New Year's Eve

 After we chatted with Luke, we were off to do our annual New Year's taste test.  This year we decided to do french fries.  We thought the best way to do this was to drive around and taste them as we went.  Reheated fries are never as good.  So we started at Chubby's.  They have the most amazing fries.  Then we went to Carls, Popeyes, Arbys, Chick Fila, McDonalds, and finally Five Guys.  Chubby's won!  By the end we were pretty full but it was for sure a great activity.  After that, Gray had his friend Erik over, Nash went to Gabriel's, and Har went to a stake dance with Nicci.  I worked on our 2021 book and finished it before 2022 was over.  So much work!  Joey and I got to chat with Luke again.  So fun!  He tried to guess the order of the fry favorites and he was spot on to the results.  Everyone including Tag made it to midnight.  We are excited for a new year. 

Last call from the MTC and pictures from the week

Oh it is always so good to hear Luke's voice.  I am not sure if I will ever get use to him being gone.  BUT, each time I get to talk to him I realize more and more how much he is going learn from his mission.  He had another great week.  He taught a lesson and both him and his companion Elder Shinkle, decided to let the spirit guide.  Luke said it was the most amazing experience.  He also got to go to the temple.  He said that he prayed in the chapel before the session to know of the truth of the temple and the work done there.  He said he left the temple knowing of it's truthfulness.  So amazing.  Luke flies out on Tuesday morning.  His companion and everyone in his room leave on Monday morning.  He is a little nervous about waking up on time since he needs to be at the travel office by 3:30am.  Lots of prayers that everything will go perfectly.  So proud of Luke and so grateful for all of the amazing growth he is experiencing from his decision to serve a mission.

Breakfast Club

It is a little after Christmas but we made it happen!  We thought that Deb was still in Korea so we planned for Janet, Serene, and I to go to Edna's for lunch.  I took Ike on a walk this morning and saw Deb backing out of her driveway.  I was so excited that she could make it.  The whole gang was back together.  The food was amazing but the company was even better.  I am so grateful for these ladies.  Each time we get together it is as if no time has passed.  They are all such treasured friends and examples to me.  We are really going to try to make a trip to St. George happen this year.  Let's hope we can!

Ike's New Track Suit

Ari, Nicci, and Harlee came back to our house tonight after spending a little time shopping.  Harlee made me close my eyes and Ari wanted to video my response.  Harlee had found a new outfit for Ike.  It was an aqua blue track suit.  I was dying!  It is so cute.  I love that she thought of our puppy and bought him something new.  I was way more excited about it than Ike was.  

Bringing back old school gaming

For Christmas both Nash and Gray asked for the game Monopoly.  I have many memories of playing this with my siblings growing up.  Tonight the boys got the game out and decided to all play together.  It was so fun to watch them have fun doing the same thing that I used to love to do.  Such cute boys.

Monday Adventure

Since it was the day that work observed Christmas, Joey had the day off.  We wanted to find something fun to do and decided at 11 to drive to Lava Hot Springs in ID.  We got ready in 15 minutes and we were in the car on our way.  We stopped in Ogden for lunch before completing the 2 hour drive.  The hot springs were kind of amazing minus the crowd.  We went in the hottest one and felt great with the snow on the ground outside of the pool.  It was such a fun experience.  We then went and drove up by a cabin that we were interested in.  It was in a beautiful location.  Once we got home we were sad to hear that it was already under contract.  I am so grateful for my family and love these adventures we go on to do and see new things.  Such a great day!

My favorite picture

There is a girl in Luke's MTC district, Sister Schmidt from Oregon, who is always sticking her tongue out in pictures.  I asked Luke on our facetime call this week if I should start doing that in pictures.  He asked me to never do that again.  So of course I asked Grandma, Grandpa, KC, and Mike to join us in a picture where we all make "the face".  They were all such good sports.  I sent it to Luke and he said when he opened it during his sacrament meeting, he almost lost it.  So funny!  

This week at the MTC

It was so good to chat with Luke both yesterday and today.  I am just in awe of how well he is doing.  He is always in such good spirits.  He is doing things that are out of his comfort zone and he is working so hard.  He has made some great friends- I am not surprised since he is so fun to be around.  He only has one more full week in the MTC before he flies out to NJ.  So proud of him and it definitely eases the sting of missing him a little bit.  Love you Elder Childs!  Here are a few pictures from this week.

Christmas

Christmas fell on a Sunday this year.  I love when this happens.  So special to celebrate Christmas by going to church and feeling the spirit.  The kids were told they could not come in our room until 6:30 am and guess who was in our room at 6:30 am on the dot?  Not surprised.  We then all went downstairs to see what Santa had brought.  They were all so spoiled but I have to admit it was so different seeing only four piles and not five.  After all of the gifts were explored, we had waffles for breakfast before getting ready for church.  We had a beautiful program with music and the story of our Savior's birth.  After church we came home and relaxed.  We got to talk with Luke quite a bit which was one of the best parts of our day. He celebrated Christmas in the MTC.  They had Elder Stevenson come and speak with them.  Luke loved it although he was hoping for one of the "Big Dogs" like Elder Holland (his favorite) or Elder Uctdorf.  Grandma, Grandpa, KC, and Mike came over in the afternoon to bring a few gifts and it was fun to visit with them.  So grateful and so blessed.

Christmas Eve

Today is Christmas Eve!  We had the whole day for family time and we could not wait.  We all slept in a little bit and then at 10am the kids all opened their presents from Joey and I.  Tag was less than enthused about all of the clothes.  After the presents we went to go out to lunch.  We usually get Costa Vida for Har and I and then JCWs for everyone else.  Well Costa Vida was closed.  Har was so bummed but we still had a great time.  We just relaxed the rest of the day and got to chat with our favorite missionary since it was his pday.  We made some ham and mashed potatoes for a yummy dinner.  After dinner, we all opened new pajamas and settled in to watch Elf.  Love that movie.  The movie ended at 9:30pm and the kids settled in bed to fall asleep so Santa could come.  Pretty much the perfect day.