New Years Eve

Jeff and I met the Brown's for dinner before we let the kids take off which was nice to have a little celebration for the adults since we were going to be stuck home the rest of the night!  Emily and Savanah went to a party at Grace's house with their friends and spent the night.  Justin hung out with Dylan and they both slept over at our house.  Ethan and Kate were asleep by 9pm!

Christmas Day

We had such a nice Christmas!  Opened gifts then headed to Grandpas and Grandmas for Christmas Dinner and Santa.

Front Runner/Temple Square

We decided to take Front Runner this year to see the lights at Temple Square - we loved it!  On the way to SLC Front Runner was pretty crowded so we didn't get to sit together but on the way home it was a lot less busy.  So nice not to worry about traffic and parking in SLC!

Everyone enjoyed seeing the lights and the nativity at Temple Square.  We walked to City Creek to grab some dinner,  then we went through more of Temple Square before heading back to Front Runner.

Durango

We have had the Durango for sell for a while with no luck.  Unfortunately it was hit when it was parked out in front of our house.  The people (some neighbors) who hit it had insurance and to our benefit the insurance company declared the Durango totaled!  They gave us high book price and insurance and taxes back on it.  We felt bad that it got hit but were glad to get the price we wanted anyway without having to sell it.  Kind of sad to see it go - we really enjoyed having it!

Justin's first talk

Justin was asked to give a talk in Church for the first time!  He was asked to speak on the Joseph Smith's life.  Justin said he was pretty nervous and didn't want to sit on the stand after his talk was finished, I guess he wanted some relief by coming to sit with the family after.  He did a great job and was sure glad when it was over!

Living Nativity

We decided to go to the Living Nativity this year in Alpine.  It was really neat and we were glad we went even though it was cold!

December 2013

We have had such a fun month!  December is always packed with a lot, luckily this year it all seemed doable which made for a nice Christmas season.  I got most of my Christmas shopping finished in November, just had to wait for packages in the mail in December, which is so much nicer than to be out shopping! With Jeff's business slow we decided against family pictures and Christmas cards, which made things less crazy then usual this time of year.

We had piano, choir, band performances, company party, friend party, church party, Santa at Jeff's office, lights at Thanksgiving Point, lights and Temple Square and the Living Nativity.  Of course Christmas day was spent and Grandpa and Grandma's.

Having two weeks off of school the kids loved being with their friends, seeing LOTS of movies, sledding/playing in the snow, shopping trips, Stake Dances, Baptism for the Dead, one ski trip for Justin and Jeff, and they all enjoyed eating out more than usual :)

 

Thanksgiving

This year as usual we went to Grandpa and Grandma Bills' house for Thanksgiving.  It was a nice day with good food and family!

Justin's 13th

Justin's golden birthday!  To try and add some extra fun to his birthday Jeff and I picked him up for school and took him to lunch, his choice was Chick-Fil-A!  After school we opened gifts - Justin got his long awaited GoPro which he has loved taking skiing.  His dinner choice was Cafe Rio and cheese cake for dessert.  We love Justin and are so glad he is in our family!

Subbing

     I decided to start substitute teaching at the kids school - such a tricky decision for our family.  Over all it has worked out well but definitely I have days were it has been hard.

      When there is a lot that needs to be done at our house and I'm gone all day, car pool cancels and I can't pick up my kids because I'm teaching, one of my kids throws up at school when I'm teaching, one of my kids throws up when I need to be leaving to go teach!  Ugh!  Luckily most days Jeff can work from home when I'm at the school, however those days when carpool cancels and kids throw up it  always ends up he isn't available.

      Some how it always seems to work out and it has been nice I can help contribute to money coming in for our expenses.

Halloween

We had such a fun Halloween!  A ward party, friend party, haunted walk at the school, school party's, and family over for pizza and trick or treating!

 Kate and Mallory

 Ethan

 Grace, Emily, Estelle, Savanah

 Summer, Kate, Makenzie, Laura

 Alison, Megan

 Ethan, Caleb, Jackson