Goodbye 2016

Wrappin up another year!  Cannot believe 2016 is over!  Where did the time go?  We had another amazing year!  New job, new house, family trip to Cali, new calling, several trips to the hospital, new family member, 2 new schools, and tons of memories!    I am beyond blessed to call these people mine and so grateful to know that I can be with them forever.

Luke- 12 years old
This was a big year for Luke.  He started junior high school, got the priesthood, started YM, went on his 12 year old trip to California with Joey, got his tonsils out, moved up to the silver team on swim, and spent tons of time with friends!  Luke is such a great kid with a tender heart.  He has been so helpful with watching the kids this year so Joey and I can bring back date night.  He is getting such good grades and we are so proud of him.  He is a great example to his siblings.

Harlee- 9 years old
Harlee is in the 4th grade with Mrs. Smith as her teacher.  She is doing so well in school and we are so proud of her.  She is dancing 2 nights a week taking hip hop, jazz, and technique.  She is such a help around the house and I could not imagine life without her.  She is especially helpful with her new baby!   Harlee has the best personality and just ask Nannie, we have no idea where she got it!  So blessed to be her mom and learn from her example.

Nash- 8 years old
Nash is in the 2nd grade with Mrs. Christensen.  He is so bright and is doing amazing in school.  He is doing so well in swim and will be moving up to the Sharks team in January.  This is a big deal because it is the 9 & 10 year old team.  Nash is one of our most sensitive kids and is the first one to always give me a hug!  Means so much to me!  Nash will be getting baptized in a week and I am so grateful for the example he is to his younger brothers.

Gray- 6 years old
Gray is in the first grade and his teacher is Mrs. Turner.  Gray is super smart and is doing amazing with the transition to all day school.  He is also doing so good in swim and is on the 7/8 year old team.  He is the comic relief in family and is always trying to make us laugh.  He is a great older brother to Tag and is always willing to help him.  We are so grateful to have Gray in our family and are so thankful for what he brings to the family.

Tag- 4 years old
Tag has made so much progress this year.  He is completely potty trained and even wears undies at night!  He loves going to school at Giant Steps and I am so grateful for the love that they show him.  He is such a love and gives me snuggle hugs and kisses all the time!  He loves to smell my blanket and sleep in our bed!  Tag loves to play video games and is so good at them!  He is such a blessing and teaches me daily how to be a better person.

Joey and I also had a big year.  Joey started his calling in the bishopric and as time consuming as it is he is making such an impact on the people in the ward.  I have always felt impressed with Joey's sensitivity to the gospel and I love that he can share his tenderness with others.  His job is going well and he was asked to be over 2 sites.  I started my new job this year.  It keeps me really busy but I really love it.  I was called to be activity days leader and visiting teacher supervisor.  So fun to work with Harlee.  We will be celebrating our 15th anniversary in a few weeks and I can say without any hesitation that I love him more today than the day we got married.  And to think I thought I loved him then!  He is truly my best friend and my greatest example!

New Year's Eve 2016

Well I would like to say that we all made it to midnight this year, but no such luck!  The only New Year's champions were Gray and Luke!  Joey set his alarm and got up with the boys but all of the rest of us slept right through the end of the year!  We did have a lot of fun leading up to our early bedtime.  We had Cafe Rio for dinner and then worked on an almost impossible puzzle.  I think that is what wore us out.  I love these nights with the people that mean the most to me!  I am truly blessed and look forward to another great year to come!

Christmas Break in the SG

We left on Monday morning to travel down to St. George to spend about 5 days of the Christmas Break in a little warmer weather.  We were super nervous to have another traveler with us but Ike did great!  As the holidays go, we all got a really bad cold.  So we just relaxed and enjoyed our new home.  We did go and see "Sing" which was really fun.  I get so excited that we are finally at the point where we can go to a movie all together.  We played alot of games and watched a lot of movies.  It was a much needed break.  Love that we have this special place to go and relax as a family!

Christmas Morning

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Wow- Santa did not disappoint this year.  The Childs kids were spoiled!!  It is so fun to watch their eyes light up as they see all of the fun things they have gotten.  They got almost everything that they asked for- the boys all got an Xbox one, Harlee got a laptop, Tag got a stuffed Luigi, Gray got his DS, Nash got a razor bike, and Luke got cologne and $50 to Nike!  One of the blessings I loved about this Christmas is that it fell on a Sunday.  What a special way to celebrate the birth of our Savior by spending time worshiping Him.  The Spirit was so strong at church and I really appreciated feeling that.  We came home and Joey's family came over to spoil us with gifts.  After they left I got to Skype with Brennan and hear how he is doing on his mission.  What a wonderful day!  I am so beyond blessed and I feel so grateful for all that I have been given in my life.

Christmas Eve

As tradition goes, we spent Christmas Eve at Jenna's house with my side of the family.  It is always great to spend time with them but this year was a little sad knowing that my dad would not be there.  Luke also was not there because he was feeling really sick.  We had deli sandwiches and watched the family dvd.  It was a great time.  After the party we came home to open the annual pajama gift.  I love seeing the kids all cozy in their jammies filled with excitement for what Santa might bring.  Hopefully they will be able to get to sleep so he can fill the living room with fun surprises before midnight!

The newest Childs

I truly thought this day would never come.  Joey and I both are not animal lovers but knowing that a dog would be so theraputic for Tag (and the other kids would love it also) we gave in!  Welcome Ike Easton Childs!  We are in love!  This has ben in the works for months and we went to pick up our little guy on Christmas Eve.  We dropped him off at my friend Nickell's house where she had prepared a large box to look like a Christmas present.  She walked the "present" down to our house and prepared to video the reaction.  I called all of the kids to the door and told them that I thought someone had knocked.  They opened the door and were a little confused.  I told them to open the box and our little puppy was trying to jump out.  They were THRILLED!  Tag saw Nickell and said "Why did you bring us a dog?"  She said "It is from your mom and dad!"  Then Tag said "I love him so much".  In that moment I knew we had made the right decision.  I know that this is going to be quiet a difficullt adjustment and a lot of work, but I know it will be worth it.  I just know that Ike will add so much to our family.  And seriously, look at that face...

Christmas Eve Gift Exchange

As soon as we woke up on Christmas Eve the kids were begging to open the gifts we had bought for each other.  This year I came up with the idea that the kids should earn the money to buy for their name draw.  Tag bought for Dad and he got him a new t-shirt and some money! Gray bought for Luke- he got him some gray hyper-elite socks and a $25 Itunes giftcard.  Nash bought for Gray.  He got him 2 wii games and an Itunes giftcard.  Harlee bought for me and I was spoiled with two pairs of comfy pants, several shirts, and chocolate covered caramels! Luke bought for Nash and he got him a new Ipad case and an Itunes giftcard. I bought for Tag and I got him Super Mario Color Splash for the Wii U! Joey bought for Harlee.  He got her some tank tops, a sweater, lipstick, Just dance 2016 for Wii U, and a locket with her initials.  We all spoiled each other.  And the best part is they worked hard to by their person a special present.  I can guarentee the chore chart will be a part of next years name draw also.  I love this tradition and I LOVE my family.  Beyond blessed!