Hardware Ranch

For seven plus years I've heard about Hardware Ranch and kept saying I was going to take the kids up there around Christmas time. While Lynn, Daniel and Karla were here for a visit, we finally did just that. We piled in the car and headed up Blacksmith Fork Canyon to see the elk. It was a beautiful drive and I loved all the snow everywhere. I had built up in my mind, and the kids' minds, that there was a Christmas village and we would take a sleigh ride..... not quite. We still had fun wandering around the visitor's center and the wagon ride was good, but I must say I was a bit disappointed. Kaylee was especially upset that it wasn't an actual sleigh. Louis found out that they do put runners on the wagon, but not until later on. What does Charles remember? Well, he was watching the elk and said, "Mom, what are they doing?" I looked over to see and well, they were pooping. Never seen that before. All of a sudden I realized why it's so funny to give people a box of whoppers with reindeer antlers and a tail with a hole underneath.... that's pretty much what it looks like. I never did care much for whoppers.

A MUCH better family picture than the Christmas tree shot!

Finally!

A few years ago my crafty cousin, Katie gave me the most adorable Christmas gift. It is a wooden plaque to hang your stockings on. I was so thrilled because for the first time we were in an apartment with no fireplace. Well, the season came and went and we never hung it up. Then we moved to our new house, spent two Christmases here and still have NEVER hung it. Finally I put my foot down and Louis helped me hang it this past week. It is the cutest thing I've ever seen! Thanks, Katie!!!

Squirmy

I had the privilege of spending the day with my adorable nephew, Squirmy, aka Eric. He is so big now and will turn one on Christmas Eve. I can hardly believe it! Last Christmas was such a special time to have a brand new baby here to celebrate with us!

We had a lot of fun spending the day together. He is quite the mover. It is so funny to me that he gets into things now. He's very quiet and sneaky about it, and it just makes me laugh! He kept trying to climb into his carseat, and over and over he would end up on his head!

Crazy kid!

His other favorite pasttime here is to play the piano. He always heads for it first thing and gets the biggest kick out of his beautiful music.

I was making pizza dough and as long as he could see what I was doing, he was very happy. I had to set him on the floor to begin kneading the dough, and he let me know that was unacceptable. He clung to my leg and said, "Mmmm! Mmmm!" As soon as I'd pick him up and let him look in the bowl he was content. So, we finally worked out a system. What a cutie, huh?

Merry Christmas!

December 2009

It is hard to believe another year is coming to a close. This has been one of those years where it goes quickly once you get to the end.... but looking back on all that occurred, it feels like several lifetimes all rolled up in twelve months! Some of our big family events this year included sending Camille's baby brother off on his mission to New Hampshire. The kids have talked often of missing him and we still refer to the room he stayed in as “Zach's old room.” The second big event was the wedding of Louis' baby brother. Daniel married Karla Garcia in August of this year. We enjoyed a nice vacation down to the San Diego area for the wedding and festivities. We were exceptionally spoiled to get to have them join us for their first Thanksgiving!

CHARLES started preschool this year and is loving it! He has a wonderful teacher. The only sad part is that he has had to attend without his best friend, Andrew. Their family moved to Virginia this past September and he has felt the loss deeply! Thank goodness for cell phones! He took swimming lessons this past summer and did great. He would like to play soccer or baseball this spring so we'll see what we can do.

KAYLEE is now a first grader! She has been enjoying it more, though she often comments on all the work she does and there is hardly any play time! Poor girl, this is only the beginning! That all day transition can be pretty rough. It's exciting to watch her reading skills improve, and I think she's beginning to enjoy being able to read some books to herself. She has lost a few teeth and thinks that is pretty cool stuff. She also did swimming and it getting really good. It is amazing, and a bit heartbreaking, to see how grown up she is now.


CAMILLE has enjoyed this new slower pace of life! She decided to go back to school this fall while the kids were in school. She took two classes to finish up her generals and hopes to get back into the business classes next semester. It will be a long road to finish her degree at this pace, but it's nice to have a goal in sight. She was not able to continue as a permanent crossing guard and has enjoyed the break.


LOUIS has been on several business trips this year for his company, and we hope that means they can't live without him! We are grateful to have a good job during this time and love that his commute is short. He has been a great support in helping to keep the house running and making sure Camille gets her homework finished.
We hope all of you are well. It is always so nice to hear updates from our friends and family. We hope each of you are safe and well and enjoy this wonderful time of year!


With love,
Louis, Camille, Kaylee and Charles Koberstein

So I'll Always Remember...

I just want to always have this night to think back on and remember with overwhelming happiness! Tonight was bookclub, and I was hosting. I've been avoiding hosting because I don't really have a large area for lots of people to sit, and my house is rather dull, and I don't know how to decorate, and I hate to clean, and blah blah blah blah blah. Finally I got brave. This month we decided to do a little Christmas party. It was a blast! We all brought treats and a book and then played a game to win a book to take home. I love new books! It was such a fun night and everyone was so great. I just really enjoyed myself. And I got a great new book that I can't wait to start reading!!! (Thanks, Emily!)

But here is the greatest part.... Louis had to leave this week on a business trip and so I knew I would have the kids here tonight. I was feeling very anxious about this because all the other bookclub nights the children and husband are gone and the house is so still and quiet and just great for all us moms to escape! Now, my kids are not the worst kids ever, in fact they're pretty well behaved, but it seems like they try their best for that title when others are around or I have high expectations for them and I knew this was a lot to ask. Lock up a six year old girl and four year old brother in a bedroom for two hours with some toys, some books, some puzzles, and some paper to draw on.... no tv, movies, parent, nothing.

The day went well... I motivated myself to get up and clean all day. Charles was a super helper and kept the house clean all day! I treated them to a fun dinner out so they wouldn't feel so ripped off. At least ten times we went over the drill: as soon as people come, you have to go to your room and shut the door and STAY IN THERE. NO fighting, yelling, screaming, AND DO NOT COME OUT! Bless their little hearts. I couldn't even turn a movie on for them because the only place to watch it is in the upstairs family area and you can hear the sound throughout the whole house. I was worried. I was prepared for the worst and practicing how I would respond to their behavior. I was NOT prepared for them to be so good, so quiet, and so obedient!!!! Bless them!!! Everyone was shocked when they learned that the kids were upstairs in their room, without any adult. Just playing and being good and so quiet.

Santa won't forget you this year my little angels! And I will try to remember this night the next time I feel my patience wearing thin. A few days ago during another of their never ending fights I told them both, "Do you know what I want for Christmas? I want one day when you don't fight at ALL!" Thanks Kaylee and Charles, this was the greatest Christmas gift ever!!! I love you!

In Honor of the Season....

Every year I help put together a family calendar for the Koberstein clan. It has become a tradition that I think we all love. Each year gets better and more creative than the last. This year I had the brilliant idea to steal an idea from my cousin's calendar. I mean, I already stole the idea of making a family calendar with each month coordinating to a child in the family.... why not steal actual page ideas now? Thanks Katie! So... a couple years ago they had a page that Ben put together of all the families in front of their Christmas trees. Cute, eh? I thought so too, until I tried to get a picture of my family in front of a tree. Really? Is it seriously that hard? Yes, it is. We took four shots, they were during the day (to ensure nobody changed out of their clothes after church and that all were fully awake), and so not only is the lighting bad, but we look pretty bad, too. Notice my pasted on smile and Kaylee's lack of smile toward the end. I was forcefully telling her she'd better smile nice and hold still or there would be no Christmas. Ah, that's the way to get into the spirit of things!
And now for your viewing pleasure....

I think I need a bigger tree....

grrr

Blogger can be so frustrating. I was so good one day and prepared about four posts.... then just saved them. Ok, fine no problem now they're ready to go whenever I want. I always forget that once you've saved it and then post it, it posts in order of the date saved. So frustrating...., so don't miss the two posts a little further down....