One year ago...

This is where we were 1 year ago.

February 5, 2008:



February 6, 2008:



February 9, 2008:

I am so thankful we are not in that same place today. I am also thankful that Sammy improved after that first week and was able to look like himself again.

I miss Samuel so so so much. This is the way I try to remember him (all taken in January 2008):

My little goofball!!! These pictures make me smile.

OUCH

What do you get when you mix these two wild 4-year-old cousins? They ran head-on into each other during a crawling race.

Pirate Island Progress

We are excited for the progress being made at Pirate Island. A lot has happened there in the past 2 weeks. Roy has been busy. In the picture he is standing in what will be his rather long and skinny office. They are still aiming for a mid-March opening.

Twins

This is Aspen and Elisabeth at dance. They could be twins!

Bedtime

I love rocking my girls. Usually they fight over who gets to sit on my lap, but once in a while they will cooperate and share. This particular night, they both actually fell asleep.

Christmas Morning

Here are some pictures of Christmas morning.

Christmas from the McCluskeys

Elisabeth and Rebekah got a neat gift from Roy's parents. It is the doll bunkbeds that Jaynann, Roy's mom, had as a child. It was made for her by her grandfather (so that's Elisabeth's and Rebekah's great great grandfather). It came with the original bedding that Roy's grandma, Virginia Jolley, made for it (plus some additions). We were so excited to get something so special. Roy's grandmother, Gwen McCluskey, gave the girls each a doll to go with the bunkbeds. Brent and DeAnn (Roy's brother and his wife) and their kids sent the girls a really neat book called Return to Fairyopolis, and gave all of us a neat 4ever5 Christmas tree ornament. They are so thoughtful!

Swensen Family Christmas Party - December 19, 2008

At our Swensen family Christmas party the kids all got new pajamas and did a book exchange. It's a fun tradition every year. We also eat the same meal we have been having since Laura was young. Tradition is a big deal in the Swensen family. :) Roy spent much of the evening holding Chandler, grandchild #25. We were so happy to finally meet the newest little Harward. It's always fun to get together with family.

Elisabeth's Charlie Brown Tree

Elisabeth is so creative. The guy at the Christmas tree lot gave her the top of a tree that he had trimmed, so she made her own decorations for it. She even put it out for Santa to put her presents under on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Catch-Up: Gingerbread Houses

Every Thanksgiving weekend, we get together with all of the Swensen cousins (except Marci's kids this time) to decorate gingerbread houses. It's always a lot of fun for the kids. Roy helped this year, which was nice! It doesn't show in our picture, but one of Santa's elves was up on the roof watching during our outside group shot. He checks on the Swensen cousins once in a while to see if they are being naughty or nice. I guess they were nice cuz Santa showed up at everyone's houses.