Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Alright everyone here's the moment you've been waiting for.  lol  

I have to say that I wouldn't have been able to get this project done without all of your participation.  I know some of you had no idea why you were tracing your hands and sending them to me, so here's what all the fuss was about.  I love you all!

Here is the video of Mom and Dad opening it!

2012 Saddlers in Review

I realize that I'm one of the "slackers" :0) but I figure better late than never. Truthfully, this holiday season, and the entire year have really flown by. Our family has hit a pretty crazy stage of life, full of lots of changes and new adventures. I'm not sure that I'm ready for all the changes but... they keep coming just the same. Here is a quick list of some of the things that have happened to us this year:

1. McKenzi graduated from high school.
2. Heather was accepted into the Elementary Education program at Weber State.
3. Kade turned 10 (our last child to hit double digits).
4. Ryleigh started Jr. High, and Drew started High School.
5. McKenzi moved out in August (Kade took her room to seal the deal) and began school at Utah State.
6. I turned 40. (gag!)
7. Brian is serving as 1st Counselor in the Bishopric
8. I finished the first of 3 levels in the teacher ed program...just one year until my student teaching.
9. Kade started tumbling lessons (he LOVES it...and has some talent there...who knew?)
10. Ryleigh continues singing.
11. Drew had his first date...and handled the "Dad" meeting VERY WELL.
12. Everyone 12 and older went to Martin's Cove for trek (an unforgettable experience)...Kade got to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Campbell.
13. We all went to Nauvoo for the Petersen family reunion.
14. I got called to be Young Women's President.
15. We got a new puppy (Koda) on Thanksgiving (why NOT throw a puppy in the mix?!?)

Having a house full of tweens, teens, and children learning to be adults makes life interesting to say the least.

With McKenzi moving out, I've really begun to appreciate the times when we are together. Time is flying by and I'm afraid to blink anymore. ;0) As we have been working with Koda on not mouthing, jumping up, etc., the conversation actually moved to the fact that he will be around when I become a GRANDMA....(what?!?!) Do you see now why I'm reeling a little? CRAZY!

Now to the serious part of my message. I know that with Brian being self-employed and me being in school full-time, our time and finances have not allowed us to visit as often or as long as we would have liked. We've been in survival mode the last several years and I've not been as good as many of you at keeping in touch. This is no reflection on how much you are loved or thought of. You are all daily in our prayers and thoughts.

I am so grateful for our family; for the service Ben and Jesse and their families give for our country, for Josh's kind thoughtfulness toward my kids as he travels the world, for Mary and Brandon and their sweet and sassy family (they are all sweet...but the sass makes it fun! ;), for Amy and Jon's examples of pursuing an education and the creativity they encourage in their kids, for Lacey's desire to stay in touch and make sure we know her sweet Etta, and for Mom and Dad and their example of service, testimony, and obedience. These are just a few things I love most about our family...and the humor.

This holiday season I am grateful for the gospel in my life and for all the blessings that I have in my life because of it. I'm grateful to have the blessings of the priesthood in my home, and for the opportunity to be sealed as a family. I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior.

I hope you have peace and love in your home this Christmas season!

Love you always,


Your Sis (Daughter)
Heather

Here are some fun pics of 2012!

Nauvoo Trip - The Hyrum Smith Farmhouse (the temp was 104! ugh!)

Graduation Day for Kenzi - with Grandma and Grandpa

Roadtrip Fun! We all survived...including the suburban...yeah!!

 Drew, um... enjoying a drive through Nebraska (haha!)

 Koda and Ryleigh... we love our puppy!

 McKenzi and Drew square dancing to prepare for Trek

 Kade's Pinewood Derby car

Continuing the tradition...

 ... gingerbread houses at Christmas!!

 Ryleigh and me at the Carrie Underwood concert

Brian and Kade think they got #1 in our Iron Chef Family Home Evening! (not so fast boys!!)

Hodges Family 2012 Christmas Update

Well, it's late, but here it is. :)

This year has meant a lot of changes for our family.  Paul graduated from CWI, got a job, we got a new car and a puppy...just to sum it up.

Paul - In June, Paul started his new job as a Systems Engineer for Compunet Inc. and ranked 5th in the nation at his Skills USA competition.  He is loving every minute of his job and is learning a TON!  There is so much room to grow at this company and we hope that it will be somewhere he stays long term.  They have really enjoyed what Paul is bringing to the table and they are starting to allow him more opportunities to expand and learn more.  Paul also serves as the 11 year old Scout Master and has so much fun hanging out with the guys Wednesday nights.

Lacey - I have been going to school and trying to keep up.  This semester has been a lot more than I thought it would be.  I found out I HATE economics!  I am going to be taking a break from school for a little while after this semester.  With Etta getting older, she's so smart and I want to be able to concentrate more time on her education as well as take some time to just relax with her.  I have recently been called to serve in the Young Women's as a Beehive Advisor and it is so much fun.  The girls LOVE Etta and are always offering to babysit.  As part of this calling I had the opportunity to attend the Youth Cultural Celebration the area put on for the Boise Temple Re-dedication.  It was amazing to be able to be in the presence of the prophet President Monson.  It was also neat to have Mom and Dad sitting right behind me and the girls I was chaperoning. :)

Etta - Well as you all know she is the center of our lives. :)  I don't know what I did for entertainment before Etta came along.  She is so witty and makes me laugh every day.  I feel so blessed to be her mom.  She is such a blessing in our lives.  Some of my favorite Etta quotes are:

[While watching something with the minions from Despicable Me] "Minions.....you look like......tater tots!"

Famember = Remember

Cortilla = Tortilla

Shiber me timbers = Shiver me timbers....as if to say oh my goodness with her hand over her face. [I don't know where she got this one.]

Etta has loved having more family around this year.  Being able to see most everyone has opened her eyes to all the wonderful people we have in our family and she loves all of you.  She talks and asks about you all daily as well as prays for Ben's safety in every prayer she says.  She LOVES church and asks every morning if we get to go.  She has started making friends in her class and just the other day one of them held her hand when I went to pick her up and said "I don't want you to go!"

After looking through videos and pictures it's crazy to see how much Etta has grown this year.  I don't know when she became such a big girl.  It makes me sad that she's not in that toddler phase anymore, but it's SO much fun to see the awesome little girl she's becoming.  She is smarter than I even understand and am fighting just to keep up with all the new things she's learning.  She read her first word "Bed" a little while ago and I'm hoping to teach her more this coming year.

Below are just a few pictures of the year. (ok so a lot) :)

We love you all so much and miss all of you that aren't close by.  Hopefully next year we'll be able to make some visits. :)  Merry Christmas!

Love, The Hodges

BE SURE TO CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO SEE A FULL VIEW :)
In the pictures below we did the "Beat Coach Pete" 5K, Etta sat snuggled with Grandma and Papa Campbell during General Conference and she helped me paint the family room.  She's also found frequently playing with my Kindle Fire. :)

In the pictures below: Etta had a great time with Carsey when she came to visit, she organized her Halloween Candy, loves helping Grandma do dishes, had Papa Campbell make her chocolate milk, thought her child's toilet cover was a swimming floaty(I just had to take a picture...and then a she had a nice long bath), she wanted to go trick or treating again for more candy after putting on her fairy wings, loves to ride her horse "Person" at the Hodges, Papa Campbell made her a Scotch tape mustache, got a new puppy named Penny, loves to go to "Wunch" with Daddy and helped me put together Penny's kennel and decided to climb in afterwards.

These are some photos we had taken in October of 2012

Just a "homework break" video I took with my phone a few days ago.

T’was the night before Christmas and all through the house
Only Zoe was stirring, think she’s chasing a mouse,

Much quieter now, all the children have flown,
All over the world, how quickly they’ve grown,

No staying up late, no assembly required,
Just off to bed early, getting old’s made us tired,

No last minute shopping, no trips to the mall,
No counting of gifts being equal to all,

No cookies or milk left out in plain sight,
No nose prints in sugar bowls left out all night.

No stockings stuffed carefully ‘or the chimney with care
Even under the tree looks a little bit bare,

No blanket castles in one room any more
No waiting till 7 for knocks on the door

What a wonderful season, fun memories it brings
Of bicycles, laughter and meaningful things,

But out with the old and in with the new
Traditions and memories, some happy some blue,

Just keep what you like, and chuck all the rest
With family it’s natural and usually the best

So don’t be concerned ‘bout me and your mother
Before we had you…we still had each other

Of course we do miss you, your laughter and grins
But while you’re up at 7…we’ll be sleeping in!

Merry Christmas! Dad

2011 Flew By!

Merry Christmas Everyone! Just the other day it was December 2010. I'm just getting used to writing 2011.
My turn to update everyone. This has been a busy year. We said goodbye to Jesse as he left for Afghanistan, I mailed A BUNCH of boxes to him and had a great time putting in crazy things he might enjoy.
Then we had his wedding and having family at the temple was a high point for me. Ashlee is a wonderful addition to our family. Gary and I did a yard sale together which was a first. He really got into it. We think he may have sold his favorite cooler, haha. Working at Woodland Mfg. has been both fun, hard, and a great workout. I work with great people and continue to enjoy it. Once again I've enrolled at Boise State which makes it 39 years since I took my first class. Am I a slow learner or what? Actually I really enjoy the challenge of the classroom and learning about EVERYTHING. My latest (sigh) major is Health Sciences, minoring in Gerontology. I WILL finish college one of these days!

I'm teaching the singles ward family history consultants which is fun and Vicki Borg and I work with the other Bishopric members' wife, Cherylynn on "Mingles" once a month. Basically we serve food after church. It's great to be with Gary at the Young Single Adult ward. There's always something going on: Monday Home Evenings, Service Projects, cleaning the building when it's our turn, and attending wedding receptions.
All fun!

To my husband, children, their spouses, and my grandchildren...Thank you for being YOU! I can't imagine where I'd be without you.
Hope you like the pictures. :o) McKenzi I was thinking of you when I put my graduation picture in. Hugs to ALL!!!!

1968

Merry Christmas...Love, The Saddlers!

We have LOVED reading everyone's updates and looking at all the pictures. It's so fun to see what you are all doing.

As for us, things have definately not slowed down this year! ;0)

Brian fills his days building up the business and serving in the Bishopric, which he loves. His favorite is being able to spend time with the youth. As we all know being self-employed definately has it's drawbacks but the benefits are that he is able to be at all of the kids games, recitals, etc., and he always makes sure that people get where they need to be when I'm in class. This includes Drew's early morning seminary...good thing one of us is a morning person!

I'm currently carrying about 15 credits/semester at Weber State working toward an Elementary Ed degree and serving in Young Women. Between homework, YW activities, and the kids' schedules the days fly by but I wouldn't have it any other way. Brian and I try to provide a united front (since we're outnumbered) and when I accidentally blink, I can't believe how fast my kids are growing!

Speaking of... McKenzi is in the home stretch of her Senior year at Fremont High School. This year she was admitted into a medical magnet program called BHST that allows her to spend her 1/2 her days in college pre-med classes (medical interests must run in the family). She works 3 days a week, serves as FCCLA President at school and keeps up with her homework while also carrying 2 online courses. She definately has her eye on the future and was recently very excited to get an acceptance letter to Utah State University for next fall. No decisions yet, she's still waiting to hear back from BYU and BYUI... we'll see. Despite her heavy work load she manages to keep her sense of humor.

Drew has changed immensely this last year. He is really turning into quite an amazing young man. So far this year he has tried out for, and made, the school volleyball team (co-ed), ran cross country track, and is currently playing basketball. He has never had an interest in basketball before but since he hit the 6' 2 1/2" mark, his friends thought it was time to recruit him. In addition he made the honor roll for the 1st quarter of school. Right now he's in the middle of studying to get his learners permit (heaven help us) and hopes to start driving (with Brian and me) soon. He's got a great sense of humor; when he and McKenzi get together, it's quite a show!

Ryleigh turned 12 this year. She is involved in all things social, is loving being in Young Womens, wearing make-up (finally) and tries hard to stay out of all the 6th grade 'drama.' She recently started taking singing lessons and has had two recitals so far this year. Her last performance was a show stopper! It's a talent that she especially enjoys developing and we are having fun seeing her grow...especially when it comes to overcoming stage fright. Her latest challenge is practicing a song for sacrament meeting... an assignment from Brian... McKenzi is trying to learn a new song to accompany her by the end of January. Keep your fingers crossed.

Last but not least, Kade is finally hitting a growth spurt, which he loves. He has great friends at school, loves scouts and is getting used to being the only one home on Tuesday nights since everyone else is at mutual. He doesn't particularly love being the youngest because he often feels left out but it has its benefits. He can often be found having a 'sleep-over' in Ryleigh's room or running errands with McKenzi. Most of the time he practices defending himself against Drew (typical big brother behavior). Not long ago I walked into their room about an hour after 'bedtime' and found the two of them wrestling on the floor. Kade was laughing a full gut laugh yelling, "I love you too, Drew!" as they rolled around trying to pin each other down....some things I don't understand...but can appreciate just the same! ;0)

We love you all and think of you often.

Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!!!

Love,

The Saddlers

Wishing you an Anthrax-free Holiday!

Ben got his first in a series of 5 anthrax shots last week. Here he's modeling his MOPP suit.

We moved. No more neighbors overhead. Only 29.9 more years of mortgage payments.
Max likes his school...finally. It's Christmas break, and the kid WANTS to be in class. Ben suffers through an interstate commute, and we are grateful! We live in Lacey now. We previously lived in a 2 bedroom apartment in Lakewood which the locals call "Lakehood." When we were house hunting and first drove out to this neighborhood, Max was quick to observe the lack of hobos and graffiti.

A rare moment. These two are in a constant battle for family dominance.

This might be the dirtiest we've ever seen him.

Rest stop. Hiked at Multnomah Falls on the drive home from Meridian.

I just threw this one in since I'm almost never in photographs..usually the one taking. I guess that goes with being a mom.

Max was Sub-Zero from Mortal Combat for Halloween. We taped a bunch of stuff over his karate gi. He really enjoys karate. His dojo is quite a commute from our new home, but it's great. Pure Okinawan karate is apparently hard to come by. He missed his first test while we were moving. Poor kid has to wait a few months and test with the next batch.

Jack and Spring on a tram at a wildlife preserve. We go do all the fun stuff whenever Ben is gone training. He was deflated to learn we saw the Muppets only hours before he returned from his last training session.

Max dressed up the standard peppermints but then regretted it. He's right: they do look like bloodshot eyeballs.

I was instructed to take this photo. Still not sure what that's all about.

Atop the Space Needle....once again while Ben was in Yakima training.

1 of 3 outings to Sunnyside Beach is Steilacoom, about 15 min from our apartment. Sadly, the summer only had about 2 weeks of decent weather.

Snake Lake Nature Center. This water pump insured we returned several times and always left muddy.

Halloween swag.


Ben forced me to go outside in the cold and snap a picture of our house today. He and Max instructed me include some of the above, but especially that WE MISS YOU ALL... and that we might visit Meridian over the Christmas break.
Everybody here has LOVED viewing your updates!

Ben, Spring, Max and Jack