2016

As this year comes to end I look back and see what an eventful year it was for us.  Around the end of summer we knew that some changes would be happening for our family.  Mike and I spend hours praying and thinking what would be best for all of us.  I know the last couple of months of making the decision to move and actually going through the process has been quite stressful, but I think we are all stronger in different ways through this change.  We have so many happy things to look forward to.  I am learning home is where Mike and the kids are.  It doesn't matter where we live as long as we are together we make things work and we are happy.  2016 we indeed learn from you and look forward to 2017 with open arms!

Christmas Break in Utah

 We made it up to Utah and it was so fun to see snow!  We spent an afternoon playing in the snow with cousins and enjoying it as much as we could!  The week was spent with both sides of family.  Mike's cousins Zach was married while we were there.  The reception after was fun for the kids as they danced the night away.  We had Christmas gift exchange parties and just enjoyed being together.  We also had to say good bye to Uncle Ryan's family.  They made the big move out to Waco, Texas.  We knew we might not see them for a while.   The week went by so fast!  When we made our way back to AZ there was a huge snow storm and it was pretty scary until Beaver, Utah.  After that the skies were clear and we made our way back down to sunny warm Arizona!

Christmas 2016

 Christmas was so different weather wise in Arizona, but the same spirit and traditions were kept alive in our family.  Bet Taysom made these super cute pajamas for the girls with matching pajamas for their dolls.
The kids got what they wanted from Santa and Mom and Dad pulled through with some other gifts too.  Christmas was on a Sunday so, we opened presents and then went to church enjoy the true meaning of Christmas... the Savior
We had a great day together.  The night the Olsen family invited us over to their house for Christmas dinner.  It was nice to be with some friends that evening.  After that we got ready to leave for Utah to spend our Christmas break with family!

December Little Things

 We jumped right into life in December here in the desert.  Mike had his first work party as Manager of the Phoenix branch.  We did a great job making the team feel special.

We hung out with the Godfrey's one night and saw this crazy house!  It was put to music and we just stood there watching the craziness!

One evening we went and saw the Mesa Temple Lights.  It was beautiful and it was nice to walk around the temple grounds not freezing!

We cleaned and emptied the pool.

Eliza was part of the third grade Christmas program at the school.

We were so lucky to get the girls into piano lessons here.  Bet Taysom in our ward teaches piano to the kids in the neighborhood.  She said she had no openings when we first moved in.  A couple of days later she called me and said she had prayed about it and Heavenly Father wants my girl in piano.   At the time I just thought how neat that Heavenly Father wants my girls to develop this talent and he has provided a way.  But now I see that my girls need Bev in their lives.  She is so encouraging to them and just boost their self esteem.  Having them in piano has been a great blessing in their lives.  They had their first Christmas piano recital.  They both did great!

Jason jumped into band at Casteel and enjoyed doing percussion during his 8th grade year there.

Our Ward Christmas Party was this month also.  The girls got to be little angels in a Nativity program.   After dinner Santa came.

It was a busy month!

Christmas Oranges!

 It has been so fun this year living a place where we can pick oranges.  We went out to the groves around our neighborhood and picked away.  It was magical!  We then came home and juiced the most wonderful juice... it's  pure gold!  I know this will became a winter tradition here in the desert each year!