Merry Christmas!

Rather than send a Christmas letter this year we thought it would be fun to post it here on our blog (not to mention easier). Here's a brief update on everyone:

Cooper (1) is super fun. He toddles around the house making messes and playing with trains. I can't remember the last time his nose wasn't running though. He'll be 2 at the end of March.

Lincoln (3) started preschool this year. He loves it and (I think) is loved by his teachers and classmates. He was a spectator at nearly all of the 8th and 9th grade football games this year.

Noah (9) got glasses this year. He is the only Blake child in elementary school this year and walks or rides his bike almost everyday (1 mile). He's fantastic with Lego building and is getting better and cleaning them up, for which I am very thankful.

Anna (11) is loving middle school. She is the keeper of this blog and is a fantastic babysitter. She logged MANY hours with Cooper while Lincoln and I watched football games this fall. She'll be rewarded with a new cell phone as soon as I get around to taking her to pick one out.

Brigham (13) is in 8th grade and had a fantastic time playing football for his school. He played full back (even got to score a few touchdowns) and inside linebacker. We are happy that he has a great group of friends whom he is willing to bring home on a regular basis. He has a knack for finding money on the ground.

Isaac (15) is managing high school just fine. He has his sights on BYU and is working hard to earn good grades. He thoroughly enjoyed playing Freshman Football - played almost every play of every game at offensive guard and inside linebacker. He is also on the Freshman Basketball team. He was forced to take piano lessons again this year.

I, Julia (middle aged), have been crying for the last year since my last baby grew so quickly. Finally, I found a great shrink and am hoping to launch a new venture soon that will fulfill my need to create something fine. You can read about my adventures at http://muchmorethaneggs.blogspot.com/

Jonathan (older than Julia) is still the worlds greatest husband and father. He manages to listen to cool podcasts on his long commute. He started a different job within the company in April and is on the Stake High Counsel at church. He runs, does yoga, and has push-up contests with his football-playing sons.

Our family continues to be very blessed and we are most thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ which allows repentance and forgiveness for our mistakes and ultimately, eternal life.

More Family Pics.

We had a really fun time! It did get a little hard in the end though.

Family Pictures

Family Pictures!

Thanks to the Hand Van or finger van we could travel anywhere with aunts, uncles, and cousins using just 1 car! And thanks to this van we didn't have to spend tons of money for two rental cars like we had to last year. We wouln't have been able to travel to and from the airport, dads brothers house, and moms cousins house! (This van holds 15 people!)
~Anna

A fun game Isaac and Lincoln played wasn't just fun for them, the sound of Lincolns laughter was the best part!

Cooper again!

he's so cute, and grown up!!

Coopers enjoying the river as well! He's one tough baby!
~Anna

Everybody but me was tough enough to get in that water except for me :( but seriously the water was colder than ice! brr!

Fun car ride to the ice cold river in the finger van A.K.A the hand van!

It was a fun day 4-wheeling but i think its about time to go home!
~Anna

Isaac, Cooper, Lincoln, Jamison, and Ezra have fun in the pool under Grandma and Grandpa's fruit trees! Can't say much because i wasn't there to share the fun with them but that's OK, it would have gotten to crowded!
~Anna

Glad to be home!