What is THIS?

Last week, Kyler complained that he had a "scratch" on his back. The last few days, the scratch has turned into a 3-inch bumpy rash on his spine. Naturally, we have been home for a month and this happens the day before we go back to school!
So, since I had a lot of school prep-work to do, Daran took him to the doctor this morning to find he has Shingles!
This is a "senior citizen" form of the chicken pox. You can only "catch" it if you have had the chicken pox before, and have recently been exposed to them. It isn't contagious, so he can go to school, which is good because he could have this for 2 or more MONTHS! He is a good sport and says it only stings a little. Since it attacks the nervous system, that "stinging" could be more painful as it progresses. For now, he just has some meds that he takes 4 times a day to speed it up and of course he can take ibuprofen for any discomfort. Right now he only has one on his back, but a second one is starting on his side. What a day!

Make a Smilebox photobook

New Year's Resolutions

Resolution #1
Ok...it has been 3 years now since we have sent any kind of Christmas/New Year's letter! With this...I hope that I have finished one goal!
Where do I start? Well, how about 2005...when my writing started to slack. In October, I started my Master's program for elementary education. Christmas 2005 was probably the last time everyone heard from us...
So, what happened in 2006?
First, our ward split and I was called as the Relief Society president...shocker #1. This made life a little more busy...but we were blessed. By August of that year, I had felt a need to take on a part-time job--and had no idea why...life was busy enough. Instead, I landed a full-time teaching internship position. I felt that I should take it, and in January we understood why, when Daran's insurance doubled and found that the school district had the better insurance anyway!
2007...
By now, our lives are adjusting to constant chaos. Daran was called to the Sunday school presidency. In February, Kyler turned 8 and was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was so excited and wanted his grandpa Hales to confirm him after Dad baptized him. He really admires Grandpa and insisted on having a suit to wear (like Grandpa). He still prefers to wear a suit every Sunday!
In March, we finally took our first real vacation to Disneyland. This was Celeste's first time too! We went with some friends and had a great time! Chloe was in princess heaven and we all were happy when we finally rented a stroller for her...imagine...whining in Disneyland? It isn't pretty! When all was said and done though, the kids still loved the pool at the hotel as much as anything else! In June, Daran and Celeste went to Myrtle Beach for Daran's work and enjoyed relaxing time together. In August, Celeste finished her Master's (hooray!) and changed from a traditional schedule school to a year-round school to be on the same schedule as Kyler and Chloe. Rylee started junior high and began playing the violin. Daran, Kyler and Grandpa took a trip to Arizona to visit Sean and cousins Alex and Josh, and had a great time in the Grand Canyon!
Our real shocker at the end of the year was that Grandpa Hales became engaged!
2008...
We started off the year with three trips to Grandpa's house! First we went for Grandpa and JaNeal's wedding and reception with the whole family. Then we went back with the kids for the Rexburg Temple open house with the Evans and the Merritts from our ward. Finally, we went back once more for the Rexburg Temple dedication! Chloe was more than happy to stay home with "Grandma" Carolyn while we went to the dedication in -20 degree weather! The temple dedication was the highlight of my year. Nothing is better than sitting in the temple and hearing "angels" singing, "The Spirit of God." We truly felt like we were already in heaven.
Daran is traveling less this year, but will be working on opening another theater in San Antonio, TX. He still loves his job and we are grateful for it. Celeste is still teaching 3rd grade, but at a low-income school now. She loves it! Kyler is in 4th grade and playing basketball again this year. He loved baseball this year and made the all-star team. Kyler and Chloe are continuing piano lessons and Kyler always has a song in his head. Chloe loves to make up dances and breaks out in song with Kyler all the time. You can really tell they are related!
This fall we took a trip to Zion's National Park. We had a great time. Kyler thought it was even better than Disneyland. He is SUCH an outdoor kid! We went hiking and biking and had a very "athletic" trip thanks to the Jensen's. We are hoping to do more camping this next year and have planned a trip to Yellowstone already. (Resolution #2)
We hope this letter find you well...and that everyone has a great new year! I hope that this blog will help me to keep our family activities better organized (Resolution #3). I will try to post pictures of all the above activities, including Rylee's new room! (We finally STARTED finishing the basement, starting with her room...Resolution #4).
Wow...I really need to start keeping track of resolutions!
I'd love to hear from each of you! If you remember who we are!!!