CHRISTMAS

Oh what fun we had this Christmas season.  It's so much fun for Travis and I to shop for a purpose. And to find the perfect gifts for our kids. They loved everything.  

Just after Thanksgiving, we had to visit Santa.  We had unseasonably warm weather, as you can tell by the clothing my kids were wearing.  They all love Santa and believe in the magic of Christmas.  We tell them if they don't, they don't get presents! So, they have no choice. 

The ward party was a hit for the kids this year. I had a major headache so I was home on the couch, but the kids and Travis had a blast. 

The boys celebrated Christmas in their classrooms.  I helped out in Alex's class and got a great picture from another mom of Triston's class party.  Grateful for good teachers, good friends and good mom's who throw great parties! 

The Zabel's had an ugly sweater party this year and we were lucky enough to attend. It was so much fun.  There was great food, great friends and a lot of laughter.  We are so blessed to be surrounded by such fun and wonderful people.  

Erin got a fish that was saved before she flushed it down the toilet!

Conovers, Harris's, Holland's, Cottrell's, Medford's,  Zabel's, Bruggeman's and Ravsten's.  

I love Travis!

Kedzie did great in her Christmas dance recital.  She did a jazz and lyrical dance.  

Grandma made Kedzie this cute hat. Don't mind that we were at Children's when I took this picture.  We were there for a cardiology check up.  She continues to have no heart problems, just a flabby valve.  The only chubby thing on her!

Grandma did twelve days of Christmas for the kids again and the highlight was the gingerbread train. Kedzie and Ethan did one side, while Triston and Alex did the other side.  They worked great together.  It was pretty impressive. 

Christmas Eve morning was an early one of course because everyone was excited to go to bed again! The kids woke up, had breakfast and made their fort in the loft for the night to come.  It was a long day, but we had fun.  Fortunately, we purchased tickets to The Christmas Carol.  We dressed up and went to Denver at 1:30 and had a great time together. 

Christmas Eve started around 4:30.  We opened PJ's and surprise...everyone got Bronco PJ's this year.  They may not have a great team this season, but we are still fans and proud of their Super Bowl win! The kids have been begging for jerseys for months.  They were screaming when they saw what they were.  That was a great moment for me.  After PJ's, we opened family presents.  This year we decided to draw names for secret Santa.  Everyone did a great job at gifting.  There were a lot of smiles and thank you's and even a take down due to happiness.  I love to see my kids love one another.  

Christmas morning began at 5am! Everyone got the one gift they asked Santa for...Alex and Triston got iPads, Kedzie got a penny board and Ethan got a drone.  I got a great book on London, some new pictures for our room and some other great things.  Travis got some clothes, books and kitchen gadgets.  We had a great morning.  We even made it, happily, to 9am church! It was a beautiful one hour service filled with music.  I'm so grateful for my relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ and His Atonement.  I'm grateful that my family is forever and that we have the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives.  

He doesn't like sports at all! Golden State, Spurs and Broncos. 

What a wonderful Christmas we had.  I'm filled with gratitude.  

Thanksgiving and the end of seasons

 Thanksgiving was in Colorado this year.  First time since I was pregnant with Kedzie! And we had a lot of fun.  Grateful for good friends who invited us to various activities.  It was a great day. 

Started off with some football.  We kicked Travis out the door. He may not admit it, but he had fun and the boys were in heaven. Even in the freezing weather.  

The Anderson's invited us over for dinner and it was delicious! Following dinner we went to see Moana, the movie.  We truly are blessed in so many ways. 

The same weekend we set up the Christmas tree and decorated our house. 

We also attempted to watch the Christmas devotional. Some were more alert than others! 

Dec 8th our episode of The Price Is Right aired and we were clearly on TV! Too bad not one of us got called down.  We would have been great contestants.  It was fun to watch the show from both perspectives.  

Kedzie's is turning into a teenage girl even if she's only 11, almost 12.  She has had some difficulties dealing with life appropriately the last week or so.  As a punishment, Travis made her sit down and he curled her hair.  She hates it when it's curled. We all were eventually laughing a lot.  I thought it was a great parenting tool.  Way to go Travis! 

Ethan's played six weeks of futsal with his Broomfield team and had a lot of fun.  It has come to an end and he will be playing basketball again this winter.  He also finished his fall season of basketball and has truly progressed.  He makes shots, he fowls out, he does it all and doesn't stop! He's an athlete!

The boys had a great end to their season as well.  They went undefeated.  A pretty talented group of ball players with some amazing coaches.  We will be playing with all of them again in January. 

And this man, I love him! We had a great night out with Nuf Said for our holiday dinner and got this beautiful picture.  We are happy, and healthy, chubby and doing everything we can to be as good as possible in all things.  I can't imagine life without Travis by my side.  It wouldn't be as wonderful.  

It's great cuz Triston's eight!

Oh this boy...no matter what, has my heart.  I love him.  He was so excited to turn eight and have a party with his friends and be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He was excited about his new converse shoes and his suit, his scriptures and to stand up during sacrament meeting as they welcomed him as one of the newest ward members.  Life, when it is going well, is so exciting for him.  He has the best giggle, he loves the dog, he's a great athlete and he loves his family.  So proud of who Triston is and who he is becoming as he navigates his life. 

He participated in the school choir this year and loved it.  He did well, here are some cute pictures of his performance.  

Here he is on his birthday morning getting his awesome shoes! 

That evening we had a very loud, rowdy, cute bunch of boys over to play games, eat pizza and have cake and ice cream.  It was a success and we learned to never have a party at home anymore.  Way too much work for the parents!!!

Noah, Matthew, Isaac, Brody, Alex,

Cooper and Triston

These three are in my primary class and were baptized together on December 3, 2016 at 8:30am.  They are wonderful human beings.  I love them dearly.  

Congratulations Colton, Claire and Triston

The amigos!

Some of Triston's biggest cheerleaders, Jami and Donna

Grandma and Reggie flew out to celebrate the day with Triston 

The smile says it all.  Such a happy boy. 

And that suit, from Grandma, makes him look so dapper! 

Triston was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and received the gift of the Holy Ghost on Dec 3, 2016. He was given a blessing by his dad. 

The blessing stated that you, Triston, are blessed to know that Heavenly Father is aware of you. He sent you to earth to become more like Him as you grow and progress and in a family that loves and cares for you. Heavenly Father has guided you on this path. Heavenly Father is proud of you. You should seek after your friend the Holy Ghost. He can bless and comfort you. He can teach and inspire you. Be wise in your decisions. Have an active mind. Have a desire to follow Heavenly Fathers plan. We have been given a gift, that of agency. You're blessed to choose wisely and use the gift He's given and go and do all the wonderful things He has in store for you. 

Amen

The 8 words we chose to describe Triston are as follows. Determined. Inquisitive. Excitable. A learner. A teacher. A friend. Adaptable. Hard worker.

Triston we love you and are so proud of you and all that you work so hard to accomplish in your life. Happy 8th birthday.  We are so grateful you are a part of our family.  Love you buddy.