Montana

The kids had a day off of school, so we decided to take a trip to Montana to see Kevin's grandparents. We got up there around 7:30 pm. So we didn't do much that night. The kids were very good for it being such a long drive.

The next morning, Kiana gathered all the pillow in the house and made a fort. She was having a lot of fun, until the boys tried to join in on the fun. It was not as much fun after that.


Kiana was absolutely in love with their dog Sammy. She chased him everywhere and even took him on a walk with Grandma.


Our last day, getting ready to go to church before the long drive home. Grandpa with the great grand kids.

It was nice to be able to spend some time with them even if it was such a short trip. We attended Sacrament then started the long drive home.

Eating free fries and green ketchup for St. Patrick's Day on the way home. It looks gross but tastes just like regular ketchup.

We drove home in a huge snow storm. It wasn't too bad until we hit the Utah border but then it was a white out. The snow was blowing at us so hard it felt like we were being pushed backwards. It was very scary but we made it home safely. It was a nice quick getaway.

Can You Find Him?

Jared was, I guess, too lazy to clear off his bed before going to bed last night. This is how we found him when we went upstairs.

Jared is 10

My how time flies.

He requested a homemade German Chocolate Cake. I must really love him because I usually only make this cake once a year for Kevin. The good thing about this cake vs. another is that this one gets eaten. All others seem to end up in the garbage.

We had sub sandwiches, chips and sliced apples for everyone for dinner. And of course he was spoiled.

Happy Birthday Jared. We love you!

4th Grade Ski Day

Jared loves to ski and has very little fear.

MisMatch Day

For Spirit week they had a mismatched day. Jared really got into this one. Don't think he could of mismatched worse. He even has different shoes on.

Service with a Smile

Andrew rounded up the young men to help shovel the walks for a few of our neighbors. His leader said he saw Andrew and did not really want to go, but decided he better be a good example and give service with a smile. They all had a great time.

Lights Out

The power went out last night, and Jared was a trooper trying to finish his homework by candlelight. We told him he could experience life as Joseph Smith. He worked really had but had to finish it in the morning.

Science Fair

What Type of Water Works Better for Plants?

a. Tap

b. Alkaline

c. Dasani

d. Distilled?

Answer: Tap.

Ask Andrew if you want to know more. Me? I really dislike the science fair.

Merry Christmas a Digital Card for You

Haircut?

Andrew came to me about a week or so ago and asked what I would do if he cut his hair. I said I wasn't sure, but do you want a haircut? He said yes, so I scheduled it. Here he is with that new do. He doesn't like it and says he plans on growing it back out. I guess I will just have to enjoy it while it lasts.

I think it makes him look a lot more like Jared.

Ward Christmas Party

Andrew was to "big" to sit on Santa's lap.

Jared and his best friend Dylan.

Kiana

We had a great time at the ward party. The wind blew like crazy the day before, so only half of the building had lights. Then right about the time dinner was over and Santa arrived, the power went out completely. Church gyms are really dark when there is no light, so everyone started to pull out their cell phone for a least a little light. The lights were only out for about 5-7 minutes and when they came back on, the whole building had power. All in all a great night.

Putting up the Christmas Tree

We put the Christmas tree up on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I am so glad that I have an artificial tree and can put it up whenever I want. Although I did have to convince my kids to clean so we could.

Wishing she could help

Every year we each get to pick out a new ornament for the tree. Kiana chose Rapunzel.

Is that a surprise?

Jared chose a Golden Snitch. We were lucky to get this one.

It was a limited edition and we got the last one, at least at our Hallmark.

Andrew is on his 5th year of collecting Snoopy's Beagle Scouts.

I for the last several years have been getting this Penguin series.

Kevin for the last several years has been getting this Eskimo series.

hanging the smaller ornaments on the small branches at the top.

Sorry no picture of the final project, but we all had a fun time together. Kiana wishes she had more ornaments to hang. She got to hang a lot of mine.

He is Still Alive...

This is what happens to a linoleum floor, when you set a hot cast iron pan on it. Oh and your smoke alarm will go off as well. It also stinks for quite a while. I do not recommend this action.

Now I will tell you how this happened. Jared was making a grilled cheese sandwich on Sunday after church. He started to carry the pan to the table to flip the sandwich onto his plate. The pan started to burn him through the hot pad about half way there. He set the pan on the floor. Smoke alarm goes off. I ask, Jared what are you doing up there? Silence for a few minutes. Then, Mom I think you better see this. I was horrified. I think I flew a little too far off the handle. I screamed and shouted. Told him he was never allowed to cook in my kitchen again and sent him to his room. Kevin came home from church, and was much better at handling the situation. It is just a thing. It can eventually get replaced.

Jared really is a good kid we love him. He brings fun and laughter to our family most of the time.

Thankful

B- brother, bodies, band aids, bananas, Book of Mormon

L- learning, love, letter R, light, leading parents

E- education, ears, eggs, elders

S- sister, sons, soccer

S- safety, scriptures, shoes, schooling

I- inventors, ice cream, intelligent dad

N- niceness, nice people, Nicole, naps

G- girls, giving, Grandma, good food, growth

This past FHE night, Kiana gave the lesson. We each had a piece of paper with the word blessing down the side. We then wrote a blessing we have that starts with each letter. Some answers were duplicate, but I was very impressed with some of the answers the boys had. I am sure you can guess who said what on most of these. Kiana did not answer too many. She is still trying to grasp the concept of what words begin with what sound, but she did a great job.

Besides all of the above listed blessings, we are also blessed with many more to numerous to name. I am so thankful for this time of year that causes so many to reflect on how grateful they are. Happy Thanksgiving a little early.