Christmas Time

We have all of our stockings! I feel complete!

We were without power for about 5 1/2 days because of a storm that came through. Luckily we had a generator so we still got to live pretty normal, but it did make us take pause on what we used. So this year we are really late decorating for Christmas. The kids had a lot of fun and are getting so good at organizing the decorations and making the place look festive. 

Bath Time

I finally let Lucy take a real bath--not just in her baby bathtub. She did great! She loves it! And Piper loves the company. I love, love, love her toothless grin! I don't know how long it will stick around, but I am savoring every moment of it! 

Giving Thanks

Today I am thankful for my husband. I am thankful for his health--and quite honestly his life. I am thankful for each one of my kids. I am thankful for their health. I am thankful for what I have learned as a mom. I am thankful that I will continue to learn. I am thankful for where we live. I am thankful for the job that Grant has, and how good they are to him there. I have so much to be thankful for. I really am blessed. 

There Were 4 In a Bed

We have too many monkeys in our bed. I think it is time for eviction notices. But aren't they cute!?!

Discovering Life!

Miss Lucy found the door today. 

And someone is a little jealous that Lucy is on the inside and he is on the outside.

Snuggles

Piper loves that Grant is down more so she can snuggle with him more often. She is always up for a snuggle and good ear rub. And it often leads to a nap for one or both parties!

The Day of the iPads

Nov 19 At Grant's work, their iPads were in desperate need of an overhaul. So they had to get*******new iPads for all of the nurses, and other staff.
Grant had to spend his day plugging in codes and passwords and usernames on each and every iPad. Talk about a brain overload for a guy recovering from a concussion!

1st Ride

Ben's first ride of the 2015/16 season was at the beginning of the month. Always a fun time for him. This year he got one of his friends to join the group, so that should make it even better!

Ben's ordination

Ben's priesthood ordination was so low-key. With Grant's concussion, it had to be a simple. So it was just our family and Papa and Nana. Since Grant is in the Bishopric, we had that covered too.

We are so proud of Ben and the man he is becoming. We have enjoyed watching him grow in his priesthood as he was the Deacon's Quorum President for several months. It was so inspiring to see him gain revelation, then act on it, and then for us as parents to sit back and watch the results. I never knew the Deacon's Quorum could have such an effect on a ward. Ben is a great leader!

The. BEST. Day. EVER.

Karmin's dream was to ride a horse. I cannot convey enough how much she has yearned to ride a horse. On top of that she wants to own one. She has researched how to be able to afford one and what it takes to take care of one.
Her friend Lizzy invited her over to her house today, and Lizzie invited her to ride her horse, Freedom. Oh, what a day! I don't know if she will ever have a more exciting day than this one!

Waiting for Dad at the Dr's

I am in love with this girl and any time we get to hang out!

First Day Again

After almost three years to the day, Ben is returning to public school. At Northside, his last set of friends went back to public school (it seems that the older the kids get in this program, the fewer there are). I told Ben that maybe he should think about going back to public school because it would not be fun to go the whole week without seeing any friends.So he took a few days to think about it and decided that it actually would be a good idea. This way he could get use to the routine of school again before he starts high school (he has always wanted to go back to high school).
It turned out that the timing couldn't have been better. There is a waiting list at the school that he is supposed to attend, but there just happened to be an opening in 8th grade. AND the quarter was ending, so he could start fresh with everyone else. It seemed like it was meant to be. But I sure am going to miss him like crazy!  

Happy Birthday, Ben!

Ben had a very quiet birthday. It was filled with taking Grant to two doctor appointments. Luckily he asked for cereal for breakfast! *Sweet boy* Then he got to babysit while we went to the doctors. Then for lunch he asked for good meat sandwiches. *Sweet boy*
For dinner he did want pizza. We ended up spending the evening with his cousins and Nana and Papa. And that made his day so much better.
I'm going to miss this guy! I have loved our time together these last few months, but he will be starting public school again on Thursday. He is a joy to be around. I love our conversations and being able to talk to him so much. He is so sweet and doting to miss Lucy. He has decided that he wants to be a lawyer--and believe me, he would be great at that! He continues to be a straight-arrow and does what he knows he should do because he wants to--not because he is afraid of getting into trouble. We love this sweet 14 year-old boy of ours!Piper gave Ben a branch--so thoughtful!Karmin decided to give him money--a teenager's favorite!

Eagle

Ben was asked by his longest friend to be a part of his Eagle Court of Honor.