I'm a Big Kid!

Ashley is officially a big kid. She just finished potty training and
this Dora guitar is her prize. She took to it really easily and she
is the first in our family to be potty trained before she turns
3. We're all really proud of her.

Last Snowman

Last weekend it snowed so we took the kids outside to
build one last snowman this season. They always love
playing in the snow and especially love building snowmen.
We did not prompt them to hug this snowman but all
of them went up to him and expressed their love. Funny
kids. It was a fun day. I'm glad we have these kind of
memories with our kids.

Lewis is 6!

Lewis turned 6 a few weeks ago. I'm sad that he's growing up so fast. We're already 1/3 through childhood. Just thinking about that makes my stomach turn. But I am very proud of him. He is such a good boy. Here are a few things about him:

1. Lewis is a genius. He does very well in school and is one of the first in his class for reading.
2. Lewis is funny. He likes to tell jokes and has the sweetest smile while doing it.
3. Lewis loves sledding. He is not usually a dare devil but when he sleds he is fearless.
4. Lewis is very helpful. The poor kid has to fetch things for me all day long.
5. Lewis is a sweet big brother. He loves all of his siblings but is especially sweet with Renee.
6. Lewis still does not like dogs. He likes to pretend they don't bother him but when he has to be around them they make him nervous.
7. Lewis' favorite food is peanut butter and honey sandwiches. He requested this for his birthday dinner.
8. Lewis' favorite candy bar is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
9. Lewis' favorite day of the week is Monday because it is Family Home Evening day. I love that he is always so excited about it.
10. Lewis loves playing with his cousins and friends. Nothing makes him happier.
11. Lewis loves playing in the snow. He has never once complained about it being too cold or wet. He cannot get enough of it.
12. Lewis likes to be first. He's always pushing his way out of the car first, asking me to arrange the meal plates with his in the front, and always wants his snacks first. He is also good at being patient when he can't be first.
13. Lewis likes to tell stories. His school teacher told me he is always telling stories about when he lived in Arizona. He is definitely his father's son.
14. Lewis' favorite primary song is Follow the Prophet. He always requests it at FHE.
15. Lewis is very artistic. He loves painting and drawing and doing creative projects. He helped decorate his birthday cake with all the toy guns. :)

Lewis is such a sweet and loving boy! We are so blessed to have him in our family!

Christmas in Phoenix!

We were not planning on spending Christmas in Phoenix this year but when we found out everyone would be there for Christmas Eve we had to go. So we quickly packed all of our things, laid out Santa's gifts so they would be there when we got back, and left the next morning. The drive is so long but the kids did really well. We spent a week in Phoenix and were able to visit with all of my siblings, my mom, and even some of Mark's family. It was so nice to be there and so hard to come back.


We could not get Jack to take his eyes off his presents for a couple minutes to get a picture


Ashley also refused to look at the camera


Lewis with his Bakugan and Mark in back


Renee was very happy with her stocking


Renee and cousin Hanna


Me and my sister, Tami, on Christmas Eve


Ashley and her best buddy, Hanna

Kids Say The Darndest Things

All of our kids make us laugh all the time. The things they come up with are hilarious. It's so funny to hear their perspective on life. I can always remember Jack's comments the best because I usually end up repeating them to Mark at night. Recently, Jack's sunbeams teacher told me they were discussing prophets in class and she turned to Jack and said, "You never know, Jack could be the prophet some day." To which he replied, "No, I'm going to be Santa Claus!" And this last week I saw one of his slippers up on a high shelf and asked him how it got up there. He said, "It slipped off my foot and flew up on the wall." Then I said, "That's a pretty big fall." And he said, "Yeah, it was amazing!" It's so hard to discourage Jack from his story telling because it's just too funny. One of these days we'll teach him not to lie...