January

Brandon got a gift card to Texas Roadhouse for his birthday from my parents. We took all the kids and had a great time.

Brandon on the saddle.

Tyler and Mckinley started basketball in January and Brandon is coaching both their teams. Its been a lot of fun and nice to have something to do on Saturdays in the yucky winter.

We decided Jackson looks like Jack Jack with his hair spiked and like Boss Baby with his hair down.

Tyler's games are at vineyard and Mckinley's are at Franklin so it is a rush when they are back to back which they usually are.

Took the kids to Nuskin one day for a vitamin taste test. It was fun to see Grandpa at work.

Tyler got a handsome haircut from our neighbor.

We went to Pizza Factory for Brandon's birthday and decided sadly we might be done with that place. They don't have our favorite pizzaand salad deal anymore.

I was so lucky to be able to meet up with my friend Lisa when she came to Utah for her Grandpa/s birthday. A big snow storm almost scared me away from driving to Salt Lake but I'm so glad I went because the roads were totally fine and it was so fun catching up with her. I took full advantage of Jackson's sleeping in his car seat phase while it lasted.

Jackson growing up!

Brandon turns 36!

I wasted no time at all getting the new diamond art picture and puzzle we got for Christmas taken care of.

I'm so glad the kids still love the Bean Museum. It has been entertaining us for a decade! Jackson enjoyed sitting up in the stroller and seeing everything. I love these kids so so much.

They had Santa hats on the giraffes.

Brandon's birthday was on Saturday, which I thought was pretty great. Friday night his parents babysat while we went to dinner. We wanted to go to a movie too but ended up going to dinner with some neighbors and just sitting and chatting for three hours. There weren't any seats left at the movie anyway so it worked out well for us.

His birthday started out with him helping make breakfast and then hopping in bed so we could bring it to him, ha ha. He is the best!!!! The kids were all so excited to celebrate him.

So we had breakfast, relaxed at home for a bit, went to lunch at Taco Bell and went and saw Spies in Disguise as a family. We were going to go to Texas Roadhouse for dinner (my parents had given him a gift card to go there) but we were too full so we just had food at home (delicious omeletes made by Brandon on his birthday). Oh, I also took a nap that afternoon while he did dishes. I suck at celebrating his birthday. That evening Jason and Shannon offered to watch all of our kids so we went and saw Knives Out. Movies are definitely one of our favorite things so it seemed appropriate to go to two of them for his birthday. I didn't even realize until the next day that I hadn't even thought of a birthday cake. And he didn't have a single present. I am the worst.

Ava started primary yesterday. She was so cute and loved sunbeams!

Then today she had her first dental check up.

This guy has been so happy since he's not sick anymore! He's still needy, but definitely easier than he used to be.

Mckinley started piano lessons. She is really good! I hope she falls in love with it. Time will tell.

Tyler had a pretty scary run in with a stick while he was sledding. We almost took him to get stitches but decided to just go to Karen's and she put some steri strips on it instead. It seems to be healing okay. We are so glad it wasn't worse!!!

Boxing Day/New Years Eve

Going to the church with cousins on Boxing Day is easily one of our very favorite traditions.

As we were preparing for Christmas Mckinley kept telling me she wanted to get something for Christmas that we could use on boxing day at the church. I kept ignoring her knowing we were giving the kids a hover board for Christmas. We ended up giving them two hover boards and they have been so fun. It was a blast to have them at the church. We had such a good time and hung around all morning.

Emmy, Liam, and Jackson.

My mom did a bowling and pizza party for the kids for Christmas. It was a lot of fun.

Todd and his family drove from Seattle for a Christmas surprise since they are moving to Germany for three years in April. It was great to spend some time with him.

After bowling the kids were able to play the saran wrap ball game that they missed out on Christmas Eve.

So then randomly we went bowling again the next day for Lincoln's birthday with Brandon's family. It was a lot of fun.

New Years Eve Chinese food. It was so yummy!!!!

This time we decided to make our mess in the church instead of at home. It was pretty fun!

Ross and Karen set up pictionary with the huge white board. The kids loved it!

Jason and Shannon brought their kareoke machine and we had a fun dance party with glow in the dark bracelets.

And then of course the poppers.

Jackson has been so good to sleep in his car seat wherever he go. He really is turning into a pretty good baby! After the party we went home and I started a puzzle and the kids watched the old Jumanji movie with Robin Williams. Tyler, Mckinley, Brandon and I all made it up to midnight. Tyler was asking what happens at midnight and I told him nothing. New Years Day we sat around in our pajamas all day and did the puzzle and were just lazy. It was hard being sick for the holidays.