January 2022

FAMILY FUN!

Brooklyn drew a picture of her little Squishmallow.

The Squishmallow queen and princess.

Brooklyn dressed up her squishmallow for St Patrick's day. It's hard to keep clothes on when you don't have arms or legs.

We finished our 1000 piece Christmas puzzle of Phoenix.

Brooklyn as a Ravenclaw Owl.

Maddy had fun making Elephant Toothpaste with her friend Taylor.

Audrey made a Greek shield for history and the kids have been having fun doing "sword" fights in the backyard.

We had a fabulous day hiking Thunderbird mountain with our homeschool group.

The girls did some nature sketching at the top with their friends.

Can you tell that Brooklyn is excited for the next few holidays? She already has clothes set out for Valentine's, St Patrick's day, and Easter.

Ice Skating fun!

Audrey performed "A Tisket, A Tasket" at our ward talent show.

Brooklyn was excited to get her very own prayer pillow.

Family Vacation, Christmas, and New Years 2021/2022

THE GRAND CANYON

We saw some pretty deer on our drive.

Last time we visited Audrey was a baby and I was just barely pregnant with Brooklyn, so we felt it was time to visit again. 

It was beautiful, but very cold and windy.

Someone was nice enough to take a picture of our family.

THE CABIN

Brooklyn and Audrey loved the panda at the cabin. It is a collectable that belonged to their great-grandma.

We were spoiled by lots of fun gifts. 

Brooklyn and Audrey loved getting lots of cuddles from Grandma and Grandpa.

Brooklyn's first snow angel. She was really proud. 

We were excited to play in the snow when we arrived.

Utah snow isn't great for making a snowman, but we managed to help the girls build a little one.

The big kids made one too.

Grandpa and Jared worked hard building a sled run for the kids. 

Abby

Nathan

Sledding buddies

As always, Grandma's dress up was a hit.

Brooklyn and Audrey dressed up as angels and sang us "Angels We Have Heard on High."

As always, the kids enjoyed building with Grandma and Grandpa's huge Magnatile collection. 

VISITING THOMAS' GRAVE

We stomped through the snow to clear of Thomas' and my grandparents' grave. We sure miss them.

DONALDSON FAMILY CHRISTMAS PARTY

It was really fun to catch up with all of my wonderful family members. 

 My kids were a little bored until the greed game started, then they had a blast.

Marcus leading the singing. The rhythmic stomping and actions to "Good King Wenceslas" were awesome. We also sang the Batman version of Jingle Bells at Dane's request.

Singing "Oh Christmas Tree"

GRANDPARENTS AND COUSINS IN BOISE

Performing "Jingle Bells" with cousins.

Playing games

The kids were super cute in their matching Christmas pajamas. Thank you to Grandma D for giving them and to Grandma C for adjusting them to fit our skinny kids.

We had a delicious appetizer dinner for our Christmas Eve meal.

The kids did a great job acting out the Nativity together. 

The kids had fun decorating gingerbread houses with their cousins.

JoyAnn and company made a delicious Christmas dinner.

We were spoiled by lots of fun gifts at the gift exchange.

We got some beautiful snow on Christmas Eve, and it didn't really stop until we left for Utah a week later. The snow was great for skiing, but it wasn't easy to drive in.

Christmas morning was wonderful as always. The big kids got a ski trip and Audrey got a Harry Potter LEGO set she's been wanting and Brooklyn got a giant Squishmallow.

The girls had fun opening up Christmas crackers with paper crowns and prizes inside.

Brooklyn trying on Mom's ski gear.

The kids enjoyed Fort Strongbad at Eric and Amy's house.

It was bitter cold, but we had a great time night skiing at Bogus Basin. Jared and Bryan were patient teachers. 

These kids did great for their second time skiing. By the end of our time, they were able to get down the mountain without falling.

Brooklyn and Audrey had fun sleeping over and playing with Danzel, Carissa, and their Aunt Afton.

The kids with their Grandpa Collett.

A quick picture with Grandma before she left to work.

NEW YEAR'S 

We had a fun New Years Eve with my family in Utah before driving back to Arizona on New Year's day.

Jared got a large case of Gingerbeer from the kids (so he would have enough to share with them).

Abby, Maddy, and Nathan got the last part to their LEGO Hogwart's castle.

The kids were excited to be home and to have a couple days to play with all their Christmas gifts before school started. Brooklyn was happy that our new sorting hat put her into Ravenclaw!

Audrey had been wearing her new Hufflepuff robe everywhere.

We wrote down some new goals and pictures of what we want to have happen in 2022. We want to make it a great year!