Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving this year.  The kids were all sick the week before and missed several days of school.  Zak was the worst missing an entire week of school.  He had a weird sore in his mouth that made his whole cheek swell up.  We had lots of pukes, fevers, coughs and fun times.  That week I felt like I was really living the dream life as I would take kids to appointments, get them from school early, take temperatures, give medicine, hold them, clean up puke and do extra laundry.  It was fun times!

We had the entire week off of school for Thanksgiving.  We spent the first few days recovering from sickness and then were able to enjoy the rest of it.  Sadly we had our first cold days during our break.  We didn't mind so much but I felt bad for our company.  The Fielding family came to visit us for 3 days.  It was so great.  It is great to have friends that feel like family.  We didn't have to entertain them, we just got to enjoy them.  We literally never left our house except trips for groceries and to watch one sunset.  They were so good to my kids.  Lantz has a special connection with Dave and loves to climb on his lap and to just play games and hang out with him.  It is super cute.  We did crafts and played lots of games and had a great dinner.  It was just like Thanksgiving has been for the last 4 years.  It was the same food and company and we loved it!!

Thanksgiving night John's parents came into town.  They stayed for the next week with us. Luckily the weather improved and we were able to enjoy several beaches and playing outside.  We had a great visit with them. Becca and Brian also drove up from Texas to spend a few days while David and Valynn were here.  That Sunday we blessed Damon.  It was a short and sweet blessing with the Bishopric member, his dad, Grandpa David, and our home teacher.  He looked super handsome and was great for the blessing.

Christmas 2013

We had a great Christmas although it was a bit unlike any other!  It was warm leading up to Christmas so it didn't feel like a normal Christmas.  We still did our normal Christmas traditions and that helped to make Christmas Eve and Christmas just the same.  The best part is always our homemade gifts for each other. The kids have so much fun and look forward to giving their gifts. Zak sewed a pillow and blanket for Karlee. A pillow for Lantz, and he tie dyed and stenciled aprons for Lantz and Makelle. Makelle worked with John to make a bow from PVC pipe and carved arrows for the boys. She sewed a skirt for Karlee that ended up matching a skirt Lantz helped to make for her. Lantz did some camo tie died hankies and socks for Zak and helped build and paint a booster for Karlee to sit at at the table. It was fun to see the kids work so hard and be excited to give their gifts, and the kids were excited about getting their gifts too!

Christmas was kind of weird. Our schedule was empty and it was warm outside. It didn't feel a lot like christmas. We didn't even do the twelve days for anyone. So because we weren't serving we missed out on lots of the christmas spirit. Some of that was due to sickness, laziness and all sorts of excuses!!  It did get cold right after christmas...then really cold...like one day the kids needed coats for school. Luckily the sun is coming out again!

Karlee in her new jammies on Christmas Eve!

Some homemade artwork for Grandparent Christmas gifts using their hands and feet.

Christmas Eve in their Jammies.

Edward the elf
Christmas Morning

Christmas gifts made at school from my kids.

Our homemade ornaments.  The curly hair is Karlee, a frog for the frog that is one our door each night, bald John, a sunset, Zak's age 8, flower, snowman, and a fire pit.  Some of the things to help us remember our year.

The girls in their matching dresses.

Life is good. The kids were all excited to get new classes in primary. They love school and their friends here. We still walk or drive to the beach often to watch the sun set.

John starts making his wish list for his next assignment. We should find out at the end of March where we head to next. Then we move in August..crazy!!