Christmas letter for 2009

Once again, for what seems like the 10th year in a row, Julie has convinced me that it is my turn to write the Christmas letter. She, somehow, feels justified in deferring to me by claiming a generous contribution of “ideas” for the letter. Thanks!

At present we are all healthy having survived several family activities including dinosaurs at Thanksgiving Point, Hikes to the Great Stone Face, Tony Grove and along the cliffs of Logan Canyons’ Crimson Trail. We rode ATV’s in the sand and in the mountains, horses at the farm and in the canyon. Trekked at Martin’s Cove. Sang along with Due West. Avoided neck and ear injury as privileged front row guest at the Thunderbirds Air Show. Lagoon. Kayaking. And even went camping…in the backyard.

Katie is 6 years old and in 1st grade. We are encouraging her pursuit of feminine traits and went along with her desire for pierced ears. However, her earrings tend to be soccer balls and basketballs which match her personality. Katie played soccer and T-ball again this year and was able to start basketball with her mom as the coach. Katie scored 6 points in her first game and repeated that performance several times. Her team took 1st place in the fall league. Katie invited her parents to school lunch and to watch her at recess where she immediately ran out into the middle of 20 boys, grabbed the basketball, dribbled and scored. She plays tough, even a broken arm (before the cast) didn’t stop her from scoring a goal in soccer. The seven stitches in the chin slowed her down for a day. There is hope though, she loves playing the piano and singing. She sang a solo in the Primary program and a duet with her Mom at a Christmas party.

Cole is 9 years old and is our soccer star. He played indoor soccer during the winter months and played in a 4-on-4 tournament in the spring. He will be on a competitive team this coming year. Baseball and basketball still keep his interest and he is becoming a good point guard both as a shooter and a passer. Cole completed the requirements for his Wolf in Cub Scouts and is now with the Bears.. Cole loves to draw and is particularly good with animals. He won the (Smithfield) Health days’ art contest in his age group for a second time. And yes, in sub-zero weather the tongue does stick to metal poles but lost pride hurts worse.

Connor is 11 years old and in middle school. Connor broke the mold this year and tried football. He started at outside linebacker. The team struggled but he had a great year including an 11 tackle (6 solo tackle) game. At a recent USU football game Connor was called out of the stands to throw footballs to Big Blue. Three completions later he went home with $75. Connor plays basketball as often as he can and has played well for his teams. Connor just earned his 1st Class rank in Boy Scouts and his 11th merit badge.

Andrew is 13 years old and in 8th grade. He still plays competitive basketball and loves it. He did miss six weeks when another player decided the best way to the ball was through his left knee. No surgery, just therapy. Andrew had a great year playing 2nd base for his baseball team also. Andrew was just released as the Deacon’s Quorum President. In scouts he is only one requirement shy of the Eagle Scout award…the 6 month waiting period, which he will complete at the end of this month. Andrew loves his mother’s affection, or at least the strength he’s developing fighting off that affection.

We nearly lost Julie this year.. But after losing 30 lbs she came to her senses, and is now only toning her muscles. Between being the Primary President and volunteering at every school function she is never home. She is now telling me when I can come home for lunch to fit into her schedule. Julie is 5-1 as a head basketball coach and we have all learned that she yells less as a coach than as an observing parent. We signed her up again.

Layne is old. At least Katie thinks so and the grey hair strengthens her argument. Being a Scoutmaster has become Layne’s favorite calling. It’s a lot of work but a great reason to take the boys and go camping. Layne is still with Interactive Rides / SAE with no plans of changing. There’s no need, the contracted jobs are always changing. So far this year work projects have included the amusement industry, mining, energy and water treatment, medical devices, automobile products and railcar transportation.

As a family we wish for you joy at this Christmas season. May you feel the spirit of Christ at this time and throughout the coming year.

Love, The Finlinsons

Season of Service

For FHE this past Monday we decided as a family...or I decided that we would officially start a "Season of Service". We are going to give service each day from now until Christmas...and who knows maybe longer! We all wrote several ways we could serve others (family, neighbors, community etc.). Both individually and together as a family. We started that evening with making cookies and taking them to several of our friends and neighbors. Since then, help with cooking, a letter, being nice to someone new at school, hugs, smiles, and many other things have been given. It is fun to hear Katie say in her prayers each day, "Help us to serve others." My hopes in starting this "Season" were simple...turning the focus of the season away from commercial things and putting the focus on serving others, and by so doing feeling the true spirit of the holidays. Focusing on our Savior, our family, our friends and feeling blessed.

I couldn't resist...

I know it is only days before Halloween, but I just can't resist anymore. With the snow and it being so cold I just can't stop myself. It is time for...Christmas music! I absolutely LOVE Christmas music. I can't only listen to it for one month a year. So I am starting early. Just sit back and relax and enjoy the messages of my favorite holiday. :)

Mystery Dinner

I decided to do a "Mystery Dinner" for my kids for FHE. I worked all day to make everything and get everything prepared that I could. Then I had to find hiding spots for all the stuff so they wouldn't see. Layne took them to get some pumpkins for carving while I decorated a bit and put the calzones in the oven. When they came home we took them straight downstairs through a crepe paper covered doorway and sat them at the table. They all looked at their menus and filled them out...hoping that they would wind up with something good for each course. (For those of you who have not ever been to or had a mystery dinner, there are code names for each dinner item, including utensils. Each course is taken away after eaten, including utensils. Then the next course is brought out.) They each did fairly well. They loved it. Problem solving skills were used when no utensils were available. Lots of fun was had by all. Here were the menu items:
1-Ghostly apparel (napkin)
2-Swamp stuff (water)
3-Grave digger (spoon)
4-Worm's delight (apple juice)
5-Vampire's treat (red jello)
6-Sticks & stones & skeleton bones (carrot & celery sticks & olives)
7-Pumpkin patch (salad)
8-Count Dracula's Coffin (calzone)
9-Guillotine (knife)
10-Witches Brew (rootbeer)
11-Devil's tool (fork)
12-Peter's Revenge (pumpkin ice cream)
13-Mummy mound (mummy cupcake)

Did you know that pigs fly?

Pigs apparently really do fly, I know because we had the "swine flu" at our house. I think we are finally over it. I hope! Although I think I contaminated tons of people before I actually realized I had it. So sorry if you were one of them.

Basketball is up and running for all of the kids. So far Katie's team (which I am coaching) is 3-0, Cole's is 2-1, Connor's is 1-2 and Andrew's is 0-1. I never noticed the pattern until now. Not a good trend for the last two kids. During Andrew's first(and only...so far)game one of his team mates broke his hand in 3 places. We were really hoping for an injury free last year together. I guess not. All the kids are having fun and playing really well for their respective teams.

Layne and I just keep plugging away. All is well! :)

Annual trip to Tony Grove

We finally made it up to Tony Grove on Labor day. Layne and I weren't sure if we were going to make it up there this year or not. It seems like the summer flew right by us without doing some of our regular things. We were able to hike a little before my allergies kicked in to much. We climbed on the rocks and came back down so we could have lunch. The wind started to kick up a bit and it was quite cool. The kids went fishing...didn't catch anything but had a good time anyway. With the wind and the coolness of the weather we decided not to get the kayaks unloaded. But we did save another family that forgot their paddles and so we let them borrow ours. A good time was had by all. We then came home and after dinner we went as a family to see UP!. A very cute show. We all loved it. Overall a great Labor Day!

What a weekend!

It all started Friday morning. Layne cut the lawn, while I got the kids to school, did the dishes and got a load of laundry started. Then we were off for a morning of kayaking. Just the two of us! It was awesome! We had all of Cutler Dam to ourselves. It was so relaxing. The next day was jam packed. Connor played football in Roy. His team got their first win. The score was 7-0. Connor had a great game again. He had 2 tackles on his own and 3 others that were assisted tackles. After the game we drove home switched out the supplies in the car and headed up to Beaver Creek Lodge in Logan Canyon for Layne's work party for all the families. We had a blast. We got there just in time for the last trail ride. Even Katie was able to ride her own horse this year. Then it was off to the games. There was Cow Chip Throwing, Gunny Sack Races, Three-legged races, and marshmellow guns galore! Everyone took home a prize. A yummy dinner of BBQ chicken, sandwiches, beans, coleslaw and chips followed. It was a fabulous weekend with the whole family!

Football has begun!

Saturday was Connor's first football game. Connor was so excited. He was the first on the field and the first off. He made the first two tackles of the game for his team. Then the other team wised up and ran the other way. Connor almost caught them even then. He was also triple teamed at one point. Which should have left two of our other players open to do their job but...that's another story. At the end of the first half he was also blocked from behind...which is illegal. But no call. He hurt his ankle but it was better by the next half. He had some great hits. He plays outside linebacker. Unfortunately his team lost big...the score was 56 to 0. He was pretty upset at the end of the game. We told him he had a great game and to be happy with his performance. By the time we got home he was feeling better. We played at Ben Lommond. Next game is in Roy on Saturday.

TREK

For Some Must Push and Some Must Pull...

Our family trek to Martins Cove. The weather was really windy most of the time. We had a great time climbing Independence Rock. We read the names of some pioneers that were etched into the rock. The weather was pretty good at this point. It got windier as the day progressed. We arrived at camp and set up. Had an amazing dutch oven dinner (prepared by Layne and I) with peach cobbler for dessert. Read about some of our pioneer ancesters and their experiences crossing the plains. Had smores and sang songs around the campfire. Then we went to our tents for a sleepless night because of the raging wind trying to tear down the tents. Woke up and had a fabulous breakfast of eggs, hashbrowns and bacon, prepared by Chris and Blaine. Got ready to hike to Martin's Cove and cross the Sweetwater River. It took a lot longer than expected because some of the other families that were in our group were quite a bit slower. It was amazing going into Martin's Cove and feeling the special spirit that is there. We also were able to have a sweet experience crossing the river. In honor of the rescuers, Layne carried me across and Andrew carried Katie across, after they had pulled our handcart to the other side. I had a hard time contolling the emotions I felt watching Andrew carry his little sister across the river. We then went back to the Visitor's Center where we returned our handcart's. At this time the thunder and lightening and wind were really whipping up a storm. We had collapsed the tents that morning and decided instead of trying to put them back up in that weather we would just disassemble them, get everything out, pack up and go home early. We didn't think that in that weather any of the night activities were going to be possible. So instead of trying to put our tents back up and fixing dinner in the crazy weather and spending another restless night in our tents. We all chose to drive home. We arrived close to 1 a.m. We were very happy to have a warm home and showers. We enjoyed the overall experience and are very grateful to our ancestors who didn't have the choice of packing up and going home to warm shelters and showers. For all those pioneers who braved the crossing coming to Utah, we honor you.

Catch up

Cole with his game face on!

Cole and Katie holding up the poster we made.

Cole with his coaches and the kids in his age group.

Marcia and I.

It seems like summer just started...now school starts in a week and a half. Yikes! Where did the time go. I will catch everyone up on the last week. After my tennis lessons back at the end of June/start of July. My family would go and play tennis together. From this Andrew discovered he really liked tennis. I heard about a tennis camp at the Sports Academy here in Logan so I signed him up. He went from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm with a break for lunch, Monday thru Friday. He loved it! He received the "camper of the week" award. (Only one person receives it.) It entitles him to 1 free private tennis lesson with an instructor of his choice. The main instructor is amazing. Andrew also won several other mini competitions over the week.

Cole had a soccer camp all week that went from 9-12. It was put on by Challenger Sports. They are all soccer players from Great Britain. It was fun to watch his skills grow in soccer and listen to his coaches talk. :) They had a special assignment for each day. He loved the last one...they had to paint their faces, hair whatever to show team spirit. He was up and dressed by 7 a.m. ready to go. I told him I wasn't going to paint his face or spray his hair until at least 8. We also made a poster. He loved it and learned a lot.

Connor has started football practices. He is loving it so far. He really wanted to play running back and we just found out that he got his wish. We will keep you posted on game schedules in the future. I believe games start in 2 weeks. Layne is helping out a little with the special teams coaching.

Katie has been a big help making sure her brothers are where they are supposed to be!

I had the opportunity to go to a meet and greet with one of my favorite authors again. Marcia McClure. I had so much fun getting to know her. There were about 15 of us that were able to have this opportunity. We spent 5 hours with her chatting and having fun. It was AWESOME!!!! She is an amazing person.

Hi Dr. Harris, it's me, Katie....again.

On my way home from an awesome DUE WEST/LADY ANTEBELLUM concert in St. George last Thursday, I called home to let them know about when to expect me. My daughter, Katie, gets on the phone and says, "Mom, I have a surprise for you." So I said, "You do? Is it a good surprise?" To which she replies, "Well...it's a surprise but I don't know if you will like it. Do you want me to tell you now or do you want to wait until you get home?" I asked if it was just her surprise or a surprise from everyone. She said, "Just me." So I said, "In that case, you can tell me the surprise now." "I got stitches!", she tells me. When I got home I got the full story from Layne. He had taken the kids with some of their friends swimming. Some of them were jumping off of the starter blocks at the pool into the deep end. Katie wanted to also, but wasn't confident enough in her new swimming skills so she had been jumping to Layne. The first jump was right on top of Layne, so he scooted off to the side. He told her he would come to her after she jumped. Katie didn't like that. So decide in mid-air to that it would be a good idea to jump to the side of the pool which was closer than her Dad. She jumped a little to far and smacked her chin on the side of the pool. Layne called one of the kids Dad's to come help at the pool while he took Katie to the doctor's for some stitches. She had to have 4 of them. They removed them yesterday. When I saw the Dr. Harris, I said, "It's us again." He laughed and said, "Yea, Katie has kept us busy this summer." Katie and I told him we would try really hard not to see him for awhile. Hopefully that will be the case! :)

Family Hike

The kids.

View from the top.

Hiking.

The rattle snake.

Starting out.

Layne and the kids

One of the cliff's we were hiking along the top.

Me and the kids.

Layne.

We decided to go on a family hike this past Saturday. We chose the Crimson Trail in Logan Canyon. We had never gone on it before and were excited to try it out. It also looped back around to the Riverside Trail you could take on the way back instead of turning around and going back the way you came. So we were excited to try two new trails. It was about 5 miles round trip. At least half of the 5 miles was in a climb or descending down the mountain. We saw 2 snakes...one of which was a rattle snake. They were fun to see out in their natural setting. They were just off to the side of the trail. We were never in any danger. We also saw chipmunks and lots of bugs! The kids were troopers. Katie only had to be carried for a few minutes here and there. We had a great time. Beautiful views from the tops of the cliffs and enjoying each others company in nature...what could be better?! The pictures are out of order....sorry!

Lagoon & kayaking

Finally we were able to get out and have some summer fun! We went to Lagoon last Thursday for USU Aggie Alumni day. We had a blast. It was the perfect day. Hot enough to dry us out after the water rides but not too hot. :) We also went kayaking up in the Oneida Resevoir. It was a lot of fun to finally get the kayaks out this summer. We wanted to try somewhere new. It was a great place to go. Nice facilities and the water wasn't too cold. However it was an overcast day so I didn't use sunscreen. The kids and Layne were fine but my shoulders and the tops of my thighs (which hadn't seen the sun) got burnt. OUCH!!! Overall it was great!