Christmas 2013

December was a whirlwind of fun.  We started off the first day of December by putting up the tree.  This year we decided to buy an artificial tree.  It was so nice!  I didn't have to worry about the kids knocking it over or not giving it enough water.  It was also really nice not to put lights on the tree.

Jackson is in the language Immersion program they just started this year and is learning Spanish.  He got to ride on a float for the Midnight Madness parade in Rigby.

Then of course we had a ward party.  It was really fun!  The kids wore pajamas, had breakfast for dinner and saw Santa.  Probably the best party we've been to.

Grandma and Grandpa came up on Christmas Eve and we had Brocolli Cheese Soup and Ham.  Christmas Eve is always so fun.

Christmas morning we tried something different.  We got up and made a breakfast of crepes with chocolate pudding and strawberries.  We were able to talk a little bit about Christ during breakfast to remember what we are actually celebrating.  Then we got dressed (most of us) and opened presents.  It was great to make the excitement last a little while longer.

Bo is such a morning person! :)

It was my family's turn to spend Christmas together so most of them made it and there was enough snow to pull the kids around the neighborhood.  It was fun spending time with everyone.  The holidays are so fun!

Jack Lost His First Tooth!

A couple of days ago Jackson noticed a loose tooth.  He was so excited after watching the Tooth Fairy come many times for Hailey and Conrad.  He has worked hard getting that tooth loose and he pulled it out tonight.  This is a pretty big smile!  Way to go Jack!

Halloween 2013

I am always super excited for Halloween to come and by the end I'm always ready to see it go.  Don't get me wrong, I love Halloween but it can be exhausting.  With school carnivals, the ward party, school parties, and the actual Trick-or-Treating I'm ready to be done dressing up.  This year is no different.  I think this just tells me we made the most of it. :)  

This year I decided to try something new and make some parts of the kids costumes.  I had fun.  I'm not great, but it was exciting to cut something out and sew it together.  Our family went with a theme this year too.  Also a first for us.  We were all pirates!  (All except Conrad who just wanted to be a ninja and there was no convincing him of anything else.)

Here are the pictures.  We didn't get a picture of Bo and I.  Once again, I forgot...

Here's Hailey

Here's our little Red Macaw...Hailey's idea

 Brayden

Jackson

 The Ninja we captured

 

We had a great Halloween week. 

Temple Square and Hogle Zoo

A couple of weeks ago we were going to Utah for the blessing of Henry, our new nephew, Trent and Alisa's little guy.  We decided to make it into a two for one trip.  Salt Lake has always been on our list to take the kids but it has never worked out before.  So, this time we decided to play hooky and took the kids out of school Friday to see a couple of sights.

We stayed in Salt Lake so we could be near Temple Square.  It was nice to be so close.  Temple square was fun.  It wasn't easy.  Brayden was a huge pain but everyone else had fun walking around seeing everything.  We were able to go through the North and South Visitor Center and also take the Conference Center tour.  We also had fun walking around outside and seeing all the gorgeous exteriors. 

We decided Brayden couldn't take anymore of "trying to be reverent" so we went to Hogle Zoo.  It was exciting.  I loved seeing all of the huge animals.  These aren't animals we see often.  The kids loved the elephants, rhinos, and giraffes too.  I think they liked getting their pictures with the different statues the most.  :) 

Temple square pics:
This is a neat model of the inside of the Temple

 I love this is a picture from the Conference Center.  Did you know all of the painting there are originals?  I can't imagine how long it took to paint this... 

 The roof of the conference center

Hogle Zoo Pics
This is in the entrance of Hogle Zoo

 

I hope we made some fun memories for the kids.

 

I think Hailey will remember it.  She wrote in her journal about the trip. "On Friday we went to a cool hotel.  It was big and fun.  Then we went to the Temple Square.  It has the prettiest stuff reminding me that when I grow up to go to the Temple Square in Utah.  My kids will love it."  Awww cute.  I love that she likes writing in her journal. 

Hailey's 9th Birthday

Ok, I know every year I type, "I can't believe Hailey is ___!  But it's true.  I can't believe how fast time goes.  She is halfway out the door and I feel like just yesterday she was just starting Kindergarten.  But, this is life.  Time flies.

Hailey had a fun birthday this year.  We were able to have five of her friends over and three stayed the night.  They had a blast together and of course I had so much going on I forgot to take a picture of all the girls.

We also had Grandma and Grandpa over for cake and ice cream.  It's always nice to have family over now that everyone else has moved away. 

Here are a couple of pictures of her opening her presents

 

At age 9 Hailey loves:

 

Art

TV

Listening to me read stories

Chicken Rolls

Chocolate and Pop

Friends

Dancing Around

Riding motorbikes and the RZR

Math

Piano (most days)

Writing in her journal

 

We love:

 

What a great sister she is to all these brothers, very patient

Spending time with her

Her example

Her sweet smile

That she helps out so much with Caleb and around the house

She likes to make sure everyone has a friend

When she bears her testimony (her spiritual side)

Reading her journal (permission is given at least for now)

 

Hailey-

You are growing in to such a beautiful girl with many great talents.  We love you so much and couldn't ask for a sweeter daughter.  Thanks for the great example you are to your family!