Flat Stanley

My cousin's son Wyatt's class in California was doing a Flat Stanley project for school. They mailed him to us. So we took him to several places. Poulsbo, Seattle and the Ferry. The gum wall, Pike Place, Seattle library. My kids had fun doing this project. I think Wyatt's class did too. We took pictures at all the places and sent them back with him. While he was at our house he needed to have surjery because Lilly thought it would be fun to tear him apart. Thanks to my surjery we were able to fix him up. We love Flat Stanley.

Happy New Year

This year we had a gathering at our house. Krista and Tommy came over with yummy Mexican food. Kyle did his seafood clams and fish sticks, won tons and all sorts of Yummy food. We watched some moves, played Just Dance and watched the Fireworks at the space needle. Lilly fell asleep while everyone else made it to midnight. We also had my cousins Jacob and Lynn here with us. It was a fun filled New Years. Happy New years to everyone!!

Christmas Manger Scene

For Family Home Evening a few weeks before Christmas Miley was in charge of the lesson and decided she wanted to do the Christmas lesson. She made all the costumes from our dress up box. Lilly was a Shepard and we didn't have any sheep so she had her hold a picture of sheep in her hand. Miley was also a Shepard. Belle was a angel, Gabby was an wise man and Hailley was Mary. As Miley read the Christmas story she would stop and point out which person was that character. It was so cute. My Grandma was visiting for FHE that night and loved it. So she decided that Miley would be in charge for Christmas Eve with all the cousins. I will post those pictures later.

Christmas Concerts

Miley had a Christmas Concert where she was able to play the xylphone. She did a great job. Lydia had her first concert in school she sang some very cute songs and had a great time performing with her friends. They sang the reindeer hockey pokey, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Many other Christmas favorites. They were both very nice concerts although Miley's went way longer then expected. We are so proud of our good little singers.

Garden

This year was such a cold summer that we had peas all summer. The rest of the garden didn't fare as well. I did get enough green beans to actually do a whole canner worth. I just pulled the last of our carrots here in November. They were the largest carrots we have ever had. I think next year I will wait just as long.

Christmas Tree Adventure

Carlee and Spence family posing for Kyle's camera and not mine.

Riding in the back of the Truck with the trees. (Only going 5mph on the dirt road at the farm)

Gigi and Lilly


Carlee and Spence family posing for Kyle's camera and not mine.


Kyle and Spencer carring their tree to truck

Gabby and Miley carring our tree.





The weekend of Thanksgiving we usually put up our christmas tree. Since we moved into the new house(Its been 5 years and 2 more kids since) we haven't picked up a live tree. Well, Lilly and Lydia have never been to cut down their own tree so we decided to this year. It is such a fun experience that we will now do it every other year. We always loved doing it but we were worried about needles and sap on our new carpet and we have a fake tree that looks pretty close to real. I always miss the smell.

So we invited Carlee and Spencer to go with us. My Aunt Jinny was here along with my cousin Megan. They came along as well. With 8 kids tromping around looking for trees it was interesting. Carlee and Spence found there Noble first. We put it in the truck. Then we drove to the area with just normal ever greens. We finally found one we could all agree on and Kyle and the girls all took turns cutting it down. We then went back to the office for hot chocolate and they twined it to make it easier for transport. It was a lot of fun. They kids were playing tag in the trees and they all said they can't wait until next time.

Belle's Baptism Photo Shoot

Carthage Jail

While on our trip to Missouri we decided to take a trip north to Illinois to Nauvoo.
On our drive up we stopped at Carthage Jail. It was an experience I will never forget as we learned more about the last few days of the Prophet Joseph Smiths life.
It must of been so scary to see the mob and hear them coming up the stairs. Then hearing and seeing the bullets coming through the door. Them holding the door shut. Watching your brother get hit. It must of been horrific. Joseph went to the window while being shot fell through the window and down to the ground where he was shot many times more. Someone said the Mormons were coming and they all left very quickly. During that time the Nauvoo legend was a large Army.

I am grateful for Prophet Joseph Smith and how he was brave enough to always stand up for what he believed. Even when he was being persecuted for the things he beleived. Never denying the fact that he saw Heavenly Father and Jesus and they told him not to join any church. He then restored the gospel to the earth. Moving so many times and being persecuted and chased down for the things he taught. I know he was a prophet and I am grateful for the sacerfices he made for all of us to have the restored gospel.