Shopping and Progressive Dinner

Hubby and I hit the stores one Saturday determined to get all our shopping done.  We did it!  We were finished early enough that we could enjoy our December without too much stress.

That evening we met up with our good friends to do a progressive dinner.  We've done it before in the past and then took a break from it which the kids were not happy about.  So, we thought it would be a good idea to do it again!

1st stop: Appetizers

~Breads with Dips

~Little Smokies

2nd stop: Dinner

~Stuffed Shells

~Salad

~Breadsticks

3rd stop: Dessert

~Hot Chocolate Bar

~Caramel Corn Pops

It was a very enjoyable evening for everyone!

Living Nativity

 A few years ago we went to a living nativity and the kids loved it.  They've been wanting to go again so I turned to the handy internet to find out when it would be going on.  I couldn't find the one we had been to, but did find a different one.  So, we bundled up and headed out for the evening.  It was raining and a little chilly but well worth it.  There were camels, donkeys, and horses as we walked the path to the city of Jerusalem.  Then we got to the city we walked around and saw many different aspects of life during the time of Christ's birth.  There were games, bread makers, leather workers, tax collectors, basket weavers, and even the three wisemen were there to talk to us.  After we made it through the city, we made our way to a stable where Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus were peacefully waiting for us.  It was very well done, and I think we all really enjoyed the evening.

To warm ourselves up afterwards we went to Starbucks.  They have super yummy hot chocolate there!  It was a great ending to our great evening!

Nov. 24, 2012

Our neice got married in the Bountiful Temple!  She was a beautiful bride.  I can't believe she is married, she was only 2 when we got married.  She married a very nice guy.  We all really like him.  He has made himself fit right in with the family, you can tell he really loves her.  It's been fun getting to know him and I look forward to many more fun times with them!  After the wedding we went to a church and ate yummy waffles.  The reception was in the evening and the whole evening turned out really nice.  

 

Quick photo op at the temple.

After the luncheon and before the reception we had some spare time, so we went to Temple Square.  We walked around the Conference Center for a little bit and then went to the visitor centers on Temple Square.  I always love being there.  

Nov. 23, 2012

Not sure why the house always need so much cleaning, but it does.  So, Friday we did a quick cleaning job to get ready for Grandpa D. to come.  He got here around 3:00.  We ran to a few stores and then went to pick up some pizza for the kids.  Then the adults headed over to help decorate for the wedding.  

 

After we finished decorating, we went to eat at Culver's.  Delicious!  I had never been there before and it was yummy!!  Then we headed for home and bed.

Nov. 22, 2012

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

The boys went to play in the turkey bowl early in the morning.  They've done this for quite a few years and always have a great time.  The girls slept in and then wandered out and watched t.v.  I did some laundry and some cooking.  In the afternoon we went over to my MIL's for our Thanksgiving dinner.  Hubby's brother and his family were here from Idaho.  We had a house full!  The food was delicious.  After we finished eating,  we hung around and talked, then played a few games.  It was a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Nov. 21, 2012

We spent Wednesday morning cleaning the house and then setting up all our Christmas decorations.  I can't believe we were all decorated before Thanksgiving.  That is the earliest we've ever put our stuff up and I've really enjoyed it.  After we cleaned and decorated and cleaned again we were off to see some movies.

M and I went to see Breaking Dawn Part 2.  We met up with Dani, Sierra, Jenna, and Dani's book club girls.  There was a lot of breaking heads off, but I liked it.  M really liked it too!  It was fun to spend some one on one time with her.  After the movie we went to Zupa's.  I love that place, it might be one of my fave's!

Hubby took the rest of the kiddos to see The Dark Knight Rises.  J wasn't too thrilled about it, but ended up liking it.  After their movie they went to eat at a Chinese restaurant.

We all met back at home and enjoyed a quiet evening.

Nov. 20, 2012

We have been super busy lately, with lots of fun activities.  

Tuesday afternoon we went to J's DARE graduation.  This officer has taught all four of our kids the DARE program.  I think it's a great program for kids and am glad they have had the opportunity to take it.  They sang some cute songs, some students read their reports, and then they got their certificates.

All of the 5th graders were required to research an Indian tribe and then do a pyramid project.  The kids love doing it (after 4 times I'm glad we're done though)!  After the graduation we got to walk around and see all the projects that the kids did.

In the evening hubby and I met with his family and went to the Mt. Timpanogos Temple.  I love going to the temple!  It is such a wonderful place to be and reminds me of how much my Heavenly Father loves me.  I really need to put forth an extra effort to attend more regularly.  After the temple we went to grab a bite to eat at JCW's.

Dog Attack

About a week ago M and I went for a walk.  We were going to return some stuff to a friend.  As we were almost across the street 2 pitbulls came running toward us.  They starting barking and going in circles around us.  We froze where we were and I was yelling at them to leave.  After a while they did leave so we cut across the grass and started walking to the front door of our friend.  They came at us a second time and I knew we were in trouble.  I said a quick prayer that we would be ok and that M would stay safe.  The dogs started doing the same thing as before only this time one of them started jumping up on me and biting my clothes.  I swatted at it with my hand and she got a hold of my thumb.  I think I popped her on the nose and she didn't like that so she lunged at me and got a hold of the inside of my left knee.  Then, luckily they left.  We rushed into our friends' house and were glad to be in a safe place.  That was where I saw my leg and realized that I would need stitches.  I got help getting cleaned up and with getting a hold of the police.  When he got there he took some pictures and we told him what happened.  I think I went into shock because my body was shaking.  I got hot and felt like vomiting.  We called hubby and told him what happened.  He left work and came to take me to the doctor.  I ended up with 7 stitches.  Everyone kept asking how we got the dog off, and the only explanation I can come up with is that we were being watched over.  I know that Heavenly Father protected us.  I know that is why we came away from the whole experience as well as we did was because of Him.  I am so grateful that M was protected.  I am so grateful for the gospel in my life and for the safety and protection that our Heavenly Father gives us.   As the awful and terrifying as the experience was I know that it could have been so much worse.  And for that I will be forever grateful to my Heavenly Father. 

...and the snow is here to stay.

This weekend we got hit with a big snow storm.  It snowed about 8 inches overnight.  When we woke up and looked out the window our lawn was covered with fallen branches.  The snow was so heavy.  It looks like the snow is here to stay. 

Freshmen Basketball Team

After a week of sweat, tears, and hard work T found out that he made the Freshmen Basketball Team!!!

He was super excited.  He wanted to make the team so bad.  He practiced, practiced, practiced, and it paid off.  I can't believe I have a kid on a high school team!  Way to go T!!!

Youth Temple Trip

Our youth went to Manti for a temple trip.  I had never been inside the Manti temple and I always love going to see different ones. They were able to do baptisms for the and confirmations.  The temple is very small so there needs to be a lot of helpers.  I got to help hand towels to the kids as they came out of the font.  Another leader mopped the floor and one changed the floor mats.  It was nice to be inside to watch the kids and to be able to help with the Lords work.

The Boys

The Girls

First Day of School 2012

Well, the first day of school has come and gone and so has the first week.  We weren't really ready for school to start, but I don't know if we ever are.  I think we are once again getting the hang of things.

T is a Freshman.

 I can't believe T is a Freshman this year.  I very clearly remember my first day of high school, I even remember what I wore.  I had a blast in high school and I really hope T does too.  He also started seminary.  They are studying the New Testament this year and I think he's pretty excited for that.  It will be a  big year for him in many ways, a lot of big milestones for him!  He plays on a club soccer team this year and is doing well.  He plans on trying out for the high school soccer and basketball teams.  He is also busy with Young Men's and Scouts.  He is working his way towards Eagle!!

M is going into 8th grade.

 M is always such a pleasant person to be around.  She just kind of goes with the flow.  She likes her schedule and is eager to learn new things.  I think she will do well again!  She of course will be very busy with school work and 12 hours of dance each week.  She has gotten to be quite a good dancer, I love to watch her.  She is also working on her Personal Progress goals.  She just earned her Faith ribbon which makes 2 and is working on Knowledge.

Big Bad 6th grader.

S is the king of the school this year.  6th grade, WOW!  S is a free-spirited, tender-hearted, intelligent boy.  He keeps busy with karate and is looking forward to basketball season.  He also keeps busy with Scouts.  He really likes his leaders and they learn and do a lot of fun things.  

My baby is going into 5th.

I realized the other day that I only have 2 years left of Elementary school, then we will be done with that phase of our life.  CRAZY or cra cra if you ask J.  She is a sweet girl!  She can also be a little sassy pants but we still love her.  J is in dance again this year but is also deciding that she really like softball.  I wonder which she will end up liking more.  She loves going to activity days, playing with friends, dancing with her sister, and cooking in the kitchen with me!

Lucky Peak, The End

Well, our reunion was a huge success!!

Everyone had a blast!

We all made flags to represent each of our families.

Bucket Brigade

Minute- to-Win-It-Games

Waiting for their turn.

Hubby

Sierra balancing her balloons.

Kristy stacking chapstick with chopsticks!

Face the Cookie

It starting raining as we were taking everyone back to the cars,
so the kids hid under the tarp to try and stay a little bit dry.

Lucky Peak

Lucky Peak Around Camp

I know it's been major picture overload from our reunion, but we had so much fun I couldn't leave anything out. It was a reunion I'm sure all the kiddos will remember!

  

Showing off our dance moves!

Grandma brought some craft stuff for the kids.

Brad & Kristy

Saige, Mason, & Hannah

Aunt Kristy with Saige, love this picture!

Kevin chopping wood for our campfires.

Grandma relaxing.

Sidney relaxing.

We had a devotional each night around the campfire.

M & Aubrey

The kiddos playing with Mason.

J & Mason hanging out on the boat.

M dancing with Saige.  Saige loved M!

Poor Alexa got sick, but found a nice place to rest.

S & Wyatt

Big girls helping out with the little girls.

Hubby and I were assigned to cook breakfast as one of our meals.

Cute cousins.

Me and Mason

More cooking, we sure ate well!

These little girls sure love Jalen!