Monday, January 19

Top: Before

Bottom: After

Do you see the tiny little difference? She got her ears pierced! It was the saddest 20 seconds of my life but once she got over the initial shock, she was completely fine! I was grateful to have my mommy there to hold my hand while I held my daughter's hand.

Tuesday, January 20

I meant to take a darn picture of Kara today. It was our last "business lunch" at my kitchen table. She's about to change branches from Herriman to West Jordan. We'll still do lunch but it will be at a restaurant from now on. Tonight, we had fun at Nick's Pack Meeting.

Wednesday, January 21

The kids go back on-track on Monday so Jenni & I wanted to take them all to do something fun. We met at Chick-Fil-A for lunch then we were going to go to Boondocks. However, we quickly learned that Boondocks doesn't open until 4pm so we had a change of plans. We went to Scheels instead. We walked around, played on their free toys, rode the ferris wheel, and even bowled on their mini lanes. It was actually a blast!

Thursday, January 22

Here's a pic of our amazing and fun enrichment night activity. It was on food storage. We had a great dinner then a talk on food storage. I loved it!

Friday, January 23

We were having a lazy day at home when mom texted and invited us to linner. Since the kids go back to school Monday, we decided to go for it! We had a nice time with them at Las Glorias and I even brought a smothered burrito home for Simon.

Saturday, January 24

It's painted!! This is Zack's firetruck room and we're excited to get it all painted, wallpapered, and decorated. We're a few steps closer to that now!

Sunday, January 25

Tonight has been a rough night. I found out my cousin who is only one month older than me, Kristy, has breast cancer. I went and visited her and her sweet new baby a few weeks ago and she was telling me about a cyst they found but it turns out that it's cancer. I am having a very hard time with that news. To add to it, I found out later that my old friend Kade Fullmer passed away today. I loved Kade so much all through junior high and high school. The only bright spot in the night was being together as a family for dinner and then to play Pictionary. It was especially cute with the little kids. Zack's artwork there is supposed to be a "smiley face". It was close....sorta. 

 

 

Monday, January 12

We had Chase over for a little while before bowling. He is so sweet! He and Zack played Super Mario Brothers on the Wii for most of the time he was here. They play so cute together. It made me feel good when he told his mom that he didn't want to go home yet. They are sweet boys!

 

Tuesday, January 13

I almost always forget to take a picture when we're out with Grandma Sharon and Grandpa Jim but luckily, Grandma wanted to get a picture of all the kids with Grandpa so I snapped some too. They watched my kids for a bit while I had my post-op appointment for my oral surgery then we had lunch at Chick-Fil-A. They are always so sweet to take us to lunch. It really is such a treat!

 

Wednesday, January 14

Mom came out and picked Kendra up for a sleepover. This is little Keni cuddling with her Uncle Kenny. (Silly goofy face!)

 

Thursday, January 15

Sleepovers, sleepovers! Jenni watched my kids while I had a doctor appointment today then Nick wanted to spend the night. We thought it only fair that if Jenni took Nick, we take Halle home with us. The kids were so excited! Plus, Kendra's bed is plenty big enough for three little bite-size kids to sleep in. Cousin sleepovers are so fun!

 

 

Friday, January 16

Kendra put her Rapunzel wig on Ricki. It was too cute! I had to take a picture! We also went to the movies with Jenni and her kids. We saw Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. I thought it was a really cute show and so nice to get out for the afternoon.

 

Saturday, January 17

Date night! Thank heaven!!! I needed an adult night out! Simon and I went to dinner at Las Glorias then saw Dumb and Dumber To. It was a stupid show and a little too crude for my taste. It was just nice to be out with my hubby for the night though. I'm thankful for my parents who watched all four kiddos to make this night possible.

Sunday, January 18

The pizza on the left was the first pizza I had ever made from scratch. The one on the right was my second attempt. The crust on the first one was more crisp and a little better but the second one actually looked like a real pizza. Both were super yummy but I'll make even more adjustments to my process next time around. We were home for dinner tonight because I had an assignment to speak at a "Great to be 8" meeting at the church. It was a nice evening at home.

 

 

Monday, January 5

Although these pictures are from Saturday night, I wanted to put them on today because Nanny passed away around 9:15 am. We are so sad, especially for Viv and Sue. It was a pleasure getting to know her over the past 15 years and I will always remember her. She was spunky, motivated, and could whip up a knitted sweater like you wouldn't believe! Until we meet again Nan.

 

 

Tuesday, January 6

This is kind of lame but it was 1. the most interesting thing that happened to me today and 2. so frustrating. The kids wanted lemonade for dinner so we made up a batch. Luckily the pitcher was empty when Zack knocked it off the counter to the floor. This is my Pampered Chef pitcher so I was really bummed that this happened. Especially since lemonade is my new go-to drink (remember, no Diet Coke?!). Hopefully someone has a Pampered Chef party soon.

 

 

Wednesday, January 7

We had a fun day with the McCullough's. First, we met them at Chick-Fil-A for free breakfast...again...yay!! Then Jen and I ran to the new Sprouts Market that just opened up next to The District. So exciting!

 

 

Thursday, January 8

We got tickets to "Walking with Dinosaurs" at Energy Solutions Arena. Our whole family was there (Howard's including Kenny, McCullough's, and us) and it was really fun. Zack was a bit nervous before they came out because he thought the dinosaurs were going to eat people. Silly kid!

 

 

Friday, January 9

We had a memorial/wake for Nanny tonight at our church. The sweet missionaries, Vicki Crook, and Regina Campbell came and helped in the kitchen and kept food stocked up. Simon and I put together a little video slideshow of Nan and Viv and Sue did everything else. It turned out really nice. We had a great turnout and it was wonderful to see how much support people offered to our family. It was sad but a wonderful celebration of Nanny's life.

 

 

 

Saturday, January 10

 We celebrated Dad's birthday today at Golden Corral. It's a tradition! It was so fun!! Afterward, we went to Dave & Viv's to say our last goodbye to Gary before he heads back home to Vegas.

 

Sunday, January 11

We went to Dave & Viv's tonight for dinner. It was quiet, only our family was there. I seem to always forget bringing this sweet girl her food. She's started on baby pears and avocado mixed with rice cereal. She loves every bite!

Welcome 2015!

 

Thursday, January 1

Welcome 2015! I am not usually one to set New Year's resolutions because I set goals every day. However, January 1, 2015 seemed as good a day as any to quit my horrible addiction: Diet Coke. This is me with my very last (hopefully) Diet Coke. I just don't know what "normal" people drink without DC! :) I'm looking forward to 2015.

 

  

 

Friday, January 2

Netflix gave Simon and I the best Christmas gift ever...they added Friends to their TV list! Simon and I watched a few episodes while I did my fingernails.

 

 

Saturday, January 3

Our day started out at Max Merrill's baptism at 9:00. It was wonderful and very spiritual. We went straight from there to Doug Muffett's funeral. This is a picture of 3 of his 4 sisters and the other is of all of his kids. Kendra had a birthday party at 2:00 so we took her to that then ran to the family luncheon at 2:30. After we picked Kendra up at 4:00, we dropped the boys off at the Coles' and the girls off at the Campbell's then Simon, Ryan, Ashley, and I went to visit Nanny. She's not doing well and they had requested a priesthood blessing from our boys. To cap the night off, after we got home around 10:00, I went to Amie's house-warming party at her apartment. It was a busy - fun - spiritual - sad day.

 

 

Sunday, January 4

Happy birthday to my Daddy! We celebrated his birthday with a very yummy fondue dinner topped off with white cupcakes with chocolate frosting and peanut butter bars. Glad it was all so low-cal! ;)