Smiley Face!

Carter found his smile today! He turns 2 months old on Sunday and is the cutest little guy (even when getting way too much attention from his older siblings)!

Klondike, Ho!

We just got back from our annual scout winter campout, the Klondike. It was very wet and muddy--the temperature climbed to the mid-30's (as opposed to the teens from last year) and as a result we were covered in rain and mud but still managed to have a good time. I was the camp cook, keeping 20 boys and men filled up.

And for Katherine, here's my winter beard. A bit scraggly, I'm afraid.

Jeep Tours

Tanner loves riding with the girls on the little Jeep. He sits and talks on his pretend cellphone (not sure where he learned that one--I would NEVER talk and drive at the same time!) and giggles as they whisk him around the neighborhood. We also let Lauren try to drive for the first time. It was a bit scary, but they all had a good time.

2008 Top Twelve!

As picked by Kaitlyn and Ashley, the Richardson Family Top Twelve Events of 2008:

1) New baby brother Carter is born!

2) Kaitlyn is baptized!

3) Huge family vacations to East Coast and Disneyland!

4) Tanner learns to walk (but not talk very much)!

5) Lauren starts preschool!

6) Big birthdays: Tanner's train birthday, Kaitlyn's pioneer birthday, Lauren's Strawberry Shortcake birthday and Ashley's camping birthday!

7) We got a new van!

8) Ashley learns to ride a bicycle!

9) We landscape our house and put in a garden and swingset!

10) Dad (barely) runs a marathon!

11) Ashley loses a tooth on Christmas Eve!

12) Amusement park year--Lagoon, Dutch Wonderland and Disneyland!

Family favorites of the year:
Favorite ice cream spot: Hershey's Chocolateworld
Favorite ride at Lagoon: Ferris Wheel
Favorite movie: Bolt
Favorite restaurant: Chuckarama
Favorite game: Life
Favorite book: Harry Potter 1
Favorite sport: soccer
Favorite friends: everyone

Kangaroo Zoo

We had a fun time at Kangaroo Zoo this weekend. It's basically a warehouse filled with inflatable slides and play areas and the kids all bounced and bounced til they could bounce no more. It was one of our first family outings with 5 (!!) kids and was lots of fun.

Christmas 2008

Santa came! He came! We had a very fun Christmas, starting with family over for Christmas Eve with pajama parades, Santa Claus look-alike contests, cookie decorating and the nativity re-enactment. On Christmas morning, the kids awoke to stockings filled with fun treats and then a Christmas tree overflowing with presents. Some of the fun gifts included a car playset for Tanner, a Barbie extravaganza for Lauren, a digital camera and MP3 player for Ashley and a cupcake machine and Hannah Montana stage for Kaitlyn, plus a new playhouse in the basement and tons of DVDs, Wii games, Nintendo DS player and games, and toys toys toys toys. Tami got new luggage and a new violin case, while Melvin got a laptop, Wii fit and a puzzle of the kids in BYU clothes. It was a great day!

Candy houses

We ate more candy than actually ended up on the gingerbread, but had fun and sore tummies making our candy house. Lauren was the designated "frosting licker" and Tanner was the official "M&M taster" and a good time was had by all!