Christmas Memories 2008

Snow, wind, and more snow. Mother Nature was against us this year. We weren't able to go out and see family much because the roads were too bad. So we spent a lot of quality family time together. The kids had a blast. Their favorite gift was a Wii from Grandma Payne. They certainly have spent way too many hours playing on that thing.

As we celebrate Christ's birth, we can continue to reflect on all our many blessings that he has granted us.

Christmas Eve Sledding

It was a windy day, but we were protected by the hill down Wildcat Hollow. Alaina had a enough after two times down the hill. She didn't have to walk up it though. Madison had a blast going down with her cousin Chloe. She didn't have enough energy to walk all the way up the hill so she would walk half way up and then sled down again. Finally, Richard carried her all the way up. Josh wasn't prepared and was sledding down the hill in tennis shoes. His feet were soaked after one run. Next time-bring boots.

Merry Christmas to Everyone!

Due to my severe brain freeze that caused me to lick shut all the Christmas cards (even the ones that needed the annual letter) I am putting it on my blog this year. And it is a sneaky way of getting more people to check out what is happening to the Josh May family. I got the idea from Josh's cousin. What a terrific idea! So anyway, here is an quick update on our family

Alaina-We call her the girl of a hundred faces, always keeping us on our toes with her fabulous personality. This year she mastered potty training. Yea!! No more diapers!! She gets to stay at home all day with mom while the kids are at school.

Madison-She was a cherub in this year's Nutcracker performance. (See post below). She loves going her ballet class every week. This summer she and Riley took swimming lessons and she did great. She has loved 2nd grade and likes to read. She is miss social bug, always making new friends.

Riley-Basketball, soccer, swimming, football, Webelos, and tae kwon do-keeps us busy all the time. He loves reading. Last year, in 3rd grade, he earned 307 AR points. For those of you with kids in school that is a ton.

Carla-Scrapping, scouts, chauffeuring, and everything else that comes with being a mom. BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!!!

Josh-After 10 years, he is no longer at Jones Sew & Vac. He is now a regional sales rep for one of their suppliers, Riccar. The company is the Tacony Corporation, based out of St. Louis. He has 11 states that he covers. He is gone a lot, but he is also home a lot too. We are beginning to rake up airline miles and hotel points though.

We hope your holiday season is filled with joy and cherished family moments. The gospel is the glue that holds our lives together. With Jesus the Christ, we can receive the wonderful blessings promised to us.

The Cherub

Madison was a cherub in the Rotary Club's presentation of the Nutcracker. She did a wonderful job, despite waking up sick that day. Darn croup. She was so beautiful. I am putting the video on here. For those of you that care to watch, she is the very first cherub in white that comes running out.

Riley turns the big 1-0!!!

The big 1-0!! Where does the time go? Riley graduated into double digits with a bang. Literally. He has been taking hunter safety, so he can be ready to go turkey hunting in the spring with his dad. Does everyone know that you can hunt wild, crazy birds that fly off in every direction before you can hunt a big game animal that just stands there? Lets all pray for no Dick Cheney incidents. So anyway, he got his first gun: a single shot 20 gague. And now it is safely locked away in the safe, never to be used (mothers can always dream).

Family Pics

There hasn't been much to report that I have pictures of, so you get to see what our attempt at self-taken family pictures turned out. Needless to say, I am not blowing anything up to put in a frame and hang on the wall. I will give the kids the benefit of the doubt and tell you that it was 32 degrees outside and even colder in the shade.

The Edahow Cowboys are 6-0!!

Riley ended his last flag football season this week. His team ended up undefeated. It was a good time for Riley, despite having to play on a team called the Cowboys. He his a proud and true Bears fan. He even wore his bears stocking hat at the team picture.
He played middle linebacker and strong safety. His stong safety position allowed him to get an interception and he also pulled a few flags. His parents are very proud of him and the progress he has made.
In the pics he plays defense and is number 14.

The interception!!

A Legend, Fairy, and a Rock Star

Another Halloween has come and gone, and now all we are left with is two giant bowls of sugar filled, cavity causing candy. The kids had a a wonderful time dressing up. After walking up and down the aisles at the Party Palace, Riley finally decided he could be Zorro. Madison and made her mind up months ago to be Hannah Montana. She already had the wig, so all we needed was some very fashionable clothes. After much deliberation and searching the costume box, Alaina chose to be Barbie Mariposa (it was a birthday present from Grandma May).

After getting all dressed up, the evening started with a 2 ward trunk-or-treat at the church. As soon as the kids came home and dumped out the candy they were ready to head out around the neighborhood to the houses that weren't at the trunk-or-treat. Alaina was so excited to go up to each house. Madison was running to every door, while Riley was having a hard time keeping his shoes on.
After the evening was over, we definitely ended up with more that we started with. Bring on the cavities.

Fall Pumpkins, Leaves, and Fun!

You can't have October without carving those pumpkins and playing in the leaves. The kids did both this weekend. Alaina helped me pick out the pumpkins at the grocery store and said she wanted a small one. The other kids (and Josh too) got big ones. I just helped the kids with the carving. This is what we came up with.

Then we went over to the Buchanan's to play in their leaves. They have the best leaves for jumping into big piles. Riley, Madison, and Alaina had a great time.

Too bad we're not Rams fans. . .

My mom got her mission call today. She is headed to the Missouri St. Louis Mission on December 8 (unless her mission president decides to bring her out sooner). Sister Payne talked to her president and found out that the mission hasn't had a secretary since March, so she is desperately needed. She was pretty excited to finally know where she is headed. The good thing is that St. Louis is in Josh's territory, so he will be able to go out there a few times a year. Maybe he will have to stow Carla or the kids in a suitcase one of the times.

The First Snow!!

The first snow of the season came with a vengeance this weekend. Of course, the kids were more excited for it than us parents. So, after about four new inches of the fresh powder was dumped on the lawn throughout the night on Saturday the kids were ready for some fun. After church, they didn't even stop to eat. After spending 20 minutes searching for gloves, boots, etc . . they were ready to go. Alaina was particularly excited. She helped Riley build his snow fort and then played house with Madison in her fort. They spent a couple hours out in the cold before coming in for some hot cocoa. Alaina was all excited until her hot cocoa was hot. Riley fixed his own and had it brimming over the top with marshmallows.

Alaina turns 3!!

Alaina had a fun third birthday. Everything went well except she did not like us singing "Happy Birthday" to her. She got all teary eyed and scared when we sang to her when she got up and then she did the same thing at her party. Maybe she just didn't like the singing.

The only thing she wanted for her birthday was some pink balloons. Aunt Jill too care of that, so mom and dad could get her some real presents like pet shops and clothes. We made her wait all day until the party to open presents. She was very patient though.

Then when all the guests showed up for her party she got nervous. That is when she starting crying again. After everyone stopped singing she was fine and excited to open her presents. She wanted a strawberry cake with strawberry frosting, so that is what she got. It was good to be with family and friends. She especially had fun with her cousins.

First Day of School

Riley and Madison started school on August 21st. Riley is in fourth grade and Madison is in second. They were excited for a new year and to be just a little bit older, despite their parents telling them to not grow up. This leaves mom and Alaina to be buddies. We are adjusting.