Auntie Jill Visit

 It's always a good time when Jill comes into town.  We enjoyed having her so much!  We rode bikes, went hiking, picked oranges, juiced oranges, watched movies, and enjoyed talking!

Happy 15th Birthday Jason!

 We celebrated Jason's birthday over about a week!  We had the family dinner on Sunday, he got his braces off, and then on his actual birthday we went to the Utah/ASU game!  We went with the Purser and Christensen families.  It was such a fun game and the Utes pulled off a win for Jason that night!

How grateful we are for Jason!  He is growing up so fast and this year his confidence has increased.  He keeps us all laughing and on our toes.  So excited to see all that is in store for him this year!

Braces Off!

Jason finally got his braces off!  He has had them on since he was 12 so, for a good 3 years!  He looks so great with them off and looks so much older.  It was the best pre birthday present!

40th Birthday

 I hit the big 4 0 this year!  I had a great birthday.  We had just got back from Utah so, Mike made me a steak dinner at home with my favorite dessert... cheesecake!  I then got my beach cruiser bike that I have been wanting for the past year!  Excited to start my 40's!

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!