Christmas Fun

I made a calendar and hung it in a spot in our kitchen to help us countdown to Christmas. Every day, we flip the date card over and there is an activity on the back that we get to do. The kids enjoy it and it's been great to enjoy more family time each day. We've made an effort to get the shopping, decorating, etc. done early so that we can just enjoy the spirit of Christmas all month. Things still come up and it's still crazy sometimes, but for the most part it's working. One of the traditions we started several years ago was sleeping under the Christmas tree. The kids sleep on mats on the floor, and I get the couch! We watch a movie and have treats, and have a great time. We've gone to dinner, gone out for a cookie treat, and other fun things.

Do you have room for the Savior?

Thanksgiving

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving, full of lots of laughter, food, family and fun! Because of the snowy weather in Utah and Idaho, our Idaho family decided to come on Monday evening. It was a nice surprise! It was great to spend more time with everyone. We enjoyed a great meal - with lots of people helping. Many hands make light work.
Doesn't the turkey look great? Kennedy is checking to make sure the temperature reads correctly,telling us it's done.
A familiar sight throughout the day - gathered around in the family room reading through all the newspaper ads! We had to see if there were any great deals worthy enough to brave the crowds on Black Friday.
We spent a lot of time with this cute little 2-year-old Lucas. He is full of spunk and quite dramatic, and kept us laughing. He enjoyed all the attention, and loved having Kayden, Kennedy and Savanna to play with. He had them wrapped around his finger. He wanted to stay at our house all the time, and we would gladly have kept him!
A long tradition in our family - playing bingo after dinner. Lots of prizes and pasta (number markers) everywhere.
We also spent a great amount of time lovin' on this sweet baby girl, McKinley. She was rarely put down and got more hugs and kisses in these few days than she'd had her whole life! She's a very good baby and we never heard her upset. We wondered if she ever cried.
We went to Thanksgiving Point to see the lights that you drive through. It was a cold evening, but we were cozy warm in the car. At the end, we got out for just a minute to see the reindeer. Kayden didn't come prepared with a coat, but luckily we had an extra blanket in the car.
The week went quickly and we were sad to see everyone leave. We are blessed with a wonderful family whom we love very much.

BYU Football

Are these some of the cutest BYU football fans you've seen?We are a BYU football-loving family. We support our team through rain and snow, thick and thin (and there has been a lot of thin this year!). There's nothing quite like being in the stadium with 65,000 other fans cheering your team on. The atmosphere is electric! We train all the kids at a very young age to cheer on the white and blue. So far it's working.It was a sad day at our house when we lost to Utah by one point. But better days are ahead and we'll get them next year. Go BYU!

Awesome

I found this piece of artwork on a table in our family room where Kayden keeps all of his "treasures." I don't know when or where he created it - but I suspect it was in a lesson for church. It is so fitting - each descriptive word fits him perfectly. Kayden brings so much to our family - he's quiet and unassuming, and doesn't like to stand out in a crowd. But he's very grateful and is always the first to express his thanks for a meal that is served, or when we take them somewhere, or for any and everything. He does have the attribute of never giving up. He is a great example of this daily. He is so kind - especially with younger children. Look at this picture of him and McKinley! I'm thankful that I found this little treasure of his and that it can remind me of his cute personality. Love you much, Kayden!

Happy

“If you can’t be happy with what you have, you will not be happy when you get what you think you want.” -anonymous

I love to see the Temple

Jordan and Cahlin were married in the Salt Lake Temple on October 15. It was such a gorgeous day! What a special experience it was to be surrounded by family and loved ones both inside and outside of the temple. FaMilIeS aRe FoRevEr!

Halloween Fun

We had a really fun Halloween, with a cute "cavegirl" . . .
Two rockin' people from the '80s . . . and a handsome football player. It started raining late afternoon, so we didn't get many trick-or-treaters early, but it was pretty much done by 6 pm. Kennedy and Kayden both went trick-or-treating with friends, so the rest of us stayed home. I made two different kinds of soup and rolls. Savanna had some friends over and they all dressed up! We tried to play cards, but it was hard in between answering the door and people coming and going. It was great! I made caramel apples and we covered them with white chocolate and oreos, buterfinger and heath bars. They were a hit!
Kennedy got lots of candy, which she generously shared with everyone! She enjoyed answering the door as much as she enjoyed going! It was a great evening spent with people we love.

I Am Grateful For . . .

These three! Love you!!

Broken Things to Mend

"It was only when his faith wavered and fear took control, only when he removed his glance from the Master to look at the furious waves and the ominous black gulf beneath, only then did he begin to sink into the sea." Jeffrey R. Holland

Football

I could easily spot him in the game due to his long-sleeve gray sleeves. It was nice!

Kayden's football team is still going strong. They made the playoffs and won their first game quite handily (29-6). It was a very cold night, and very muddy, but they played so well and it is so satisfying to see them improving and ending strong. All the boys were tough and none complained about the less than ideal conditions. In fact, it was all the parents and spectators who were whining!


The field was a muddy mess! We woke up to a few inches of snow that morning. There was one game before Kayden's on the same field, and the middle of the field was nothing but a mud pit! I'm not sure we'll ever get his shoes clean. We had to wash his jersey twice, and it still showed some signs of mud.

Fourth Grade Volleyball

One sport down -- two to go! Kennedy's volleyball season is over and her team did great! They didn't lose a game. Kennedy was a great server - and not only that, but she looked good doing it! She had lots of fun and was sad to see the season end. Kennedy with her post-tournament medal, donut, and smile of happiness! What more do you need?

Gratitude

To live with gratitude in our hearts is to touch heaven.

Thomas S. Monson

Home

Ah! There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.

--Jane Austen--

Thoughts

Just think lovely thoughts and they will lift you up in the air.

Hand-in-Hand

Grandpa-Kennedy Activity

There was a party held for the activity girls (ages 8-11) a couple of weeks ago and Kennedy was lucky enough to get to go on this date with her grandpa! It was a Hawaiian luau, and Kennedy was so excited. She carefully picked out a festive outfit and was ready with plenty of time to spare. I'm sure they were the first ones at the party! They had dinner, played games, and had a fun time. We feel very blessed to have such a wonderful grandpa. The kids so enjoy being with their grandparents. They love him very much and he's such a great example to them. We're grateful for all that he teaches and does for us. He's the best grandpa ever!

Kennedy's Cheer

Kennedy had her first cheer performance last weekend. She is so fun to watch! She just radiates joy and enthusiasim. She's a natural performer. She is a leader on her team and the girls all look to her. She is learning new skills and has mastered the back handspring - and almost has the double back handspring down. We are so grateful for her zest for life and the happiness she brings to our home. She brings so much JOY and CHEER to all around her.

Lehi Football

If your jersey is that dirty, that means you're playing well, right?! Kayden is doing great in his first year in football. We are so enjoying watching him play.

He has been playing defensive end and on special teams. His coach said he's very fast, so he can get around the corner and get to the quarterback or running back quickly!
The games have been played in a beautiful setting. Look at those mountains backdrop! Plus we get to sit right up close to the action - just a few feet from the sidelines. Can't do that at the BYU Stadium!
He's been a dedicated player. He never complains about going to practice, or having to miss things because of it. He's learned how to sacrifice for the team. He works hard and is improving. His team is really good and they've only lost one game. Go, Lehi!