New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve

 

Every year for New Years I always think we should plan something and we never do and I'm glad because then it's just low key and we all just hang out and I like it that way. We started the night at the Ricedorffs since Rachelle was leaving the next morning we thought we should hang out with her as much as possible. We BBQ'd and had a great time hanging out. Around 10 or so we set off fireworks and laughed at the kids dancing around them.



We left the Ricedorffs around 11:15 or so and headed home but it was raining and we thought I bet it's snowing somewhere in the valley so we drove to Las Sendas and sure enough we saw snow. Crazy to think it was that cold that we got snow in Mesa but we did. We had a great night celebrating the end of the year and the beginning of a new year.

Here's to 2015, can't wait to see what it brings.

Christmas

I love Christmas. I love everything about it. I love the excitement on my kids faces when they wake up and wonder if Santa came and what they got. I love that they get excited for the gifts they gave and can't wait to see if that person will like it. We had a good Christmas and I know I am truly blessed.

Jack, Kate and Jay with their presents. Jack a new basketball, Kate a doll and Jay the "Gregor the Overlander books.

 Spikeball for the whole family to enjoy. I love that we can be outside on Christmas morning and not be cold.

 Christmas night at my parents. It gets very crowded but so fun to see all my brothers and sisters and the families. So fun for the kids to hang out with their cousins. I love my family.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve

I love Christmas Eve. I love that we now have our own traditions.

 

We started the day off with a hike. I love being outside and taking advantage of the nice weather. We put up with very hot summers to have very nice winters. I like it this way.

When we got home Ryan did some yard work and talked the boys into jumping in the pool. Texas Roadhouse was on the line and the boys really wanted to go. So they jumped and we went out to dinner with just my family. I really like being with Ryan and the kids. I love listening to them talk and get along.

After dinner we went to the temple to look at the Nativities from around the world and walk around the temple grounds without huge crowds of people. I love seeing the Nativities and I hope my children feel the same way, just a little bit.
Christmas Eve night we went to look at Christmas lights with our friends, the Bartletts, but Kate wasn't feeling good so Ryan took her home. I missed having them there. It just wasn't' the same without them there. But once we got home the kids opened their Christmas pajamas and then we read the Nativity and talked about the true meaning of Christmas. Then my favorite part is putting the kids to be in Jack's room and having them pretend they are asleep. It makes me laugh every time. I love my family and love spending time with them.

Disneyland

We had a great time in Disneyland. I have been wanting to go since the beginning of the year but kept putting it off so I could go at Christmastime. I love Disneyland at Christmas. It makes me smile. We decided last minute to go and I'm so glad we did. We met the Bartletts and the Andersons and had a great time. Even better everyone was tall enough to go on all the rides. We missed Ryan but since he doesn't like Disneyland he wasn't too sad to miss out. I can't wait to go back but it will be a few years. There really is something magical about Disneyland.

Jack is 12

Jack is 12 and I now have two priesthood holders in my house. It is very weird for me to see Jack pass the sacrament. I love the man he is becoming and I love watching him grow up. He is so sweet and such a great brother to Kate. He wants to be good and every teacher tells me he is going places and will be a leader. Which I totally believe. He is friendly and kind to everyone and loves football. Jack is great and I am blessed to be his mom. 

We spent an extra day in California so Jack could spend his birthday on the beach. Plus eat sugar shack in the morning. 

 Jack's birthday party

We took all the boys out to the desert and had a bonfire and played night games.

Kate's upbeat kids

Kate was so fortunate to participate in Aubrey Denton's upbeat kids class all year. She learned how to sing and perform. At the end of the class Kate did a performance and had a couple of speaking parts and solos. I loved watching her perform and not being scared to stand up in front of people. Hopefully she always has that confidence to do things like this.

Kate and Allison Smith



ASU

I think it's safe to say that we are huge ASU fans in this house. We had a great year watching ASU sports. We had season tickets to the basketball and football games and loved watching Kizzy play volleyball. It's fun to cheer on the local team and even better when you know a few players.

Go Devils!!!