Year in Review

 Top 9 of 2022. This year was full of accomplishments and adventures. Girls trip to Vegas, Rod discovering a new musical theater talent, Jeffrey graduating from Kindergarten, Celebrating 15 years of marriage and Steve's 40th birthday with a trip to Europe to visit my Brother and his family (highlight of the year), Oliver family reunion and lots of fun adventures with family, Andrea starting pre-k with me as her teacher, finishing all of kids stockings, Spencer becoming a teenager. 

I'm thankful for all the love, support and fun this year from my wonderful family and friends

Finishing up December

I love all the Christmas cards I get throughout the month. My parents taped them to the front door so that's what I do too. I love seeing them as I walk by or out the door everyday.  

Michelle and Cait were in town so we all met up in Brigham City for breakfast at Bert's Cafe- a favorite spot in high school. 

We got a huge snow storm and Grandma and I decided to take all the kids on walk. We stopped by the park and the kids made snowmen. 

Christmas Morning 2022

Kids can wake up before us and open their stockings and eat their Christmas cereal but have to wait to open presents. After grownups come down we start our mornings off by opening presents from Santa first.

Rod got a TV for his room.  

Andrea got a pink scooter. 

Jeffrey got a Minecraft watch. 

Spencer had been asking forever for a phone. We decided to give him one but I had him convinced we were waiting until he was ready. Maranea's daughter had recently gotten a Gabb watch. So I got the packaging from her when I met her for dinner. I wrapped that up and when he opened it I could tell he was trying so hard to be grateful but was also a little disappointed. But when he opened the package there was a note saying "We think you're ready. Look in the controller drawer". When he opened the drawer he found a new iPhone. To say he was excited is an understatement. 

Steve completely surprised me by gifting me this print of a picture of the Savior he painted on his iPad. I love it so so much. 

Christmas Eve 2022

Christmas was spent with not only Steve's brother and grandma but also Daniel and his family. The kids loved having cute cousin Vickie around for the festivities. 

And to all a good night...

December Fun

Met my fave gals for a favorite things dinner. We met up in Salt Lake for dinner and a gift exchange. 

She has the best pouty faces. 

Decorated gingerbread men as a family. 

This was my favorite. 

Boys had a Christmas piano recital and did awesome as usual. 

Jeffrey didn't love sitting through the whole concert but loved the venue's decor and seeing his old primary teacher Jessica. 

Cutest elf in the world. 

Preschool- decorating sugar cookies. 

Ward Christmas party. Helped decorate before and then they boys all randomly decided to dress up for the party. Rod was my favorite. He was an Elf on the Shelf. 

I didn't have enough energy to make a house for each kid. So we made and decorated on all together. They did an awesome job. They all posed next to the part they decorated. 

While they decorated I helped Jeffrey make his train car for polar express day at school. Ever since Dad and Amy lived in China he's been obsessed with it and used the extra wrapping to a China flag for some reason. 

We took the kids ice skating and it was fun...for the kids. Oof Steve and I survived- barely. Two of the kids crying half of the way home was the cherry on top. Thank goodness for pictures so we can hopefully just remember the good parts in years to come. Haha. Trying to make Christmas magic is stressful sometimes.

A note to Jeffrey from his teacher. Both our hearts melted. 

 

Spencer is a teenager!

Happy birthday to my 6-foot tall teenager. I can't believe it. 

He makes everything better-love him so much. 

He got a small friend birthday party. He asked Ryder Drysdale and Rylee Arnold. They went to have dinner at the Pizza Factory and to Coin Crazy Arcade. 

 

Woodstock Thankschristmas

Jamen was in town so we drove down to see him and Amber hosted a family thankschristmas. We even got a visit from Santa! (Unfortunately Jamen was on a walk when he came and didn't get home until right after he left. 

Best pic of the night.