Christmas Letter 2017

Dear Family & Friends-

                Is anyone else excited that 2017 is nearing a close?  I would have to say that it has been one of our more difficult years, so I will not be sad when it’s over!  Even so, I can’t help but look back and see how truly blessed we have been. 

                Jay is as busy as ever!  I’m not sure how he does it, but he is able to balance running his own business (painting), church callings (primary teacher for Talen’s class and the Elder’s Quorum Secretary), and being the best dad ever!  The kids love and idolize him, and I couldn’t find a better person to navigate this crazy life with!

                My world seems to revolve around running the kids to all their different activities, working from home (accounting), and my church calling (Young Women Secretary).  I was also able to ride in my third century race but because our training schedule was unexpectedly interrupted multiple times, we chose to forgo the 100 miles and stop at 70.  I was a little sad, but I guess that just means that I will have to try for 100 again in 2018!  The highlight of my year was when Kennedy agreed to play as my partner for the Outdoor Volleyball Fall Finale.  We didn’t win, but I had so much fun being able to spend the day doing something I love with the girl I love the most!

                Kennedy turned 14 and is now in the 8^th grade.  At the end of 7^th grade, her art teacher submitted two of her drawings into an art exhibit and she won Honorable Mention in the Intermediate School Mixed category and 2^nd place in Intermediate School Drawing category.  At the school, she also received the Certificate of Excellence in Fine Arts.  This year she participated in rec center basketball, club volleyball, and went to DSU volleyball camp.  She was the setter for her volleyball club team and after the season was over her coach took her and one other girl on her team to Las Vegas for a setter camp.  Kennedy was also able to go to Girls Camp, see Mamma Mia at Tuacahn, watch a Piano Guys concert, and go to Time Out for Girls.  She was admitted into the National Junior Honor Society for 8^th graders and she just recently got her braces off.  She is certainly a busy girl!!

                Talen is now 11 and in the 5^th grade.  I think I am in denial that this will be his last year at the elementary school!  Talen started out the year great, but around May he started having some difficulties.  To summarize, he was life-flighted to Primary Children’s Medical Center 3 times this year.  He spent a total of 20 days in the PICU at Primary’s and 5 days at Dixie Regional.  He has added several new medications to his regimen and attempted to remove others (without much success).  Despite all the new experiences, he still has the sweetest spirit and a smile that could melt any heart.  We are so thankful for the wonderful doctors and nurses that we have shared much of our lives with this past year.  But most of all, we are very grateful that our Heavenly Father has continued to bless our sweet Talen during these very difficult times. 

                Daxton turned 6 in April and is in the 1^st grade.  He loves reading and is probably the smartest 6-year-old I know.  In fact, he was admitted into the SOAR program again at school and scored in the top 3% of kids his age in the nation on the CogAt test.  This past year Dax played Jr. Jazz basketball, city league soccer, city league baseball, and took swim lessons.  He loves anything avengers, doing puzzles, making others laugh, playing with friends, singing, dancing, playing on electronics, and teasing his little brother.  He is such a sweetheart and loves to be the center of attention.  Our life would definitely be very dull without him!

                Carter is the perfect caboose to our crazy train!  He is 4 and in his second year of Preschool.  He loves Batman, playing the I-pad, going to Cathy’s house, coloring, and wrestling with Dax.  He is probably the only 4 year old whose favorite food is salad (a boy after my own heart!).  He is working so hard in his speech class and has the cutest little personality ever!  The funniest thing about Carter is that he is a little kleptomaniac – anytime something is missing, he is the one that took it.  We are always having to find his “briefcase” to find our missing item and 90% of the time, that’s where it has been hidden.  We sure love our little Carter Sauce!

                We hope that you and your family feel as loved and blessed by our Heavenly Father as we do.  We pray for the best in the upcoming year and wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

                                                                                                Love the Vaughns           

Cuddly Talen

Isn't Talen just the cutest!?!?!?

Christmas

The kids woke up early - of course!  But I made them eat breakfast and let me feed Talen before they got to rip into any presents.  The little boys pretty much got the same gifts this year.  They got skates, coloring supplies, a Batman mask, a coloring space ship, a skateboard/scooter, helmets, and robots.  I probably shouldn't admit this, but we gave them the same gift they got last year.  Last year they got new tablets, but the ports to charge them went bad after a couple months and they forgot about them.  So in November, I had them shipped off to get fixed and the made it back in time to get a new case and be re-gifted as new.  The boys didn't know and they were thrilled to get "new" tablets.  Maybe I am a bad mom, but why spend money on something they don't want when their "new" tablets would make them even happier?!?  Anyway, Talen got a blanket, towel, shirt, and monitor (to be able to keep an eye on him when we are not in the same room).  We paid for Kennedy to do SUVA again, so that was her big present this year.  But she was thrilled to open her new SUVA backpack and gear.  She also got new shoes, all 3 seasons of the Flash on DVD, and really nice coloring pencils.  Jay and I got new electronic massage things - I'm not even sure what they are called.  Jay got a drone, new wallet, and belt.  I got 2 new John Grisham books, a jewelry box, and beautiful new diamond earrings.  Santa also gave each of us a nurf gun (which was probably the most fun gift of all).  Robin came over a couple hours later and gave the kids their gifts from her.  She got the little boys a couple boxes of Wedgits (at my suggestion) and it was the hit of the day!  Even Kennedy spent time playing and building with them.  All in all, I would say that it was a good Christmas.  The rest of the day was spent sitting around and playing with toys!!

Christmas Eve with the Pulisphers

Since Christmas was on a Monday this year, that meant that Christmas Eve was on Sunday.  Kennedy, myself, and the two little boys went to the one hour block of church then came home and got ready to go over to Cathy's.  We spent the afternoon munching on chips and dip and playing games.  After a yummy turkey dinner, Cathy had a little poem to read about the meanings of all the different signs of Christmas (ei - the candle, the wreath, the holly, Santa, angels, etc.)  The little boys loved passing out the signs as we discussed them all.  Then it was time for presents!!  I love the thought that Cathy puts into her gifts.  She always makes sure to think about each person and what they would really like to get - my kids certainly are lucky to have an aunt like her!!  Then, of course, they opened their Christmas Eve pajamas!  After getting everyone changed, it was back home to put out the milk and cookies and head to bed so that Santa and the elves could leave us our goodies!!

Daxton's Letter to Santa

My Little Reindeer

Both my boys came home from school today as reindeer!  I better watch out or Santa is going to want to take them to the North Pole to help pull his sleigh!!  You boys are adorable!!

Daxton and Talen Selfies

I was holding Talen and flipping through things on my phone.  Dax must have thought that I was taking a picture of Talen so he jumped in and started posing.  As soon as I figured out what he was doing, I decided to start snapping pics.  Even Talen started to enjoy the "selfies."  What cute boys I have!!

Fairy Tale Christmas

I think it was last year that we bought the tickets for this show, so I was really looking forward to seeing it.  And, boy, I was not disappointed - it was awesome!!  I loved it!!  It was so cute!  But the best part was watching the expression on Carter and Daxton's faces as the characters sang and danced.  There were so many on-stage costume changes, it was just amazing to watch.  And the entire cast was made up of only 7 people!!  The kids all loved it and as soon as we left Dax asked if we could buy the movie of it.  Well, since there is no movie, I guess we will just have to buy tickets for it again next year!  Well done Michael McLean, well done!!

Ward Christmas Pary

Since we are keeping Talen away from all opportunities to get germs, it was only Kennedy, me, and the little ones going to the Christmas party this year.  We went in time for the boys to sit on Santa's lap and tell him all about the things they wanted for Christmas.  Just after we finished with Santa, the smoke alarm went off in the building.  It was crazy.  We all sat around and waited for a little while, but then they had to kick us out and wait for the fire department to come and check it out and shut off the alarm.  Turns out that it was a spiderweb that set off the alarm.  Well, that was pretty much the exitement for the night.  The rest of the evening we just ate dinner and visited with friends.  This is one Ward party I won't forget for a while!

Kennedy got her braces off!!

One month short of having them for two years and Kennedy got her braces off!  She was so excited, but afterwards said that she liked it better with them on - silly girl (she just needs to get used to it with them off).  She said it hurt a bit getting them off, but look at that beautiful smile!!  Money well spent!!