Lewiston Idaho

It's official.... we are going to be moving to Lewiston, Idaho.  Leif has signed a contract with St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.  He will start work as a hospitalist this summer.  
We are VERY excited to move back West and be close to family.  Lewiston is a city of perfect size for us and our family. It is a small town but has everything you would need.  There are 2 rivers that run through the city, which makes for good fishing and recreation.  We are super excited. 

Christmas 2013

Christmas 2013 was a very quiet, simple, warm, and peaceful couple of days.  It was nice being with just our little family.  But we are so so excited to move back closer to home.  Christmas really is about family.  And we are ready to be closer to our lovely relatives.

 

On Monday night we had Bob and Becki over for a ride to the Polar Express.  Each person got a ticket that was punched throughout the movie.  The twins were so excited about their tickets that they never let go.  During the movie we had some great laughs.  Then at the end we all got a bell that showed "we believe" in Santa.   We all wore our bells because the Savannah made sure of it!!  After the movie we drank hot-coco and ate sugar cookies.  Then the twins got to open their presents for Bob and Becki.  Micah got a tracker and Savannah got a life size doll.  She named the doll Baby Jane.  And then we found out that Jane is Becki's middle name.  We sure have enjoyed being friends with the Mays.  They are a great couple.

 

 

On Christmas Eve we enjoyed the Florida weather and went to Highland Rec. Center.  Leif and I played a match of tennis while the twin ran around and Eli slept.  They just got done building

an outdoor workout area along with some play toys.   There was a really interesting swing there that I had never seen before.  We all loved it!!  I think Leif had just as much fun playing on it as the twins did.  It was a fun morning just being outside. 

Then in the evening our traditions started.... we started by sitting around the table and reading the Nativity from Luke.  As we read, the kids reenacted the scene by using little figurines.  After reading it, we watched it on the BYU channel.  Savannah was so cute.  She told me that the angels in the movie weren't real, because they didn't have wings.   She is sure getting mature.  We then opened our cans, which held our new Christmas Pajamas (well Leif's were recycled) .   After getting our pajamas on we opened one present each.  Micah was so excited about his new trucks and Savannah loved her ponies.  The night ended with setting out cookies for Santa and watching a Christmas show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas morning was funny because we had to wake up the twins.  It was 8:30 and they were still sleeping.  So Leif and I plugged in the Christmas tree, played Christmas music then ran into their room yelling, "Santa came... Santa came." (I am hoping next year it will be reversed.)  

 

The presents this year were simple.  Micah got a few cars and balls.  Savannah got a big Minney Mouse and some art crafts.  They both were excited about the gifts they picked out for Mommy and Daddy at the Dollar Store.  Savannah got Mom some lotion and Dad a key chain.  Micah got Mom some chap stick and Dad some nails.  And they were so excited to see Dad open up the painting they made for him.  We put the painting right on the wall where last years hung.  It is amazing how much they changed in one year.  The presents were all open by 11:00 so we played and talked with family until dinner.

 

For dinner we had the Rigby's and Resses' over.  It was great dinner with lots of ham and pie.  Kjersti got us Ticket to Ride as a gift... so we played it with our friends.  And I lost!!  But it was a fun night.  Merry Christmas 2013.  

 

 

 

the after mess of Christmas

the kid table

Christmas Party

I hosted the 3rd Annual Christmas Gift Exchange again this year.  I wasn't going to do it because of the new baby, but I am glad I did.  I have really grown to love the girls in the Seminole Ward.  These girls are what I will miss best about leaving Florida.  We had a great night.  There were great gifts.  I walked away with new shampoo and conditioner.   We all walked away laughing.  It was a fun night.

 

8 Year Anniversity

December 17th was our 8 year anniversary. WOW!!!  Because of Leif's schedule and our new born little baby, we didn't get to celebrate the way we would have liked.  BUT we did get a babysitter for the twins and went to the movies.  We watched Hunger Games II and took little Eli with us.  During the movie we took turns holding Eli and then I nursed him.  SO it wasn't the most romantic date. 

 

The night of the 17th, we did get to have a little dinner alone.  The twins went to bed early and Leif and I enjoyed home-cooked Orange Chicken with Angle Food Cake.  We made each other cards and exchanged gifts.  It was a simple and sweet anniversary.  

 

 

8 years ago

 
 
 

man have we changed!!!!

OUR CHIRSTMAS CARD

 

Can you believe another year has come and gone?  Each year feels like it goes by faster than the one before.  The children keep growing and children keep coming!!  Laundry, dishes, toys, and errands keep piling up.  Jobs become demanding and children too.  We therefore look forward to this Christmas Season where life can "pause" and we can focus our thoughts on Jesus Christ.      

 

Having looked back on the events of 2013 we recognize our blessings.  The year started off enjoyable as Leif and I spent a week together on a Caribbean Cruise. We got to enjoy swimming in the blue ocean, exploring new islands, eating three course meals, and being kid free.  Parents and siblings came to visit us in February.  Together we enjoyed the theme parks, alligator hunting and playing on the beach.  In May the twins turned 3, and we had more family visits.  Summer was spent in the water (no one visits during Florida Summers!).  Then in November our parents came to help with the new addition.     

 

Rising as the # 1 event of 2013 was the birth of our son.  Eli Paul Kanooth was born on Friday November 8th.  Eli surprised us all by coming one month early, and while his Father was away in Idaho.   Thanks to good friends and doctors, everything worked out and Eli's birth was joyous.  We took Elli home from the hospital and introduced him to his new and crazy family! 

 

Isn't life crazy with 3 kids?  The twins have adapted well to having a new baby in the home.  Micah loves his little brother and wants to hold him each day.  Savannah likes to touch his feet!  Both children try to "help" with Baby Eli each time he needs changed or burped.  When they aren't "helping," the twins love to ride their bikes, make crafts, color anything, and have recently started doing a Mom's Preschool.  Savannah now knows all her letters and does a great job tracing.  Micah continues to observe.  They both get excited each week for what they call "home-school".

 

Summer will end Residency for Leif.  He will officially be finish at the end of June, and will then start a "real job" as a Hospitalist.  After several interviews, prayer, and consideration we have accepted a job offer in Lewiston, Idaho.   We are excited about moving to a smaller city within driving distance to both of our families.  We anticipate this new chapter in our lives and are looking forward to moving back to the West. 

 

The reason we write Christmas cards is because we care for our friends and family.   We want everyone to know we love and miss them.   We also want to remind everyone about the "Christ" in Christmas.   Christ came to this world as a babe.  He came to fulfill God's plan.  He is our brother who loves us and died for us.  In return we need to love Him and serve Him.   May your Christmas be full of love and peace.

 

Love, Rachel, Leif, Savannah, Micah, and Eli Kanooth

Grandma & Papa Kanooth in town

From December 1st - 10th Grandma & Papa Kanooth came down to visit us and help with little Baby Eli.  They were here for his blessing which was an extra special treat.  Micah and Savannah were thrilled to have "another set" of Grandparents here.  And they were just as spoiled as when there other Grandparents were in town. 

 While the Grandparents were here we got to set up the Christmas tree and make LOTS of decorations to go on the limbs.  We also went and visited some Christmas lights and saw Santa a handful of times.  During these handful of times Savannah kept asking for different toys while Micah was very sure that he wanted a "big blue ball."    

 Leif and his Dad were able to kayak in the mangroves at Weeden Nature Preserve.  This was Tom's first time Kayaking so it was a special treat for the 2 of them.  Tom & Jeanne also got to have special time at the zoo with just Micah.  And Eli was more than spoiled with Grandma around.   Eli never had a wet diaper for more than a couple of minutes.  He was always held and he got a bath ever other day.  I am worried that Eli might want to keep this routine when his Grandparents leave!!

 It was a wonderful 10 days, except for the heat (as Jeanne would say).  We stayed inside most the mornings due to the humid weather outside.  But because of this we got a lot of game-playing, movie watching, dinner cooking and chores done. Thanks Tom & Jeanne for taking the time to come and visit us.   

FUN AT THE PARK

 

 

PUTTING UP THE CHRISTMAS TREE

 

 

VISITING SANTA

SEEING THE CHIRSTMAS LIGHTS

 

KAYAKAING

 

 

THE ZOO

COME BACK SOON

Eli's Blessing Day

Eli Paul Kanooth

On December eighth 2013 your father pronounced upon you

your name and the following blessings,

*

You were blessed with a sincere love for Jesus Christ and to seek after Him and His teachings.

*

You were blessed that your body will grow healthy and strong.

*

You were blessed to seek leaning and to seek to learn the principles of the gospel.

* 

You were blessed to be an example to other around you.

*

You were blessed to provide service where ever needed and to help the church to grow.

*

You were blessed to will continue to seek after righteousness.