Baby, It's Cold Outside

Today was the first day that we let the puppies loose outside.

The kids had fun trying to keep track of them.

Sara and Daddy decided that to build a snowman.

Blake didn't help much, but had to get in on the photo op.

She was so proud of her handsome snowman.

While I was inside I spied an intense conversation going on between Sara and Mr. Snowman. I grabbed my camera just in time to catch this through the kitchen window:

Watch out boys, here she comes!

Happy New Year!

This is their favorite part of welcoming in the New Year.

It's a miracle those glasses didn't break.

The next morning Sara saw the champaign glasses on the table and exclaimed, "Mom, can I have some more 'Happy New Year'?"

He Came!

The night before Christmas, Sara was a little worried. She was certain that Santa would bring her a lump of coal.
"I got more checks on the Naughty List than on the Nice List," she exclaimed.

Apparently her checks on the Nice List outweighed those on the Naughty List.

Merry Christmas!

2009 has been a great year for the Washingtons and one full of firsts.


Sara started Primary (children's sunday school) as a Sunbeam and participated in her first Primary Program. She let everyone know that she will help strengthen her family by "Bein' Referent!" - being reverent

Bryan participated in the Scofield Triathalon for the first time and finished impressively.

Lara went on to her first business trip with Flutterbye.

We had our first successful beehives, harvesting 9 gallons of delicious honey.

Blake got his first bee stings - he would try to catch the bees.

We went on a family vacation to Disneyland, Sea World, and the Pacific Ocean for the first time.

Lara cut off 13" of hair for her very first "boy haircut" as Sara refers to it. Lara thinks it is short, sassy, and loves it.

Bryan shot his first elk, filling our freezer with +350 lbs of meat.

Lara learned to cook delicious elk entrees. Honestly, we now like elk steak better than beef!

Blake learned to ride his first tricycle.

Bryan made his television debut on the local sporting show Hooked on Utah.

We enjoyed our first summer at the cabin after deciding that a fully functioning bathroom and kitchen were enough for us. Bryan is ready to retire his fishing pole and purchase a Lightening McQueen or Barbie pole due to the high volume of fish the kids reeled in.

We hope you and your family had a wonderful year as well. May the Lord bless you in 2010.

Love,
The Washingtons

Christmas Project

Bryan decided to surprise me and start installing wood floor in the hallway right before Christmas. Blake, being Daddy's little helper, was so excited to help sand. Sara, couldn't let Blake one-up her, so she helped as well.

Christmas Sweets & Gracie

All of the Long cousins came over to play while the moms made Christmas sweets. We took advantage of this opportunity to get a picture with all of them.Gracie and the puppies have the same birthday.
This puppy is Butch - Blake's personal favorite.

There are few things I love more than laying down with a newborn sleeping on my chest.

Of course Sara had to sing a Sara Original while she held Baby Grace.

Oh, Blake is completely obsessed with her. Look at that cheese face. Grace didn't like the flash. She was like a deer in the headlights.

Playing With Puppies

The pups were 1 1/2 weeks old when Cami, Kate, and Andie came to see them. Of course we had to get a picture with all of the kids, each holding a pupppy.