Deck the Halls craft boutique

 My parents opened  their dining room to a Great Room.  We had the "Deck the Halls Boutique" there this year.  All the crafts were made my Meppers, which was really neat.

 

 My Aunt Phyllis came all the way from Egypt.  My Grandma Jensen came over and hung out with us both days, it was fun to see and visit with her and other meppers.  Here is Brian, Phyllis, and Grandma

 Dallin carved soap, which are on display behind him. They were a big hit and he sold all of them.  Most of them were carved into a JOY but a few he did as nativities, which were really neat.  He has talent!

 Elly and I got up early and went to the temple.  It was so wonderful to be there with her.  I loved it.

 This is were I found Dallin and Peter when I got back from the temple, so precious.  He is such a good big brother.  It was nice having him at airport and at Grandmas.

 Grandpa and Peter got pretty close.  Once Grandpa realized that Peter could eat...he had him.

 Grandpa with Emily and Peter, they are a month apart.  It was fun to see them together.

 Corey tried to stay out of the way during the craft boutique, but meals brought him in.  Dallin and him are enjoying some potatoes and ribs.

The two Ricks sisters at their parents house. Love.

Happy 13 Jackie

 Sister Arcia made a brought this cute candy bar poster for Jackie.  She is here Sunday School teacher and goes above and beyond her duty.  She shows so much love and kindness to Jackie.

 Look, she is glowing!  Jackie is such a blessing to our family and a great older sister to her 5 younger siblings.  She gave Alyssa a piggy back ride down the mountain after rock climbing on her birthday.  She wanted to go shopping for her birthday, which she did, but first we went rock climbing.  She made it to the top, she is amazing!

Our beautiful, smart, helpful, spiritual, musical, fun 13 year old.  We love you Jackie.

Thanksgiving 2016

 We were delighted to have Brent and Gaylene come to Colorado for Thanksgiving this year. They even brought Sybil, which the kids loved.  The weather was beatiful so we were able to walk around Garden of the Gods and rock climb at Red Rock Canyon.

 Brother and Sister.

 Aunt Gaylene with our kids.

 Dallin made it to the top!

 The potato peelers, Dallin made a face out of his.

 Gaylene teaches Jackie how to us a straitner to curl your hair, amazing.

 The girls making pies, yummy.

 Once the potatoes are peeled, and cookes, then comes the fun part - mash em up.  Brent helped by suggesting cream cheese be used. They were delicious.

 It was great to have help in the kitchen and more people to play werewolf with!

 We have so much to be grateful for at this Thanksgiving time.  We have a wonderful family and are so glad to enjoy this gourmet meal together.

I made Peter this little hat to keep his cute head warm.

home constuction

 We are finishing off our basement and adding on to the back of the house.  We hired out the framing, sheetrock, HVAC, plumbing, and carpet, but there still is a bit we are doing ourselves.  Jackie and Dallin have been great helpers painting a ton.  Even the little kids have helped a tiny bit.  But most of the credit goes to Jeff, he not only was the general over it all  but spent lots of time and energy doing all the little things and accommodating his wifes crazy demands to have little doors and play places here and there.  He is a keeper for sure, we all appreciate his hard work.

       

 Grandpa even came out to help with electrical.  We all loved having him here not only to do electrical but to play werewolf and to just enjoy being with such a great man.

Peter cuteness

 We love having a baby around.  He is so fun now that he can crawl and grab things.  He loves shoulder rides on his brother, walks in the stroller, eating anything, and hugs and kisses to or from him.  He sleeps best in his crib, on his own, he does not like to snuggle to sleep.  He has a great big smile and darling dimple.  He laughs the cutest full body laugh.  We love our 7 month old Peter.