Christmas and New Years

Ava and Jackson doing the Christmas break reading challenge from their librarian, my friend Shannon Cluff. She had a bunch of creative things for them to do. This one was read a book while wearing a scarf or gloves.

We bought a treadmill for Christmas to ensure that Mckinley can keep running as it gets too cold outside. She has become so dedicated to running and it has been so fun to watch her improve with this!

Ken and his family came to town for Christmas and had a birthday party for Sky at the Bean Museum again. Ava and Jackson came and the older kids opted to stay home.

Kristen gave us an advent puzzle and it was so fun to finish one square of it every day.

Lots and lots of Hive time.

The kids have discovered Blaze Pizza and absolutely love it so we eat there every now and then. So yummy!!

Our Christmas Eve dinner with my family was at the church. Here are all the cousins that were there (Bryant's family didn't come), including two of Peter's girls. He randomly came.

Then back home for Christmas Eve with just our family.

All ready to go.

These boys both didn't love Christmas. Jackson got too many clothes for his liking, not enough toys. And Tyler didn't have anything he wanted for Christmas and was disappointed with getting a lot of games. There's always someone disappointed.

I made Creme Brulee French Toast Casserole for the first time and it was super yummy!

Tyler and Jackson made a nerf gun fort in the movie theater with the treadmill box and had a blast down there during Christmas Break.

Boxing Day at the church with the Salmon's was awesome. We got breakfast burritos from Rancherito's and they played volleyball. I had carpel tunnel surgery so I can't play volleyball right now but it was fun watching. Especially watching Tyler.

Kallie was more than thrilled with her new vanity she got for Christmas. Ava was super happy with everything she got as was Mckinley. Mckinley got a bunch of clothes and some water color paints and a new sign board for her room. Very easy to please.

Ross and Karen wanted the kids to pick a date to go on for their Christmas present. Ava chose a sleepover with her cousins and so did Kallie. The rest of the kids haven't done anything yet and have probably forgotten about it. Most likely most of the grandkids won't cash in on it I'm guessing ha ha.

I had so much fun building this piano music box. The keys go up and down as the music plays. It's so awesome!

New Years Eve party at the church. We ate Costa Vida for dinner which was amazing.

Kallie's sleepover with her cousins.

November and December

A few days after we got back from Hawaii I had a hysterectomy. That day was crazy hair day and I was so glad I was home in the morning to do Ava's cute crazy hair because I ended up staying overnight in the hospital even though I wasn't planning on it. We went Hawaiian style to celebrate our trip, ha ha. 

Cute Jackson is growing up fast! Doing chores!

Mckinley loves to read and is so grown up and mature.

My favorite school project! Disguise a turkey.

Ava spoke in Stake Conference! She was adorable and got so many comments about it.

Mckinley's art skills are becoming more and more impressive all the time.

Tyler played volleyball through Vineyard Rec with Brandon as his coach and absolutely loved it! He's ready to switch from soccer to volleyball.

At our ward Christmas party, they put on the most incredible nativity shadow play that had me so emotional! 

Had to get out early to see Santa at Riverwoods.

Tyler and Kallie's ancient civilization fair. China and Greece.

We bought a pass to the Hive to use over Christmas break and ended up going 7 times! It is such a fun place!

Nativity at Grandpa and Marmee's. Jackson was Joseph and Ava was the angel.

A quick visit from Santa for a picture after. Pretty random, but whatevs.

Mckinley painted this ceiling tile that will go up on the ceiling at Lakeridge somewhere. She painted a picture of herself from behind running, with this cute quote! I couldn't love it more.

We went to quite a few movies over the break. Red, Mufasa, Moana 2, and Sonic 3.