More Hidding

The cat is always excited when the tree goes up and things start to pile up.  She has more escape plans when Ammon is around to torment her.  The soft PJs for Christmas Eve make a perfect snuggle spot.

5 Guys Best Employee

I wouldn't be a good mom if I didn't embarrass my kids now and then...

Went to visit my girl at work.  She refused to have her picture taken until, she finally gave in, but gave the "just take the picture" look.

Then a customer came, and I moved aside to take one of her in action.  So proud of my sweetie.

Christmas Band Concerts

Tarin's front and center and is playing very well with her clarinet.

Jarom is a bit tougher to spot, because playing the Baritone he's in the very back.  He's the little head over the music stand in the back.  But he rocks the instrument so well.

Adam's Family (*snap*snap*)

This is my big sister Shanda and her family.  Not very often do we get to see their entire family together.  Whitney and Rider (wheelchairs) are in a home for severe disabilities.  I haven't seen them in a long time.  So when I got their Christmas card, I had to keep it, on here, to remember.  Jake is also on his mission when this was sent out, so I really loved this picture of them complete.

Tanner Palmer Baptism

Jeff and Alice's little guy Tanner was baptised.  We had the honor to go up and be apart of it.  Tana&Matt and their kids were there too.  This is with my parents and all 16 grandkids (that live in Utah).  Tanner is 4 or 5 months older than Ammon, so it was neat for Ammon to see.

My mom's quilt that shows our journey through life through the Lord's eyes.  Gates of baptism, iron rod through life, celestial marriage, and eternal life with our Father in Heaven.

Congrats Tanner, we are so glad we could share this day with you.

Lower Lights Concert

This is one of Trent's favorite folk-y bands.  It was neat to go up to the Utah University Kingsbury Hall and meet up with an old friend Jarome Roque.  

Festival Of Trees

For a family night out, we went to Kneaders then on to the Festival of Trees held in...Sandy, I think.

This was a giant boutique to purchase or just to look around and get ideas.  Kind of cool, but very crowded.

A genious puzzle of movement

Lots of Tree decorating ideas...Raegan loved the Star Wars one...

I liked the art of the quilts

  

so did Raegan...

SNOW SNOW SNOW

Enough snow fell the night before that the kids had to get out and build and create.  Snowman is always the first things to go up in front yards after a good snow fall.  "Jeffrey" lives and comes back year after year.  But this is only the beginning to the massive amounts of snow we will be getting.

Long Term Substitute 6th Grade

I had the opportunity to be a long term substitute for Mrs. Sorenson a 6th grade teacher, for 4 weeks (End of November until Christmas break).  I love teaching and have my degree (expire certificate though) and have been subbing at the kids school Saratoga Elementary for quite some time.  I'm reputable and really... I guess I wanted to see if I had what it takes to be a full time teacher.  Although I loved this class and loved the teacher (despite her lack of organization-she has passion to make up for it) I decided I'm not quite ready to give up my home life yet.  Kids still need that consistency and also...I still need my decompressing time, and get errands done.  I admire full time working moms, especially the single ones.  It's very difficult to juggle all those responsibilities.  On the flip side, I've come to love these kids and root them on. 

Rotations for science:

This picture we had the beginnings of decorating the classroom with snowflakes.

Tarin helped me with another classroom decoration...

With the holidays comes Santa Clause at the school

and classroom parties

It was nice, students even brought me Christmas gifts. 

I loved teaching and finally got my groove with grading and organizing, but teachers have a tough job.  I learned a lot and will continue to sub to help teachers out and to help out my desire to teach.

Pack Meeting

Ammon started coming to pack meetings with me since he will be going in March anyway.  He helped me build this little guy for the activity.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Sunday after Thanksgiving, or the night we got back from Arizona, we broke out the Christmas tree and decorations.  It's always fun to see past ornaments over the years.  Many memories...

Thanksgiving 2015

What an adventure!!  This picture says it all as to how the first two days rolled.  We rented a minivan (last of Trent's travel points) because our van didn't sound too good for a long road trip to Arizona.  Trent sayed back, he just started his new job with MX, but will meet up later. We get up early and make it past Panguitch close to the Bryce Canyon turn off and the censor to the tire turns on, then suddenly it blows out, the rear drivers side.  Sheesh!  We were making good timing...  Because it was a rental, I had to call their services to call a local guy to help.  Waited about 2 hours and even that guy had to google how to get to the spare tire... Got the donut tire on and had to detour through Hwy 14 to get to Cedar City for a new tire.  Pretty country, and I'd love to spend time at Duck Creek, but an out of the way detour.  After another hour or so at the tire place (which was painless, thank goodness) we were on our way to Vegas.  Figured we were already late into our day that we'd stop in Las Vegas for the night (final depletion of travel points for a hotel).  

Had dinner at In-N-Out Burger right off the strip then drove around the strip to let the kids see the amazing sights.  Pretty spectacular, except for the trucks driving around with almost naked women on them for advertisment....

               

Then back on the road...Lake Mead close to the Hoover Dam

Finally we made it to Gma and Gpa's house.  We were so glad to be out of that van and walk around.

  

That night we met up with some friends or ours, the Conovers.  We knew them from college, BYU.  We also spent some time at my brothers house, checking out his new pool, and Karen did our hair.

   

Part of Rian's birthday present was to dye her hair.  She couldn't decide, so ended up with something safe for her first time, darker.  I think she likes it, but doesn't LOVE it.  Next time. :o)

      

Thanksgiving morning, was the Gilbert Turkey Trot.  At starting line we found my brother Ben and Karen and Traci, then we met up with Trevor and Ashley.

   

Jarom was too fast for me and Raegan, so I didn't catch any pictures of him.  It was a very crowded event.

Later, I picked up Trent from the airport andwe prepared for the feast and had the Conovers over too. (Dang I was bad at taking pictures of them...)

The weather was perfect for outside.  Thankful for so much.  Family, health, Our Saviour Jesus Christ, a living prophet, the gospel, temples and scriptures to help direct us through this scary but necessary world.  So so much more, like Trent's new job the kids and school and their good health...I could go on forever.  I'm thankful also for my family.  Although I wish we were closer, my parents and siblings are amazing.

Next day Tana and Matt and Jeff and Alice and our kids went on a walk to see Gma and Gpa's new house they are building.

Right now it's just a big hole dug out...

Later we had family pictures at Scott and Heathers house.  It's been awhile since we were all able to get together.  Jake is on his mission, and Riley too, and Whitney and Rider were not there.

Finally before heading back, we went over to the Conover's house to watch the Michigan Game.  It was still cold, but that didn't stop my kids from swimming...

Then we headed to the nearby park for games.

Early the next morning, we headed home altogether in the minivan.  We stopped at subway for breakfast/lunch in Beaver...I think (I'm updating this post in July 2016) and it started to SNOW!!  Yep we were back in Utah...

...It was good to be home otherwise.