Date Night with Bean

Last weekend Jer and I took Bean out on a date. We had so much fun! Bean had some cash and wanted to go to the mall, so we headed there and then went and grabbed some dinner. Bean is a sweetheart and very thoughtful. Chief's birthday is coming up and Bean specifiacally said that she wanted to use her money to get Chief something for his birthday. So we went and got him something. As we were leaving Bean told us all to sit in a massage chair and she wanted to pay for us to get a massage. So thoughtful! It was a $1 per person for 3 minutes. Let me tell you what, those chairs in the mall are AMAZING!! Seriously, I want to go back and pay for the 30 minute one! It felt so wonderful despite being painful at times. It felt like a deep tissue massage. We had so much fun with this girl. We love her and especially loved our one on one time with her. In a big family it is hard to get as much time as you would like with each child, because there are so many that need your attention. Being with Bean was a breath of fresh air. She is hysterical!

Polar Bear

Bean got this blanket, but doesn't like anyone to touch it. The second Bean goes and plays at a friends Chief runs to her room and gets it. He loves it because he thinks it looks like a Polar Bear. 

Mantle

The day after Christmas I put everything away. Our tree was so dry and I thought it was going to catch on fire. I do love all the Christmas stuff out, but after 5 weeks I am ready to put everything away and have my house look less cluttered. Here is the after Christmas mantle. 

Playdough and Potty Training

I've officially started potty training both babies. My other babes were potty trained by now, but I have been dreading doing it again. In other news, the babes both love playdough. They will sit at the table and work on it for quite some time. 

Lady

Every day the babies think it is funny to lock me out. If I take the garbage out, they lock me out. If I get the mail they lock me out. Here Lady is right before Toad locked her out. 

Congrats to Granny

Congrats to Granny on another 2nd place trophy for wrestling!

He works so hard and we are very proud of him.

Christmas Break

Christmas break has been wonderful and really low key. Lots of cooking and friends have been happening around here. Bean and her friend made some homemade cupcakes and frosting one lazy afternoon.

Snow Babies

This winter has been crazy. It has felt practically like Fall all winter long. I love the snow, but after last year's frigid temperatures and tons and tons of snow I haven't minded the warmer weather. We did get our first skiff of snow the other day. It lasted only a day and then melted. The babies went out and played for a few minutes and then came back in cold and wet.

Game Night

Our friend Carolyn invited us and several other families to a family game night. We had such a fun night, full of games, yummy food, friends, laughter and memories. Thanks Carolyn!

1000 Hot Sauce Puzzle

Over Christmas break we started a 1000 piece hot sauce puzzle. It's nearing completion. Slowly working on it every day.

Peanut Butter Baby

These babes are independent! When they want something to eat they help themselves. 

Cards and Ornaments

Love hearing from friends and family at Christmas time. I look forward to getting mail in December!

The children each got two ornaments each this year. Here is the 1st set. 

2015 Children Questionaiire and Ringing in the New Year

Lillian's 2015 Interview

Favorite TV Show:

Liv and Maddie

My Favorite thing about School is:

Talking at lunch with my friends

Thing thing I am best at is:

Piano

If I could change my name it would be:

Jane

My Favorite Color is:

Blue

My Favorite toy or thing is:

Vera Bradley Bag

When I grow up I want to be a:

Mom

I like to take these to bed with me at night:

Blanket

My Favorite Season of the year is:

Winter

A Food I really like is:

Pizza

My Favorite Animal is:

Dog

My Favorite Sport is:

Swimming

My Best Friend is:

Ella

My Favorite Holiday is:

Christmas

My Favorite thing to do all year was:

When we go camping in Allegany as a family

My Favorite Scripture Story is:

Noah's Ark

My Favorite Primary Song is:

Come Unto Christ and Child's Prayer

When I serve a mission I hope I am called to: Utah or Hawaii

Grant's 2015 Interview

Favorite TV Show:

My Favorite thing about School is:

Sports

Thing thing I am best at is:

Sports

If I could change my name it would be:

Tyrone

My Favorite Color is:

Blue

My Favorite toy or thing is:

X-Box One

When I grow up I want to be a:

A Human

I like to take these to bed with me at night:

A Pillow

My Favorite Season of the year is:

Summer

A Food I really like is:

Wings

My Favorite Animal is:

Crocodile

My Favorite Sport is:

Football

My Best Friend is:

Juan

My Favorite Holiday is:

Christmas

My Favorite thing to do all year was:

Play Football

My Favorite Scripture Story is:

N/A

My Favorite Primary Song is:

N/A

When I serve a mission I hope I am called to: Somewhere in the USA

Monte's 2015 Interview

Favorite TV Show:

My Favorite thing about School is:

Social Studies and Friends

Thing thing I am best at is:

Basketball

If I could change my name it would be:

Daquan

My Favorite Color is:

Red

My Favorite toy or thing is:

X-Box One

When I grow up I want to be a:

A Millionaire

I like to take these to bed with me at night:

Pillow

My Favorite Season of the year is:

Summer

A Food I really like is:

Pizza

My Favorite Animal is:

Penguin

My Favorite Sport is:

Basketball

My Best Friend is:

Nick, Singh and Isaac

My Favorite Holiday is:

Christmas

My Favorite thing to do all year was:

Hang out with my friends

My Favorite Scripture Story is:

Stripling Warriors

My Favorite Primary Song is:

Little Purple Pansies

When I serve a mission I hope I am called to: California

Oliver's 2015 Interview

Favorite TV Show:
Star Wars and Power Rangers

My Favorite thing about School is:

Playing with toys during free time

Thing thing I am best at is:

Working

If I could change my name it would be:

My Favorite Color is:

The whole rainbow minus pink and purple

My Favorite toy or thing is:

Legos, Transformers and Helicopters

When I grow up I want to be a:

An Astronaught of a Lava Man

I like to take these to bed with me at night:

Toys and Food

My Favorite Season of the year is:

Fall, Winter Spring and Summer

A Food I really like is:

Pancakes

My Favorite Animal is:

Horse

My Favorite Sport is:

Football

My Best Friend is:

Brayden

My Favorite Holiday is:

Easter and Christmas

My Favorite thing to do all year was:

Go to the beach and go camping

My Favorite Scripture Story is:

When Jesus blesses the children

My Favorite Primary Song is:

Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam

When I serve a mission I hope I am called to:
Brazil, where my daddy went

Caught up for a minute

I just updated all of December up until this point. You will have to click back a few times to see all the new posts.

Christmas Day with Family

Christmas day is the best surrounded by those I love very most. My family. The children all played with their new things, some of us took short naps, we ate lots of yummy food and treats, we played board games, watched movies, relaxed and talked to family. It was the best kind of day.

So grateful for this time of year. There is magic in the air. It truly feels like everyone is a little bit nicer and a little kinder everywhere that you go. I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. Because of Him our family can be forever and that brings me so much joy and peace. 

From our Family to Yours, We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

Christmas Day Breakfast with Elders

After presents four Elders came over for Christmas breakfast. We had:

Cinnamon Rolls

Fresh Fruit

Chile Egg Souffle

Potato, Egg, Bacon and Cheese Casserole

Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice and Wassail

After breakfast we visited with the Elders for a little bit before they were off to their lunch appointment! 

One thing I have loved about living here is the opportunity we have to have the missionaries often. I am grateful that my children have always been surrounded by that.