Christmas Break!

I love the spirit that Christmas brings into our lives. I love to remember the Savior and all of the wonderful things that he has taught us. This year our family decided to try a new tradition. We decided that every night during December we would take turns sharing a story of Christ's life. As our family shared their favorite stories of Jesus it truly helped us remember the reason why we celebrate Christmas.
We also got to go and see the lights at the Temple. Shane and Julie went with us and Sharon and Scott were there already, so we met up with them. It was nice to be at the temple with our family.
Christmas Eve we always spend at my mom and dad's house. We have dinner and then do the nativity with all of the kids dressed up. Then the kids get to exchange their gifts and open one present.
Christmas day was fun! After we opened presents we went to Grandma and Grandpa's for breakfast. (Thank You it was great!) Then went to the other Grandparent's house and spent time with my family. It was fun because Jay and Brooke came in from out of town and their kids are adorable! Then we went and visited Great Grandma. It was nice to spend time with her. Then we went back over the Scott's parents house to celebrate Christmas night. We always have a Christmas Dinner and the exchange gifts. Then we headed home for bed.
I think that the funnest thing we did over our Christmas Break was going sledding with our friends Chuck and Aleah and their kids. We went to a park close by with a hill. We had a blast sledding! Don't worry the kids had fun too!
I hope that everyone had a great Christmas also, and that we can remember all of the things that we have been blessed with.

Best Job!

The kids made me remember how much I love teaching again today. A little girl came into school and told everyone that her mom has a baby in her tummy. Everyone got very excited and another girl told me that her mom is pregnant and having her baby brother. Then a little boy came up and felt my tummy and asked me if I had a baby in my tummy also. I told him that I didn't, that I couldn't have a baby in my tummy because my tummy won't let me. I told him that I was adopting a baby. A sweet little girl in class ran up to me and gave me a hug and said, "That's great!" She was adopted and it made me feel so happy that she knew what I was talking about. What a smart little girl. Thank You! You made my day!

PARTY

It was our turn to plan Scott's family Christmas party this year. I had so much fun getting everything ready. We had great food. (We always do, that is one of the best parts about this party.) I made pulled pork and Shauna brought her famous cheesy potatoes. Sharon made home made mac and cheese. Mom made pasta shrimp salad. Shane and Julie brought chips and drinks, Kaye also brought drinks. The food is always amazing! Scott and Tyler decided that they wanted to make a version of Family Feud to play. We came up with silly family themes like Songs that dad made you listen to over and over and over again, Family Traditions, Family pets, Nick Names, and of coarse Favorite family foods. We divided up the family to play the game. The kids and the adults both had fun coming up with the answers. Then we played our traditional game of funny white elephant exchange. We always have fun playing that game. Everyone always wants to get "Woody". "Woody" is and owl that Scott and I got as a joke for a wedding gift. It keeps getting passed around that family. It was funny because our niece Alicia's fiance Skyler got "Woody". But then "Woody" went missing. I'm sure that he will show up sometime again. Hopefully at their wedding. Then we gathered gifts that we brought for a service project, for a family that Dad found in need this year. I always look forward to this Christmas party every year.

Sweet Gifts

Last week at school it was the 5th Grade Christmas Store. So all of the different grades get to go shopping in the store. It has been interesting to see the things that Tyler has brought home from the store every year. In Kindergarten he didn't buy himself anything. He gave his money to kids who didn't bring any to school. He said it was service. (He loves to do service.) In 1rst grade he bought Scott and I Christmas presents. Scott got a book that Tyler and him could read together and I got a pencil and stickers for my pre-school. This year I told him that he could get whatever he wanted for himself because he was using his own money. Before he left to school Tyler and Azlynn (Tyler's best friend) were talking about the store and Azlynn's mom reminded her that she couldn't get any stuffed animals. Tyler bought himself a bear and saw that Azlynn wanted a stuffed animal. He bought one for Azlynn and when it was lunch time he asked his teacher for the key to the class room. He went to the class room and left the bear on Azlynn's desk for her and left her a letter with it. He said that she was so happy that she jumped up and down. I told Tyler that it was romantic that he did that for her. I thought that it was sooo cute! Tyler was so proud of himself for being nice to Azlynn. I am truly glad that Tyler has such a great friend.

15 Year Anniversary

We just had our 15 year anniversary. We decided that this year we would go do some temple sessions. We both took off a couple days of work. We went to a temple that we haven't been to before and then the temple close to our home. We made the mistake of telling Tyler before school that if he got sick to call grandma and grandpa because we wouldn't be home. He decided to test it out. He got "sick" and called them. Grandma and Grandpa were not at home so he ended up calling us right as we were getting ready to sit down and eat at the Cheesecake Factory. (I love cheesecake)
We were about 40 minutes from home so I called my friend who always helps me out, Aleah. She went to the school to get him and Scott and I left Cheesecake Factory. When we got to Aleah's we started to laugh because Ty was trying his hardest to be sick. He was magically better the next day and the rest of our days together went great.
It seems so crazy that it has already been 15 years. I am so happy that I have such a great husband. I feel blessed to be able to have a temple marriage with Scott. I'm so glad that we can live with each other for eternity.