Welcome to our World

We had the most wonderful time at Mark and Kendra’s house from Dec 22-29. We couldn’t have asked for better hosts. When we arrived they even had their Elf on the Shelf ready and waiting for 4 extra children. We felt so loved and wanted.   During our stay we had plenty of relaxing mornings but still got to do lots of fun things. On Sunday we went to church with my mission friend, Emily, and her family and then ate lunch, taught them how to play Killer Bunnies, and decorated mini gingerbread houses and sugar cookies. After that we got to head to Hubby’s Grandma’s house to see her and aunts, uncles and cousins (some we haven’t gotten to see for at least a year and a half). I was touched when Hubby’s grandma making sure I knew what foods I could eat for my GF/Dairy Free needs. I love being around the W family. They are such a fun group. Afterwards we headed to the cemetery when Hubby’s Grandpa and aunt are buried and enjoyed the tree of life decorated for Christmas and to be reminded ...

Our month started off with the end of flag football season.  The girls made signs to cheer on D’s team.  They won the first game so got to play in the league’s “Super Bowl.”  It was a disappointing loss but they got medals for making it to the Super Bowl.  I think that’s a pretty nice finish to a wonderful season with great coaches and great kids on the team.  It will be sad to not have S’s dad and T’s dad coaching and having D hanging out with S & T a couple time a week next fall.  Why?  We are going to move D to the other flag football league that doesn’t have games on Sundays.  It will be hard but it will be worth it to not be playing on the Sabbath.  D has already expressed concern that serving a mission will negatively impact his aspirations in athletics but I promised him that if he was willing to serve the Lord he would be blessed more than he could know. The same day as D’s Super Bowl I attended our ward’s 8 is Great as the...

January — Dan turned the big 4-O and got to celebrate in Las Vegas. February — Scouting took over between victory at the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby and having the top cookie seller for our Girl Scout troop. March — Over Spring Break we fell in love with the Sonoran Desert. April —  Michelle was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. May — Our annual camping at Rocky Mountain National Park did not disappoint. June — We loved going around Disneyland in matching shirts with 40 Smiths.  We did not enjoy both our rental and our new home flooding. July —A great 4th of July party at a friend’s house was followed by lots of summer day camps & other activities we don’t have time for during the school year. August — Kate began 5th grade, Danny switched to the Waldorf school with Michelle, Michelle began 3rd grade and Natalie began half day kindergarten.  Sarah began to regain sanity. September — We went camping at the Roya...