DECEMBER 2018

December is always filled with the festivities of the holiday season, so we were of course busy.  But other than work parties and school programs and such, the biggest thing we did in December was to break down and finally buy a wheelchair accessible van for Talen.  The only catch was that it was in Phoenix Arizona, so we would have to figure out a way to get it back here.  I looked up the cost of a flight at it was extremely reasonable, so Kennedy and I booked our flight.  Kennedy has flown before (when she a baby), but since she doesn't remember it, she was considering this her first time flying, so she was pretty excited.  Of course, things don't ever go the way that you have planned, which means, yes, we had flight problems.  Go figure this was the one day out of the last 19 years that I've lived in St. George where it was extremely foggy.  We actually got on the plane, taxied down the runway, then had to come back to the gate "for fuel".  After we fueled, we just sat there for what seemed like forever waiting "for the fog to lift"!  Eventually, the pilot announced that they flight crew had "timed out" and we would be heading back to de-board.  It was craziness!  After spending hours at the airport, and talking with the guy at the place where we purchased the van, we had a new flight for the next morning (Sunday).  It was just so nuts, but Kennedy met a couple kids her age so I guess it was ok (at least one of us got something good out of this wasted day).  The next day, the flight was flawless and we made it to Phoenix.  Kennedy loved every second of the flight and keeps asking when we will be able to fly again.  The guy from the car place picked us up and took us to the van.  He was a little strange, but pretty nice.  I've never bought a vehicle before without seeing it in person first, but it appeared to be everything that we wanted.  So, after a 6 hour drive home, we finally finished our crazy journey to buy Talen a new van (which is perfect for him and I am so glad that we took the leap and bought it).  Yay!!!

Christmas Letter 2018

Dear Family and Friends –

As you can tell by how late I am at getting out my Christmas letter, 2018 was a very busy year!  How I wish life would just slow down a bit!  But, since that doesn’t appear to be happening anytime soon, we just have to roll with it, am I right?!?!

Jay’s painting company is thriving, and I know it’s because he works so stinking hard – which we are extremely grateful for.  In April, Jay got a new calling in our ward.  He is now the Ward Clerk over finance (which is hilarious if you know Jay at all).  I have always handled the finances at our house, so it has been good for him to learn something new. 

I am still doing accounting from home, which I love, but keeps me busier than I’d like some days.  In January, I also received a new calling in our ward.  I am a Gospel Doctrine teacher (which is also hilarious because getting up in front of people and teaching is not one of my strong suits – especially when I’m teaching adults that obviously know more than I do about the gospel). It’s been hard, and I am sure that I have learned way more than anyone in the class, but I am thankful for the opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and do something that I never thought I was capable of doing. 

Kennedy is now 15 and a Freshman at Pine View High School.  She signed up and was accepted to take all the honors classes that were available as a freshman.  There are 4 which means that her school schedule is pretty tough, but you would never know it because she is such a great student (4.0 GPA). She also tried out for the Volleyball team and made JV (completely skipping over both the freshman and sophomore teams).  We had so much fun watching her play and improve as the setter for her team.  She still loves music, playing the piano, drawing, hanging out with friends, reading, and driving (yes, she got her driving permit in September, so watch out!!)  Kennedy is such a good kid and fantastic example for her little brothers to follow.

Talen was only hospitalized once for the wiggles (that’s an improvement over the previous year).  In September, he had spinal fusion surgery (T2 to pelvis) and in one day he grew 5 inches!  It was a rough couple of months for the both of us, but he has finally recovered enough to attend school again (at least for a couple hours).  Talen is now 12 years old, in 6^th grade at a new school (Fossil Ridge Intermediate), and the glue that holds our crazy family together.  A neighbor recently told me that “Talen is one of those people that just . . . glows!”  I don’t think I could come up with a better description of him – he radiates love and compassion to all who get to spent even just one moment with him.  So thankful to have his beautiful spirit in our home.

Daxton is 7 years old and in the 2^nd grade.  This past year he played basketball, soccer, and rode BMX.  During the Virgin BMX summer series, Daxton took 1^st place among all the Novice riders over the 8-week series (there were 64 novice riders total).  He loves to play with friends, ride bikes, play Legos, and watch tv any time we will let him.  He is such a good brother (most of the time) and is so stinking smart.  He always surprises me with the way that he describes things and I am amazed at how his little mind works.  We just love our Daxie-boy and can’t wait to see what his future holds!

Carter is 5 and just started Kindergarten (I don’t know what I am going to do with myself next year when he goes to school full time!)  He also played soccer and was beyond thrilled when he scored his first goal.  But we have found that Carter true passion is riding BMX.  All he wanted for Christmas was a new bike with bigger tires so that he could go faster and beat the other racers.  He has a need for speed and inherited a competitive side from both of his parents!  Carter loves to ride bikes, play on Dad’s phone, and spend time with his siblings.  He is the peacemaker of our home and I don’t know what I would do without my Carter Sauce. 

We are so thankful for the many, many blessings that we have received during this past year.  We know that our Savior has been watching out for our family.  We pray that each of you had a very Merry Christmas filled with love and happiness.  Best wishes for the upcoming year!

                                                                                                                Love – The Vaughn’s             

Christmas

We were a little slow getting started, but I guess that just makes Christmas last longer, right?!?  We woke up, fed Talen, got him dressed, made and ate breakfast crepes, cleaned up breakfast, and waited for Grandpa Victor to arrive before we would even let the kids touch their gifts from Santa.  Like usual, the kids were spoiled.  The boys got everything they asked for - and even more!  They got remote control cars, scooters, legos, books, hershey bars, and underware.  Daxton got a new pair of velcro shoes (because he HATES tying his shoes) and Carter got a new bike (with bigger tires so that he can go faster and win his races).  Talen got a new recliner (which hasn't arrived yet), a new mattress pad, socks, shampoo, deodorant, a huge towel, and . . . oh yea, a new car!!  Kennedy got a new setter volleyball, diffuser, books, a wallet, socks, shoes, facial masks, and a dress (we are also counting her GSL volleyball club, IHC acceleration fitness training, and EFY that she will attend this summer).  Oh my, these kids are spoiled.  But I love them, so if I'm gonna spend money, then I enjoy spending it on them the most.  I just love this time of year, and I love the people I get to spend it with.  I guess, I am really the spoiled one, huh!!  Oh, and I can't forget the super cute blanket that Kennedy gave me with each of their pictures on it - I love it!!  Merry Christmas!! 

Christmas Eve with the Pulsiphers

Cathy and Cory invited us over for Christmas Eve dinner - steak and shrimp.  I love Cory's cooking, but he really outdid himself this time.  It was probably the best food he has ever made for us.  It was so yummy!  After dinner we let the kids play for a little while, then we called them in for a little  Q & A about the true meaning of Christmas.  Turns out Daxton knew a lot more than I thought he did.  And sadly, Carter knew very little - but he is only 5 so I guess that's normal.  So, we explained it a bit then watched "Joy to the World," a Christmas movie put out by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  After the video, we went into the front room to exchange gifts.  The kids loved the gifts that Cathy, Cory, Dacy, and Amy gave to them - legos for the boys, a muscle roller for Kennedy, and a bed organizer for Talen.  But the best part of all was when we let them open their Christmas Eve pajamas.  I knew the boys would love theirs, but I was unsure about Kennedy.  She would either totally love hers, or totally hate hers.  KiKi was a cautious as she opened hers, but she was a good sport afterwards.  We were laughing so hard, she was the cutest little "no drama llama" I have ever seen!!  It was hilarious.  I'm still not sure if she likes them or not, but she was kind enough to humor me and wear them either way.  I sure love this family of mine!  And I love that Cathy and Cory have taken me and my family in as their fourth (fifth, sixth, seventh, etc.) child.  Love this time of year and the people that we are able to spend it with!  What a great night and a perfect way to start the anticipation for tomorrow!!

Vaughn Family Christmas Get-Together

After scheduling and re-scheduling, we finally decided to get together for breakfast the Saturday before Christmas to let the grandkids exchange Christmas gifts.  We all met at Brooke's house where we had french toast, ham, bacon, hashbrowns, and gravy.  It was a yummy breakfast and an even more fun gift exchange.  The older kids got cash from the grandparents and the younger kids got toys and motorcycle gear.  But the highlight of the day just as we were finishing up.  I had spent the previous month negotiating with some BMX jersey designers about our first ever "Team Talen" jerseys.  We gave Grandma Robin and Grandpa Victor theirs to open first, then we handed out one to each of the kids (minus Talen, I don't know how I overlooked ordering one for him - blonde moment!!) It was a huge success.  They all loved it!  And I have a right to brag a little because I designed it all by myself!  It was Kawasaki green with "Team Talen" on the front and "We ride for those who can't ride for themselves" on the back.  We even managed to get both Brooke and Robin in tears because they liked them so much!  All in all, it was a great day with lots of time spent with our loving family!

Gingerbread Houses with the Owens Family

We tried to get together with the Owens family last year to do gingerbread houses, but because flu season was so bad we had to skip it.  So this year, we where thrilled when we actually got to carry out our plan.  We went over to their house for soup and bread before we broke out the gingerbread stuff.  We decided to go the easy way and just use the kits from Wal-Mart - best idea ever!  The kids had a blast building and decorating the houses.  Kennedy and Whitney did a "split personality house" and the boys decorated theirs in the traditional fashion.  After they were all done and things we cleaned up, we spend a little time visiting, then home to get the kids to bed.  It was a great evening spent with some great people - and the kids wore themselves out which was probably the best part!!