December 26, 2016

Olivia turned 14! We celebrated by getting Panda Express and having butter pecan cake. She got black converse a cash to spend. She us a bright, hillarious and very helpful young woman. We love her! She got to go to her first dance on New year's Eve, so exciting. She continues to impress us :)

Geography winner!

Out of 130 4th graders Parkin took a quiz and placed in the top ten of the 4th graders! What's most impressive us we didn't even know he took a test for the contest. We of course we t to cheer him on at the 2nd round. He didn't place, but was our family winner that night!

Christmas traditions

We went to the Clark's for the annual ginderbread decorating party do fun!

Where is Parkin?!

On Saturday we were scheduled to clean the church building and our car was in the shop because everyone needs a car in the shop during the Christmas season since there is so much extra money floating around 🤐 So we all crammed in Benjamin's car and took the 8 minute drive to the church. It was kinda nice being so close. On the drive there I sat in the back and I even like it then too. Everyone is growing so fast!

The Little Nate with his cousins at Grandma and Grandpa's house. So stinking cute.

Christmas miracle!!!!

I had a Christmas miracle. I'm not putting this miracle in the life and death kind of miracle. Or a miracle that changes the course of your life for good. I've had those miracles and still cry when I think of them. This kind of miracle are the miracles that let you know God is your Father and that he knows your needs And your wants.

I was shopping at Costco and saw the brilliant 12 foot Christmas tree and I wanted it. But being a frugal gal there was no way I would buy a 12 foot tree for $699. I jokingly asked the kids would they want Christmas or a 12 ft tree? Only my Christmas baby Olivia wanted to forgo presents for the tree.  On Friday I stopped at the Goodwill to pick up some more winter blankets and there out of  the corner of my eye I saw two barely touched boxes labeled 12ft pre-lit Christmas tree! Are you kidding me?! And drum roll please.... It was $50!! The day before it was $160 and the following day it would have been 50% which means it would have been gone!! My poor family I can't stop talking about howuch I love this tree. I even called Lindsey and got her answering message and so I sang about the tree.

Everyone would ask does the tree have all the parts, do the lights still work, what if it's a lemon? When we opened the box we couldn't find the very top and we were trying to figure how we could make it work, but low and behold Holman found the missing top tucked away in the foliage. The lights even work! All that was missing was a stand. Olivia and I went shopping for one just before 10 Home Depot was xlosed so we tried Walmart and Kohl's no luck.  On a whim I called my parents and they had one that they had ear marked for the thrift store!! Sweetness the stand didn't even cost me. My frugal heart was near bursting!

(We aren't going to talk about the TV armoire I bought that is too small for our TV, every kite needs a string!)

The tree in the day light :)

The tree with ornaments

The tree with just lights.

Obsess much!

Holman turned 12!!

This when I start crying my baby my baby. Seriously where did the time go?!! Holman is such a funny, level headed, smart and handsome boy. Holman turned 12 on Thursday, we had pot stickers and egg rolls for dinner and he wanted drumsticks for dessert. What a guy! On Friday I went to his awards assembly he was honored for being in the 90's club and he was also honored for being in the top 15% and he got an award for a character trait from his teacher. He cleaned house!!  In life sometimes we get straight C's or feel like our character isn't good enough but in reality Holman is more than good enough grades or recognition or not. He is good enough because he his Gods son and I feel blessed to be his parent. Holman received the priesthood today. It was great to have family come and celebrate with us.

Adrianna turns 7!!

Adrianna turned 7 last Sunday!! What a delight she is! We love our little turkey. She is smart, happy, unpredictable and adorable. She got her presents from us on Sunday and had a birthday party on Monday. Our kids got Monday off in addition to the normal Thanksgiving break. Anna had her cousins and a couple friends. We decorated sugar cookies and the kids took their creations home. We played games in the field and ate blueberry muffins (which Anna requested for her "cake" but ended up saying she forgot she didn't like them 😁) Her candle is the number 8 with a minus one written on it, its a weird thing we do in our family. We keep a candle and alter it with the right number :)