Grandparents visit

 Grandma helped us make a lot of Christmas goodies.  It was so much easier and smoother with her help.

 Alyssa and Grandma coloring at Focus on the Family - cute!

 Grandma & Grandpa came up to see the kids perform in Pinnochio.  It was so nice of them to come, and the kids were happy to have more of an audience then just their parents.  The kids did a great show and enjoyed having their Grandparents spend the weekend with them.

 Brea & Alyssa at Focus on the Family

A happy girl watching pictures and videos of her show with Grandma!

Thanksgiving 2014

 These cousins were so happy to see each other.  They have been playing together through Skype so having the real person there was AWESOME!  They put on a  few different shows for us and played and played.  You can see the joy on their faces.  We just wish we lived closer.

 This is the first time our kids have seen the lights on Temple Square!  They were beautiful.  We were bundles up warm, but the weather was not too bad.  We got to see a neat film/presentation about families on temple square, and a musical number in the tabernacle, as well as the large nativity.  I love my family and am so glad that I have the opportunity to be with them forever!

My brothers house is within walking distance of the Bountiful Temple.  Jeff and I were able to attend while Grandmas & Grandpa watched all the kids at their motel - thanks, it was wonderful for us and them.  I had two different opportunities to walk up to the temple, and then walk up the hillside above and overlooking the temple . It was a spectacular sight.  The first time was with my Dad, Conner, Rita (Matt & Susie exchange student) and myself.  Rita had never walked up anything like that.  She was a trooper and made it up.  She was so glad she did, it was a beautiful sight.  The next time I went up with my Mom.  I love being up high, overlooking the world below!

 My Aunt & Uncle came to Thansgiving dinner with three of their boys.  It was great to see them.

Alyss fell asleep on my cousin Keaton.  He came out and visited us a few years ago and I think she remember him.  She had no hesitancy hoping on his lap, and he was a good sport to allow her and keep her there. 

 The Turkey carver, and a handsome one at that!  We did a regular turkey and my parents did a smoked turkey - they were both delicious!

 I love my Mom and any time I can spend with her.  She is an amazing women.

 We waited to leave until Virgil & Racquel came (mainly because we wanted to see Annie).  It was short, but fun to see them for a little bit.

Alyssa loves her Uncle Virgil!

Jackies 11th Birthday

 A craft party!  Jackie planned it all.  She decided what crafts she wanted and made sure she had everything she needed to make them.  The girls were very creative and had a fun tim.

 The cake!  I learned from a friend how to make and use fondant.  It was so fun to make her cake, and so much easier than sticky icing (which I have never been good at).  She liked it and it tasted good to.

 More crafting.  They made notebooks, frames, and necklaces.

 Crafting, food, and some outdoor trampoline time = a fun party.  They were a great group of girls.

 Jackie and her friend Sofia enjoying posing multiple times and places for the camera.

The tree climbers - Katie & Jackie.  Good friends, good memories.  Happy Birthday Jackie.
Jackies Favorites at 11:
Color: Purple
Book: Fire of the Covenant
Movie: I Carly
Candy: Gummi anything
Hobbies: Acting, Dancing, Piano, Playing Games, Singing, Baking, Swimming, Photography
Food: Meatloaf & Scalloped Potatoes
Jackie has grown almost as tall as her Mom and is a beautiful girl.  She got dangle earrings for Christmas and loves them . She is becoming a talented photographer and is learning how to us a DSLR camera with a lens.  She is a good cook and has started helping make dinners, which her Mom thinks is wonderful.  She plays the prelude music in Primary and had her first piano recital where she played a beautiful duet of Jingle Bells.  It is fun to hear her learning and playing new songs on the piano.  She is doing Battle of the Books this year while Homeschooling.  Her goal is to read all 40 books.  She is a good reader and is enjoying that book club.  She is also doing the yearbook at school and using her photography talents there.  She just finished her first play "My Son Pinnochio" and developed a love for a talent for acting . She was a purple fairy, a child, and a roust-about.  It was fun to watch her on the stage.  She is fun to play games with and catches on quickly.  She will play a game any time of day - or night!

Jingle 5K with great friends

 Two great friends (Eleanor & Gena) and I did a 5K with our kids at the beginning of December.  It was so fun, and a beautiful day.  We have grown close together over the years and we are sad that Eleanor is moving away.  It was a fun way to spend a December morning.

Skyping with Aunt Elly

 Elly skyped with the kids and they loved it.  All of them were so cute huddled around the computer hearing Oobie-Doobie stories.  She is such a good Aunt, the kids have always had a special bond with their Aunt Elly.  Thanks for taking time out of your day to spend with my kids.