New Year's Eve

Well, another year has come and gone. While I don't have any published resolutions from last December 31, looking back over the year it appears to have been a good one. A brief recap starting with the number 14!

14. Jennifer and I celebrated 14 years of marriage on August 16.

13. We became the parents of a teenager on November 8, when Noah turned 13. We will now have at least one teenager for the next...

12. Years. That is how long we will have teenagers. There will also be a year when all four kids are teenagers.

11. Hard to believe, but I started my 11th year at Frito-Lay this fall. Only 22 more years until retirement! Our second born also turned 11 this year.

10. Years. A decade. That's how long we were in our home before we moved in August. We are blessed to be in a newer, larger, closer to Frontier home now. Thanks again to all the friends and family that donated many hours of hard manual labor in the summer heat to get us moved!

9. Nathanael turned 9 and all of a sudden became very interested in sports of all kinds, epically baseball. There were many happy evenings spent in our new backyard playing whiffle ball with the family.

8. Swimming was a huge part of the summer and we would have gone 8 days a week if we could have. Becoming members of the Bittersweet Pool and Tennis Club was a great decision, and we can't wait for next summer to get here so we can swim some more!

7. People. In July we packed up our family and our favorite babysitter Hannah, and set off on a week long journey to Yellowstone National Park and the Luhm family bed and breakfast in Worland. It was a crazy fun week, that the kids will hopefully remember for the rest of their lives.

6. Our family is still 6 members and going strong! We are blessed to have a large family, and there is never a dull or boring moment for mom and dad while we try and keep track of all the craziness.

5. 5K. 3.2 miles. This fall Noah decided to join the middle school cross country team. He competed at 5 different meets in Northern Colorado and did an outstanding job at all of them. He has also joined the winter running club at school, which will keep him busy until track starts in March.

4. Season tickets. I was asked by my good friend Travis to split 4 season tickets to the Denver Broncos this fall. I was able to see Tebow Time in person, and share some special memories with friends and family at Mile High Stadium. After attending 6 Broncos games this year, I can honestly say there is nothing in professional sports quite like a home NFL game.

3. Three of four kids have now learned how to ride their bikes. It was quite a night back in May when Noah brought home the free bike from his perfect attendance. Andrew and Nathanael both decided to learn that same night. We had bikes and kids everywhere. It was great.

2. Tattoos. I now have 2 very nice tattoos, the large back piece and my new one. After finishing the Tough Mudder in June, my teammates and I decided to get the logo tattooed in celebration. I placed my new tat on my left calf. Pictures comming soon. And the #1 of 2011.....

1. Very special young man finally home. On October 8, our cousin/nephew Kaleb arrived home in South Dakota from Ethopia with Wesley and Kim. We had been praying, hoping, and waiting for him for almost 18 months. Meeting him for the first time was one of the highlights of my life. He is an amazing, beautiful, happy, precious little boy. I wish we lived closer so we could see him more often.

It was a great 2011. Can't wait to look back on 2012 and see all the adventures that we completed. Check back tomorrow for my goals and resolutions for the new year.

Skating!

Janet and Jen took the kids ice skating yesterday down at the Greeley Ice Haus. This was Sarabeth's first attempt on the ice. She only fell twice, but still had a great time and can't wait to go again.

Games!

It has been nice to have Janet in town this week while everyone is off of school and Jen isn't working. We got out the game Mouse Trap today and played a couple of games. Also enjoyed a few rounds of Farkle.

Zoo Lights

Noah was able to accompany Meriah and her family to Denver last week and walk around the Denver Zoo and see Zoo Lights! Looks cold. The young couple had fun though.

Christmas Morning

Evidently we are getting to be quite a large family when we all get together. Santa found us this morning in Sturgis and filled all the stockings. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

What an amazing and touching way to end an amazing and wonderful day in the Black Hills. We loaded everyone up and headed to Spearfish to witness a living nativity. There, in the manger, were wise men, animals wandering around, the burning of insence, and a young couple with a baby wrapped in blankets. It was very calm, and very quiet. I think the kids really enjoyed it.

Shower!

It was a really fun night last night as the Roth family hosted a welcome home/baby shower for Wes, Kim, and Kaleb. 25 family members were at Joel and Amy's beautiful house to celebrate Kaleb. What a great Christmas Eve Eve!

Ropes!

Sarabeth trying the ropes course across the pool. It didn't help her that Andrew was throwing a ball at her while she was swinging. She made it though. Tough girl.

Hoops

Nathanael found the basketball hoops and is working on his shot for next season.

Lunch!

Nothing makes the Roth family happier, well maybe Christmas or their birthdays, then the next meal. BBQ chicken pizza, wings and soda poolside at Watiki.

Wesley!

We are so thankful that Uncle Wes decided to come swim with us today. He is having as much fun as the kids are. Maybe more.

Swim!

Today's adventure in the Black Hills includes a trip to the Watiki Water Park. Here are Andrew and Sarabeth on the giant waterslide.

Fight!

Well, not these two guys, but there were at least three good fights in the second period of the game. Rush continue to dominate, and are winning 4-1 heading into the third. If we lived in Rapid, we would be season ticket holders. This is really fun tonight. Kids are enjoying the game, even though they know almost nothing about hockey.

Go Rush!!

Right before the end of the first period, Rapid City had a 6 on 3 power play. They couldn't score but took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. Great seats tonight Wes!

Hockey!

Tonights excitement includes a trip to watch the Rapid City Rush with the kids, grandpa, and Wesley. Maybe we will get to see a hat trick or a fight!

Chipmonk

Made a lightening quick trip to Deadwood this afternoon to pick up very important supplies! Like chocolate truffles for Jen. We also found a local winery and picked up a bottle of wine. No time for slots or blackjack.

Kaleb

He is just such an amazing, beautiful, happy little boy. Already has one tooth in and is working on another. Going to be a busy day in the Black Hills.

Pool

Finishing vacation day #4 pool side.

Play!

Grandma and Sarabeth playing with Kaleb after dinner. He has changed so much in the 10 weeks since we last saw him. He is almost ready to crawl....maybe this weekend?

Work

Here is the government in action! We made a quick stop in Rapid City at Senator John Thune's office to see Wesley. He was busy helping the people of South Dakota, but took a few minutes to say hi and show us around.

Packed

We are all packed and ready to head to the Black Hills of South Dakota for a very Merry Christmas.

Presents!

The opening of presents has already begun! Thank you so much to the Freeman family for their thoughtful and useful gifts! Going to put them to good use tonight during the viewing of Polar Express!

Vacation Day #2

Enjoyed the day in Ft. Collins shopping for Christmas with Jen. Found lots of neat things for the family! Dinner was shared with our long time friends Paul and Hope and their kids. Home made pizza! We have known Paul since our RA days back at UNC in Harrison Hall. Thanks for the food and fellowship tonight friends!

End of 3rd

Boo. Terrible second and third quarter for the good guys. Three turnovers. Can't slow Brady down. Losers from Boston 34, Denver 16.  Maybe the attendance of NFL commissioner Roger Godell is making Denver nervous.

End of 1st

Brady doesn't know what hit him. Tebow looks great so far. Must be his second Sports Illustrated cover in four weeks. Broncos 13, Pats 7.  Denver is driving though...

Gametime

Believe.

Team!

Made it to the game! First day of vacation is going well so far. These nice cheerleaders were signing autographs and posing for pictures before the game. Nice Santa costumes they were wearing too! Go Tebow. Believe.

Gameday

Grandpa Roth is all set for the big game in Denver today. Could get crazy with Big Andrew, Mark, Bob and Campingdad in the season tickets. Go Tebow!

Painting

We are also painting ornaments tonight too! What a fun night. The pizza was great, cookies turned out well and very colorful, and a couple of the kids are out back playing fetch with the lab and the bulldog. Too bad we all have work and school tomorrow.

Chocolate!

Noah is even helping out by making the chocolate covered peanut butter balls.

Cookies!

We are really getting in the Christmas spirit now! Thanks to Devin and Ashley for inviting us over tonight for dinner, movies and cookie decorating! Ho Ho Ho!

Dr. Smith

In honor of Big D finishing his first semester of his doctorate program, here he is in his office on campus. Had the chance to visit him on campus last week and eat lunch with him in the University Center. It was just like old times back in the spring of 1996. Congrats on surviving the first semester Andrew. Beer will be my treat on Wednesday.

NaNoWrMo

Besides completing an exceptional science fair project, Noah also took on the challenge of National Novel Writing Month in November. His English teacher asked each student to set a word per day goal every day in November. Noah turned in 900, and came pretty close. His novel ended up at 27,036 words and almost 56 pages. Amazing. One of the sixth grade teachers read some of his work today in class and several of the kids liked it so much they wrote Noah fan mail. He arrived home today in high spirits, carrying 4 letters from his peers praising his writing. So proud of you, son.

Science Fair

Noah completed and presented his science fair project today at Frontier. He did a great job. I was asked to be a judge for the 8th grade projects, and Noah's was as good or better then those projects. He also specifically choose the orange and blue colors, not because of Tim Tebow, but because studies have show the high contrast of colors make the presentation of material pleasant to look at. Smart kid.

Cookies!!

It is the annual cookie making/Charlie Brown Christmas watching party tonight at the Roth household. Cookies are great! Ryan is quite grumpy that ABC edited the show and cut out several important scenes. Now the group is watching Prep and Landing while more cookies are coming out of the oven.

Movie Night!

Several times a year, Frontier hosts a Friday night movie night to help raise funds for continued playground improvement. The kids bring pillows, blankets, chairs and wear their pj's. Tonights movie was Elf.  It looks like this guys is all set. Hope  he left some sugar at the snack bar for the other children.

Letter

This girl is also getting in the Christmas spirit by writing a letter to Santa. It will be post marked and sent to the North Pole this weekend. I hope she asked for something amazing. Like an iPad for her dad.

Spirit

The six inches of snow today helped this guy get in the Christmas spirit. We are at the Festival of Trees, getting ready to watch Nathanaels concert.

Games

After dinner was cleaned up, and dessert was yet to be served, the group gathered around the table for several lively rounds of Apples and Apples. It got a bit crazy. But what a wonderful way to wrap up Thanksgiving.

Sun!

Just a few more posts from Thanksgiving week, before we move on to Christmas. One of the highlights from the trip to Denver was the opportunity to look through the telescope on the roof of the museum. We were able to see the sun in an amazing way. We viewed sun spots and solar flares as they were happening. It was pretty neat, and all eight of us were able to take a look. Here are grandpa and Little D.