Our Christmas Letter - the high-tech way!!!

We'll see how it goes, but this year, I decided to also put our Christmas letter on the blog so that I wouldn't have to mail it out to EVERYONE! It isn't quite as cute as being printed out on cute paper and I can't format it the same, but it is still the same words! The picture is the same, too, just not on a cute Wal-mart card! We love all of you and hope you have a wonderful Christmas this year!






The Roundy Family’s A to Z (and everything in between) for 2009

A is for Allison. She was the main change in the Roundy household this year and we can’t imagine how we ever got along without her! The kids absolutely adore her and it has been so much fun to have a baby in the house again - 5 years after the hustle-bustle of our first 3! She is a spoiled, delightfully happy little girl!

B is for the "Blessing Branch" we hung in November. It was filled with 85 wonderful blessings in just 23 days!

C is for Cherish. "These are the years we’ll remember forever." We are trying to cherish and enjoy the little things we do together.


D is for Disneyland. In September, we went there for the first time and pretty much had the park to ourselves! It couldn’t have been any better! We even took the kids to their first beach! The whole trip was a blast!


E is for Energy! The kids love to ride their bikes and scooters in the front yard. Brock has even mastered the "bunny hop" on his scooter. It’s so fun to watch them play together hour after hour, day after day!


F is for our Family. We love them all, near and far, and are so grateful for all their love and support.


G is for Grass! We are always thankful for the grass! Our lawn care business is doing great and bringing in more business than we can keep up with; we are so grateful for that!


H is for Hands - dirty hands, clean hands, helping hands. 8 busy, little hands that leave hand prints everywhere!


I is for Irresistible - the only way to describe Allison! She is spunky, happy, hilarious, and just plain adorable!


J is for Jabbering! Allison is quite the "talker"- she definitely takes after Kaitlin! Alli jibber-jabbers all day long and whenever she sees Brock, she unleashes a tangent! (Probably because he is the one who always tells her "No" and picks her up and takes her away from things!) She and Cole love to mimic each other in the car.


K is for Kindergarten. Brandon and Brock both started this year. They love their teacher and love to learn.


L is for Laughter. I’m not sure who keeps us laughing the most. It might be Allison and her silly baby faces, or maybe it’s Brock and his crazy dance moves! Possibly it’s Brandon with his made-up jokes or even Kaitlin with her wild imagination and creativity! There definitely isn’t a day when we aren’t laughing about something!


M is for "Mama," Allison’s first word. Finally one of my babies said "Mama" before they said "Dada!"


N is for Not nearly enough! This year has been so busy, Cole hasn’t been able to golf as often he would like. Don’t feel too bad for him though, he still manages to play softball once a week. He’s just jealous that Ladd plays softball 3 nights a week! This year we even started golfing as a family! The kids have their own sets and who wouldn’t love golfing free at Green Spring!


O is for Overwhelmed. We are once again humbled and thankful for the blessings and miracles that have taken place in our lives this year. We are overwhelmed by the love our Father in Heaven has for us.


P is for Pine Valley. In July we were able to spend some time with our family in a cabin up there. We made some wonderful memories and had a great time, even though we never caught any fish!


Q is for Quickly! Allison will be 1 on the 10th of December! This year has sure flown by!


R is for Reading, which happens in our house a lot. Kaitlin is an amazing reader and loves to read to her brothers. She will stay awake for hours at night if we don’t catch her and turn off the light!


S is for Smiles and ours are quite the display! Kaitlin has lost 7 teeth and has 4 permanent ones back in. Brandon got one of his front teeth knocked out falling off a bunk bed and still has a huge gap, while Brock still has all his baby teeth. Allison has already gotten 7 of her baby teeth!


T is for T-Ball! This year Kaitlin, Brandon and Brock played on the Angels together and they were awesome! They had so much fun playing together and are now avid Angels fans!


U is for Up and Coming! The boys started football this year. We’re pretty sure there are some amazing athletes in those little bodies, so watch out world - the Roundy twins are coming!


V is for Vision. We are amazed at the course our life has taken and are grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is so nice to see the "big picture" - who we are, why we’re here and what our purpose in life is.


W is for Walking! Allison has almost got it! She has taken a few steps to people, but mostly she just walks to Kaitlin. Within a few days, she’ll probably be running, not walking, to her big sister!


X is for eXactly the way it’s supposed to be! Hard to believe, but we were married 9 years ago in the Manti Temple! When we finally kneel down at night and listen to each of the kids saying their prayers, it is so clear that life is just as it is supposed to be - crazy, hilarious, aggravating, delightful, confusing, peaceful, joyous and about every other emotion imaginable! We wouldn’t change a minute!


Y is for BYU! We couldn’t let this Christmas letter end without proclaiming our undying love for our favorite team! Yes, they drive us crazy, but nonetheless, we always "Rise and Shout" for our Cougars!


Z is for ZOOM, which is exactly what this year did! We hope you all enjoyed as wonderful a year as we did!

Hope you have a wonderful holiday season
and a great 2010! Merry Christmas!

A Heart Full of Thanks

Wow, it is hard to believe it is already Thanksgiving. It feels like just days ago it was Halloween. It is crazy when I realize that Allison will turn one in 2 weeks and that in 2 1/2 weeks Cole and I will have been married for 9 years. I remember listening to "older" women talk about how fast time flies. They always said "it never slows down, just keeps going by faster and faster." Well I guess I am an "older" woman now, because I realize just how true they were. As much as I want to cherish every moment, live every minute and take advantage of every day I have - it just seems like the days keep flying by faster and faster. Before I know it, Kaitlin will be baptized and it will all just keep going from there! This year, I have been so touched by all the amazing blessings that have come into our lives. We have never been so poor! With us deciding it was time for me to be a stay-at-home mom and with Cole starting a new business - we haven't had as "comfortable" of a year as years have been in the past. We've definitely had trials - Kaitlin's spinal cord, my recovery from a rough pregnancy, our callings, and many more personal and family trials. And yet, I sit here now, realizing just how much we have grown and how truly blessed we are. We are content and at peace in our home, with our old car, with what we do and do not have. Our children are happy. We have time to spend with one another. I am not sure what more we could be given.

This year, on November 1, we hung up our Blessing Branch. Each morning (well, as often as we remembered!), we each have named something we were grateful for and hung in on the branch. It was fun to watch the kids' blessings change from the usual house, clothes, and food to friends, family, daddy's job, tithing blessings, and their Savior, Jesus Christ. I have been through and watched close friends go through tremendous struggles this year. This song has been ever present in my head since our November 1st "Branch Hanging." I know my Savior loves me and that He died for me. He has given me all that I have; all that I am I owe to him.

"When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done."

Skipping to the last verse:

"So amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged; God is over all.

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey's end."

I am so grateful for hymns that touch my heart and speak peace to my soul.

Here is our Blessing Branch. It is kind of hard to see because of the light coming through the front door, but there are 89 different blessings on that branch.

"When you look at others with their lands of gold,

Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.

Count your many blessings money cannot buy

Your reward in heaven nor your home on high."

My blessings money could never buy:

My oldest "baby" boy. I cherish the questions he asks when we have our scripture study. His little mind is so astute and searching for truth.



Brock, my little miracle child. ( I have a lot of those!) It is a miracle he is even able to move. Shortly after birth, we were told he would probably never move his left side of his body. After several weeks of prayers, blessings and passive movement, his left side regained it's strength. He is a lefty now and as active as any other child. With his energy and zeal for life, you would never know he was dead at birth. He is a testament to me that God has a purpose for each of us and that Brock's purpose was not accomplished at that time.

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness, I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." Ether 12:27

Our little boys!

I'm not sure where Brock got the "DEATH STARE" from!

It's pretty funny, that stare seems to follow me!

A family craft made from their hands and feet! Even Allison has one!
Oh, there's a good one without the death stare!
Another family craft! This is also the craft that our family took to school today and did with Kaitlin's class. They are so cute and super fun to make! Brock was trying to look like a turkey in this one - that's why his mouth looks a little "odd!"

Turkey on a rock!

Turkey on the grass! This poor little turkey is even missing a tooth!

Turkey on a trampoline!

Another turkey on the grass!

I am so thankful for my big girl! I love having a girl first. I feel bad that she will never have a big brother, but I guess that's why she got a double dose of little brothers! She is such a helper. Her positive attitude is infectious. She helps, she cleans, she loves, she snuggles her brothers, she reads to her sister, she just loves living. She is a great example of someone who's life blesses others just by being there.

They are so lucky to have each other. I can already tell that these two will be best buddies forever! They need each other so much and fill that need in such unique ways. I know it seems weird that a baby could fill a need, but it really is true - it's like she senses what she needs to do!

Here is another Turkey project - only this one was edible! We made homemade (dairy-free) oreos and decorated them like turkeys! We had a blast. This is another project we took to school today to do with Kaitlin's class.

Isn't she a doll! I'm not sure there are even words for how blessed our family is for Kaitlin. She has been having a lot of pain lately with a syrinx of the spinal cord in her thoracic and lumbar region. You would never know it unless you were here when she finally breaks down. She just refuses to let it stop her until she is unable to take it anymore! We went to Primary Children's for an evaluation with a neurosurgeon. Needless to say, it has been a stressful few months waiting and wondering. Long story short, I believe that sometimes a persons attitude (or positive energy) has the ability to heal and work miracles. They are unable to operate because her syrinx is so thin, which is a blessing, since the operation is a shunt from her spinal cord to her abdomen. Unfortunately, without the shunt, they can't help with the pain she is experiencing. We talked about this on our way home and she said, "I'll just have to play till it hurts and then pretend it doesn't!" What an amazing attitude for a 7 year old.

How neat was this?! Her class had all been aware of the appointment at Primary Children's and aware of how worried Kaitlin was about it. When we got back, they had a special treat and this card, signed by all 24 students in her class. They had all written something special to her or about her. I have never seen someone light up so much. I am so grateful for her teacher, Anna Poulton, and for all the people who bless our lives in countless ways. We are truly blessed.

"Count your many blessings; Name the one by one.

Count your blessings; See what God hath done.

Count your blessings; Name them one by one.

Count your many blessings; See what God hath done. "

October and Halloween

I really should title this "FALL!" That way it wouldn't technically be late, right?! Oh well, I am always late and then post these GIGANTIC posts with tons of pictures! It is one of my goals to do better, but at this point, I am focusing more on goals like scripture reading, prayers, patience, showering daily, walking weekly...you get the idea! Anyway, here is our month of October, in reverse! I once again posted the pictures without thinking, so they are opposite of how they really happened! Oh well, you get the general idea!

My own little pumpkin! This is one of her little Halloween outfits. It says, "Under my spell!" Isn't that the truth! We are all just as fascinated and in love with Allison as we were 10 months ago!


This is Kaitlin's creation!
We wanted to decorate something like pumpkins, but all I had was brownie mix and some misc. candies. This is what transpired! Funny thing, the kids thought they were just as amazing as if I had spent hours making pumpkin shaped sugar cookies with all the trimmings!

Brandon's Creation!

Brock's Creation!

Some friends gave us a trampoline that they weren't using anymore. It has been a huge hit, but I am so grateful that I didn't have to pay for one to find out that they don't use it as often as I thought they would!

Look at those smiles! Isn't is funny that our favorite thing to do on the trampoline is to look at the stars?! Our yard is perfect for that - no neighbors behind us for miles!

Here we are at Riverside Elementary's Annual Halloween Parade. This is a picture of Kaitlin's class. It is quite the rowdy, little class!

There's my little snake! Poor girl - she was supposed to be Minnie Mouse, but when we finally borrowed the costume from a friend, it was a little short!!! It barely covered her tush! So... 1 day before the school Halloween Parade, she decided to just be the snake that Brock had been the year before! What a good sport! She was quite the hit with the boys at school though, so she was happy!

Here is the Kindergarten parade and that is my little Brock, the talking soccer ball! I found Brock and Brandon's costumes at DI, but they were a huge hit! Everyone just loved Brock's! It really fit his personality which was the funniest part!

And there's my Brandon! Is that costume cool or what?! It had its own little fan and everything! He was a huge hit too! He thought it was so funny because the teacher told him that he had a big space bubble that day! That is all he talks about when we talk about the school's Halloween Parade!

Kaitlin took this picture of Alli, but I loved it! She literally played with just the flag for at least a half hour. She kept waving it in the air with a big, huge smile! It made me feel really proud!

Silly girl, she figured out that she loves to climb into baskets....just hasn't figured out how to get back out yet! Actually, I take that back - she HAS figured out how to get out...let out a big ol' scream!

Brock at the Halloween Carnival for my parents' ward.

Brandon with his pumpkin!

Kaitlin and her "pretty" pumpkin!

Brock with his "silly" pumpkin!

Lit up at night!

Kaitlin at the school's carnival, trying to climb the wall.

Brock on the rock wall. It was a little harder for him, but he is super-determined!

We went to a school fundraiser and this is one of the things they wanted the MOST! How could I refuse when they were only a quarter!

So now we skip clear over to the deer hunt! This year Cole didn't even put in because we had other vacations planned, but his brothers - Dallas and Ladd - both drew...and they both got their buck! Ladd brought his over the night they got back and Dallas brought his over a little later. I feel bad we don't have pictures of the kids with Ladd's buck, but ... oh well!

Cute picture! She was fascinated by them! I actually wasn't home when they took this and was a little grossed out that she had actually touched them! Man, after 9 years you would think I would be a little less grossed out by all of this, but...NOPE!

They are as big as Brock!

That's my girl! Look how grossed out she is to be touching them!

Kaitlin got to be Queen of the Day in her class and this is the hat she created! She did a great job and was very proud!

Daddy and Alli snuggling! She has so much fun laying with us in bed in the morning before the kids all wake up and the chaos begins! It is one of my favorite times of the day!

I will cherish this picture until the day I die! This was Brandon and Brock's first day of football practice. They were a little nervous and some of the boys were little BRATS! Look how close together they are! How nice would it be to have your best friend be your twin brother?!

Cute boys!

Warming up before their practice!

She is perfectly content to sit and watch her brothers for hours!

Had to throw this in! This is a picture of how I decorated my front porch for Halloween! I love that porch! That witch was hillarious! She scared so many people!

That almost wraps up our October, with quite a few gaps! I'll try to get to at least some of November before it's too late!