zac loved it and Max hated it.

Maybe he was just tired from the night before? At first Max was very excited to get all bundled up. But generally he hasn't been a fan of the snow yet-but hey neither am I. Here he is grumpy to be bucked in and bundled up.


Zac is excited and ready to go!



This is where Max was most of the time


He loved it when a little dog came by.



Zac loves the tow. Although, when Zac and I went down together he had to walk himself up!


He's not so sure about this sledding thing.

This was the best way to go down, so there was enough room on the sleds.

Max slipped when he was walking on the snow. He was pretty freaked out-it was funny . . .

The park was pretty busy, and got more so the longer we were there.

Max even hated getting towed up.

This was the only way we got Zac to go by himself at first.

It was a fun trip! We didn't plan very well, but for future reference all family in the area are welcome to come. And I think next year we want to try somewhere in the mountains and maybe avoid the crowds?

New Years 2010!

This year we went to a friend's and got to play fun group games and eat good food. Sorry for the lack of "story". But it feels like it has been sooo long ago, even though its been just over 2 weeks. January is so long!

This was the first picture of the New Year (actually that's a lie. I didn't like the first one, so this is the second one ;)


The first family picture.

The first song we heard on the radio was Steely Dan's, Reelin' In The Years.

And . . . well it was late. And I didn't keep track of anymore firsts. But driving home the sky did look very serene and pretty over the lake. Here's to a New Year!

Major Back Post

I posted the before and after pictures of our kitchen. But I dated them to last October. I plan to print my blog by year and needed to keep things in order. But if you want to see the pictures click the link below:

http://themunkfam.blogspot.com/2009/10/kitchen-repainted.html

Elder David Munk

Today we dropped Jon's little brother, David, off at the Provo MTC. It was great to be a part of this experience with him. And it was bittersweet. He was excited and a little nervous. We will miss him. But we know he is where he is supposed to be and we are so excited for him and the many adventures and learning experiences he will have! We love you Dave!






Now we have 2 missionaries out. My brother, Jacob, will be home in 7 months. Keep up the good work Elder. You are in the home stretch, finish out with a bang! :)

An Ideal Sunday

Yesterday was a pretty great day. The kind of perfect day that I imagine a little family having everyday. But it just doesn't happen that way-at least for us. Jon has been sick for the last week or so and seems to be getting over it. So on Saturday night he got good nights sleep, and woke up and got the boys ready for church while I slept in. He was very patient with everything, even when I left closet door open to reveal my clothes and shoes all over the floor of it, for the millionth time. Then we made it to church just in time. The talks were great, and on just the topic I wanted to hear about, and I got to hear about half of them through helping the boys be quiet. My classroom was pretty cold, but I didn't have to teach :) And we played games for the lesson, for a review of the year.

When we got home and changed into warm pajamas, Jon had a YM leadership meeting, and the boys played while I made an early dinner. And I was actually in the mood to cook. I made this great Gourmet Chinese Chicken Salad. I found it on a blog that I follow.

Doesn't it look delicious?!

Well, it was! I added Pineapple to it because I just couldn't come off my initial impression that the oranges were pineapple. And I didn't have hot sauce, but I borrowed some spicy peanut sauce from my friend and the dressing was fantastic!

Then we assembled our new Guess Who? game and taught Zac how to play, and played a few rounds. He loves that game!

We all cleaned the kitchen together then broke out the new hotwheels ("Fast Lane") track. The boys loved it! It was one of my ToysRus door busters, and was the last one left.


The power station.

Then we got the kids ready for bed and in bed by 7:15p. Bliss, I tell ya, bliss! Then we spent the next 5 hours hanging out, shopping online for a camera, watching a movie, and eating candy. And the next day Zac was an angel. I think we may have to make 7:00p bedtime a routine. . .which will be tricky since Jon doesn't get home til 6:15p on average.

Anyway, I just wanted to document that great day.

Christmas Day

Jon and I got to bed at Midnight on Christmas Eve, and we were delighted that Zac didn't wake up Christmas morning until 9a! The morning was sooo much sweeter with more sleep.

Santa's goodies


I don't know how much I should censor. This teepee was last seen at the Freedom Festival . . .and made its way across 6 months to be here from Santa.

Zac running out to see what Santa had brought.


Santa got just what he asked for :)

Trying out his scooter. Jon and I have learned that Santa needs to assemble or check out the surprises before Christmas Eve. Last year's bike issues and learning that not all Razors come with adjustable handle bars is hard to deal with at 11:30p on Christmas Eve.

Santa has something sneaky up his sleeve for getting a red Razor scooter with lower handle bars for the little guy.

Max and his little firetruck. This is easier for him to use as a bike since he is so little still.


He loves books

and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!

Santa got me a new big purse. I have been wanting a bigger one. But I think it is going to take a bit of getting used to. I love the fabric, its a sequin print.

Jon and his new hiking book. He is so into it, and is already making plans.

This is what Max did when I told him to go give Zac a hug and say Thank you. I guess his juice was calling more loudly :)

I love these shoes! Thanks Jon.

Max was facinated with his Toy Story Woody. He loved to look at his eyes under the hat.



The Classic Tonka

Zac was so excited for his transformer

While waiting for Jon to open the package:

Finally!
The much needed instructions


Sneaking a treat before breakfast . . .
And Max too!

It was a fun fun morning. I think the best one so far! It helps with the boys older now. And when I am more laid back and just go with the flow. So what that we ate breakfast at Noon! It was a good time. Then we relaxed and watched Up, with the boys in the teepee. Max has been under the weather lately so he took a long nap. Then we got ready and headed to my parents for dinner. We enjoyed good food, talking to Jake on the phone, and the boys played lots of the Wii. (Again, I was not good at taking pictures. I have none of the evening.) Lexie was trying to finish a quilt for her boy. And we had Pumpkin cobbler for dessert and opened presents. We didn't end up getting home til 11:30p. I am so excited to have a week of down time. Jon will be off most of the week if not all. And that is a GREAT Christmas present!!

Christmas Eve

I have been lazy at posting and taking pictures. So I forgot to take some here and there. Maybe if I got a new camera it would be more exciting for me ;) Anyway . . . on Christmas Eve my parents have a tradition of going out to dinner. We all went to the Macaroni Grill and then did our sibling gift exchange that night. Rachel and Jeremy went flew out to NC on Christmas morning. So we missed them on Christmas day. Rachel and my Mom took a bunch of pictures of dinner and presents, but I didn't take any.

One of our neighbors told me about a family tradition that they do and we are going to add that to our traditions. Its a "Bethlehem Night" or dinner. Dress in shepherd type attire, make a simple dinner of crackers, cheese, meat, fruit (simple like in the days of Joseph and Mary). And eat on the floor on a blanket in front of the Christmas tree with only the Christmas tree lights on. Then talk about the nativity and watch "Joy to the World". Then give brown paper gift. A meaningful gift wrapped in brown paper with twine.
We were pretty busy that night so we only got to do part of it. But it was fun and we still enjoyed it.

The boys got a couple quiet books for church. One I made at the RS Friday Frenzy craft night.



Then with the help of someone in the ward I made a Book of Mormon stories book. I love it! And it references 20 stories.


I love the idea of the kids opening Christmas Pajamas on Christmas Eve. But I didn't want to spend so much and they have enough pj's this year. So I decided I would just make them some pajama pants. They are made of this way cozy material. To be honest, I really don't know what it is called. But its like a microfiber (maybe it is microfiber?), or a fluffier minky type material. I also wanted to make them slippers that matched. But that was over the top. I had too many other things to do. So the slippers may happen in the next month or so...?

The boys also love the pants! Maybe I will make myself a pair ;)


It was so fun to teach Zac the story of Jesus this year. We were able to use our little people nativity to teach him about it. It really helped him to see it visually and being to act it out himself. He remembered most of the story. Max was able to say "Jesus" and when he picked up the toy of the baby, he knew it was Jesus. It was so good to feel their love for the Savior even without full understanding of his his role. This has been a great year. And I am so grateful for the Savior and all he has done for me.