Happy 13th Birthday Jason

 I can't believe we have a teenager!  Where is the time going?!  I love looking back on my kids when they were little.  I loved that little 3 year old face, and he was the sweetest most fun little boy.  I love Jason at this age though too.  He is fun to talk to and joke around with.  He wants to have conversations about life and even gets into a little political talk with Mike and I.   He will still give me hugs and I love that.  I really did mourn not having little babies anymore, but Heavenly Father has opened my eyes to the wonder of my kids getting older.  That is wonderful and good!  Heavenly Father has given me 4 more friends and loved ones to help me along on my journey here on Earth.  I can't wait to watch Jason over these next couple of years.  Changes and decisions that will shape the rest of his life.  I am so excited to be there for him and help me along his journey.

 It was a normal school day for Jason.  It's hard to miss any classes in Middle School so, he didn't want to go out to lunch and get behind in school… what a guy!

 That evening we had the Grandparents over to celebrate with him. He wanted Hamburgers and fries for dinner.  Sounds like a teenager meal to me!

 He got some new church clothes.

 An under Armor sweatshirt….

 and this new bike!  He can finally get around our neighborhood in style.

 I hope he made a wish for this year!

How we love this kid and are so happy to have him in our family.  We love you Jason!

Church History Museum

 On Friday, we had no school!  So, we called Grandma Young and headed down town to check out the  church museum.  It has been closed while they changed some things around.  We loved it and loved learning about our church's history.  The kids area was really fun and hands on.

It's so fun to live close enough to enjoy the great the things the church has to offer.  The new Joseph Smith first vision video was amazing!  All my kids felt the spirit even down to my little Lucy!

Happy #38

 My Birthday fell on a Sunday this year.  So, just a normal church day for me.  This year for my birthday Mike and the kids got me a new painting/ picture I have wanted for a while.  I was super excited about that.

 After church we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Young's.  Grandma made me an amazing birthday dinner and cake.

 I made some wishes and I think my 38th year will be a good one.

 I am so grateful for my parents and all the love and support they have given to me over the years.  I know how how hard it is to be a parent and I am grateful to both of them!

On Monday Mike took me out for a birthday date.  We went to Cheesecake Factory and then to a Jazz game.  Mike's company has awesome seats this year and it was so fun to be down close.  Dwight Howard was playing that night and it was fun to see him up close!  I had such a wonderful birthday!!

New Years Day

 We thought it would be fun to start the New Year off right by going ice skating.  We have been wanting for a while to try ice skating around the Olympic oval rink.  It was so fun, and with the track being so big we felt like we had plenty of room to skate without running into others.  My two boys caught on fast.. they must have the Canadian genes.

 However, for the girls and I it took us a little extra time.  Lucy was lucky enough to have this walker that helped her get the hang of things.

 Anne caught on fast too.

 It took Eliza a long time.  She would fall, and fall again.  She was such a trooper and never gave up.  Pretty soon she could let go of the wall and go out with Anne.

 Lucy soon was able to get rid of the walker and skate with Dad.

At the end of our adventure I fell down and tore both my MCL's in my knee.  When I fell it hurt so bad it was one of moments where I was really trying hard not to cry!  I hate that this happened, but it's life so I got the help I needed to get my knees back in shape!  We did have fun even with my fall at the end! :)

Good Bye 2015

 Grandma and Grandpa Schwitzer hosted a New Years Eve Party had their house.  We met for dinner and then we just played different board games all evening.  This groups was playing an intense game of Clue.

 Game of Rummikub.

 At about 8:30 we decided to count down and say Happy New Year.  We cheered, kissed, and had sparkling cider.

 Grandma got us all these Canadian crackers to crack open.  Inside was a little prize and these crowns to wear.

The older cousins plus Smith!  A lot of these kids left this party to go to parties with their friends.  Jason has not hit that stage yet so, we just enjoyed hanging a little longer at Grandma and Grandpa's.  Happy New Year!!  2015 was very good to us!!

Watch out!

The day after Christmas Mike and I headed to the shooting range to try out his new gun.   His gun with the scope is so fun to shoot.  Then I practiced shooting our hand gun.  I have to say I am getting better with that thing.  I hope I never have to use it, but it's nice to know that I could use it if I ever needed to.

Merry Christmas!

 Christmas Morning was filled with lots of excitement.  The kids were up pretty early, but did not come up to get us until 7:00a.m.  They ran downstairs and saw what Santa brought.

Lucy got a new Bitty Baby.  She has red hair and blue eyes just like Lucy!

 Eliza got a Razor Electric Scooter

 But, I think she loved her soft reading pillow the most!

 Anne also got a scooter.  They were excited to get these, but could not try them out for weeks after Christmas.  We had too much snow and ice to ride them outside!

 Jason got a Phone!  He has been wanted this since starting Middle School.  We made him sign a Technology contract with us.  He has certain rules he has to follow and be responsible for the phone.  He has done great with it so far!

After we had a Yummy Christmas Breakfast before we opened presents from Mom and Dad.

 Here Dad put on his traditional Santa hat to hand out the Presents from under the tree.

 The kids and I got Mike the new shot gun he wanted.  It was so much fun surprising him with this gift!

In the afternoon Grandma and Grandpa Schwitzer stopped by the house to see how our Christmas went.  Max was loving Grandma!  In the afternoon we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Young's for a yummy Christmas dinner and more present opening.

We had such a relaxing Christmas day and enjoyed being with Family.  It doesn't get any better than that!