Uncle Riley

 December 29th is Uncle Riley's Birthday. We decided to take our family up to see his grave and sing him Happy Birthday. My feelings are always so tender when I think of him. I can't imagine losing a child and it hurts my heart. I love that Trent's family always tries to make this day special for him. They still sing happy birthday and buy cake and celebrate. It is such a great example to me that Diane has been so strong and unwavering in her testimony. We finished the evening with cake and ice-cream and family fun. I loved watching Papa and Allie playing together on the floor with the very blocks that were given the year Riley passed away.

 While we were at the cemetary we stopped over and saw Grandpa Pat's grave as well. Such a great man and example as well. We miss seeing his bright happy face, but know he is making all those people in heaven laugh.

Happy Birthday

 Happy Birthday to me! I was glad I got to spend my special day with family. I wasn't feeling well at all today, I had a horrible migraine. but somehow I managed to make it through. I made Cafe Rio salads for dinner, Yum! I got spoiled again thanks to my cute family. And does this cake say Chocolate Lover or what?

 Brown Papa made some of his famous vanilla ice cream and Allie was in heaven with that!

visiting Idaho

 After we celebrated Christmas morning at our house in California we packed up and left for Idaho. My kids were so excited to go see cousins and gramsie and Papa. The actually did pretty good on the long drive. The weather was so incredibly cold while we were there, Like take your breath away cold. Our California kids were super excited to play in the snow, but their parents were soooo cold. Jaida loved being in Aunt Lorrie's hot tub.

 They played outside until they were almost frozen solid.

 We were lazy too and just hung around on the couch.

 Allie ate a stable diet of Cheetos

 And she had tea parties too

 The kids built this awesome snow fort outside.

Christmas Pajamas

 Every Christmas Eve the kids get to open their presents from Grammy and Papa Russ. It is always some new pajamas. I don't know why it is so hard to get my kids to actually take a half decent picture. But you get the point, the girls had Frozen themed PJs and the boys got BYU ones. Thank you grammy and papa.

Let it Snow

Our good friends, The Budge Family, drove up to the mountains and filled a trailer with snow and went around delivering it to families. My kids were especially excited to get to play in the snow. They built us a cute little snowman. We are so grateful for fun, thoughtful friends like them. Merry Christmas.

Surgery

 Brock had to have surgery to fix his circumcision. He wasn't very happy with us, but I know someday he will thank us. He was a good sport about it and was making us all laugh in the waiting room. He was really excited about keeping the hospital pajamas. Funny Kid.

 When we was feeling a little better he requested that he could have Chicken on the bone (KFC) for dinner. He loved that because he was sick that he got to sleep in our bed. Sorry Buddy.. We love you!

Christmas Tradtions

 Every year my Grandpa Dean and Grandma Colleen host a Christmas dinner the Sunday before Christmas and hand out their gifts. Since we don't live close we miss out on the tasty dinner that usually my dad makes prime rib at, but they still remember to send our gifts and we visit via FaceTime so that we feel like we are a part of the family.

 My grandma always finds the most amazing little gifts that my kids always adore.

 And fruit snacks.. wahoo!

 This year they got Chinese yo-yos and they loved whipping those all around.

We are grateful they they make an effort to include us and show us how much they love us.

Living with Brock

 When you live with Brock you find things like this posted on your walls. This kid has some serious determination.

And you also get drawings like these at church. " I must think.. Don't give up.. Nothing is impossible"

Words to live by.

I'm official

I guess it was about time I got rid of my Utah Drivers License. I made it all the way through Maryland with it, but California was a little different. The biggest thing was that I had to study and take the test all over again. I was a little rusty. I could only miss 3 questions or I would fail. After missing two, it made the rest of the test so much more stressful... But luckily I managed to pass. If only my picture didn't look so awful!

Christmas Programs

 The boys both had their Christmas programs at school. Brock did a great job and were were excited to hear him sing the Penguin Polka. He was full of energy and happy to be there.

Pierce did a great job as well. He was chosen to go down and do a little dance with a few other classmates to the Draddle song. I was proud of him for going out of his comfort zone to do that.
I am so proud of both my boys they have worked really hard this year. Way to go!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Allie-ba-ba

Grammy Comes to visit

 Grammy came out to visit for Allie's Birthday. She got to watch Pierce practice water polo and then after she had a one on one lesson on how to throw the water polo ball. She was a good sport.

 Allie was excited to have her around to snuggle with. We are grateful that she gets to come and visit often and be a part of our lives.

Allie turns 2

Hard to believe that this girly is already 2 years old. Man the time just flew right by.  She has taught me to enjoy the moment. To find happiness in even the hardest of times. She has taught me to be more flexible and that the little things don't really matter. She loves her daddy like no other. She has him wrapped around her little finger. She is daring, but has the right amount of fear too. She marches to the beat of her own drum. She is very much independent. When she walks around with her head held high and like she is running the show. We love her more than anything. She makes our home happy! Happy Birthday sweet Allie ba-ba.

Brock's to do list

I love watching Brock doodle at church. The truth is you never know what you are going to get with him. I love the things that he already has checked off. Dream big, Brock... you can do anything you set your mind to.

The Nutcracker

 Our friends invited us to tag along to go see the Nutcracker Ballet. We were thrilled and gladly excepted. We decided to make a fun date out of it. We got all dressed up and ate lunch at the Tea House here in Old Town Clovis. They have some really yummy vanilla lemonade.

 The girls were both pretty excited. Gill hooked us up with some awesome seats right up close.

 We couldn't resist making funny faced selfies...

 We had such a great time and hope to make this an annual tradition. Thankful for awesome friends (Gill and Emma Dockstader) that helped to make this happen.