Jack is Two

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Jack turned two on January fourth. He is such a sweet little boy. He is so loved in our family. He pretty much grunts to get what he wants. 

To celebrate we went out the the Golden Corral for lunch and then had our friends over to have cake and ice cream. I made this doggie cake and everyone loved it, especially Jack!

A New Year - Pursuing Awesomeness

Every year. during our first Fanmily Night of the year we choose our Family Theme for the year, set our family goals and re-address our family rules. 

This year our family theme is:

Pursuing Awesomeness!

This theme was proposed by Hannah and we all voted it in. Some other suggestions were:

Doing good in word and deed (Dad)
Observing and serving (Mom)
Choosing kindness (Winnie)
Ice Cream! (Bobby)

Our family goals are:
Archery and Shooting Improvement
AK Club 4X a month as a family
PPI's/DDD's (Daddy Daughter Dates) once a month
Go to Chena Hot Springs in the fall
Finish the Book of Mormon again (we are in Helaman)
Camp in a new/exciting place this summer
Purchase Hottub/RV/Boat or Jet Ski (unlikely)


Our family rules are:
Do it right the first time
First observe then serve
No TV on weekdays (special occasions)
No wearing ear buds in common areas
Practice instruments 20 minutes per day
No yelling/freaking out (immediately sent to room)
No biting
Use kind words
Fill each others buckets!!!

New Year's

We celebrated New Year's at the Cabin. We were there with Nana and Papa and Curtis and the kids. It was crowded, but fun. We snow machined, ate, played games, watched movies and talked. Jennifer and her kids came up New Year's Eve to make the grand total 17 in the cabin. Wow.

Christmas

Christmas this year was very nice. It was very nice. Robert and I remarked to each other Christmas night just how pleasant the day had been. My favorite in years I think. I don't know why, but it was. I think part of it was that we toned down the gifts this year. Just a couple of nice/useful things and then I handmade the rest.

Christmas eve we went to the IHOP and then spent the afternoon baking and cooking for the Christmas Eve party. I made these lovely Gingerbread house cakes and sprinkled them with powdered sugar.

We enjoyed the traditional Christmas Eve program at the DeKays. There were many guests and friends there.

We opened our gifts at home on Christmas morning. The kids were so happy and excited. Hannah got a big chair for her room and a bow and arrow. Winnie got the AG pony and a bow and arrow. Bobby got a train table and a plasma car. Jack got some books and balls. I got Robert cross country skis and he got me a gorgeous fur coat! We spent the rest of the day at the DeKays and ended the day lighting lanterns and sending them into the sky.

I think the main reason this Christmas was so lovely is because of The Savior. I prayed all season long to keep him in my heart. I felt his influence on my family all season long.

Santa

December Favorites

This was taken at the tree lighting ceremony at Town Square in Eagle River. Winnie performed there with her school choir. 

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Our annual picture of cutting down the Christmas tree. This year we found one that was both close and full. It was 13 ft. tall and looked lovely in our living room. 

All the children  love playing with this lovely Nativity set and with the Advent calendar

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 We really wanted to do a fun Christmas craft, so we made these adorable Santa beards I saw on Pinterest!

At our Piano recital Hannah performed The Ukrainian Bell Carol and Winnie played Up on the Housetop

The office Christmas party was so fun this year. Santa even came!

November Favorites

A quick list of our November favorites. so I do forget anything!

Sewing. I spend quite a bit of time preparing handmade Christmas gifts. A lot of them are sewn, a lot of handi work. A good, uplifting use of my time.

Date nights with this cool guys. I love our date nights. We do anything from walking around  Fred Meyers to dinners out, to movies out, to staying at home playing board games.

Bobby finally fit into the cute blazer that belonged to Robert when he was little. Nana made it for Robert for his aunt's wedding.

We made eight pies for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving was fun up a Nana and Papa's house!

We headed out to the cabin the day after Thanksgiving. Hannah invited her friend. We barely survived the below zero temperatures!