High Uintas Stage Race

 
 
 
Alex raced in the High Uintas Stage Race on June 20-21. The race started in Kamas, Utah and ended in Evanston, Wyoming. The first day was chilly and rainy. While he was racing over the peak of a mountain, I was driving on the freeway. I thought, If it's raining like this on the freeway, what's it like for Alex? When we met up with Alex in Evanston, he was nearly frozen; I had to unstrap his helmet for him. The next day Alex participated in a time trial, and also a circuit race in downtown Evanston. It was still a little chilly but not as rainy, and Alex did well in those races. The kids and I hung out at a soda shop while Alex was warming up then watched as he circled a few city blocks downtown. It was the first time any of us had been to Wyoming, and it made for an interesting adventure.

"Is This College?"

 
 
 
In June we went to Utah for a bike race. We went up two days before the race so Alex could get acclimated to the higher altitude. We stayed in Orem with Aunt Mary Lou and Uncle Jeff. Since we had time and we were so close, I wanted to show the kids where I went to college, so we drove to Provo to visit BYU. When we turned right onto 1450 North from 900 East Luke said, Is this college? Indeed we were at the location of the dorms where I spent my freshman year, but the buildings have been leveled and all that remains is the Morris Center (cafeteria).** Then we parked by the Bean Museum and Luke asked, "Is this college?" When we walked onto campus he again asked "Is this college?" He asked the same question when we went to the Jesse Knight Humanities Building (I'm not sure if it is still called that) where I had most of my classes and again when we went to the Wilkinson Center food court. Yes, I told him, this is all college. Most of the buildings have been remodeled since I graduated from there 13 years ago so it has a different look, but I still had the same feelings that I did when I was a student. That day was the first day of new student orientation for summer semester so parents were walking around with their kids. It made me think that someday I might be one of those parents with a new college student checking a map to locate classes. Looking back...looking forward. Anyway, if you ask Luke what his favorite part of college was, he'll say the snacks and the elevator. Well said.




**Ah Deseret Towers, my first home away from home. How I cherish the memories I made there. Having dinner with my roommates at the "Mo", special food functions, sunbathing on the roof of our building, studying late into the night, boys allowed on Sunday nights, watching TV in the basement, telephone baseball, and much more. Deseret Towers, may you rest in peace.

Fun in the Snow

 

On Dec. 28 (Alex's birthday) we headed up to Mt. Charleston for some sledding and snow play. It was super fun! We borrowed sleds from my sister and also snow pants and boots. Luke felt like he was flying in a ship. The first thing Lacey did was make snow angels. I'm not quite sure how she knew how to do that since she has never been to the snowy mountains before, but she did it like a pro. We got there about 10:30 in the morning and left at about 12:30 which was perfect because it was way more crowded when we left. Also we learned that if you leave your sleds at the bottom of a hill without propping them up against a tree, they will get swiped. :(

Top Nine of 2009

9. Alex kept his job.

8. Lance started kindergarten and Luke started preschool.

7. We sold our house.

6. We bought a bigger, newer house and have a lower monthly payment than before.

5. What recession? We actually had a great year financially.

4. Living with my parents was a great blessing in many ways.

3. No swine flu or any serious illnesses.

2. Our beautiful, red-headed, baby girl, Lia, joined our family.

1. Being blessed more than I deserve.

Hopefully 2010 will be as great as 2009!

Holiday Highlights

Ah, the holidays! The most magical, beautiful, crazy, stressful time of the year. But I love it. I love the parties and the treats (a little too much!)and the shopping (I count it as retail therapy)and the giving (getting isn't bad either). Here are some of the hightlights from Thanksgiving to Christmas:

Luke was the cutest reindeer in his preschool production of "Twas the Night Before Christmas." They had great costumes including antlers. The antlers had bells on them so throughout the program Luke kept shaking his head to make the bells ring. Of course my camera was out of battery power so I couldn't get a video of that classic preschool moment.

For the ward Christmas party Lance and Luke and the rest of the junior primary sang "This is Jesus." For weeks before and after the party Lance and Luke could be heard singing "THIS is Jesus. THIS is our king. THIS is our Savior; His praises we sing!" They sang it even more than "Santa Claus is coming to town" Thank you Sis. Rhees for helping my children get their Christmas priorities right.

The annual Hafen family Christmas party is something I look forward to every year. I love to spend an evening during the Christmas season with all the people I love the most. This year the party was the Monday before Christmas. We enjoyed great food, a nice program and most of all, each others' company.

This year I feel that we have been extraordinarily blessed and I really wanted to give above and beyond my own family. I was talking to the mom of one of Lance's school friends and she mentioned that she wasn't sure they would be able to have much of a Christmas this year. She got laid off from her job and has had back problems among other things. I decided to give her a Wal-Mart gift card so she could buy her children a few things. You know that warm feeling that you're supposed to get when you do something good? Well, I felt it so strong that I was almost crying as I gave her the gift card. I was trying to do something nice for someone else and I feel like I got the gift. Also, when I was finishing up my shopping at Toys R Us I grabbed a few things that I wasn't planning on getting. As I wrapped up all the gifts I felt like I should give those last minute things to my friend who is going through a divorce for her kids. It was another "warm, fuzzy" moment. Maybe next year I will give our whole Christmas away!

Then the long-awaited day finally came. My favorite part of Christmas is the excitement and joy the kids show when they open their presents (although I kind of wish that that was possible without the toys. Where can I get a box of joy?) Lance's favorite present was the basketball hoop. He didn't get the corn seeds he asked for, but maybe the Easter Bunny can bring those. Luke's favorite was the Joker action figure so he can say, "Looks like the joke's on you, Joker!" Lacey's favorite gift was the princess dress-up clothes. Lia got a new swing, Alex got a new sleeping bag, and I got a new car radio with satellite. That day we also went to both of the grandparents' houses to share gifts and food with our extended family. It was a great day.

I have to include that while we should think of Christ all year long, the Christmas season puts Him in the forefront of my mind. We give gifts to symbolize the gifts the wisemen brought to the baby Jesus, but also to symbolize that Jesus gave us the ultimate gift. Everything that I love most-my children, my husband, my extended family, the gospel-I have because of Christ. So Merry Christmas and God bless us every one!

Could I Get Some Assistance Over Here?

I have been trying to put up some new posts with pictures and videos from my new Flip camera and every time I click on "browse" it tells me that there is a problem with the webpage and sends me back to the compose page. Any ideas? Anyone? Anyone? Beuller?