Hey Everyone!

Ok, so I am going to follow the trend and take our blog private. I find myself wanting to write and share things but then I don't because there are certain people that I don't feel are safe. So please everyone give me your info. incase it is different than what I have for you. Have a great day!

Long time no see?

Well I thought that it was about time to write an update so everyone knows that we are still alive! As Im sure everyone would say 2009 was a tough one. But we are all still here with a bed to sleep in so that is a blessing. We had so many blessings last year and we are so very grateful to those angles that were the messengers:) Our kids are doing great! Katelynn just got invited to the level 5 ballet class! That is the last level, she is sooo excited! She will definatley be advancing quickly on point now. She won the campain for student body president back in September and is trying hard to make school better for the students. She is also 1st chair in band for the clarinet and saxaphone section, and she is doing great in piano. She is realy excited to go to YW in February and she can't wait for Junior High. AHHH!!! She wants to try out for cheer, and has been practicing quite often for it. Emily is so great. She is still sweet, but can pack a punch to! She is doing really well in school with all A's and B's and is still doing tumbling. She just started in the childrens choir for the East Valley Mormon Choral Organiziation. She is really excited to perform at the Mesa Arts Center, especially because I'm in the Orchestra. So it will be a lot of fun! She is also still doing well on her piano lessons and practices without me making her, I love it when that happens! Brennick is doing really great in school and is LOVING all day kindergarden. He is doing really well with reading and patterns and simple algebra and is having a blast. He has been bit by the "like" bug and has a bit of a crush on a girl named Allie. She is in his school class as well as primary and he just can't help himself from smiling at her, it is so cute! He still loves planes and basically any motorized vehicle, and has develoved a great love of Legos. All in all they are happy, healthy, smart, funny and good kids, we really are blessed. Kim is working hard to get more business and keep things movin' in a positive direction. Things are hard for everyone right now, but I've learned that nothing stays the same for very long and we just have to do our best to work hard and when we make mistakes we work at fixing them. I hope everyone is doing great and is happy and healthy! And I will try to post more often:)

Terrific Kid

Emily Richins is a TERRIFIC KID!!!!!
On Tuesday Feb. 3, 2009 Emily was awarded the Terrific Kid award at her Elementary school. Her teacher Mrs. Eidsvaag nominated her for this award because Emily is a," good role model for all of the other kids. She is always willing to help the other students, and her teacher, and she is thoughtful and kind. She turns in her work on time and it is complete."

I was so excited about this! I knew it would mean a lot for her to be recognized for what a great person she is. The pricipal had the award
ceremony during her lunch period, so all of her peers got to see what their teachers think about her. I could see that it meant a lot to her and she felt really great. Katelynn and her friend Alexis got out of class so they could be there to cheer Emily on. They were so proud of her. My mom (Ginnie-Grandma Gifford) also came and let Emily know how proud she was of her.

This award was given at a really good time for Emily. There is a girl in school who says lots of really mean things to her everyday and the
other day she tried to choke Emily! I knew this was wearing on Emily but she just kept going, and sticking up for herself. Emily is so sweet and such an important part of our family. She is so funny, and a total goof ball, but she is also very kind and loves to play with Bennick. Emily is truly a TERRIFIC KID!!!!

Brennicks maiden voyage

For Christmas Brennick asked Santa for a remote control Air Craft Carrier. He saw one on his favorite website Banana Hobby, they have every kind of remote control vehicle you could imagine! Anyway he was really a good boy and so Santa got it for him. He was so excited he could barely contain himself! So the Monday after Christmas we went over to a neighborhood lake close by and tested it out. It was so fun watching him navigate toward the ducks, and seeing them high tale it out of there. He thought it was pretty funny too!
Kim had a great time too, if you can't tell by the picture. He loved teaching "B" how to work the two engines, how to turn by letting off of one, etc. I really love watching Kim with the kids. He is such a great Dad, I really couldn't have asked for anything better.

So I am sure that in the future we will have more remote control vehicles to try out, but for now the boys are having a blast with this one. Other than that, things are just as crazy as they always are. With 3 children, dance, piano, school, and a business in the house now, there is never a dull moment, especially with all the things going on with the economy. We are so thankful for our blessings and they are many. How blessed we are to have eachother, health and strength a place to sleep and food to eat.


Well, I will try to keep things updated better, now that the holidays are over I think that I will be able to do a lot better. Thats it for now, see Ya!