Winter in Mesquite.....

Last Saturday was so nice. It was the first Saturday we didn't have anything scheduled. We went to Hafen Park and fished in the little pond (basically untangled knots all day). It was still fun, and then rode bikes, played on the playground and just had a nice relaxing day! The weather was 67 degrees! Perfect. Maverick figured out the fishing pole, he could cast and reel all by himself.

Kennedi invited her good friend Tatianna. They have been best buddies since kindergarten.

Look at the concentration. He must be grandpa Jim's boy! (he definitely inherited "the tongue")

Tyra loves to cruise around on her little bike she got for Christmas. She thinks she is so big now! I have to laugh at the summer dress and black boots. She has a mind of her own when it comes to fashion, and its just not a battle I want to fight! So I have to just laugh sometimes.

Mesquite Fire Academy Graduation

Thursday night was the big Academy graduation! Congratulations to Justin for all of the hard work, not only physically but mentally too. The course consisted of a huge test every week as well as 3 finals at the end (Fire 1,2 and Hazardous Materials). The Academy was 10 weeks long. Every Saturday from 6am-6pm. The academy and the training facilities are outstanding. Over half of the guys in the class drove from Vegas because they had heard how great it was! Justin had a great time. I loved hearing all of his stories he had at the end of each day! But man was I glad when it was over, we really missed him on Saturdays. Next on the schedule is EMT certification starting in March.

Dave Peterson Deputy Fire Chief and our good friend! Thanks Dave for all of your help and support.

This is Justin's company. (I don't know their names). He said this girl rocked! You go girl.

oops I cut off Justin,(my new camera only came with 1 very large lens. I almost fell of the stage trying to get them all in the shot.

The plaque the "cadets" gave to the fire department.

Emmeline Apron

I love this apron! I just bought this pattern and can't wait to get one made. Since i am a novice sewer I think I can tackle the job with a little help. We are making these aprons in a sewing class with our enrichment ladies. My problem is finding cute fabric at a reasonable price. I don't have much selection in St. George and no selection in Mesquite. Does anyone order fabric on-line? I would appreciate any direction to some good fabric web-sites!

Christmas Break.......

We had a great Christmas Break. On the 27th we went up to my Mom and Dad's in American Fork. We were going to leave on the 26th but we had to wait for my gift to come in the mail! I am so excited to have this awesome camera! I can't wait to learn all about the great things it can do! I need to take a photography class to learn a little more! Anyway here is a recap of all of the fun we had over Christmas Break!

While at my Mom and Dad's we played, played,played. The kids played several board games, Pictionary, and Charades. On New Years Eve we had a delicious Prime Rib dinner, (thanks DAD) and of course the kids favorite tradition is sliding down the stairs on mattresses in a sleeping bag. They wait all year for this event. We line up 2 twin mattresses end to end down the stairs and slide down in a slick sleeping bag (for extra speed). It's like a huge indoor slide. I don't have any pics of it because I was busy filming with the video camera. If I can ever figure out how to post video from a digital video camera I will post some super exciting film! (anyone know how)? Stetson had the fastest ride of the night, and the best wipe out too. Lauren decided to do a flip from the top of the stairs! WOW! I think she is crazy, her momentum turned one flip in to two! I am just relieved we made it through the night without any major catastrophes. It was pretty crazy! What else do you expect from a party with my Mom and Dad? If you know them, you know how fun and crazy they are!

{ Dalton, Kennedi, Stetson, Oaklie, Tyra, Sage}

Mom had all kinds of cute little crafts for them to make. They got to color and decorate these cute aprons. She also had notebooks for them to decorate the cover of with scrapbook paper, and ribbon. They turned out really cute.

{Lauren and Tyra}

We even got out the pipe bells. Each one is numbered and when grandma point on the poster to your number you hit your bell. The kids loved it! We played Happy Birthday to Matt, (my Bro-in law). His b-day is on Jan. 31. We had a fun party with him. Happy Birthday Matt. I can't believe I don't have a pic of him, sorry. We love you!



TUBING

This was our tubing day. We went to Evergreen park, (right by my Moms). The hill was perfect for the kids. Just steep enough to be fast and fun, but safe. The best part is that the kids could walk back up themselves. It was a great time!

Jenny, Sage, & Dalton

Mary & Kennedi

Kennedi and Stetson

Dad getting ready to send Dalton down!


BINGO!!!!!!!!

Maverick playing B-I-N-G-O

Maverick LOVED playing Bingo. We had a Christmas Bingo set of cards. He could find all the pictures himself, and knew right when he would get bingo. He would yell BINGO! and get so excited. If you ask him what his favorite game is he will tell you it's Bingo! Also if you ask him who's boy he is, he will say, "Daddy's Rodent" Thanks Bo, for all the great phrases you have been teaching him! ha ha ha pretty funny!

Mary and Cami playing Bingo

Mom had some great prizes too!

Jenny and I took the older kids roller skating at Classic Skating. They loved it! We had a great time. I couldn't believe how great they did. Some of our other fun activities included......

* seeing The Tale of Desperoux, it was just ok (not my favorite).

* Kangaroo Zoo, to work off some of that extra sugar energy!

* Justin and I went to the Jazz game.

*Party at Yori's to watch Utah kick but in the Sugar Bowl!

How about those Utes!!!!!

We really packed in a lot of fun and excitement into 5 days! Thanks Mom and Dad for all of the fun, food, and excitement! We had a blast! Love you, and miss you all!

Merry Christmas!

We have had the most wonderful Christmas. We have been lucky enough to have Justin's Mom and Dad here. They drove through all the snow and weather to share Christmas with us. We started our festivities on Christmas Eve with a Turkey dinner, and decorated some cookies for Santa! Opened up new pj's, On Christmas Day we went to the movie "Bedtime Stories". Our friends rented the theatre for customer appreciation Day. We loved the movie, and won a BB gun in a drawing after! It was fun! Here are some pics highlighting the events. We love to read "The Jolly Old Santa Claus" book. I have read it every Christmas Eve since I was old enough to remember. I laugh at the expressions on the kids faces in this pic. Don't they look so excited? ha ha ha.

Decorating cookies for Santa. Wow look at Tyra's creation. The carrots are for Rudolph.

This is the kind of excitement we saw all morning from all the kids. They are at such fun ages! Kennedi and Stetson were so excited to get their Nintendo DS.

Tyra was so funny. She was the last to open any of her presents. She has been riding her bike around in the house all day! She was just excited about everything this year.

Maverick was plum happy with his candy cane and apple he found in his stocking! He finally got around to opening his presents!

The kids got cool nerf guns. What is Christmas morning without a nerf gun?

Maverick got a bunch of cool farm animals from Justin's Mom and Dad. They sure did spoil us this year. Thank You!

Maverick needed a little coaxing from big brother to open his presents. Stetson got a super cool hot wheels deluxe trick trax. We played with it all morning. I was too busy playing to get any pics.!

On Christmas Day we always have a cake (well sort of) and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. Justin's family has always had this tradition so we adopted it. Thanks Cozy for bringing the cupcakes!

Doing great in 2008.

I am a little late getting out my Christmas cards this year,(I am mailing them tomorrow). I am including this poem with my cards, and thought I would post it.

Doing Great in 2008

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land,
The children played outside in the sun and the sand.
We’ve lived in Mesquite for almost five years,
We like it here, especially as Christmas draws near.
Four children we nestle all snug in their beds
While visions of grandma’s house dance in their heads.
Kennedi is oldest the ripe age of nine,
She’s growing up fast and looking quite fine.
A concert pianist she wants to be some day,
If she keeps up the practice one day it will pay.
She gets straight A’s, never a B,
Her favorite subject is math ,(she didn’t get it from me).
She loves to swim and watched the Olympics,
Michael Phelps she thought was absolutely terrific.
Stetson is next, in August he turned seven.
He’s such a good boy, for that we thank Heaven.
He’s the smartest in his class and loves to read,
If only we could get him to eat more good feed.
He’s on the small side, but has a heart of gold,
He gives 110% of what ever he’s told.
He likes soccer, swimming, and football for sports.
If the Steelers loose a game he’s all out of sorts.
Tyra ,oh Tyra what can I say,
She brings to us sunshine every single day!
She goes to pre-school, and likes anything girly,
She loves to dance and does lot’s of twirlies.
Tyra is also, a little rhyming fool,
She helped with this poem, now isn’t that cool?
Maverick, the baby, is a jolly little elf.
He’s such a funny boy, I just laugh to myself.
I love that he is my mamas boy.
Anything Star Wars is his favorite toy.
He’s two and a half and just started talking,
It’s Darth Vader he loves to walk around mocking.
We’ve had a great year we can’t complain,
Rocky Mountain Lending, Justin tries to maintain.
We had some great trips here are a few….
Disneyland, Trek, and a Mexian cruise.
Justins’ still in the bishopbric , and loves to serve,
Of the Lord’s blessing we hope we deserve.
He loves to play ball of any kind,
And go to Montana, (oh no, I don’t mind).
He completed the Fire Academy here in Mesquite
It was truly, a very, remarkable feat.
As for me, I stay busy with kids and the new dog,
If I’m lucky, I love to find time for a jog.
I love my new calling, ward Enrichment Leader,
It’s all a balancing act, I hope I don’t teeter!
So now I’ll exclaim as I finish this rhyme
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good time!

Love, The Ludvigson Family

Up and Running Again!

I finally got my computer up and running again. I need a new one so bad. I don't have time to post now, but i will within the next day or two.

Disneyland Rocks....

We had a great time in California last weekend. This was the first time we have ever gone to Disneyland with just our little family, and it was a wonderful trip. We went to Disneyland the first day, California Adventure the 2nd day, and then the Beach and Benihanna's for dinner on the 3rd day.

Kennedi was so excited to see Jessie. They have some common bond because they both have red hair. They do kind of look alike.

Waiting for the parade to start. The parades are my favorite part of Disneyland. They are so magical and fun.

They had some of the Christmas decorations up, but not all of them.

The kids loved looking for the characters and getting their autographs.

I thought this picture was great, especially since Justin has been dawning the lovely turnouts every Saturday while going through the fire academy. I think he's having a mid life crises and wants to be a firefighter (just volunteer on the side), the good news is that out of 10 weeks there are only 3 left! Hallelujah!

Yes, Tyra is in her Pj's. We went back to the hotel for dinner and a little siesta before returning to the park for the fireworks and Fantasmic show. The jammy's were actually a sensible choice considering 10 min. after the photo Tyra was out cold, and slept through everything.

Bugs Life was every ones favorite attraction. I thought Tyra and Mav would be scared, but they loved it and haven't quit talking about it.

How can you go to California and not visit the beach? Even if it is on the cold side. We went to Hunnington Beach and spent the day playing in the sand, making sand castles, jumping over waves, and chasing seagulls. It was a great day.

I had a hard time in the sandcastle building department. I broke the bucket we were using to mold the castle. Needless to say the kids were not too happy about that. It still turned out pretty cool.