Break Time

This is the favorite hidden corner.  The kids love to hide back in the this spot to read, play or watch shows.  I caught these two cuties there snuggling and watching a show together.

Gavin and Cadie came over for the afternoon.  Peter and Daphne came with while Freddy took a nap at Gram and Papa's.  Laney and Daphne had a great time playing with Littlest Pet Shop and Peter played Legos and trains upstairs with Daniel and Andrew.

Daphne said cheese for the photo with a mouth full of pie.  She is such a sunshine!

It was wonderful to play games and talk with Gav and Cadie.  We  don't get to see them much now that they are in Tucson.

Daphne waved goodbye while Peter got a fist bump.

A few days later, Laney decided to spin and spin and spin and spin and spin, for 11 minutes and 20 seconds when I finally made her stop because the kids were waiting on her to go to the park. She didn't seem very dizzy or sickened by it.  I would have barfed or spun in my head for the rest of the night. Crazy Girl!

We were able to get the gang together for one morning of traditional Death Ball.  It is a little like dodge ball.  We use the whole gym at the church and run around like wild people.  Quite a few of us were sore, including Tim and my twins, so I didn't feel too old, being sore myself.

Then we went back to Papa and Grammy's for more games and fun.

Papa's Christmas present to himself was a set of these blow up balls.  The kids had an awesome time battling each other and doing tricks, rolling and such.

Papa got a couple laser light projectors to decorate for Christmas, one for the front yard and one for the back.  The one in the front yard projected on to the tree and the effect was truly magical.  I wish I had a picture of it, but I couldn't capture it with my phone camera. It looked holographic almost and like a fantasyland all at once.  Gorgeous!

I was able to get pictures of the kids dancing in the lights. They look a little alien.  It was a ton of fun!

More silliness at home with the boys and sweet sisters in the background.

My little sunshine girl

The new mat for the trampoline is so tight the rain water was puddled on top.  They had to stretch it to get it to pour through.  They are enjoying the extra bounciness of a new mat.

My craziest kids! They are so sanguine!

This was also hard to capture with the night time lighting, but we have had a lot of dancing going on with the new 2017 Just Dance game.

We spent New Years Eve at my parents house along with Tim, Sara, Sam, Uncle Eric and cousins Tony and Wendy.  Sam was wiped out from a long day at work and didn't quite make it to midnight.

Tony brought the good stuff, sparkling red grape juice!

Here to you and a happy and healthy 2017!!!

Christmas!

Christmas was wonderful.  Nothing makes me happier than time with my family.  As my kids get older I find that I love the days we have at home together more and more. Don't get me wrong, I loved the days with my toddlers and babies, but big kids, teens, and young adults are a blast!  It's fun to work together on projects, cleaning and cooking and of course it is awesome to play with them. 

My favorite part of Christmas is watching my kids love and serve each other and those around us as we strive to give our best in celebration of our Savior's birth. For me, this is the best Christmas gift.

Susanna's teacher sent me this picture from her school party.  So cute!

It is also wonderful to give Christmas to my kids and to see their excitement as they come around the corner to see what Santa brought.

I am also grateful every year for my mother's creative wrapping when we were younger.  She would sometimes use pillow cases, sheets or blankets for larger items or when she just didn't want to wrap anymore.  Eventually, she made drawstring bags out of cute Christmas fabrics.  After a few Christmases with tons of my own kids I made drawstring bags for myself.  This is keeps me sane.  The shopping and organizing is enough for me.  Then I just put it in a cute bag, stick a label on it and I'm done!

My good camera is not working, so we had to use my phone.  It's not a great picture and we miss our Elder Josh, but this is our traditional stairs pose before we go see what Santa brought.  Since Christmas was on Sunday, we told the kids they could see what was there, but we would only have time to open stockings if they hurried to get ready for church.  Daniel was showered and ready to go before hand and the little girls had there hair in curlers still and a few others were barely awake.  It was 7:30 am, usually we don't go down until 8:00 am.  We like our beauty sleep.

They were excited to see Santa had brought a giant white board and a new trampoline mat as well as some favorite books, herbal tea, a tea kettle and treats.

Tim got this cute bow-tie from his friend Rebekah as a gift and he was excited to wear it to church.

It was a beautiful service about the Savior and most of our family sang in the choir. There is just something special about having Christmas fall on a Sunday.

We had a friend snap a couple of family pictures for us after church.  

It will be many Christmases before we have a family picture with the whole gang together again.  Josh comes home from his mission in June and Tim will leave for his shortly after. We miss our Josh but we are so proud of his love and service for the Lord. 

 When we got home, after eating some cereal (we don't buy cereal, Santa brings it), we began the gift opening.  The kids always want to give their secret sibling gifts first.  They are usually dying to see the reaction to the gift they bought for their brother or sister.

Susanna gave Daniel this cute shirt and a watch.

Laney gave Susanna a game, a book and earings.

Daniel gave Laney a watch and chili dark chocolate, her favorite.

Freddy gave Tim a piano book of 40 beautiful piano solos.

Andrew had Freddy this year and returned the fun he got last year in his gift from Freddy.

He gave Freddy Star Wars undies. Last year Freddy gave Drew flaming Batman undies. 

Goofy boys!

He also gave Freddy a watch.

Sara gave Sam a new ASU sweatshirt.  The one he had been wearing is from his senior year and is HUGE on him now. 

Timmy had Sara.

He gave her a beautiful silver ring and a new purse.  It was perfect!

  

Tim had cleverly wrapped secret gifts for Dad and me. He made it look like it was another gift for Sara, but then after she open her gifts, he handed it over to us to open.  It was a sweet surprise. 

 Pistachios for Dad and yummy smelling candles for Mom.  Thanks Timmy.  I love them and you! 

Sam had Andrew.  Drew got this crazy look on his face when he felt the familiar shape and shake of the first gift, a large bottle of Tabasco. He loves HOT food!!!

Sammy gave him a Coyotes jacket, Famous Dave's Devils Spit Pickles, Ghost Pepper Mustard (Drew is crazy for Mustard too) and Chipotle Tabasco.  He was elated!

Then the best part of Christmas came when we got to video chat with Elder Josh in San Diego! It was so great to see him and hear his voice.  He is doing amazing things, working hard and using his talents and having awesome experiences.  45 minutes flies by way too fast and saying goodbye is like ripping off a bandage, a little painful.  Only one more video call before he comes home!

I love that smile!

 We also spent time with many of the Alger and Ely famlies.  Family really is everything and we have such a loving extended family.  We are grateful for the love and generosity shared with us over Christmas.  We wish we could have spent it with all of our family near and far.  Love you All!