Year End Review

Merry Christmas to all our friends and family!

Here is a quick look over the past year in the Rushing household.  We have had a full yet very blessed year.  We count ourselves lucky to have been blessed by each and every one of you.  Whether it be recently or along one of our many stops throughout the years, we are better people for having each of you in our lives.  We hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!


January Highlights:

Well I don't know that turning 40 was a highlight but the surprise party my hubby threw for me sure was!  He threw me a surprise party in Utah!  He had lots of help from my sister and his mom and sister so thanks to all that helped pull it off.




Scott was also set apart as Bishop of our church Ward the same weekend as my birthday.  He was one busy, stressed out man that week! His mom, my parents and his Uncle all made it into town for the big day.


February Highlights:

Layton had his first Father/Son cake decorating contest with Scouts.  The theme was "Across America".  Layton and his dad (aka mom) made this Mayflower cake at the very last minute.  They gave out awards for every cake.  Layton just happened to get his award first and then we had to leave immediately after getting his ribbon.  He left thinking he got 1st place and a very happy boy.




March Highlights:
We took the girls to see Wicked.  Scott gave the girls the tickets for Christmas and it seemed like March would never come!  Turns out the high school dance team is also using Wicked as their theme for their Prop and Production performance this season.
Karsyn placed 10th all around at her State gymnastics meet but the best part of all was having her grandpa and grandma there to watch.

April Highlights:
Layton not only participated in his first Pinewood derby, but tied for first place!  Have you ever seen a happier face than that?
We took the family to Arizona for Spring break and stayed in the Grand Hotel which has it's very own water park!



May Highlights:

Kennedy had her Sweet 16!  We surprised her with 4 tickets to go see Taylor Swift in concert.


I also got to go out to Utah for my girls scrapbooking weekend.


June Highlights:
After several humbling attempts, Kennedy got her driver's license!
Scott and Kennedy went white-water rafting with Shane and Julie and Sonya and Brian.
The girls went on a 5 day trek with church and Scott got to joinn them for a few days.


July Highlights:
Wow there are a lot of them! The Thornocks came from Denver to visit us.  While they were here we made a quick camping trip to Canada and Butchard Gardens.


Will learned how to ride his bike without training wheels.

Both Kennedy and Cassidy were given special awards at their high school dance camp.

Scott did a Harry Potter rap at the church fundraising movie of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.  Here he is with our RS Pres. who dressed up as Hermione.

Kennedy and Cassidy did their annual Cheer Camp at our house.

Scott and I climbed South Sister in non-record time!  
Scott ran in Hood to Coast relay and I was recruited at the last minute to drive the van for 24 straight hours!



August Highlights:
Everyone's favorite thing about August is our trip to Utah.  Scott and I go to Education Week at BYU while the kids hang out with their grandparents and their beloved Uncle Blake!  Education Week is always the same week as Utah Down Syndrome Foundation day at Lagoon.  It has become a fun tradition to spend the day at Lagoon with all our Stewart cousins in support of our sweet Morgan.
Scott, Jamie and Gavin along with Kennedy, Cassidy, Jack and Ryan all went on the Sky Coaster ride at Lagoon.  It was a life-changing moment for them!


September Highlights:
Scott took me back about 25 years (wow, I am old!) when he took me to see Def Leppard in concert.  He then surprised me by dressing up in a mullet wig, fire stretchy pants and concert t-shirt!  It was such a great night!  I had so much fun dancing and head-banging that night.  Not so much fun the next morning when I couldn't move my neck - but so worth it!

Scott also climbed to the Summit of Mt. Shasta with the Young Men for High Adventure.
Definitely a huge undertaking but such a great accomplishment!




October Highlights:
Scott and I had the wonderful privilege of traveling to the Middle East.  Our journey took us from Jordan, to Isreal and then ended in Egypt. We toured with Michael Wilcox who really helped bring these ancient biblical sites to life for us. It was an incredible experience that neither of us will ever forget.  




November Highlights:
We stayed warm and dry this year for Thanksgiving.  We took the whole family to Arizona for the weekend.  We stayed in a model home in a golf community.  Scott golfed while the rest of tried to soak up enough sun to last us for the next 6 months!



December Highlights:
Kennedy and Cassidy had their first High School Dance competition.  This is their first year of being on the high school dance team together.  After the competition we got to enjoy a wonderful church Christmas party.  Four of the Five kids even got to sit on Santa's lap!  I wonder which child is in risk of getting nothing but coal this year?  Our favorite highlight each December is our annual tradition of carolling at the nursing home.  Last year most of us were snowed in but this year
 we had a great turn out!












Comments

Grandma Bethany said…
What an amazing year for you and your family. (No wonder you feel exhausted...just look at all you did!) So glad we could be included in so many of them.
December 22, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Brynn said…
Looks like such a fun year! Hopefully by this time next year, one of your entries will say something like "babysitter Brynn came for a visit..." :)
December 22, 2009 at 7:12 PM
embellish IT! said…
LOVE your year review!! thanks for sharing it with us.
December 27, 2009 at 3:44 PM
cjdustin said…
Thanks for the update and I love not having to look at Halloween anymore! Good Job!
January 2, 2010 at 7:34 PM
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