Paxton and Talon's Are Married!

Our beautiful niece Paxton married Talon Campbell, who happened to serve in our ward when he was a missionary.  We loved him then and we love him even more now that he made such a great choice for his bride.




This pose was to send to Sam so he could feel the love too.


Leilani and her adorable kiddos




It was a beautiful reception.  They had boy and girl gingerbread cookies labeled with their names and a hot cocoa bar as well as other yummy treats.



The cake was beautiful too.


Jon, Grandma Alger and Mike


Grandma and Grandpa Call


Aren't these two cousins cuties!
Audra and Tim


Steve and Natalie with their little crew


Leilani and Jon

It was another wonderful evening with the Algers!

School Christmas Activities

We had our last 1st grade winter performance.  Susanna was super smiley and sang with all her heart!

She is right in the middle with a big smile!

Here she is with her teacher Mr. Hewitt.

Susanna and Brooke, one of her best friends

Josh had his winter choir concert.  He did an incredible job on his duet with Rebekah Smith, The Prayer.  It was beautiful!

Daniel's 5th grade teacher does a Polar Express Day every year.  They all wear PJ's and she reads them the story, then they go to different stations with activities and lessons about the book.  They even have a hot cocoa and goodies station.  I have helped with it several times. Daniel is our 5th child in her class.  It is a wonderful tradition and the kids all love it!

Love my Danny boy!

Santa!

We had a wonderful church Christmas breakfast and had a visit from Santa.  He talked about the Savior and why we celebrate Christmas before the kids got to come sit on his lap for pictures.

He was a wonderful Santa and our good friend (Bro. Short from our old ward).

Puzzling and Costco

Laney got out a puzzle one evening and worked diligently on it for several hours.  Nate worked on it with her for a while and I helped some.  She has done several puzzles with me since then.  She is getting really good at it.  I love puzzling and I am glad to have a buddy.

She was so proud when she finished it.

I stopped by Costco with these three monkeys one evening.  They were extremely entertaining and made it difficult at times to push the cart.  I happened to have the camera in my purse and had to get a picture of them being cute.

A short while later we saw Santa shopping there with his wife and asked for a quick picture.  Who knew Santa shopped at Costco?!

EVMCO Christmas Concert - Heavenly Peace

East Valley Millennial Choirs and Orchestra (EVMCO) has been an amazing experience for our teens. I would have all my kids in the choirs if it wasn't so far away, it's in Gilbert, and didn't start so early in the afternoon.  There is just no way we can get out there fast enough after school.  We leave the house at 3:45 pm every Thursday for rehearsals and don't get home until just before 9:00 pm.

"MCO was founded in 2007 for the purpose of teaching and encouraging excellence in quality sacred and classical music. Its primary purpose is to fulfill the need for more refined music education in our communities, with a focus on God and country. Similar to the music of the masters – Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms – we are bringing God back into the concert hall with the sacred/classical music that is such a rich part of the history of Christianity. We feel this is vital in today’s society, particularly for the youth of America.
MCO provides an invaluable learning environment whereby children, youth, and adults may associate and develop talents with those who maintain upstanding Christian values, while instilling in its participants a deep love for sacred and classical music." from the Millennial Choir website.

Their performances are unlike anything you have ever heard or seen.  The masses of children and adults singing together, surrounding the audience at times, it is amazing!

Richard and I both helped back stage this time.  He loved it as much as I do.  The youth we work with are a great group of kids. We have a lot of fun and get to listen to great music.

My Sweetie

My parents came to the Friday night concert. We were excited to share all kids' hard work with them.

My singers

Dysart Dance Recital

Susanna is old enough this year to be in the school dance club with Laney.  She feels like such a big girl.  They love to dance and are such performers, big smiles and a bit of ham.  They did their winter performance and were SO ADORABLE!

Laney is the second from the left in the front row and Susanna is right behind her, the second from the left in the back row.

Susanna is all the way on the right and Laney is the fourth from the left.

My little ballarinas

Laney is getting so grown up!

Such a sweet little diva

There is nothing in this world like sisters.

Fall Colors

Every year I am grateful for my crepe myrtles.  They remind me that even though it doesn't feel like it, it is fall.  I have them planted all over in my yard, but I especially love the ones just outside my family room windows.  I can sit and enjoy them while I have lunch or read.

I saw a little friend in them today.  We often have hummingbirds in them and have had several nests.

My family room view!

Mmmm... I love fall!