Merry Christmas!

This year for Christmas we were greeted with lots of snow and cold. The kids had lots of fun sledding, throwing snow balls and ice skating at our local ice corrals.

We had a great Christmas with lots of Family around. Kirk and Holly and kids were here this year and boy was it fun. We love seeing them and enjoy there company. We were without only 1 Family this year, Jeff and Darci and kids we missed them and wished they could have been here. We did however get a Family picture taken. It took us only 2 shots in the freezing cold and we were done. What a record for a timed snap shot. As one of us pushed the button we were off to a quick run with only 12 seconds to find our place in the group. It worked both times. I think everyone was frozen into place or they didn't want to be out in the cold to long so everyone cooperated very well, even the kids. How often does that happen? So here is our finished product. Pretty good if I do say so myself!

After the picture was taken we all raced inside to the warm wood stove awaiting us. Food adorned the counter and kids surrounded to eat. We ate and had a nativity that was planned by Breya and Brittany.

After the kids had played out the Nativity, Grandma read them a story which she does every year. The story this year was one that she had read in past but the smaller kids had not heard. The story was called "The Story of the Candy Cane". As usual the kids sat very still (with the exception of the two smallest who were dancing around making everyone laugh) listening very carefully.

(Yea, they are pretty cute!)

After the story it was time to open presents. Holly Cow, watch out with a Family this size you could lose someone in the mess. This is the time the kids and parent love. We love to see the excitement in the kids faces and they anticipate what they have gotten. Once every present is distributed they all get to start ripping open there presents. This process becomes very caotic! Yet fun at the same time.

The evening always ends with laughter, love and endless appreciation for each other. This year was one of the best Christmas' ever. Thank you to all who were there!

15!

Holly Cow! Breya is now 15. Talk about feeling old. It has dawned on me that we will now have a student driver. No, I am not ready for this adventure. But as we all know we have no control over our kids growing up. I only wish we did, I would have frozen time a long time ago. So for her party we took a few of her friends bowling.

(Dani, Breya, Kaitlyn, Brittany,and not pictured are Janika, and Charlyn)

As for the family party we usually always have it the morning of Christmas Eve. We try not to cheat her our of her day. In the evening we are always busy with family parties for Christmas. For her birthday she receivied a $50 dollar visa gift card, a CD, some jewelry, money ($40) a sweatshirt, a magnetic board, a journal, a Y/W Theme board, and a dart borad.

Happy 15th Birthday sweet heart! We love you and are very proud of who you have become!

Jacob's 13th Birthday

Jacob's 13th Birthday was probably his most favorite. The beginning of the week started off pretty rough, but ended pretty good. The week started with a basketball game and a tournament. After one of the teammates was killed in a car accident. It started a spiraling week. They won their game on Tuesday and had a pretty tough tournament, losing the first game and winning the second, giving them 3rd place over all. With a couple of the other boys, Brandon Wolvington and Chase Tippetts, we had a birthday party with the whole basketball team at the bowling alley. Wow that was exciting! It was Saturday night and cosmic bowling. Never done that before but we would definitely do it again. We had about 17 kids and 8 adults. You could say we took over the place.

We then had a party at home with the family on Sunday. What great fun it always is with the house filled with boys and family. My girls would love it if there were other girls but unfortunately that won't happen. We are overrun by boys, but we love them all. Jacob's birthday presents were : Contacts, clothes, cd's, texting (limited), shoes, sign for his room, hand held games, a knife kit and money!

Elementary Christmas Program!

This year's Christmas Program was very cute, as it is every year. Ethan is now in 2nd grade. The program consists of K-3rd grade. The 3rd grade puts on the play every year, so next year is Ethan's year. Yeah! This was Kendra's first year to be able to sit back and watch. Next year will be the year for her to play the recorder for the other grades. She was pretty excited that this year she got to relax. We got to the program about 20 minutes early and there was not seat to be found. As we stood in the corner, my dearest friend Teresa made room for us by piling kids on her lap. What a relief to not have to stand an hour and a half. Thank you Teresa!
)Pictures not so good, sorry!

Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving we gathered at Dave and Michelle's for dinner, with lots of food to eat and plenty of company to visit with. It was a beautiful day outside the kids were able to play football, basketball and go for walks.

We ate dinner around 1:00 and were done by 1:45.

As for the guys it was football time on T.V. For the women it was time to study the ads for the black friday shopping extravaganza. After looking through the ads for hours we decided it was time to break and play some games. We had a great time playing. We played a game I have never heard of called wacky six. That was so much fun! After deciding what time we were leaving the next morning (3:30 a.m.) we decided we should probably clean up the dinner mess and head for home to our beds. Yea, that didn't happen. I got home around 8:00 did a little more studying on ads, took a shower so that I didn't have to in the morning, and tried to go to bed at 9:30. With all the commotion going on with 4 kids I tossed and turned until 10:30. I think a lot of it was excitement for the next day. Before I knew it I woke up on my own at 2:15, could I go back to sleep, NO! I laid there for 20 min and decided that I just as well get up and spend a little extra time on my hair. So I did and was ready to leave at 3:00 the only problem was that everyone else was going to be ready by 3:20 so I thumbed through the ads some more. As I picked everyone up they were all chipper and ready to go. We headed off! The day was filled with rushing, relaxing and comedy. As most of you know a day with me is a day filled with laughter. Okay, so I'm a little blonde so what! I won't go into detail but lets just say it was pretty funny. Our day ended at about 8:30 p.m. yes we were gone that long!
This time of year is a time to remember all the things we are thankful for. I am very thankful for my family and the love and the association that we share with each other. I am thankful for the Savior for the love he gives us each and every day. I'm thankful to have the gospel in my life for the many great things it teaches us. I'm thankful for the opportunities that we have to live in this free country. And last but not least I am thankful for fun shopping days with my family!