December 2018

DAY OF SERVICE

We decided to pick up trash around our neighborhood for the worldwide day of service.  We were surprised by how much trash there was in just the small area we did (4 garbage bags full in 1 hour).  

FAMILY FUN

Nathan decided to make his own swords out of LEGOs.

Jared doing duct work for our remodel.

Brooklyn giving Jared an extra good workout.

Audrey tried on my fins and told me that she had "penguin toes."

Brooklyn likes to do homeschool with Audrey.

Audrey and Brooklyn playing at the park during Abby and Maddy's music lessons.

Audrey trying on mom's bathrobe.

Audrey dressing up with her friend Daphne.

FELIX

Our elf on the shelf came back to visit and Nathan drew his picture.

DECORATING THE TREE

Brooklyn loved unwrapping the ornaments and decorating the tree with us.

TRAIN RIDES

The teamsters union near us offers free train rides with a light show at Christmastime.

Our neighbor invited us for a Polar Express ride around the neighborhood.

GRAHAM CRACKER HOUSES

We had fun making graham cracker houses this year (Maddy made a train).

MESSIAH PERFORMANCE

Jared was asked to sing in a multi-stake performance of the Messiah.   The choir's performance was beautiful.

SANTA

Audrey was thrilled to visit Santa at our ward Christmas party (Brooklyn not so much).

PIANO RECITALS

Nathan with his piano teacher and fellow students.  He did a wonderful job performing Carol of the Bells.

Maddy played "Still, Still, Still" and Abby did "Gesu Bambino."  Their performances were perfect.

NUTCRACKER

We attended a student performance of the Nutcracker with the NW homeschool group.

NATIVITY

We did a scene from the Nativity for the Collett family video this year.

ARIZONA DECORATIONS

We enjoyed some of the unique Christmas decorations around the valley.  We couldn't get good pictures at night, but we especially enjoyed the light show in the Moon Valley neighborhood.

GIRLS IN THEIR CHRISTMAS DRESSES (Nathan didn't want his picture taken)

CHRISTMAS EVE

We had a nice appetizer party for Christmas Eve dinner including a vegetable tree, olive penguins, and Grinch kabobs.

Audrey was a sweet star/shepherd/wiseman

Brooklyn took good care of her baby doll as Mary.

Maddy was the angel and the other kids were wisemen and shepherds.

Jared reading The Night Before Christmas to the kids before bed.

CHRISTMAS MORNING

Audrey was thrilled with her Minnie Mouse scooter.

Brooklyn liked her new letter magnets.

The older kids had fun trying out their new rollerblades from Santa.

CABIN FUN



My parent's cabin is finally done!

My mom cooked a delicious Middle Eastern dinner for us the first night.

The kids acted out the Nativity with their cousins.

They also had fun making a crazy gingerbread house.

The basement isn't finished yet, but the wood burning stove was nice to cuddle around with Grandpa.

Audrey (and the older kids) had fun playing with all of Grandma's dress up.

SNOW!

My kids were excited to have snow to play in for the fist time in 4 years.  We enjoyed lots of sledding.

The views of Provo canyon covered in snow were magnificent.

GRANDPA'S BIRTHDAY

We celebrated my dad's 69th birthday at Sarah's house.  She made us delicious Indian food.

DONALDSON FAMILY PARTY

The extended Donaldson party/Craig's 60th birthday was a blast.  My kids enjoyed having so many pinatas to hit.

BOWLING AT BYU

We had fun bowling at BYU.  This was probably Brooklyn's favorite part of the whole trip.

GRANDMA'S HOUSE

We spent most of our Utah time at the cabin, but we did spend one evening at Grandma's house.  Brooklyn loved the giant Minnie mouse.

The kids performed their Christmas pieces on the piano.

GOOD-BYE

We had a wonderful time in Utah, and were sad to say good-bye to everyone.