Daycee's Christmas Program

While I was gone Daycee had her Christmas program. I told Dayson to be sure and take plenty of pictures of her and for Harly to do her hair. They both did a really good job at getting things done. Harly waved Daycee's hair and made it look so cute and Dayson took lots of pictures.

She looked so cute and I just wished I was there to see it. Dayson took some video with his phone and sent it to me. Daycee had practiced these songs for so long and she knew them very well. Good job Daycee, your a sweet girl!

Mommy Time

Last week I had the opportunity to go to Virginia Beach, VA for a Head Start parent conference. I was gone for seven days. That was the most I had ever been away from my family.

Before I left MacKenzie and Daycee made me this special lunch. It was so cute and they were so excited to give it to me.

I flew out of Phoenix and on my way to Virginia we flew over Round Valley. The big black spot on the middle left is the wildfire burn from about a month ago and you can see a little part of Springerville at the bottom. I wasn't able to get a picture of the dome because we were directly over it, but it was really cool to see your town from above.

Our hotel was right on the beach and this was the view from our room.

At night the Boardwalk was decorated with Christmas lights and they allowed cars to drive down to see all the lights. It was really neat and it went at least a mile long. This is the only time they allow cars to be on the boardwalk.

Dayson did such a good job at holding down the fort. He was able to manage taking the kids to school, practices, church, plus he worked for the sheriff's office and did some windshields. He also had to attend Daycee's Christmas program while I was gone. When I got home he had cleaned the bathrooms, the refrigerator, the microwave and had all the laundry washed, dryed, folded and put away. He is an amazing father and husband and I love him very much.

Aarron's 5th Birthday

When Aarron woke up Friday morning he was surprised to see the house decorated for Christmas and his birthday. He was so excited to open his presents. We let him open two, than the others had to wait for his party.

Adam was so amazed by the race track and Aarron was a nice older brother and shared with him. That doesn't happen very often.

Aarron had picked about 8 friends to come to his party. Small and simple!

The great thing about having older children is, they get to help out with the party. I just get to sit back and enjoy. It's been a long time waiting! Carson was in charge of the "pin the tail on the donkey" game.

Harly was in charge of "bingo" with the older kids.

All of Aarron's little friends

Birthday cake time

Aarron's friend Dominic from school

Aarron's friend Charlie from church

Aarron's cousin Jagger (Jersy was in the hospital)

Me and my baby boy. I can't believe he's already 5. He starts kindergarten next year and even though he's a little thing, he's growing up fast!

After his party, Clayton and Carson took him to the theatre in town to see Mega Mind. Afterwards they walked to McDonald's for ice cream. Aarron thought he was the coolest kid hanging out with his older brothers.

(Clayton and Carson thought it was lame to take this picture, but did it for mom!)

Happy Birthday Aarron! Mom and Dad are very proud of you and we love you very much.

Christmas Tree hunting

Thursday night our family headed up the mountain by Big Lake to find our Christmas tree. We didn't go until the kids were out of school so we were losing daylight fast. We stopped in an area searched around found a tree that I liked but kept looking just in case there was a better one. The kids had fun playing in the snow and trying to make snow balls.

Adam was pretty wimpy like always and had to be carried everywhere we went. He didn't like touching the snow.


Clayton made a snow fort to hide in when he would throw snowballs at us. Aarron ducking down with him.

Adam and Aaron watching the tree get cut down.

We decided on the tree that I first saw and because it was already dark, we weren't going to search anymore. The older kids took turns cutting down the tree while the girls stayed in the car.

Clayton

Carson

Harly

Dad and Clayton loading up the tree.

I wanted to get the biggest tree we could legally (10ft) cut down because our ceilings are so high, I knew it would fit anywhere in our family room. After getting it cut and set up we measured it to be 9ft 9in. It's not a very full tree, but it's better than our tree last year. I love it because it's so tall.

Dayson and the kids. Aarron was already asleep. (He wore himself out.)

....other Thanksgiving break Happenings

While Dayson is working he's looking too. He's always got his eye out for animals he can shoot or take pictures of. The one above is a Bald Eagle. Too bad he couldn't get any closer, that would have been really neat. And below he spotted a bobcat and of course shot it. He is so proud and loves his job!
Saturday night Daycee asked me for a hair cut and so I did it. This isn't something I usually do, but Daycee's hair is so thin that I knew I couldn't mess it up. 7 or 8 snips and it was done. I think I did a pretty good job and she loves her new haircut! (it might look a little uneven but I think it's because of the way I styled it afterwards.)

Saturday morning our Youth went to the Temple to do baptisms. This was Carson's first opportunity and I wasn't going to miss it. I am so glad I was able to go and help out in the Temple. Our kids had a good time and I can't wait to go back with Dayson and the boys.

I think my camera was still a little foggy from the cold weather.

Thanksgiving in the Valley

Wednesday night was our Thanksgiving dinner with the Merrill family. We ate at Angelene's house and everyone was there except for DeLona's family. After dinner the little girls put on a dance they practiced outside. They did such a good job and were very cute! We tried to get the boys to do something, but that wasn't happening.
Angelene had a wig that Dayson found and had to try it on. He kind of looks like "Joe Dirt"!

This is all of the grandkids in attendance

Our individual family picture while waiting for the group photo

(Dayson left his wig on...goofball!)



The whole Merrill family except for DeLona and her family.

"Goofy"...that is Aarron's nickname, I wonder why?

Thursday morning we went over to an old friends house from our Waddell Ward. Dayson replaced their windshield while I visited and the kids played. They have an amazing yard with a huge pond and the kids decided to get out the boat. They kind of forgot about life jackets and so I ran outside to make sure nobody fell off the boat and took a few pictures. I asked Clayton later, "What if Kenzie or Aarron would have fallen in?" he said he didn't think about that, but he would have jumped in to save them. Good enough for me!

MacKenzie was having fun chasing the ducks

We had lunch with the Wellman family. Becky, Andrea and me were the only families there this year. We missed having Kelly, Jamie and Rita's families with us.

Clayton took a picture with his Great Grandma Slade to see how much taller he was than her. I love that picture...it will be special to him one day.

Adam, Jagger and Aarron ready for bed watching TV

Earlier that morning we went to my sisters gravesite. I allowed the kids to first look around to see if they can find it. After guiding them in the right direction, they did.

Thanksgiving was one of Deanna's favorite holidays

That was a very special moment for us. We haven't been to her grave for such a long time, and I don't think Aarron or Adam had ever been there and MacKenzie was just a baby.