Dec-Jan in the life of our phones.

Ben and I just put all of our phone pics onto the computer, and I realized that there are a few random things I have left out of the blog these last two months.

 We did our annual Christmas cookie trees with Grandma Barb

Christmas vacation was nice. The kids got along well and played all sorts of pretend things together.

 Hailey loves to kiss her baby brother

 Carly thinks she's being sneaky hiding away in the closet with Dad's tablet.  Sometimes I pretend I don't know where she is just so we can have some quiet time.

 We played human Foosball at our Jenkins Christmas party

 I tried to make a blanket and burp cloths, (picture by Carly or Hailey of me cutting out fabric) realized I have no skill for such things and got all frustrated and angry.  I do this about every 2 years or so.

 We went on a field trip to the fire station.  Carly is with her cute little friend Avery.  Ever since then, Carly's been having dreams that our house is on fire.

 Hailey loved the fire truck

 Blake came over a few times and we enjoyed some monopoly, settlers, rummikub, skipbo, and other favorite games.  He kinda looks like a terrorist with his black ensemble and  hoodie.

 Ben turned the big 32 this year! 

 We quilted a baby quilt for Luke and Lisa's baby... due any day now. (again, picture by either Carly or Hailey)

 I find these two like this a lot.  Hailey puts up with Carly making her pretend to be her baby.  Only a few more weeks until the real one comes and I have a feeling that Carly is going to take the baby and run away with him.

 We got to babysit my handsome little nephew, Noah (Jess and Matt's little guy).  But really it was just Carly telling me what to do and how to do it.  She really thinks she the expert on child rearing.

 The kids all switched up their rooms to make way for the new baby.  Hailey has her own room upstairs now with a new bed.  She loves it.

 Luke also moved back upstairs so the baby could sleep in his room.  He's been dying to have some one to share with.

Abigail and Carly moved downstairs in the bunk beds and they are also very happy about it.  

Luke and Ben got to go to a Jazz clinic last week.  We drove Luke down to S.L. to meet Ben and then us girls went shopping and ate dinner at IHOP.  We didn't want to feel left out of all the fun.

Luke got his bball signed by someone pretty cool, I just can't remember who. 

 They played lightening and did drills with some Jazz players

Luke won a round of lightening and he was ecstatic. 

The two cool guys who signed his ball, still can't remember who they are.

Last but not least, Ben waited in line for 3 1/2 hours to get a signed copy of Assisted, John Stockton's book.  He was SO lucky, because they cut the line off  2 people after him.  John had to make his flight.  Ben's been the biggest Jazz fan since he was little, so this was really exciting for him.

Christmas 2013

A few days before Christmas, we decorated our gingerbread men.  The kids kept talking about how we can't do these next year, because they come in a package of 4, so there wouldn't be enough for the baby.  I love how they're always thinking about the baby.

This was by far my favorite Christmas.  Ben had Christmas eve through New Year's Day off of work.  It was so fun hanging out with each other for so long.  The kids loved that Dad got a Christmas break from work like they did from school.  It was the loneliest day when they all went back.  My picture taking this year was definitely lacking, but we were having so much fun that I didn't pull out the camera often enough.

Christmas eve, we went to open p.j.'s and eat lunch at the Dawson's.  All the grandsons in Utah got Chargers p.j.'s while the grandsons in Indiana got Colts.  All the girls got leopard print.  The kids were so excited about them.

Later that night, we went to dinner at the Jenkins's.  We played games with the kids, did our nativity puppet show, and exchanged gifts.

 Shannon always has the best game ideas... my kids always ask what fun game she's going to plan, this year she brought the unwrapping game, and the kids loved it.

 The puppet show 'area' is getting a little crowded these days, so Luke read the story for us.

Christmas morning was so fun, the kids were so happy.  They're so funny, they seem to get more excited about the little things, toothbrush, chocolate orange, cereal box, than their main presents.

Christmas Dance

Abigail and Carly had their Christmas dance recital at the Veterans home this year.  It was fun, crowded, and chaotic.  Neither of the girls were the least bit scared to get up there and dance.  

 The girls with their friend, Ellie

 Luke and Dad brought flowers for the girls

 the sweet grandparents who always come and support.

Oh how I love these girls!

Abigail is 7!

Oh what to say about my sweet Abigail.  She is such a loving, responsible, helpful, and happy girl.  We have a paper on our fridge where the kids earn points by doing random good deeds or cleaning up without being asked... she by far has the most points.  She gets sad when there is a long school break or she's sick and she can't go to church.  She loves her teachers and talks about them all the time.  She's the only one that consistently doesn't grumble about scripture study.   Ab is always in need of new clothes because she's SO active.  Every week she comes home with a new hole in her pants.  She's always on the go... out playing all day,  never getting tired.  She works hard and plays hard.

Abigail HATES homework.  

Luke can finish his entire weekly packet in 5 minutes, and Ab is still crying that she has to write her name at the top.  Ab is stubborn, and doesn't let anything go.  She gets one idea in her mind and it stays that way.

Favorites-

color- yellow

book- Everything but the Horse

school subject- Art

scripture story- Story of Jesus' birth

Holiday- Easter

Season- Summer

Toy- My doll, Lilly Anna

 For her bday breakfast she chose chocolate milk, toast, and cuties

 Pretty little girl waiting for some teeth to grow in

 Her Grandparents came over for cake, ice cream, and gifts

 She was happy with all of her gifts

 She had asked for a snowman cake, but as I was taking it on the deck to cool (too big to put in the fridge and I needed to frost it asap)  I dropped it.  The funny thing was is that I was on the phone with Ben asking him to bring home some licorice for the snowman's scarf.  She was a little sad when she saw the cake frozen to the deck, but thought that going to walmart to pick out a cake would be great too.  And,  I also forgot candles.  So we had "8" candle and a single one.  I told her 8 minus 1 equal 7 and she was just fine with it.

I just don't know what we would do without our Abigail, she's such a happy spirit in our home.