Chesnik Family 2016

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Our year has been filled to overflowing with love and fun!  Following are some of our highlights.  Wishing you all a Christmas filled with the spirit of Christ.

Josh

-Selected as the director of maintenance at CCSD in May

-Continues as 1^st councilor in our bishopric

-Plays basketball every Tuesday evening

-Saints and Sinners-ran ¼ marathon with his sister Cassi and a good friend

-Cold Play concert with Kristin and good friends

-Side Work—KALB Construction drawings and own business XD Studio

-BYU Homecoming Game trip with a good friend

-Family History expert

-Dad gig—Makes sure everyone is happy.  Gets the older kids to seminary each morning!

Kristin

-Trips!  Birthday trip with parents and sisters, best friend high school reunion

-Planned!  Fiesta Fundraiser for our youth camps, Stake Valentine’s dance committee member, Teacher Appreciation Week at Elementary School, lots of date nights with Josh

-Back to natural blonde

-Institute Class on the New Testament every Tuesday

-Craft class and lunch with mom and grandma every Wednesday

-Power Hour with the sister missionaries

-Continues to teach Sunday School to teens ages 12-18

-Mom thing—homework, projects, chauffeuring, assemblies, concerts, calendaring, etc.

Ben (17)

-Finished last year with straight A’s

-Began Junior year

-Intermediate Orchestra playing the viola

-Varsity Tennis-received his second letter and second scholar athlete

-Nearly 6’3 and growing

-Attends a weekly mission prep class

-Canoed 11 miles this summer

-Eagle Scout!

-Martial Arts class

-Indexting Consultant

Eliana (14)

-3 year of girl’s camp (at Kolob this year)

-Crafter and reader Galore

-First year of high school/seminary

-Marching Band-plays the flute

-Helps autistic girls in P.E.

-Takes care of neighbor’s dogs whenever they leave town

-Culinary Club and Best Buddies (pairs regular kids with mentally impaired kids so they always have a friend)

-Honor Roll

Jakob (11)

-Fun birthday with IHOP and archery

-Joined the orchestra, plays the viola like his big brother

-Straight A’s

-Finished 6^th grade on the Student Council as Vice President

-Received an award for the Great American Program (quite the achievement!)

-Attended Tiger Camp for incoming 6^th graders

-Played in the Instrument Ensemble and sang in the choir

-Joined his cousin Matthew’s Superhero Club

-Publications Early Bird Class--takes lots of pictures for the yearbook

-Last Pinewood Derby, became an 11 year old scout

-Piano lessons

Jalie (9)

-Activity Days

-Piano Lessons

-First Dance Class—Tap

-Student Council

-Loves to pack two lunches or more for homeless lunch program

-Straight A’s

All of Us Together

-Family!  1 new, miraculous nephew/cousin born with Blueberry Muffin Syndrome and 1 beautiful new niece/cousin who lives across the street!  Oldest niece/cousin got married! Lots of dinners with Chesniks and Edington extended families.

-Trips!  UT to see Provo City Temple Open House, Mesa for Spring Break with Partridges, Disneyland with extended family

-Tried to Serve—Blessing Bags for the homeless, book cleanings for Spread the Word Nevada, St. Timothy’s food and food service, temple and family history work, refugee clothing delivery, refugee Christmas gift drive, etc.

-Parties and Get-Togethers of all sorts with dear friends

-Science Boot Camp-Harry Potter themed

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Merry Christmas 2014

2014 has been a great year for our family.  Here is some of our goings-on:

We traveled over 1,000 miles to see Josh's sister Cassi in Arizona and then surprised the kids by driving to LA instead of home to visit my brother Steve and his family.  It was a crazy and super fun trip!

We enjoyed another summer with Wet and Wild season passes.  I think everyone's favorite time was when, after our normal bedtime routine, we asked them if they wanted to go to sleep or go to Wet and Wild.  We played until 11pm and had the time of our lives.

*Ben turned 15 this year.  After ending middle school with enough trophies and awards to sink a ship, Ben took an online health course this summer.  He enjoyed an amazing 9 day Boy's Camp near Yosemite, CA where he earned 9 merit badges and had the time of his life. He began seminary and high school this fall.  He is doing very well in school despite his rough start (having lots of missing assignments).  Ben continues to play the viola.  He made the Varsity Men's Tennis Team and lettered even though he had never been on a tennis court before and never won a match.  We were all proud of his courage in trying something new.  He is serving as the teacher's quorum president.  He is beginning to plan his Eagle Scout project for this coming year.   He loves biking with his cousin Troy, listening to music, and the weekends (when he can sleep in and earn video game time).  Ben is turning into a fine young man.  He and Ellie were thrilled when mom and dad consented to give them each a phone this summer.

*Eliana turned 12 this year.  She finished her 6th grade year and began her 7th.  Eliana enjoyed every second of sleeping in and swimming this summer.  Eliana is an excellent flutist and made the advanced band.  She continues to be an accomplished pianist as well.  Eliana has enjoyed being a part of the Knitting and Crochet Club and taking sewing lessons with her Aunt Missy.  Ellie loves all things domestic--especially baking.  She is my best helper in the kitchen and gives a fantastic foot massage.  Eliana graduated from the Primary and loves, loves, loves being with the Young Women and serves as the Beehive secretary.  She enjoyed an amazing first year at Girl's Camp (with her dad as priesthood) at the Rockin' R Ranch in Antimony, Utah.  Ellie is an incredibly productive texter, especially to her young women leaders and dear friend Brinley.  Eliana has learned to get up and get ready on her own this year!  YAY!!!

*Jakob turned 9 this year and is in 4th grade.  He is so happy to be in Mrs. Franklin's class with his two best school friends Ryan and Kade.  Jakob loves school and never has to be asked to get his work done.  Jakob gets along with everyone--including his siblings--and is a joy to have around.  Jakob has read 5 of the Harry Potter books and has more than enough advanced reader points to earn a pizza party at the end of the year.    He loves to run and has been known to beat all of us in shorter distances.  Jakob adores his cousin and partner-in-crime Matthew.  The two have enjoyed MANY playdates throughout the year.  We love that Matthew brings out the silly side of a very straight-laced, sweet-as-pie little man.   Jakob began taking piano with his Aunt Kelli and practices every day with great zeal.  One of my favorite things about 9 year old Jakob is that he comes and snuggles with me nearly every morning.

*Jalie continues to enjoy the limelight of being the baby of the family and is often found in roller skates gliding around the tile floor without a care in the world (something that surely wouldn't have happened with my other children).  She graduated kindergarten and pressed onward into 1st grade.  She is becoming a fantastic reader and her writing is often highly comedic.  Jalie can always be found running around (and often picking on) happy-looking boys when I go to pick her up from school.  Her best friend at school is Madeline and everywhere else is mom.  Jalie is a talented artist and our craft closet is always in a perpetual state of hurricane-level trauma.  Jalie can hula hoop, scooter swing, climb and bike with the best.  She loves school and life in general.

*After all of the job drama of last year, Josh was happy to be working for CCSD as an Operations Manager (other than his assigned schools were in the northwest).  He was recently given a promotion and is now the Coordinator of Performance Management.  Josh recently quit one of his side jobs (preparing construction documents for Kalb Construction which he did for 12 years) because he only has so many hours in a day and we missed him!  He also co-owns and operates Chesnik Scott Design, a small architectural practice, and continues to serve as the 1st counselor in our bishopric.  Josh continues to love doing family history and is into the 1500's on his patriarchal line.  He even gets the kids involved!  Josh has begun a health kick these past two months, has lost some weight, and even began running!  Josh repainted the living room and kitchen and remains the fairy godfather to Kristin's decorating dreams.

*About me...I foolishly thought this year would be less busy than Jalie's kindergarten year.  Having said that, I have loved my first few months with the kids all in school.  I signed up for a water aerobics class (that I now think is too cold--haha).   I go to a Doctrine and Covenants Institute class each Tuesday that is extraordinary.  I make meals.  I help friends and family when I can.  I take care of our home.  I continue to volunteer with our PTA and in the classroom at the elementary school.  I drive my young'uns ALL.  DAY.  LONG.  I enjoy reading, Facebook, decorating, Friday dates with my man, snuggle time with my kiddos, occasional party-throwing and naps whenever I can get them.  I continue to take craft lessons with my mom on Wednesdays and love our Wednesday lunches with my Grandma.  I love teaching Sunday School to the 12-18 year olds in my ward.  I loved going on a birthday trip to St. George with my sisters and parents in January.  I enjoyed shocking the world by finally cutting my hair short and dying it dark brown this June (something I have been wanting to do for years).

We have been so blessed with the things we need and more people to love than we can count on all of our hands put together.  You all mean the world to us.  Thank you for being in our lives.  May you be blessed with the added peace and happiness that comes at this time of year as we celebrate the birth and life of our Savior.  We wish you a very Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas 2013 from the Chesnik Family!

A few highlights of 2013 with the Chesniks:

Josh lost his 12 year job at CCSD and was recruited as a senior architect at SH Architecture.  After 3 months, he was able to move back to the school district as an operations manager.  He continues to own his own design business and provide drafting/architectural services for KALB Industries.  He works WAYYY too hard, but we are so grateful that he had been blessed with great job opportunities.   Josh used his one week of unemployment to remodel our family room.  His highlight was going to the BYU Texas game in Provo with my brothers.

Kristin has enjoyed being mostly healthy again this year and having fewer doctor appointments!  She especially enjoyed traveling to St. George in January with her sister, Julie, and parents.  It was a terrific weekend full of fun, shopping, good food and lots of laughs.  Kristin continues to enjoy teaching Sunday school (best calling ever!), volunteering at the elementary school and occasionally throwing legendary parties.  Full-time mommy and wife is a busy, satisfying career.

Benjamin traveled to camp Del Webb this summer, earning an archery merit badge and shooting a real gun for the first time.  He came home quite wet, but otherwise untarnished (an improvement from the year before!).  Benjamin was named VP of the National Junior Honor Society and enjoys cleaning classrooms and making sandwiches for the homeless to earn his service hours.  He participated in cross country and plays the viola in advanced orchestra.  He continues to be an incredible student with straight A's and exceptional citizenship.

Eliana started middle school and loves it!  She adjusted quickly to the new schedule and craziness of having 5 teachers.  She also participated in cross country and NJHS.  She particularly loves the  Knitting and Crochet Club at her school and continues to be quite the amazing crafter.  Ellie loves being in band and playing the flute.  She has an incredible natural musicality and drive to improve.  It is her goal to learn 5 instruments by high school graduation.  She is a great help around the house, especially when it involves baking.

Jakob turned the big 8!  He was baptized and was so happy to begin making covenants.  He loves 3rd grade and is my most responsible and diligent student.  He has finally started to grow a bit this year and is as skinny as ever (with deceivingly chubby cheeks).  Jakob LOVES being a cub scout!  He had so much fun at the best outer-space themed day camp in June.  Jakob loves to draw Pokemon (he is so artistic!) and read Deltora Quest and Magic Treehouse books.

Jalie stormed the kindergarten with her charm and determination.  It is so funny to see her make friends--she always ends up being a leader.  Even if others won't do what she wants, she acts like their ideas were hers all along.  She has become more and more of a comedian (as evidenced by my Facebook posts).  She had her ears pierced and was exceptionally brave!  Jalie LOVED playing with her cousins all summer long.  My brother, Steve, and his family of 7 stayed in our guesthouse.  It was a crazy summer and Jalie loved every second.  She also became quite a good swimmer.

We vacationed in Disneyland with the entire Edington family in October.  It was amazingly fun!  The last night, we watched the World of Color display from a rooftop terrace at The Grand California Hotel and had a private hot cocoa party.  It was completely magical.

We hope you and yours are enjoying a truly wonderful Christmas full of the spirit of Christ!  We love our family and friends so much and thank you for helping our lives to overflow with happiness!

Life in 2013

It has been a busy, exciting, crazy year (aren't they all?) for the Chesnik family!

Family highlights:

We had my brother, Steve, and his family of 7 live in our guesthouse this summer while they were between houses.  It was a wild ride, but we all made it and managed to have lots of fun with 9 children and 4 adults on the property.

We went to Oceanside, CA and then to Disneyland for a 5 day adventure with the entire Edington family!  It was amazing!

We have continued to enjoy lots of time with family and friends that make life wonderful!

Josh
-Was laid off from his 12 year job at CCSD due to the bond not passing.  He was recruited to SH Architecture as a senior architect and worked there 3 months.  He was rehired at CCSD as an operations manager.  He continues to own and operate ChesnikScott Design and also works for KALB industries.  He works WAYYY too many hours, but we are SO grateful that he is well employed and able to provide well for our family.
-During a week long stint with unemployment (by choice), he remodeled our family room.  It is gloriously perfect and everything Kristin wanted.  :)

Kristin
-I have made a lot of progress with feeling better!  At this point, I feel really good most of the time and I have never been more appreciative for a body that functions correctly!
-I have continued to be involved in our elementary school.  I put together some fantastic luncheons for teacher appreciation/welcome back and had lots of fun doing it!
-I enjoyed a fabulous weekend trip with my sister, Julie, and our parents to St. George.  We had a blast shopping, getting our nails done (something I never do otherwise:), and eating delicious food.
-I continue to enjoy my job as full-time momma and wife.  It keeps my life busy and full of happiness!

Benjamin
-Is in 8th grade now and as tall as his mom with size 12 shoes!  He has hit the "middle school blues" and is looking forward to high school.
-He plays the viola in the advanced orchestra and the VP of the National Junior Honor Society.
-Ben went on a Boy Scout week-long venture to Dell Webb and we were so glad to have him come home healthy (unlike last year) and having had a mostly good time and being completely soaked much of the week.  He needs to work on his Eagle Scout project soon!
-Benjamin participated in cross country this fall.
-Benjamin loves to sing in ward choir and give answers in all of his classes.  He continues to be a straight A student.

Eliana
-Started middle school and loves it!
-She also did cross country (making huge strides in her athleticism) and NJHS.
-She plays the flute in beginning band and adores the instrument and making beautiful music.
-She is a crafty, sewing type of girl and is excited to be in the knitting and crochet club and to start sewing lessons with her aunt Missy this coming year.
-Ellie is always willing to help her mom, especially if it involves baking.

Jakob
-Was baptized this year!  He is the sweetest little guy and was so excited to begin making covenants.
-Jakob loves doing Road Runner at his school and is quite fast.
-He is my most diligent child at doing homework and feeling great personal responsibility (love that!). --

Jalie
-Started kindergarten and is taking the school by storm!  She always has a crowd of friends to greet her when she comes in and is kind to everyone.  She LOVES her wonderful teacher and has learned so much.
-Jalie is a true comedian.  She makes me and our family laugh daily with her wonderful sense of humor.
-Jalie had the summer of her life having her cousins living in our backyard.




    

Mani-Pedi's with My Daddy-O

My dad invited all of the ladies in my family to come and get mani-pedis the Saturday after the 4th of July. We had such a blast! There were ten of us there and we all came out with big smiles and pretty fingers and toes. THANKS A MILLION Daddy-O!

Benjamin's First Big Campout

Benjamin is so lucky to have very diligent scout leaders (thanks to Jess Evans and Wes Boyd). They love to take the boys camping. Josh was unable to make this campout but, from all accounts, Benjamin did very well. They went to Mt. Charleston, ate steak, hiked 5 miles,and came home dog tired. Z, Jaden, Joseph and Ben went as scouts and Andrew B. came with his dad.

4th of July 2011

We had the best Fourth of July this year! It ended up being mostly just my family (plus a couple of high-spirited cousin's and their families), so it was smaller but SO FUN!

During the day, we had lunch together, plus a salsa and bake-off competition going on. People swam (the weather was absolutely PERFECT), ate, and laughed a lot.

Our usual Olympic-style night started with a HILARIOUS "Best in Show/Dog Show" Opening Ceremony. Benjamin got to participate as the All-American Bulldog. My brother Mark had us falling off our chairs in laughter with his Chihuahua impersonation.
REALLY good entertainment!




And then the traditional games began! Thanks to my cousin Becky for organizing such a fun event! So many people participated in the games, so even though there were fewer people than usual, we still had ourselves some good competition.

As the sun set, we had a snake pit followed by tank firework races. We had sparklers and light-up toys to dance around the pool with. Then everyone brought chairs to my parent's front yard to enjoy some fireworks. It was a wonderful fourth. God Bless America!

Summer Store

We have really been having a happy and productive summer. Thanks to a friend of mine, I got the idea to have the kids do chores and their other work (workbooks, practicing piano, reading, etc.). Each morning they wake up to new assignments on large craft sticks in plastic cups.

As they work, they earn "Chesnik Bucks". Once a week we hold a "Summer Store" where they can use their bucks to buy different items. It has been the first summer that I feel like the kids are really productive and happy and I don't have an additional work load for myself. It has been really great!

Silly Kids

Summer Days

And the livin' is easy...

Uncle Markie Ride Broke

My brother Mark often plays with the kids on Wednesday at my parent's house. He gives them rides and picks on them (which they LOVE). One day his back hurt, so Eli posted a sign on his legs which read "RIDE BROKEN: It really is, don't even try!".

The "Train Store" Follows Me Home

My kids have loved going to a local educational shop called "The Learning Store". They call it "The Train Store" because of the awesome Thomas the Train set they have set up there. When I heard that they were closing, I was so sad that the kids wouldn't get to play with it anymore. I asked them what they were going to do with it and they said they needed to call corporate. After a few days, I called back and they said they would sell it. The kids were shocked when I unloaded it from the van. It is such a fun set for a great price. Woo-hoo!

Auntie Kelli Plays Alien

The kids had a grand time one day outside with their Auntie Kelli. They got all dressed up, danced, sang and played "Alien".

Day at the Park

We finally had a Saturday to just play about a month ago. We hiked around the new trail at Sunset Park and then ended at the new play area. The kids really enjoyed the strange play equipment. Then we had Olive Garden for lunch and a long nap time afterwards. A perfect day!

Mother-Daughter Date with Eli

Eli and I had heaps of fun at the Mother-Daughter Date for Activity Days. One of the leaders, Summer Palmberg, had gone all out with a super-fun cherry themed party. Eli loved drawing a bowl of ice cream with a cherry on top, playing an ice cream game, and eating a cherry out of a bowl full of whipped cream. It was so nice to just have fun with my Eli! I sure love that girl!

Ben Earns his Faith in God

Benjamin recently earned his "Faith In God"--a religious award for goal setting over the course of 3-4 years. He has been working on this diligently for 4 years and we are proud of what he has learned and who he is becoming. Way to go Ben!

Jalie Hurts Her Thumb

Jalie made her first (and hopefully ONLY) visit to the ER a couple of months ago. She was playing with her siblings right before bedtime and ran into the house, slamming the sliding glass door closed behind her in an effort to get away from them. Unfortunately, she slammed the door on her thumb and sliced the top significantly, including part of her nail. I quickly realized it was going to need stitches. We called my good father-in-law to come to the rescue to babysit the other kids and we were off.

A nurse quickly assessed Jalie and then took us back. After waiting for over an hour (with Jalie nearly passing out and needing oxygen in the meantime and Josh declaring it "The night from H-E-double hockey sticks" due to both her injury and the television show on-- "High School Musical 3"), the doctor came and looked at the wound and confirmed that she would need stitches and at least part of the nail removed. We had to wait another 30 minutes before the came to wrap her up in a papoose-type thing. Jalie was very calm by then and had even started watching a little television. Until they gave her four shots in her hand. She cried so hard and couldn't move an inch. It really broke my heart. After about 10 minutes, they began the surgery. She kept trying to look at her hand and would then get freaked out, so Josh and I really worked to distract her. By the time they wrapped her hand up (three stitches later), she just wanted to be held and loved. Poor baby.

11 days later, she had her stitches removed. Her thumb skin was still flapped open (gross!), but the doctor said it was fine because it was healing from the inside out. Josh carefully washed and re-wrapped her hand a couple of times a day for the next several weeks. Thankfully, she is fully healed and her nail is almost entirely normal now.

Jakob's Kindergarten Graduation

Jakob graduated kindergarten! His class had the cutest presentation ever! They sang sweet ABC songs and "First Grade, First Grade" to the tune "New York, New York". Other than having a banged-up nose (compliments of a kick a day before from his older sister), he was the most darling little guy up there! You could see how much his teacher adored him. Congrats Jakob! Get ready for the big leagues!

Ben and Eli's Final Choir Performance

Benjamin and Eliana really LOVED choir this year. Ben was also part of the Instrument Ensemble. Their last performance this year was super cute! The kids were especially excited about the song, "All About the Big Bad Wolf". They both have angelic voices and we were so proud!

Straight A Students!

Congratulations to Benjamin and Eliana for not only earning straight A's for the last trimester, but also for the entire year! I'm one proud moma!