New Year's Eve

We had a great night ringing in the New Year- especially because all of the kids were home.  For our taste test, we opted to do donuts.  We had Tis My Sugar, Branberry, Krispy Kreme, and Lehi Bakery.  The winner was Tis My Sugar donuts.  We don't love the name but we for sure love the donuts.  We then had the Pie for dinner and worked on a puzzle.  Luke went with his mission friends Galindo and Egan to a rave and Har ended up going to Miah's.  We all made it to midnight and it was a pretty perfect night.

Christmas Day

Today was a perfect day!  The kids got up at 6am and they were so grateful for all of their presents from Santa.  Tag's favorite gift was his Steam Deck.  Gray's favorite gift was his electric guitar.  Nash's favorite gift was his keyboard.  Har's favorite gift was her vinyl's and perfume.  Luke's favorite gift was his new phone.  We got a really fun game that we played a lot through out the day.  Grandma and Grandpa came and visited with KC and Mike.  We made pizza for dinner and just spent the day in our sweats.  We cleaned up all of the Christmas decorations.  It was a pretty amazing day.  All of my kids are home with me and I could not ask for more.

Christmas Eve Traditions

This Christmas Eve was a little different because both Joey and I had to work.  We were both done by noon so that the fun could begin.  We started with the sibling gift exchange.  It was so fun to see what everyone had gotten for their chosen name.   After the gift exchange, we went to JCWs and Costa Vida for the annual Christmas Eve lunch.  It was so fun to sit and visit with each other- I just love the excitement that the holidays bring.  We went home and relaxed for a bit before opening all of the clothes gifts.  It is much more enjoyable now that the kids are older and really appreciate this part of Christmas.  After the presents, we made cast iron pizzas for dinner and watched Elf.  This year we watched it in the basement so that everyone had a comfy seat.  Such a perfect day!  I am so grateful for my family and cherish any time that we are all together.

White Elephant party

Tonight was one of our favorite holiday traditions- The Childs White Elephant party.  It was hosted by Jamie and Mindi at their house.  We had Papa Murphy's pizza for dinner and everyone brought a dessert to share.  It was so fun to visit with everyone.  We missed Hailee's family this year but everyone else was there.  The gifts were so good this year and everyone seemed happy with what they ended up with.  I am so grateful to be a part of the Childs family. Such a blessing!

Christmas sacrament meeting

Today was a special day!  Not only was it the Christmas sacrament meeting where the whole meeting is focused on Christ's birth and is full of music but I also got to enjoy it with my whole family.  Har was home from school and Luke came home for the break also.  It was such a wonderful way to kick off Christmas week.  I am so grateful for my Savior.  Because of His birth and sacrifice, I get to be with my favorite people forever.  

Breakfast Club

This morning was the annual breakfast club Christmas celebration and I could not love a tradition more.  We got to the Original Pancake House at 7am to find out that they did not open until 7:30am.  This was such a blessing because we got to sit in Janet's car and catch up on the year.  Janet told us about their mission and Deb filled us in on how her teaching was going..  I love them both so much and they are such great examples to me.  I hope that this tradition can go on for many years.

Don and Jess's sealing

Tonight Joey and I had the special privilege to witness the sealing of Don and Jess.  They were wanting to be sealed before baby Cobe is due to be born in January.  The were sealed in the Provo City Center temple and it was such a special experience.  I am so happy for them and the eternal blessings that are now theirs.

Another fantastic art project

I have loved watching all of the creativity flowing as Nash is making his way through his AP art class.  He is seriously so talented.  He had to do an abstract painting on a canvas and it turned out so well.  I am so proud of you Nash.

Happy Birthday Nash

I am sure I say this every year but I seriously cannot believe that Nash is 17!  Time truly needs to slow down.  Nash is seriously such an amazing kid and example to all of us.  We were able to go to dinner to celebrate as the whole family.  We went down to Chilis in Orem so Luke could come meet us right after he got off work.  After dinner, we came back home for presents and caramel brownies that Nash requested.  Nash got some new basketball shoes, basketball shorts, and a new sweatshirt.  I hope he feels so loved and celebrated today.  We are so grateful to have Nash in our family.

Nash's latest art project

Nash has been working so hard in his AP Art closs this semester.  He was working on his guitar project when his teacher gave them another assignment that needed to be done by the end of the term in one week.  It was a portrait of someone else in the class.  Nash was assigned a girl who loved reading.  I love the clever way Nash completed this portrait.  He is so talented!  Love seeing each of these projects come to life.

Dog or Human

Harlee always jokes that if I am not home, Ike will spend all of his time with her.  She was hanging out in her room and snuggled up in her bed.  She snapped this picture of him sleeping like a human.  He is so funny!  We love having this baby dog in our family.