Friday, December 9, 2011

The 2011 Epperson Family Letter

Now with a title like that...

Our 2011 year has been full of fun. Our most exciting news is that we are expecting baby #3 in June of 2012. This of course has led to some interesting conversations with a curious 4 year old. I'll spare you the details. Max says if it's a girl, he wants to name her Kelsey. If it's a boy, Fred. Ryan says the baby's name should be Venna. Hmmmm. We'll find out the gender mid-January!

In August, Tony left his job with Horizon Air to work for Boeing. This was a great move and he loves helping build/modify the P8-A which is a military plane. His hours are kind of intense with school and work and then working some weekends. We miss him a LOT but we're grateful he has these wonderful opportunities to be doing what he loves. Tony has started flying remote controlled airplanes as well as real airplanes this year. This is a hobby the boys completely support. Max even has his own plane.

Debbie still loves being a stay-at-home mom/property manager/appointment secretary/volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate for a young girl in foster care. Whoever thinks stay-at-home moms have it easy is crazy, bytheway. Life is busy and fulfilling. Debbie helps teach joy school and keeps the boys involved in church, friend and community activities. She's also been working on the home little by little to fix it up and add flair. There is still so much she'd love to do.

Max turned 4 this year. He started preschool and still does joy school with his friends. He learned to ride a bike with no training wheels which he told anybody and everybody about afterwards. He loves to be a helper and he really is a good one. He loves to "read" and draw and he really loves spending time with his friends.

Ryan turned 2 this year and he is a shy little jokester. When his personality comes out, it really comes out. He talks quietly but he is always smiling and saying silly things to make you laugh. He also loves "reading" and playing with cars. He just loves being outdoors whenever he can. Both boys have loved having a pet. Grandpa J has lived with us while he worked temporarily in Seattle and he brought along Saydi dog. The boys love having her around and have mostly been really sweet to her.

We took did several camping trips and small trips this year. We do love to explore. Most of our crazy moments are recorded on this blog so feel free to follow our adventures here!

We appreciate all of our family and friends and look forward to celebrating the birth of our beloved Savior. He is everything to us! Joyeux Noel!

Love, Tony, Debbie, Max and Ryan

Our family pictures were taken by our cousin, Becky Jenson who we adore!

From December 2011

From December 2011

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Church Christmas Party

Tony had to work this weekend so he wasn't able to come. Grandpa and the boys and I went. I had responsibilities that kept me away from the party most of the time so Grandpa watched the BYU game on ESPN on his phone, lol. Here are a few pics of the set up.
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Max ditched us to go sit with his friend.
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Eating dinner was fast, but...the reason is because they had a great idea to have a kids area set up in a big classroom so that the kids had somewhere to go besides running around the tables. We had a video playing, a play doh table, some board game tables, a huge set of legos and a table where you could make a Christmas chain. So that was available until dinner was ready and then as soon as the kids were done with dinner (I shoveled my food down) it was open again. Then when everyone was done with dinner and it was time for the program, we took the kids back to their families. I loved it.
And here is part of the program. Sorry about the spooky eyes, I don't know how to edit that. My favorite part is the missionary playing an angel with his name tag on the outside. Totally awesome!
From December 2011

Here's Ryan watching the program. You would think by this picture that my kids were enthralled and listening wonderfully. Not so much, but I got a good picture of one second when they were listening. ; )
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We had a great night. We have a great group of people at church and even though I mostly interacted with the kids in the kids' area, I had a great time!

Monday, November 28, 2011

The Rest of Our Oregon Adventures

We went to get our Christmas tree from Tony's friend, Alex. He has a construction business as well and he let Max climb on and ride on some of his equipment!
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Here we our by the tree we picked!
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And more climbing!
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The boys made a gingerbread house with cousins.
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From November 2011

And Max and Ely made a "cousin bed" while they watched A Muppet Christmas Carol.
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And we house/pug sat for our cousin. The boys loved the pugs.
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From November 2011

Thanksgiving 2011!!!

The day before Thanksgiving Max had a little feast at his preschool. He was so excited because daddy was able to come too! I love the diversity. There was turkey, tator tots, fried rice, cupcakes, carrots and hummus and lots more.
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On Thanksgiving day, we huffed and puffed before we stuffed! Go Turkey Trotters!
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Then we had an enjoyable meal with family in Oregon!
Thank you pinterest for this fun idea!
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The guys making fancy napkins!
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Cooking!
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The kid table!
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The grown up table!
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Olive fingers of course!
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Burning off those extra calories!
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It was a wonderful day and we appreciate family and friends!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Fall with the Eppersons

We like to go on walks and play in the leaves!
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There are some pretty big leaves around here!
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Ryan likes to put his socks on his hands during naps (and sometimes his pants come off at night)--Go figure!
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We like daddy to help us walk on the wall and climb to high places (so we can be brave like Captain America)
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And we like to talk about what we are thankful for because the Lord has blessed us in so many ways!
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P.S. We're really thankful for Jesus. That wasn't a mistake to put His name twice! ; )

Max and the Primary Program--2011

Every year the children of our church do a program at church in front of everyone. They get to teach us what they have been learning throughout the year. They sing the songs they have learned. I have always looked forward to it. And it was especially exciting to have my own small person to see. I was called to work in the primary shortly before the program so I didn't get to sit with the congregation and watch, but it was still fun to be WITH the kids.
So Max memorized his line and said it without any problem (even though he was at a microphone in front of a whole audience of people)! Go Max!
I did sit by Max to help reduce his wiggliness. I don't know if I helped or hindered but he did pretty good.
While practicing his part, "the scriptures teach me about Jesus", Max told me he wanted to have a longer part and proceeded to add to it, the things he thought he should say. I just laughed and told him maybe next year. He also told me he wanted to have a chance to sing all by himself like some of the (older) kids. Maybe another year, my little ham.
He was lucky enough to have both sets of grandparents come to watch him and his Aunt Stacey.
It was a blessing to see/hear the kids share their feelings about Jesus, the scriptures and the importance of doing what's right. Some of the older kids wrote their own parts, from their hearts and they did an amazing job as well.
Here are a few pics from the weekend. I'm sad, I've fallen off my constant photographing wagon.
From November 2011

From November 2011

We were even visited by our cute friend Colleen who took this picture for us!
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Saturday, November 5, 2011

Flying Planes

We took the boys to a park today to fly model airplanes before Tony had to leave for work. I wish I had taken a pic of the boys in their rain boots (because they can put them on themselves) and Ryan with his snow hat. They looked adorable. Here is an after-the-fact pic of Tony and Max and their airplanes.
From November 2011

Happy guys!