Christmas (2012)

Since most of Courtnee's sweet 16 pics and all of Jade's birthday pictures, all of Thanksgiving and all of Halloween pictures are all still MIA, I will move to the few pictures I have of Christmas time. Most of them are of our little mischievous elf, Zippy. He had quite the adventures last year, causing quite the commotion. The best thing that happened last year at Christmas was, Courtnee and I were able to provide Christmas for a family who was in need of a nice Christmas. We shopped, we wrapped, and we really had a different outlook of what Christmas was really about. That was the best gift her and I received last year. It still warms my heart to think about. I hope we are able to do that again this year, as to me that is the true meaning of Christmas. Giving of yourself to others. As I sit and think about what I can get my kids this year, I cannot think of one thing they need, other than to serve others. I think I am going to arrange some service for my family. My kids have no clue how hard other families have it, I think it might just be what they need.

 

 

Sweet Sixteen (November 2012)

 

 

Miss Courtnee turned 16 on November 12th. We decided we had to go big on this one for her. Go big or go home right? I decided to give her a scavenger hunt, but rather than find items, she had to find her friends. Now its just not right to be turning 16 and have to find your friends in a Honda minivan, so we rented a limo for her. This was no run of the mill limo either, it was an SUV limo, the biggest in the state. (Go big, or go home, right?) Her friends were hidden at certain spots and once she found one friend, she got the clue to find the next one. First they found Megan, at a cemetery, (hey she picked it.) Second they found Kilee waiting at Kneaders. Next was Karl, at the CHHS football field. Ethan was next, at the Nike outlet. Haley was waiting at Downeast Basics. From there they found Devin, at Zumiez. Colton was chilling at, Mountain View Golf Course. Then came Logan, waiting at Cinemark. Lastly was Jordan at Academy West Gymnastics, freezing her arse off! The limo driver drove them around for a few hours, letting them enjoy the limo.  After they got home, they ate dinner, opened presents, snacked, ate cake, laughed and made everlasting memories.

 

Miss Courtnee & Miss Whitney starting out the limo ride.

 

 

And their off!

Miss Courtnee and all of her besties! 

 

Such an awesome limo driver.

 

 

Haley, Megan, Kilee, Ethan, Jordan, Colton, Miss Courtnee, Devin, Logan, Karl & Whitney

 

 

Her fabulous cake, made by my sweet friend Jill..

 

September 2012

This was Stockton's GRAND birthday! A grand birthday is when you turn the age of the date you were born, so he turned 14 on the 14th. We took all of his friends and cousins to Boondocks for a day of fun! We finished up the night with a steak dinner and a yummy bundt cake. I think it was a great GRAND birthday!

 

 

My mom made him this amazing quilt for his birthday. He will be forever grateful to her for it. He loves it so much. She took all of his jerseys from the time he started playing basketball (age 9,) up until that time. She is so beyond amazingly talented when it comes to sewing. I wish I would have gotten some of that talent. I can sew a straight line and that's about it. Thank you mom, you are the best grandma ever!!

 

 

Bear Lake (August 2012)

This was our first time to go to Bear Lake. We were beyond excited.. We met our cousins Dave and Kendall up there and headed up with Nancy, Levi and Grandma. I was completely awe struck at how completely beautiful and breathtaking this lake was. We sat up camp and sat under the awning in the rain.. For hours and hours we waited for the rain to stop, it didn't. Being that it was the end of August and never have been there before I didn't know how chilly it could get. So I packed a little light. We ended up going to bed as it was still drizzling. We prayed for dry weather for the next day.. Jade and I shared a cot, and Troy and Cole shared. The older two were in other tents. I froze my butt off... I was determined I was never coming back again, it was so cold and so miserable. I finally ended up getting up at about 4 and going to the car and just let the heat run, so I could at least thaw out. I stayed in the car until everyone else got up and got a fire going. BUT, the sunshine came with the morning.. YEAH! We had so much fun playing that day. We played in the water, (well not me, as I was still frozen,) we boated, we ate, we laughed and we made some amazing memories.. :) What a fun weekend.

 

I am BACK!!!

It has been far too long since my last post and I desperately miss it. I am going to try and re-cap the goings on of the last year a month at a time, with a simple collage.. We will see how good I do.. Not sure if anyone really follows my blog anymore, but I will at least have it for me.. :) Wish me luck!

Other August Events...

Sweet little Alyssa.. My brother brought my niece out for a visit, and of course we all just ate it up. She is so stinking cute, love holding her and cuddling her..

 Jade just loves her

Such a cutie.

Smiles...

 Grandma & Alyssa...

 Cole & Alyssa...

Courtnee & Alyssa...

Ryker thought he should be the only one to hold her. 

Starting School!!

Cole, 4th grade.

 

Courtnee, 10th grade (gasp!)

 

Stockton, 9th grade..

 

Love these kiddos, and they completely color coordinated their outfits!

 

Jaden, Kindergarten..

 

Jade and his little friends, Emmy & Eden..