Sadie's class singing Christmas songs

 The third grade at Sadie's school was asked to sing some Christmas songs at a local bank for a "Light the Christmas Tree" event.  It was just at a bank and before they sang the lights someone said to "hit it" to someone who worked there and then they went behind the Christmas tree and plugged it in.  Ha ha.  It was pretty funny.  But the kids sounded great and then they got cookies and juice after.  It was a tiny room with tons of kids and parents squeezed in.  We were watching from the side, but Rob got a quick picture from the front before they started singing.  Sadie did a great job even though she said she was nervous.

Pretty Snowflakes

 One day while I was debating whether or not to go pick the kids up from school instead of making them walk home, I went outside to see how cold it was.  Then I noticed it was snowing these tiny, beautiful, perfect looking snowflakes.  I remember this happening once before (I'm sure it happens more, but I only noticed it once before) when we lived in Springville.  It is so cool.  So I called the kids outside to look at all these pretty stars that were covering our driveway.  The pictures don't do it justice, but I tried to take a few good ones.

 Then as I was walking inside, I noticed one on my sweatshirt.  Perfect little snowflakes.  So pretty.

Sewing

 A lady that I know likes to wear jumpers.  I think that is all she wears.  She hired me years ago to sew her some and then she calls me now and again to sew some more for her.  a few months ago she asked me to make her some she could wear in the temple since she is now a temple worker.  She wanted me to weave ribbon to make the bodice.  It sounded fun to try.  Then I got started and everything that could have gone wrong while sewing a dress went wrong!  Ha ha.  I guess not everything, but I had to rip the seams out so many times.  It was crazy.  So when I finished this one, I was so happy to have it done!  I wanted to document it so I will remember that I can do hard things. :)

 This is the detail along the bottom of the skirt.

Random

 Found Zac in this position sleeping the other night.  He is always putting his shirt over his knees like that.  I don't want to forget this. 

These three kids are so fun.  And cute.  And stinkers.  And awesome. We sure will miss William around our house when Luke and Taylor move.  :(  Riley might have some separation anxiety. 

Christmas tree

 We got rid of our HUGE Christmas tree that we had been using for the past two year because it was just way too big for our room.  So we gave it away and bought a new one for 30 dollars.  It is the perfect size for us.  I love it.  So one Sunday we decorated it before we went to church. 

 The kids did a great job putting the ornaments on the tree evenly. 

Then Rob got to come and put the star on top.  Perfect.

We are ready for Christmas...except our Christmas lights aren't up yet.  Maybe I'll try to convince Rob to do it this weekend!

Ten Year anniversary getaway (a month early)

 This December 28th, we will be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary.  I can't believe it's been 10 years, but I can't really remember being without Rob.  He is amazing and takes such good care of me and the kids.  He keeps us all laughing and has an amazing talent of teaching the kids how to play new games, life lessons and the gospel.  I love him so.

So we decided to take a couple days to ourselves after we ate our Thanksgiving meal.  The kids stayed with Luke and Taylor while we went to Salt Lake for two nights. Click  here to find out what the kids where up to with their aunt and uncle while we were gone.  Thank you so much Luke and Taylor.  The kids had a great time.

We started Friday morning off by going to the grocery store for breakfast and then heading over to go rock climbing. 

 Here we are in the car enjoying some yummy donuts and bagels.  I mentioned to Rob that it is nice to be able to enjoy our food without kids bickering in the back of the car, but it would get old pretty fast. We missed our kids already.  :)

 We couldn't really take pictures while Rock climbing because I was belaying him and he was belaying me.  So we just climbed up a foot or two for these pictures.  ha ha

 After rock climbing, we rushed over to see Dr. Strange in the movie theater.  We both really enjoyed the movie and then headed over to the food court at the mall to get some Panda Express. 

 

 WE stopped by the hotel to go in the hot tub and then get dressed for our next activity.  Which was...

 A massage! We both loved the massage, but Rob loved it the most.  It was his first massage and he just couldn't stop talking about how amazing it was.  

After that, Rob had made reservations at the Roof restaurant in Salt Lake city.  As we were driving there, I kept asking what was going on that night because there were tons of people walking along the streets.  Turns out that the temple lights turned on that night.  So temple square was crowded but we didn't mind because we didn't have to make sure our kids weren't getting lost!  ha ha.

 This was our view from the table at the restaurant.  Pretty great. 

 

 A few selfies with the Christmas lights.  We need to take the kids to see them still.  Maybe this weekend.

The next morning, we did some shopping and then came home and opened our new Christmas tree and the kids piled into the box.

 Pretty cute. I love all these kids!

After Luke and Taylor and William left, we decided to take the kids to the park.  It was such a fun time because we both just really wanted to play with the kids because we missed them.  One of the most fun trips to the park I can remember.

 Riley climbed the spiderweb.  

 Then me and Emery made it to the top!

 Sadie was showing off her muscles.

 And Zac trying to cross these crazy spinning monkey bar things.

 Then we spent a good long time on the swings.  Rob gave underdog after underdog.  It was fun.

Then we took a family selfie.  Thank goodness for Rob's long arms!  We all made it into the picture!

Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving this year we invited Crys and Alan over to eat with us.  It was a low key day which was nice.  We did a few crafts while I worked on the meal. 

First we made these little wreaths out of paper plates and construction paper.  We made colorful leaves and wrote things we were thankful for on them and then glued them to the paper plate.  It was fun.  Rob helped Riley with the glue and I completely cut his head off in this picture.  oops.

 Next we got out the cranberries and made sculptures out of them with toothpicks.  My friend posted a picture of her kids doing this on instagram and it was the perfect activity.  It kept Zac occupied for a good long time.  He made me take a picture of him with all of his creations.  There were about 15 of them.  ha ha.

Here is a picture of most of the food.  Minus the jello fluff.  

This was the only picture I got of the meal.  ha ha.  We loved having Crys and Alan over. 

Then after we ate of course we had to watch a Christmas movie.  Rob was snuggled up with Emery and Riley. 

Then Riley climbed onto the couch and snuggled up right be Zac.  It was a sweet moment.  

You can't really see it but Zac was rubbing her hair.  Cute!  These two share a room now and they have the sweetest bond.  

We are so thankful for so many things in our lives.  Especially family and our faith.  We are loving trying to spend this Christmas season focusing on Christ by #lightingtheworld.  If anyone is interested in finding out more about lighting the world, check it out here.  

 https://www.mormon.org/?cid=HP_FR_25-11-2016_dMIS_fmorg_xLIDyL1-A_