The Sweetest Candy Cane For sure!

We kept telling Braelyn her shirt
looked like a candycane.

 So she thought

she

would

turn

into

a

candy

cane!

Simple Christmas

Christmas was kept simple this year.

I think I prefer it from now on.

I'm not saying Braelyn wasn't spoiled, but I didn't go overboard.

I bought her some gifts that we could do together.

She only had four things that she really wanted from

Santa.

Plus grandparents always spoil too.

Jeremy and I also set a $50 limit on gifts for eachother.

That was hard.

I did go over on my limit a tiny bit.

I went to Mesa to a hobby shop but couldn't find a

plane that was inexpensive.

I was sad because I really wanted to get him one since

he has been practicing flying with his flight simulator

Brae and I got him for Father's Day.

So I told him that we couldn't get one because they were over the limit.

He was ok with that and didn't complain and told me not

to worry so much about it.

Then I got home from Mesa and remembered we had a EWS Hobby

in town.

I went in there and because I was so nice the man

said  he wanted to give me a discount!

 15% discount may not seem like much to you but

that pretty much paid for my tax.

Jeremy was totally excited and suprised.

Braelyn pretty much has the same facial expression

in each photo.

She is so appreciative and grateful.

Jeremy has improved so much on his flying!

I bought him a plane a couple years ago and he

crashed Christmas Day into our garage and that was that.

It is so much fun to watch.

I want to get myself a helicopter but first I want to get Jeremy

a larger plane for Christmas next year!

It's hard for me not to spend money on Jeremy

he is such a great husband and provider for our family.

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

Winter Wonderland

We had to work fast to make a

SNOWMAN.

Time was running out.

The snow was melting....

Me

and my

SNOW ANGEL!

Family

My little brother Taz's daughter

Tatum had surgery on her heart last week.

Taz and his wife Halie are both nurses and understood everything

that was going to happen.

They are so strong.

Tatum did so well.

Jeremy, Brae and I went to see Tatum at the hospital in Tucson.

Braelyn was so scared for her little cousin.

I can't even imagine what parents go through when a child

is sick with something serious like this.

Constant worry.

I just admire my brother and his wife.

Such good parents.

I just love them.

I am so grateful for family.

I love my family.

This is my brother Taz and his wife Halie and their two cute kids Talley and Tatum.

Some people have said to me.

Braelyn is so sweet why try to have any more kids.

Your life is great.

Don't do it.

Don't adopt.

But for me. 

I think of all the great times that I have with my family.

Things that we have been through as brothers and sisters.
I want her to experience that.

I couldn't imagine not having them.

So grateful for family!

Mesa Temple Christmas Lights

I love Christmas time!

Jeremy and I lived next to the temple

when we first were married.

I remember all the time it took to put up all the lights.

I would exercise and run around the temple everyday

and watch as they put all the lights up.

Braelyn pretending she is a shepherd looking at the

star of Christmas.

I love this picture!

I love Christmas!

Kindergarten Christmas Program

Braelyn was so nervous about her speaking part.

She told me after.

Mom, I was so scared but I kept

telling myself .

I can do this.

I can do this.

She came alive after she did her part.

She did so good.

I was so proud of her.

Best Buddies!

NaUghTy or niCe

I think very nice!

giNgerBrEad HoUse

We love to create a

gingerbread house

each year.

One for me.

One for the house.

One for me.....

Yummy, shiny little candies!

Braelyn takes such care with each candy.

This year our house had a wreath.

All done.

Jeremy is counting down the days

until Braelyn lets him blow it up

with a firecracker.

Pilgrims, Indians and Turkeys

Braelyn a fierce indian girl warrior.

She made this hat at Kindergarten. 

 Montessorri Thanksgiving Celebration

Braelyn at work

We let the kids decide

if they wanted

 to be a pilgrim or indian.

Mrs. Merrill made all the pilgrim hats and

I helped the kids make their own indian hats.

Then the day of the celebration

 the indians

 made cornbread and caramel apple pudding

 and the pilgrims

made turkey and stuffing

with vegetables and cranberry orange relish.

Then the PILGRIMS and INDIANS

joined together for their

THANKSGIVING FEAST.

KINDERGARTEN THANKSGIVING PROGRAM

Under One Sky

Braelyn being a turkey.

Kindergarten  Class

Braelyn and her friend Baylee did an encore performance

for me and Baylee's Mom.

Too cute!

mONkeY bArS

Braelyn is a monkey bars PRO!

Have you done the monkey bars lately?

Braelyn asks

Mom can you do the monkey bars?

Me

Yup I used to be able to.

So I tried ....

I thought my arms were going to

pop out of their sockets.

So I can do 2 rungs.

Terrible isn't it.

Kinda like when you jump on the

trampoline.

When you were a kid it didn't hurt but

for me now it's just plain painful.