Sunday, March 13, 2011

I suppose I should do an update....

It's only been 3 months since I've last posted. We've been flooded in, some of us have been sick, others have not, one went to Corvallis twice with the Pep Band, one smashed his toe while camping with the 12 and 13 yr old Boy Scouts, I've had a cast on for 5 weeks and now it's been off for 5 days. We've also had a tsunami warning that lasted most of the day Friday. We did leave for awhile since we are right on the river.
Other than these highlights - our family is doing well. Russell finished his master's program and is a free man again. Our garden starts are coming along nicely and spring is in the air!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

The Zaugg Family 2010 Christmas Newsletter


Hello dear family and friends wherever you may be. This December has been crazy busy and I want to make sure we at least send a Christmas greeting of some kind! We recently had family pictures done and these are the product of said photo shoot.

Russell is still the bishop of our ward (church congregation). He also finished his last class for his master's degree and will be working on his practicum for the next couple months. He will officially be done in February! Not that he's counting or anything. I am always amazed that despite his busy schedule - Russell always has time to hang with the boys, attend their concerts and be an awesome husband as well!

Candace is working with the Young Women at church. Specifically the girls ages 14-18. I've also changed directions in my employment opportunities. For the past year I was working for Northwest Seniors with Disabilities and doing home health care. I had to stop doing that due to arthritis in my left thumb joint. After 4 rounds of cortisone shots - it has been discovered that I really shouldn't have any more because of possible allergic reactions to the preservatives. Oh darn. For now - I do the hot lunch program at the local Adventist School with a friend of mine. We do Mondays and Tuesdays. We also do catering on the side. That is my favorite by far. I love food. I love cooking for others. And what could be better than food, cooking AND getting paid! I am truly blessed with a wonderful family, memories, friends, a happy home and having the guidance of Heavenly Father in my life.

We have 4 very busy boys. This past year each has grown a year older, taller, smarter hopefully, and learned new things.

Donovan will be 15 in January and will be able to start driving. When did that happen? I'm not old enough for a driving teenager! He is a freshman this year and is enjoying early morning seminary. He has also decided to be involved in Pep Band. He enjoyed the football games and will be playing at the Basketball games as well. The next few months will be busy for him in that regard.

Christopher recently turned 13. He is a teenager in every sense of the word. Chris is in the 7th grade this year and is finding out that teachers actually hold HIM responsible for missing assignments. He's not liking that so much. Chris is also starting to enjoy Boy Scouts and is actually looking forward to the Scout Snow camp out in a couple weeks. They will be going to Mt. Hood and should be loads of fun. He also started a digital photography class this trimester and has taken a liking to it. Maybe we have a future photographer in our midst!

Michael is 9 1/2. He's in the 4th grade. His teacher is discovering Michael doesn't like to read much but boy can that kid draw! Michael has earned his Bear Award in Cub Scouts and is looking forward to becoming a Webelo in April. Michael is the boy who is all about fairness and making sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to. He is a busy bee when it's time to do chores. He's the only one I don't have to remind to get chores done.

Nephi just turned 8 in September. He was so excited for his baptism in October and so happy so many family and friends could support him in this really big step in his life. He is in the 2nd grade and loves math. He is starting his multiplication facts while the rest of the class is still working on adding/subtracting. His teacher says he has the ability to tune out his classmates while he is working on his class stuff. That is really cool!
The boys and me.
Russell and the boys.
Thank you for taking a quick trip down the 2010 memory lane with us. We hope each of you has a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! May you learn from past mistakes and face the future with determination to live each day better than the day before! We love each of you and are so thankful for your friendships!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Happy 13th birthday Christopher!

13 years ago Christopher joined our family! Except 13 years ago it was a Friday and there was a BYU football game going. Russell was in the marching band and almost didn't make it to Chris' delivery. Then the doctor had the lightbulb moment of...."If this lady doesn't have her baby soon I'll be stuck in football traffic trying to get home." So...he got out the vacuum and that was that!
We are so happy to have you in our family. I still can't believe there are now 2 teenagers!

My newest and last (sniff, sniff) cub scout!

Nephi turned 8 on 9-17. He is our newest and last cub scout. Sniff, sniff. Please pass the kleenex. Hold on while I wipe my eyes and blow my nose. sniff sniff.

He has been patiently waiting for almost 4 years now to be old enough to be a scout! When I was a den leader for 3 1/2 years he went just about every time. (Except his first grade year as he rode the bus home with his older brothers.)

His shirt actually goes down to his knees but this just ensures I won't have to buy another blue one during the next 3 years. lol

The apple of my eye!

I bought 4 boxes of gala apples and 3 boxes of ginger golds. This is what I gleaned from my efforts! Lots of applesauce, juice and jelly. We will be set with apple products for the year. Mmmmmmm..... Now....bring on the toast (for the jelly of course. lol)

I just love this picture! The beach...it's the place to be!

I just love this picture!  The beach...it's the place to be!
I think this was in 2004. It was Nephi's first trip to the beach. The boys were all so little! My have they grown.

Meet the Parents...Russell and Candace

Meet the Parents...Russell and Candace
It all started for us when Russell left for Cape Town South Africa on a mission. Candace felt inspired to write him - so she did! We wrote for 3 1/2 years. Candace came home from her mission to the Texas Houston East Mission and we dated for 5 months. We married in July 1994 and have been happy ever after!

Son 1...Donovan

Son 1...Donovan
Our 14 year old boy scouter, 50 miler bike rider, cartoon drawer, computer gamer, book reader, clarinet player, babysitter, 8th grader boy!

Son 2...Christopher

Son 2...Christopher
Our 13 year old, boy scouter, harry potter computer gamer, lego creator, imaginator, book reader, 6th grader boy!

Son 3...Michael

Son 3...Michael
Our 9 1/2 year old drama king, perfectionist (I wonder if he gets that from mom? lol), drawer of many things, 3rd grader boy!

Son 4...Nephi

Son 4...Nephi
Our8 year old keeper of surprises, leg breaker, book listener, lego creator, music enjoyer, 1st grader boy!