MERRY CHRISTMAS!

This year my mom and stepdad were in town for Christmas day, so we had a giant sleepover with everyone at my house and we enjoyed a giant party! Lots of food, presents, and chatting. So much fun and so glad it's over. :)

 This little girl refuses naps a lot and then crashes in random places around the house. :) This time she was sitting up straight.

 And this is the only picture I have from an excursion we made downtown to see the lights with our friends the Birds. This is Indie on the front runner train. It was an experience. Super crowded and somewhat stressful, but it was good to spend time with the Birds.

And these two babies are fun! Look how much bigger Aaron is than Ever. And she is three months older than him! I am so relieved that the Michaelson's will be around for a little while longer.

Happy Birthday to me!

I always love it when it snows on my Birthday! I laid around in bed until 9 and then I got to play outside and build snowmen with my kids. Scott and I went out on a date to an Indian place called Himalayan Kitchen. I love Indian food. And then we did some shopping together. I love my life!

A visit

Scott was able to do some magic shows for his brother Jeff's work in Roosevelt (he is the Director at a rehab/retirement facility). We got to spend the weekend with Jeff and Karla. It was a great weekend!

 The bubble bath of any child's dreams!

 Making gingerbread houses!

 These two love to photobomb each other. Park's side.

 Annicka's side.

 And Ever with Uncle Jeff the following weekend at our house. She took to him like peanut butter to jelly. She doesn't warm up to people she doesn't know well very quickly. Such was NOT the case with Jeff. From the get go she loved to sit on his lap and play with him. He is an easy person to be around. :)

Park the Wolf

 Part recently received his Wolf badge in cub scouts. So proud of this kid!

The Ramos'

These flowers were given to me by some very special people. Loren and Sandie Ramos. Let me tell you about these people. Brother Ramos (as he still is in my head) was my Seminary teacher my Senior year in high school. At that time I had moved back to Utah from Virginia and was not living at home. My parents were in the middle of their divorce and I was living with my oldest sister, Maureen. Life was rough to say the least. I had some good friends, and I was doing my best to enjoy life, but I was still struggling. Bro. Ramos and his wife were there for me. He became a second father to me as he first taught me in Seminary, gave me blessings, invited me and Maureen into his home for dinners, allowed me to tutor him in Spanish, and always checked in with me to see how I was doing. He moved to Colorado shortly after Scott and I were married and it's been probably 10 years since I had seen him, though we've kept in touch. They were in town for Thanksgiving and I had the opportunity to visit with him and his wife Sandie. I was reminded again of how grateful I am for them! For all that they did for me and all that they still mean to me. We've made plans to vacation with them this summer and I look forward to having them become more apart of my life again. What good people!

A little organization

 I have a friend named Melody Rejholec (pronounced Relic) who is uber organized. Her counters are always clear and I love going to her house and seeing clear counters. Well, I finally asked her to help me make that possible at our house. She spent a couple nights at our house one week, after kids were in bed, helping me to de-clutter our counters, and subsequently cupboards and drawers as well. Are those clear counters beautiful? I love it. It makes me feel like even if the rest of the house is a mess I can look at my counters and feel a sense of well being. :) Thanks Melody!

Happy Birthday Park!

Have we ever mentioned how much these kids love trampoline parks? Well Park chose to go to Airborne for his Birthday and to McD's too. Why do kids love that place so much? He's 9! These kids are all growing up too fast.

 Mark. Get set. GO!

 Park's favorite treat is pumpkin pie, so that's what he got for his birthday. And a new scooter that he's been riding around the kitchen and the block if it's not too cold outside.

We love this kids for his love of math and all things engineering, his quiet determination, and his fake laugh!

Happy Birthday Annicka!

 This girl is officially 11! I've told her she is now old enough to babysit other people's kids. She has yet to book her first gig, but there are many promises from neighbors across the street. We went swimming for Annie's birthday and then to McD's for dinner. She wears her new Harry Potter hat and scarf to school every day.

 Annicka chose to be Amelia Earhart for her 5th grade wax museum (the day before her birthday). She made her poster all by herself. No help from me. I love how independent and dependable this girl is!

We love Annicka for her sensitivity to others needs. She is such a great sister and daughter!

Happy Halloween!

 This year Halloween was spread out over two days. On Friday the kids were able to go trick-or-treating at Scott's work. Then we had our regular neighborhood fun the following night. Park and Annie went trick-or-treating with friends and the three younger ones went around the block with me. Annicka was Hermione from Harry Potter, Park was a dementor from Harry Potter, Indie was a Red Power Ranger (though he does look like a pirate without his mask), Milo was a Pirate and Ever made the cutest tiger Ever...pun intended :D

 This is Indie digging for a piece of Candy...yeah, those pillow cases were maybe a little big.

 One of our favorite traditions is putting out the fire pit and handing out candy while we drink hot chocolate and enjoy all the kids coming around the neighborhood.

 Milo after his sugar crash.

What a HAUL! We sure had fun sorting!

Happy Birthday Milo!

It's that time of year again where we begin our Holidays with Milo's Birthday and then we white knuckle it until after Christmas. But then January is home to three more birthdays. :)

 He's 4! Milo was excited about his new pop guns! We spent the evening at Hang Time trampoline park having lots of fun. All of the kids just love the fun and exercise!

We sure are glad to have Milo's animated, bright, random and fun spirit at our house!

Reunions

 Recently we were able to go out to dinner with all of my siblings (minus Julie) and their spouses. Thanks to my mom! We sure love to have sibling date nights!

 And Scott also had a mission reunion...20 years. Man he's OLD! His mission president and wife are wonderful people whose love for others just emanates from them. It was a good night.

Prom 2015

The 5th Annual Eagles Gate adult Prom!

This year our theme was Superheros! We have so much fun with this every year! What a great group of people we live with.

 Scott was "The Greatest American Hero" and I was "The Black Widow" from the Avengers. Eat your heart out Scarlet Johansson!