What Was I Thinking?

Twelve crazy girls running 180 miles down the coast...it was AWESOME! I couldn't have picked a better group of girls to spend 30 hours with last weekend...thanks for the laughs and memories!

Passing the "Baton" (a slap bracelet) after my first leg (5.5 mi)

This is me starting my second leg: 1:30 in the morning, no sleep, 5.3mi to go, wearing my gorgeous reflector vest and headlamp! This run was back in our old stompin' grounds: I started at the Manhattan Beach Pier and ran down to Palos Verdes.

Scott brought the kids to see me finish my third and final leg of the relay race: 10.2 miles, about 12:30 in the afternoon, running on two hours of sleep and one too many protein bars. This was in Irvine, CA.

This is me waving to my sweet kids...I was sooooo glad to see them...those last three miles felt like an eternity, but I knew my family would be there cheering me on, and that thought seriously kept me going!

Easter Dresses

A fun project- for two beautiful girls!

Camille and her Jelly Beans

Finding her first Easter Egg... and helping herself to the Jelly Beans. Her record: 9 Jelly beans in her mouth at one time (too bad I didn't get a picture of that!)

April Fools Day

"Cupcakes" for dinner? (Meatloaf with mashed potato frosting) Pretty fun!

I didn't put together a Christmas letter this year- I wasn't even going to send out cards after I heard that a friend was going to save money by posting her card on her blog. But after I started receiving cards and letters in the mail, I couldn't let go of the tradition. I love getting Christmas mail! So I sent out picture cards, but I didn't write any personal notes like I usually do, and no Christmas letter. However, for those interested in a short recap of our year, I will post it here.

McKeon Family 2008 Highlights
Camille Anne McKeon joined our family on March 4th. She was five days past her due date, but we were grateful she finally decided to come. She is now 9 months old, crawling, clapping, feeding herself cheerios and generally brightening the room wherever she is. Audrey and Jonny adore her and help take great care of her.

Audrey turned 7 on June 22nd. We celebrated by going camping (our first camping excursion with baby Camille). We enjoyed the outdoors, dutch oven cooking, roasting marshmallows, sleeping in a tent and hiking. Such great memories- a new birthday tradition for Audrey.

We spent a a few unusually rainy August weeks in Sammamish, WA, enjoying the lake and family. Scott was stuck at home working, but we all enjoyed a memorable Thanksgiving in Sammamish, where we celebrated Jonny's fifth birthday as well.

This fall was probably our busiest EVER! We found ourselves in the midst of a real battle when proposition 8 went on California's ballot for the November election. With the prophet's call to do everything we could to uphold the family, we knocked doors, wrote letters, waved signs and made phone calls. How grateful and blessed we felt when the proposition to protect marriage was passed by the majority of Californians!

Audrey and Jonny both played soccer this fall. What a fun time to see how much they both learned. They each received the "most-improved" title from their coaches.

Scott participated in our Stake's production of "The Savior of The World" musical. After growing a beard, learning his lines and songs, practicing his acting, and spending the better part of November and early December rehearsing and performing, we were excited to watch his 'debut'. We were grateful when it was over, though we truly felt the Lord's blessings through his participation in the production. It is a touching portrayal of the Savior's birth and resurrection that was enjoyed by all.

Reflecting on this past year brings to mind the many blessings our family has received and I can't talk about our year without expressing my testimony of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know that He lived on this earth as a man, that He died and was resurrected, that He lives and that He will come again. At this Christmas season I hope we can remember Him and live His teachings! Merry Christmas to you all!

Thanksgiving Turkey Trot

Thanksgiving morning was the Salmon Family 5th annual Turkey Trot (5k run). It was my first time participating and we had a blast. Scott so graciously offered to stay home with the kids (in his nice warm bed) while I joined the gang for the 7:15 am family race. (Although to his credit he did take this picture). We all finished strong (although poor James came down with a "leg cramp" aka "beginning pace was way too fast to keep up" :) and we celebrated with a yummy pancake breakfast, after which all awards were given out. I won the "fastest middle-aged woman" award. Is 28 really considered middle-aged? I can't say I was the fastest female though- I got beat out by a neighbor girl half my age! A very fun tradition we'll have to do again.

Captain Braid Beard at Jonny's fifth birthday

Jonny turned five on November 24th. We celebrated his birthday at my parents house in Seattle, as we were there for the Thanksgiving holiday. We had a special appearance by Captain Braid Beard, who shared a great pirate story (with some help from Audrey) and sent us all on the hunt for treasure.

We had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa Salmon, Aunt Kjarsta, Aunt Hannah, Aunt Claire, Uncle James, Great Grandma Newton and Grandpa Don, Demeesters, Newtons, and Mohameds. We found the treasure buried by Braid Beard and his crew, and divied the loot up. It was a fun birthday, and Jonny's first time celebrating with his maternal side. Thanks for a fun time!