He's an Eagle Scout

Conrad has worked really hard and fast to get this award.  Right after he got into young men's, we heard that the Scouting Program was going to be dropped because the Church was going to implement a new program.  That meant he had less than two years to finish.

Bo has been Scoutmaster and planned to get anyone done in the time that they wanted to.  They were able to get quite a few done.  They held their Court of Honor last week, and seven of the boys combined theirs.  It was enjoyable and cool to see all those boys get their awards.  They all worked really hard.

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Conrad's Eagle project was to finish painting an exhibit for the East Idaho Aquarium.  Here are some Pics.

Way to go, Conrad!  Your hard work and dedication paid off!

Christmas 2019!

As Christmastime comes every year, I love the excitement in the air.  I love the way people band together to help each other out, there is a special love that is almost palpable.  I think it's actually people being reminded of what is most essential, and the Savior's name is all over.  This reminds them to act as the Savior did.

Christmas celebrates the first gift.  The greatest gift ever given.  This gift is from a Father who sent His perfect son to save any and all who will look to Him and strive through him to be our best selves.  He knew the Savior was the only one to help us return home.  He sent Jesus.  His gift and our Savior sacrificed himself, so we had a chance.  Look to Him.  His love is unlike any other.  He is truly the Prince of Peace, and for about a month every year, a special feeling comes around that helps us see a little more how to become more like him...May we try to follow Him the other eleven months of the year.


Christmas came so quickly this year.  I felt like we didn't get everything done I wanted to.  It didn't help that three of us were sick a few days leading up to Christmas and so I stayed home so we wouldn't spread the yuck.  But even though we didn't get it all done, we had a great Christmas Eve and Christmas!

Christmas Eve Eve and Christmas Eve was spent at home with my parents over.  The kids had fun eating, playing games, and seeing who won the pie game.  Jackson won this year.  He seems to win quite a bit. HAHA.

Here are some Gingerbread houses the boys made Sunday night.  Hailey wasn't feeling well, so she didn't make one this year.

Caleb had a small scratch of his face but thought he needed a bandaid.

Jackson opening the gift he won for finding the popcorn kernel in the pie.

New PJ's

Christmas morning was excellent.  The kids got up around 7 and spent some time looking through stockings until I finished breakfast.  Crepes with chocolate pudding, strawberry sauce, and whipped cream.  It's worth pushing back opening presents for, I think.  It's their favorite breakfast, and I only cook it once a year.

I've decided that when you have a big family, a few presents each looks like a lot!

Waiting to run out and see what was left.

Our breakfast feast!

Then everyone headed downstairs, and the opening began.  Fun was had by all, and the rest of the day was spent playing with toys and sleeping.  I'm always exhausted by Christmas afternoon.

My family came into town the day after and we had a great time together. The adults went and got sushi one night.  Many of the girl cousins went to Idaho Falls with Dustin's Abbey and her fiance.  Hailey had so much fun.  It was fun to watch everyone spend time together.

Carley came over for new years, and I realized I didn't take any pictures. :(  We had a great time with them.  The kids played in the snow and rode around behind the snowmobile.

Thanksgiving 2019

This year our Thanksgiving was a little different than most others.  We ended up staying at home and having my parents over.  We missed having all of the extra family, especially cousins.  But, at the same time, it was so lovely to be at home and have a small group too.

That week was so relaxing.  We were able to do a little shopping, a little cleaning, and a great deal of enjoying a break from our daily responsibilities.  Since it was mostly just our family this year, I wanted to spend some time teaching the kids about why we celebrate in the first place and take some time to realize our blessings.

I checked the movie Monumental from the library out to show to the kids.  It's a documentary about the history of the pilgrims and their trials to get to America and not turn back.  The kids (all of them) sat a watched it.  They really liked it and learned a lot.  I want to take some time every year and watch it.  It really did help all of us all feel more grateful for their sacrifices.

Thanksgiving Day, we had our dinner at about 1.  While the turkey rested, we sat around the table, and I started a new tradition.  I placed five kernels of corn on their plates.  I compared that to the feast we were just about to eat, and I told them about a story from the pilgrims that says at their worst these people only ate 5 kernels of corn a day to stay alive.  Now, we don't know if it's true, but we do know that many of them starved to death the first winter they were in America.  They didn't have much of anything to eat.  Each of us then went around the table and talked about five things we were grateful for.

It was my favorite part of the day. (Sorry Mom and Dad for putting you on the spot.)  It was great to hear what everyone was blessed with, and it brought us all closer together.  We indeed are so blessed.

I feel so blessed for those who came before me.  I'd have to say that this is one of the things I've come to realize most this year.  Those that came before us paved the way, and following God built this free country that we all get to benefit from today.  Those that came before me found the true gospel, lived it, and taught their children.  This made it possible for me to be born into the true gospel and have the peace and joy I wake up to each day.  I have come to realize how rare it is to live in this blessed nation as a member of the true Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  These two paths have given me a life better than I deserve, and when I take the time to realize my blessings, they are countless.  I just want to put a few.  My Father in Heaven, my Savior, my family, and the many friends I get to share my life with.

Here are a few pictures from our day.  I forgot to take photos until after we ate.  Oops.

The day after Thanksgiving, the boys had a great time outside in the snow.