Christmas 2012

Cody called from France at 6:30 am Christmas morning and Moira kept the boys busy watching you tube videos while Brenton and I had our turns on the phone.

She is still smiling in this picture, she lit up like the Christmas tree when it was her turn to talk with Cody.  I honestly have not seen her that happy in months.

Bear watched for cats...

Honey hid under the ironing board until it was finally...

Present time!! Bubba unwrapped the beautiful temple picture from Josie first.

I think Liam kinda sorta liked his gifts...

Bubba liked the jewelry her brothers presented her with.

Christmas was good!  The phone call was amazing but so were some of the experiences we had throughout the day.  I got to deliver some bread/jam to friends and I got to hold the tiniest baby and see how happy his presence had made his family better.  I got to see how much my children love each other, and I saw a little bit of how wonderful a town I live in.  I will post more Christmas pictures in the next post....

Christmas Eve 2012!!!!!

We finished the blankets the day before Christmas Eve....

Hugh getting ready to open the traditional Christmas Eve gift....

I think they know they are pjs, thou Brenton's sniff test was amusing.

Dad's Angry Bird Pajama pants were a big hit.

Then things got a bit silly....

sillier...

and silliest!

The pajama dancing was new but entertaining none the less.

Christmas Eve was pretty mellow at our house, the guys went to see The Hobbit while I hurried and sewed pajamas and Moira helped make the cookies for the neighbors.  Brenton made us a fabulous pizza dinner and we messed around until it was time for scriptures and bed.  We could not stay up too late as our missionary was scheduled to call sometime between 6 and 9 am!!! I realize Moira is not in the pj pictures but that is because she opted not to dance with her cute pjs!

Gingerbread (graham cracker:) Houses with Friends!

Branson was glad to see Josie and she packed him all over the house!

Kayson is walking like crazy and had a blast rearranging the advent calendar.

Moira testing the gummy bears/worms?

Jared was sizing pieces of graham cracker by nibbling them!

Jared's house soon became the frontrunner, he was a bit touchy about sharing supplies.

Then Brian started helping and it became epic, I think they are adding the basketball court here.  Braxten was busy testing the candy quality.

Braxten and his house, he did a lot of landscaping.

Note the sidewalk and the lacing on the "hoop".

A better shot of the hoop.

I believe they are now building the archery range.

Hugh gathered all the candy bananas for his masterpiece.

Hugh was thrilled with his final production.

Kaylee,s was cute but her gingerbread boy kept falling down.

A shot of the finished archery range.

Here they added a corral and a pool, they have yet to buy the livestock.

 The Fawsons and the Garns came over to create Christmasy houses and it was a blast.  Jared's construction instincts kicked in and it was epic.  The kids, big and little, spent a lot of time building and pefecting their houses but Jared and Brian stayed with it the longest and by far had the most landscaping/add ons by the time we were all done.  Josie came and helped make dessert, it was so fun to see her and get to spend some time together.  The kids are all ready planning on doing this again next year and I have been told I need to step up the quality and amount of supplies.  I love having good friends around.  Well (Cody) I hope you still feel like you are part of everything even with being so far away everyone thought of you and we made a video but for some reason it is not showing up on the computer so maybe next time:).  Merry Christmas and happy building!

Visiting Temple Square with the young men and women.

Moira, Joe Gregory. Shayna Olsen, and Lian outside the church history museum. 

The weather was perfect and the lights were gorgeous.

One of my favorite view of the temple.

Most of the group on the East side of the temple.

On the temple steps......

 

 

 

Not a bad picture eh?

I was blessed to have the opportunity to drive some of our young men and women down to Temple Square in SLC on Wednesday.  We toured the church history building and wandered thru the Joseph Smith Building while we were there.  It was an enjoyable time and the new nativity displays by the church office building were beautiful.

Young Women's in Excellence Night on 11-28-12

Liam jigged so much he was rubbing a blister on his heel.

Moira had to leave early for YWIE so the boys hopped in for a picture.

Look! Our porch is finally done, gutters and all!  It is messy right now but we love it.

This is Spike, she is the 'tame' outside kitten! 

Hugh excited to stay for YWIE after receiving his Bobcat Award at Pak meeting.  Go Hugh!

This was Moira's display, it was adorable!  The theme was the "Worth of Souls", hence the dance shoes.

Some of the Young Women left early but they are a gorgeous group!

This is Spike looking less ferocious.

We really enjoyed attending both Pak Meeting and YWIE on the same night!  At least we knew where everybody was:).   Hugh earned his Bobcat award and is so excited to be in Scouts with his buddies from Church.  Moira had her last YWIE banquet and she put together an awesome slide show with pictures of all the girls. She even took some of the pictures for girls who needed them. She put in music and everything, that girl is technically gifted when it comes to digital design and layout!
The front porch is officially done and even passed inspection, whoot whoot!  The cats really like the new covered porch.  I can't wait to redo this tired looking blog this week so check back in a few days and see if I have actually done anything.  Now don't be in a rush because few is a negotiable amount. right?

A few more flashbacks from 2012!

Cody helping our neighbor Brother Hess vaccinate his ewes...the shed was difficult to stand up in, don't you love Brother Hess's bandana?

This picture says it all!!

One of my favorite pictures of Liam, he loves farm type work as much as Cody does...maybe two vets in the family?

One of my favorite pictures of  these two.

The Brigham city open house, my camera was having 'issues' but at least you can see the people in this one!!

I love looking at these pictures and realizing what a rich life we lead....sometimes it is hard to decide what to invest our time and money in then I look at these and remind myself to just enjoy it before they are all on their own! 

Random flashbacks.....

My boys at the BYUI dorms, we were dropping Cody and Moira off for their second time at EFY in August of 2011

On the way home we stopped at Bear World...this bear was very interested in our mini van!  He is at the driver's door here.  I will admit it was a bit concerning especially when....

first he licked my window and then he decided to check out the luggage rack....hmmm don't think we need to go back as the boys claim that was the coolest ever!  Very large paws indeed!

In August 2011 Cody and I took a road trip to Phoenix to pick up furniture from the two Grandma's and of course we had to scope out Cabella's.

Random picture of the boys having a nerf war, notice Hugh's helmet, chest plate, and eye protection...

My Happily Ever After.....

The night Cody went thru the temple, such wonderful family and friends!

Who us?  We are just sitting here being reverent..right?

Moira's 17th birthday....her brother's always get her roses!!

Well it was a crazy, average week....physicals, rain, chores, sold a few goats, didn't finish the never ending to do list, went to a wedding reception, had the Fawsons over to watch a movie...watched Branson do his dead deer imitation...just the usual.  I am hoping to finish decorating for the holidays and keep sewing charity blankets..the goal this year is 50.  Hope life is good in your cornier of the world!!!