December Events

December was a crazy month for all of us!  I started looking back on the month and realized that we were gone every night before Christmas - except for the few days before the big day.  On one day was the Relief Society party, Mackenzie performing at the Festival of trees, and our ward party.  I spent the afternoon decorating the cultural hall and the tables.  They turned out so beautiful and we only spent less than $10!  One man works at a Christmas tree lot and brought us boughs which we wrapped in ribbon.  Each table also had a candle or nutcracker on it.  The party was "Nauvoo" theme.  Afterwards, Santa came.

I had a craft night at the house for all of the sisters.  Lisa had a candy making night too.  Michelle was in charge of the family Christmas party but we had it at my home.  The gingerbread houses turned out really cute!  

One night, we went with Michelle and Nate to the First Presidency Message.  We took Kenzie to see Santa at Winder Dairy.  She only asked for one thing - an I Spy book.  

Work was insanely crazy with resident recruitment.  

Santa came to our house and brought lots of many presents.  It was nice to also have Rachel over.  I was very spoiled with a new camera and a flip.  Brittany got a sewing machine and Mackenzie lots of books, game, movies and some clothes.  

As I look back at the end of another year, I am so grateful for all of my family and friends.  I live in a free land of America where I am free to make choices.  I have a job that keeps me busy and that I love (well most of the time).  I have a roof over my head, clothes, and food to eat.  I thank the Lord for the gospel and the opportunity to wake up every morning and look forward to another day.

Trip to Zions

In October, we took a trip to Zions National Park. The closest place that we found to stay was in Hurricane. The museum there is amazing. The lady there showed us what was left of a 101 year old wedding cake, and bacon that was 63 years old! How the town got started was pretty amazing- you will have to go there and see for yourself. Zions was beautiful. It rained and rained on Saturday but we managed to get three hikes in. On Sunday, we hiked to the top of Emerald Pools - Kenzie is quite the little hiker!

Kenize's first day of school

Kenzie and her best friend, Ruby

Kenzie started second grade at the end of August.   We found out the Friday before that her best friend Ruby was in her class.  Her teacher's name is Mrs. Cahoon and Kenzie says that she is very pretty.  Both Rich and I took her to school the first morning.   Last year, both Rich and I just made it to her school by the skin of our teeth due to road construction.  So this year, Rich got there 20 minutes early and we got there soon after.  This year has been harder.  Kenzie has at least 30 minutes of homework a night, and then we read for 30 minutes. It is a real struggle to get homework done every night!

David and Wendy's visit to the Taj ma "Wall"

Rich and Lily hanging out together
David, Wendy, Ella and Lily

Kenzie and Macy

The week that David and Wendy were here with their family was so amazing and fun.  We were fortunate that they got to spend a few nights at our home.  The boys slept in the basement and probably stayed up all night playing "Guitar Hero".  David was the last one that I saw when I went to bed and the first one up when I got up in the morning.  There was three family parties.   One was a swimming party, one was a family party at the park and the last was a game night at our house.    Rich brought out the bounce house for the kids and made everyone snow cones.  He ended up making a friend in the meantime - see above.  

One day we went boating with Kim and Kelly on Kim's birthday.  I laughed my head off while I was tubing with Kenzie and Carlie.  We took David, Wendy and family to see a 3-D show at the Clark Planetarium and then for chinese food.  

Little Lily loves Spongebob and loved playing with the toys that we had here.  Lucky for us Spongebob comes on pretty much all day long.  

   

Home Sweet Wendell...

             Well, almost 4 generations..

Rich kept asking me to call grandma so that we could go up to Wendell and see her.  We finally found a weekend that worked for all of us.  Grandma was such a gracious host and fed us so many yummy dishes and she had even made fresh bread.  There were so many questions that we asked her that I'm sure she was all talked out by the time that we left.  We asked her why her and grandpa moved to Wendell.  She even showed us the first house in Wendell that he built.   She talked about raising 10 children - a lot of the time on her own when grandpa worked out of town.  There was so much that I didn't know before this visit.  Brittany and her friend Brandie came up on Sunday and after dinner, we played Kuub - the girl beat Aunt Nip and I both games!  On Monday, July 28th, Rich had his 41st birthday.  We went to Twin Falls for the open house of the temple.  The temple was beautiful.    Afterward, we took grandma and Aunt Nip out for all you can eat pizza.  I had such a wonderful time, that I cried when grandma and aunt Nip left.  Grandma is such an amazing person!

American West Heritage Center

We took Mackenzie to the American West Heritage Center in Logan.  They were celebrating the Days of 47.  Every half hour, there was a different activity going on.  We saw gunfighters, Pony Express riders, Dr. Quakenshaw's show and a re-enactment of a pioneer wedding.   We saw how to play marble games and pan for gold.  Here, Mackenie is at the wood shop showing members of the audience the difference in the wood shavings.  Rich is by an old steam engine - he said it reminded him of the little one that dad has.   Patch works in the woodshop and was showing the audience how to sharpen my fingernails. There was an authentic teepee and even a mountain man that showed you how to make jewelry.  On the way home, we stopped in Roy at the Burger Bar.  The Food Network had a special on this restaurant, and ever since we saw it on t.v., we have wanted to go there.  The onion rings, french fries and shakes are out of this world!