Lexine's New Years Get-A-Way

Many folks have been commenting on how well Lexine has been looking since all her medical problems in late 2011. I agree!! She's been feeling really good for many months now, but for some reason starting on Wednesday night, she started having similar stomach pains from last year...accompanied this time with nausea and vomiting. It may just be her gallbladder (that's what we're thinking at least)...but we wanted to play it safe since she only recently got off her steroids since last year. After several days of discomfort, we decided Sunday evening to go to the Mayo ER to have her checked out. She felt terrible when we left for the ER, but after throwing up en-route she arrived at Mayo feeling great -- isn't that always the case??  :-)  Hopefully nothing alarming this round, but Mayo did decide to keep her a couple nights for testing & observation since her liver enzymes are elevated (similar to what they were last year...which could possibly be caused by gallbladder problems). I guess I can say she won't be coming home until next year...since they're not letting her come home today, so she'll be celebrating the new year from her Mayo resort suite while I'm running kids to dances and having friends come over!  :-)  I'll post more as we learn more...

Cabin Snow Trip!

Lots of fun up at the cabin last week with the 2' of snow up there!  The kids had a blast playing in it...I think they spent more time outside of the cabin then they did when we went up in the summer!  Lots of sledding, digging snow tunnels, snowball fights and making snow cones! We were there with Grandma & Grandpa, alnog with Darren & JuLee & family.  Mike & Becky also stopped by on Friday morning with their family to join in the fun.  We had great time as you can see in the pictures!

2012 Sevark Christmas!

Christmas finally arrived!  After weeks of shopping and wrapping, Lexine and I finally went to bed this morning around 1:30am -- Christmas was all set!  But the funny thing was, we were the first ones up this year!  Around 6am, Lexine had to go to the bathroom (and me too)...so we just decided to get up and sit in the living room awaiting the kids.  We plugged in the Christmas lights and it was just a matter of moments before we started hearing foot steps...then Porter appeared from behind the sheets used as his bedroom door, followed by Noah & Jonah, then Garrett & Caleb, next Maizey, shortly after Kami, and last but not least Bentley.  Christmas was good for us this year...loads of presents.  Each year it seems to be fewer and fewer, as the kids want more expensive = fewer presents.  The highlights this year was:  Kami got luggage for her mission, Bentley got an iPhone 4 16gb, Porter got a Nexus 7 Android tablet, Garrett got an electric guitar, Maizey got lots of clothes & OneDirection paraphernalia, Noah got an iPod Touch 5th generation, Caleb got lots of sports stuff (football, pushup bars, basketball scoreboard, baseball bat), and Jonah also got an iPod Touch 5th generation.  Lots of happy kids around out house -- and Lexine too who got her Silhouette craft cutting machine.  :-)

After opening gifts, Lexine made another of her great breakfasts of pin-wheels and ham-n-cheese puffs.  Then it was time to rest a little -- in between helping kids setup their new toys/devices.

In the afternoon, we drove into town to make a few visits...stopping by Great Grandma Reeds, visiting Cindy & Rod's graves at the cemetery, Grandma Severtson & cousins visit, then last stop over to Grandma & Grandpa Porter's house.  It's hard to believe that Kami will not be with us next year -- as she'll be on her mission to Chile, but I will be so excited for her phone call and to hear how she's doing!    Merry Christmas everyone!  We sure love you all...we've been so richly blessed to have such great family and friends!

2012 Christmas Eve Party!

As long as I can remember, the Severtson Christmas celebration has always taken place on Christas Eve -- starting at Grandma "Nanny's" for all my younger years, then as us kids have gotten older and have our own homes, the family has taken turns hosting this special evening at one of our homes.  This year it was decided to host it at our home.  So we made all the preparations and around 3:30pm, families started showing up.  It was great to see so many brothers and sisters, parents, nieces & nephews -- along with Gary, Karen, Nick & Linda, Grandma Glasgow, and the missionaries all joined us.  We had an excellent Ham & Turkey dinner with all sorts of assortments and deserts.  Then the time came to open presents.  Kami, Bentley & Porter played their piano trio of "Angels we have Heard on High" for our guests, then the present unwrapping began!  It was a wonderful time to be together as friends and family!

2012 Sevark Christmas Card

Another year has come and gone...this is our family Christmas card for 2012 (thank you once again to Bentley for her wonderful creative abilities)!  The kids are getting older and bigger...lots more happiness & excitement coming in 2013 -- Kami will be leaving soon on her mission!  Merry Christmas everyone!

2012 Polar Express Party!

This evening we had some of our friends "the Cluff's" over of a Polar Express Party!  Nothing extravagant, mostly just some nice visiting with good friends...but we did manage to squeeze in watching the movie, followed by all different kinds of hot chocolates as a nice treat!  It was a really nice evening...

Happy 13th Birthday Noah!

Its hard to believe that when Lexine and I were married that Noah was only 10 years old...now as of today he's turned 13!!  The time is flying by and the kids are growing up so fast.  Noah has become such a nice young man with lots of friends and even more talents; especially in sports.  He is serving in his Deacon's quorum presidency and is excelling in scouts.  He had quite the birthday today...spent the night with cousins, got up early to go to the Robotics Merit Badge Clinic, rushed home to open presents, then immediately off to his basketball game, then home for a few minutes to play his new NCAA 13 video game present, next was off to BJ's which he chose to go to for his birthday dinner (where lost of old people sang happy birthday to him), then home to our Polar Express & Hot Chocolate Christmas party where he fell asleep on the floor watching the movie.  You couldn't ask for a better birthday...  Its amazing to see how Noah has changed over the years!  Happy Birthday Noah!  We hope it was a great one for you...we sure love you!

 

 

Basketball Season Week 3 Highlights

Week 3 of basketball...Caleb & Jonah were not able to play today due to the Robitics Merit Badge clinic that we had signed Noah & Caleb up to attend -- which was their favorite clinic so far!  All 3 of the boys spent the night at Danny & Micah's to go to it with Trevor.  So Noah ended up being the only one with a basketball game today, since Caleb & Jonah's game got moved to 9am, right in the middle of the clinic.  Even Noah asked if he had to go to his game today since it was his birthday, but now he's glad he did...he ended up scoring his first basket of the season today!  They played a really tough team that beat then a couple of games ago, but today they were on fire winning 41 to 35. It was a great game and Noah was all smiles with his basket...great job Noah!  :-)

Caleb Awards Assembly

The 6th grade had their awards assembly this morning.  Caleb was awarded for his Perfect Attendance and for making the Honor Roll -- he was only 3% away from making the Principal's List!  Maybe next time...  Caleb has lots of friends and his teachers tell me he's doing great and is a wonderful student.  His math teacher Mr. Reed wants him to take the acceleration test so he can get into Pre-Algebra next year at the Jr. High School -- he has that test to look forward to next year now.  You're doing awesome Caleb -- keep it up!  :-)

Kami's Temple Night!

This was a very special evening to spend with Kami as she went thru the temple for her very first time.  What a great experience for her!  I couldn't help but think how proud I am of all she's done and is doing...and I know Cindy's beaming with pride in this wonderful daughter of hers!  What a great example she is for our family and me.  We got to the temple around 5pm where we met Grandma & Grandpa Porter -- Grandma Porter was her escort for her first time.  I mentioned to Kami that she had the same escort as her mom did.  We met back up with Kami & Grandma about 6:30pm, along with many other friends and family...Renee Reed, Darren & JuLee, Danny & Micah, Grandma Severtson, Grandma Glasgow, Troy & Brenda Whisenant, Heidi Neeley and Richard & Stacie Cluff.  What great friends we've been blessed with...which made it an extra special experience for Kami -- thank you all so much!  On our way out, Grandma Porter pointed out the sealing room that Cindy and I were sealed in...which now Kami was priviledged to see (coincidently this was also the sealing room the Lexine & Rod were sealed in).  When we finally walked out of the temple it was already 8:30pm, so several had to get home to kids, but a few of us met together along with Grandpa Severtson at Nielsen's ice cream to top of the evening with a nice visit with Kami.  What a great experience tonight was for her...and it was just as wonderful for me too.

Jonah Awards Assembly

Its that time of year again as we approach the end of another quarter and the school year half complete!  Today was Jonah's awards assembly where he was honored for his Perfect Attendance, Student of the Month and Presidents List for his awesome grade this quarter!  Jonah is obviously doing great in school and is well like by his teacher and fellow students.  Nice Job Jo!!

Jonah Earns His Arrow of Light!!

Tonight Jonah received his Arrow of Light award...the highest award in cub scouts and the only one that badge that can also be word on his new scout shirt when he turns 11.  He's worked hard to receive this award, earning all his other ranks, several arrow points and many belt loops.  He's come a long way!  Next, he'll be starting over fresh when he enters our 11 year old boy scout troop!   Jonah was honored tonight for all his hard work and dedication to scouts...he was held up as an example to all the other boys to follow his example.  After receiving his award, he got to shoot a nerf arrow above all the cub scouts at the poster in the picture below with his name on it...which he almost hit!  Jonah's one of the happiest kids I know and always ready & willing to help out.  He well deserves this award.  Way to go Jo!  We're sure proud of your great accomplishment!

Noah's Cross-Country Awards Assembly!

This morning was Noah's Cross-Country Awards Assembly.  They held it as a 7am breakfast event, so Lexine & I, Noah, Caleb & Jonah all went to the school and enjoyed pancakes, eggs & cinnamon roles, then the coaches got up to hand out certificates and trophies.  Only a few of the kids got a trophy which Noah happened to be one of them.  He received a trophy for being the up-n-coming runner!  The coaches mentioned that he did really well his first year as a 7th grader and they believe he has a very nice future ahead of him if he'll continue exercising his running talent!  Great job Noah -- we're proud of your hard work this season!

Sacrament Meeting Singers

Lexine volunteered her and the girls, along with a couple other families in the ward, to sing in Sacrament meeting today.  They sang the song "Little One" which was originally published in the New Era back around 1986.  They did wonderful...Kami played the piano, as Lexine, Bentley, Maizey, the Cluff's and the Goates sang, bringing in a beautiful spirit into our services.  Great job Sevark girls...way to share your talents!!

Basketball, Week Two!!

Another Saturday filled with Basketball games! Noah had two this week, and Caleb & Jonah only had their one. They did great again... Noah played quite a bit in both of his games and did great blocking, passing and even almost made his first basket of the season! Caleb did awesome as well -- scoring 7 of the 9 points his team made. He certainly didn't get his sports abilities...he some how inherited the basketball talents of his uncle Kevin, passed thru Cindy. :-) Jonah was amazing to watch as well. Hi is so quick and always in the face of his opponent, blocking them from getting a basket. He didn't make another of his amazing baskets like last week, but I'm sure another is coming if he keeps playing as well as he does! I love watching them play and develop their talents!

Christmas Partying!

This was the weekend of Christmas parties for sure...three of them in fact! Even though they were so much fun, I think we learned our lesson that in future years we'll try to limit them to one per weekend...but I imagine we'll have forgotten that by next year and will over-do it again! :-) Friday evening at 5:30 I had my work Christmas party -- it was great seeing so many folks I've worked throughout the years with there. We don't see each other much due to how few of us there are left, that we all work from home...we often see each other in Chicago more than we do in AZ. It was a great time to visit with good friends. But that party was a little rushed for me, because starting at 6:30pm on the other side of the valley at my house was Lexine's family Christmas party! So around that same time, only an hour into my work party, I announced I had to leave, then rushed home to get to it. Many of Lexine's family were there, along with neices & nephews along with their kids. The house was packed -- with few outside due to the rain! I got home just as they were finishing "breakfast for dinner" and about to start the program. We enjoyed a lovely reenactment of the nativity, with special numbers performed by each of the families. Kami, Bentley & Porter very well represented our family by sharing their piano talents in a trio of "Hark the Hearald Angels Sing" (which you can see below). Then Grandma Glasgow passed out her gifts and as the matriarch of the family, gave same advise & guidance for the coming year. Then it was time for the white-elephant gift exchange! It was a wonderful evening in every way...

 Saturday at noon we had another family party with a few of Lexine's friends. There again we enjoyed great food and nice visits with great friends. Another white elephant gift exchange, then demonstrations of various unique talents -- everything from pickup up bags on one leg using only your teeth, to Porter's legs behind his head, one of Kristen's boys who can twist his arm 360 degrees... It too was a great time and topped off a great weekend! Thank you all for the wonderful friendships & relationships we are so blessed to share with you...

Bentley's Winter Formal Night

Bentley has been preparing for this evening for a few weeks now! Tonight was her Winter Formal - girl ask guy dance. They had a wonderful time -- having dinner over-looking San Tan Mall at her friends Dad's office, then going to the dance and spending some time there, then finishing up by coming over to our home for a short time to visit and talk.  Bentley got home a little after midnight, tired but had a wonderful evening!  We're glad you had a great time!

2012 Basketball Season - First Game Highlights

Noah, Caleb & Jonah had their first basketball game of the season today.  Its been a little while since they last played basketball, so they were a little rusty, but they quickly caught on.  It was a little shock for Caleb & Jonah, since they team they played was really aggressive and rough -- reaching in to steal the ball every chance they could get.  They lost pretty bad, but as you could guess, as soon as we got home Caleb was out practicing -- that is a great attribute of him, that he gets motivated by "hard things" as opposed to get frustrated and quitting.  He has a few opportunities to shoot baskets, but no luck making any this game.  Jonah was the underdog of the game with most of the boys much bigger than him.  You'll see in the video clip below his famous basket -- the ball was thrown to him, but he managed to make the basket even with boys trying to grab the ball, tripping, shooting the ball, then falling on his face just after it went in -- it was amazing!  :-)  Noah's game ended up being an hour late, so we missed part of it due to our ward Christmas Party and getting Bentley off to her Winter Formal date & dance.  He only played a few minutes in the 2nd half.  But they all really enjoyed it and are looking forward to the season!

Caleb & Jonah's Christmas Band Concert

Tonight was Caleb & Jonah's Christmas Band concert.  They both did great! Jonah plays the trumpet and Caleb the trombone.  They've each gotten quite good as you can hear in the video clips below.  Great job guys...ways to develop your talents!

Caleb "Brace Face" Severtson!

Caleb joined the ranks today as the 4th kid in our family to be wearing braces...all at the same time!  He's actually the 2nd kids to get them on this year (Noah got his on back in September).  Dr. Rollins thought its about time to get him started -- he'll have them on for around 2.5 years since he has an impacted tooth that they need to redirect so it grows in properly.  He looks good, but says his teeth hurt really bad already!  Fun times -- expensive ones too!  :-)

Dinner with the Missionaries!

This evening we had the missionaries over for dinner!  We enjoy having them over, but figure now even more with Kami leaving on a mission.  The missionaries in our ward are Elder Hansen & Werner. They are great elders and we are grateful to have them in our home for a meal.  They shared a nice spiritual though about the savior with us and we asked them to let us know if there are any opportunities for us to team-teach with them...especial our girls with the nearby sister missionaries.  So hopefully more missionaries experiences coming soon!  We love having the missionaries in our home. Btw, this was Lexine's idea to start taking pictures with the missionaries when we have them over for dinner -- I think its a great idea to help our family remember all of these great young men!  

Kami Speaks in Church!

Kami spoke in Church today!  It was her first opportunity to speak in church as a future missionary.  The high counselor who she spoke with mentioned that she is the very first sister missionary in our stake under the new age limit.  Kami did great...she spoke on Elder Hale's talk on "Becoming a more Christian Christian".  I couldn't help but think during her talk that in just a few months she'll probably speak in a Chilean ward, but in Spanish!  80 days until she leaves...wonder how many more times she'll have speaking assignments before then!  :-)

Kami Received Her Mission Call!!

Kami had been watching the mailbox all afternoon...but for some reason our mail was more than an hour late today!  So as we left to have our family pictures taken, we saw they mailman a few stops away still.  I even stopped and asked him if we could see if Kami's mission call arrived, but he said he doesn't organize the mail until he's sorting it into our slots -- so we would have to wait.  We rushed off to take our pictures, then hurried home to see if it was there.  Sure enough...there it was!  Kami was supper excited to open the mailbox to find it!  That meant tonight was going to be a very busy evening for us...texting friends, family, ward members, etc. to all come over and watch her open it up.  Lexine and Maizey quickly started working their magic to prepare snacks and food for everyone coming.  But by 7pm, we were all set -- most everyone was there in person or by phone and Grandma & Grandpa Severtson were there via Skype video feed from Singapore!  Kami opened it up and started to read it aloud -- Antofagasta Chile leaving on February 13th!  She is so excited!!  I was trying to hard to keep from being overly emotional that I realized after I never started recording it with the video camera.  :-(  Luckily we had many others recording it and you can find 3 different versions posted onto our Sevark channel on Youtube!  What a great ending to a wonderful day!  Now to get working on all the preparations for her to go!  I'm sure going to miss that girl...

2012 Family Pictures!

This afternoon we had our family pictures taken once again! Thanks to Lauren Haws for actually taking them for us. We were in a hurry to get home to see if Kami's mission call arrived, so everyone cooperated (for the most part) and we got done fairly quick. Thanks to the old Potato Barn for being our setting this year!  Lots of fun and looks like the pictures turned out great!