Christmas Eve!

On Christmas Eve (2013) we were able to go over to my sister's home and celebrate with their family and my parents who drove from California.  

After a delicious dinner, all of the kids dressed up for a Nativity Story.  Little Will wasn't going to dress up until he saw Kohler do it then he said, "Hey, I'm a Shepherd boy too!"  It was super cute. 

  I told my older kids that when they were little, their older cousins (Megan, Colby, and Amber) would come and dress up without complaining and made it so fun for the rest of the younger cousins.  I was SO glad that they made it fun for everyone that night- because now it's THEIR turn to be the older cousins.  

 It was such a FUN night and MaryKay's house was decorated super pretty!  We love family and it was SO nice being able to rejoice in our Savior's birth by being together!

 Most of the kids played a piano solo and we even sang Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star with Will accompanying by pounding on the piano.  It was hilarious because he really thought he was playing the song!  

 Of course, it wouldn't be Christmas Eve without some new Christmas Jammies!!!

 A fun family tradition is that all the kids sleep in Kohler's room on Christmas Eve.  (except Kelsey basically stays for the picture, then she heads to her own room because she is the lightest sleeper known to man and can't stand if anyone is breathing loudly! :)

This is what Santa and his little helpers were busy doing all night while the little ones slept!!!  (I think the elves stack the presents out in front of the tree like that to make it look like a whole sleigh full of presents were dumped at our house!)  I just LOVE Christmas!!!

Sweet 16

Sooooo - Last week, most of the boys at Perry High School knew that Kelsey was turning 16.  We figured they would be lining up to ask her out but THIS we didn't expect: (a note left on her desk in seminary :)

When she read it to us, we all broke out in laughter but Tom was having a hard time grasping the fact that she is able to date now and that didn't settle too well with him!  ha ha

We are excited, though for Kelsey to be 16.  She is such an amazing daughter.  Truly, we couldn't have asked for a more obedient and sweet little girl.  

She has never once brought us a day of sadness or tears.  Yes - she is normal and has her bad days, as we all do.  But she really has been a joy to raise!

What is happening to all of my babies???  Why are they growing up so fast???  (left to right:  Kohler, Hailey, Kelsey, Spencer)

For her birthday last Sunday, she asked for her favorite Cherry Chocolate Cake.  (it's one of my favorites too.  So yummy!)

 She passed me up in height a while ago and that's ok.  I don't mind looking up to her :)  I do in so many ways already!

 While we were at church, some of her friends came and decorated our house.  It was super fun for her and made her feel LOVED!

 (guess who cleaned it up on Monday?  yeah, Moi)

The dating begins today.  I think she already has an after school date with one of her friends from EFY.  (here we go!)  But the driver's license has to wait until next month since she was late in getting her permit.  It's ok---she has a lot of practice behind the wheel yet to do!  

HAPPY SWEET 16 TO OUR KELSEY!!!

October Fun (posted in January :)

I am making it a goal this year to catch myself up on my Family Blog so here is a quick look at October and all the fun we had!

 The Davis Family and my parents came down for the Brady LaDuke's blessing and it was soooo much fun to see everyone!

 I just LOVE having my parents around.  It makes me so happy and my kids feel so much love from them too!

 Here's Hailey with her cousin, Olivia Davis wearing the cute purses their grandparents brought back from Hawaii!

 My mother has been a huge influence on Kohler and his piano.  He is so lucky to learn from the best!

 One of the highlights from October was going to the temple so my father could act as proxy and seal his dad to his parents.  So wonderful!!!

 Whenever there are cousins around . . . there is SHAVE ICE!

 Hailey did a Little Pumas Cheer Clinic with her cousins and loved it because Kelsey was one of her teachers!

 Here is Hailey with her soccer team.  Their name was "The Cotton-Candy Eating Pink Flamingoes!"  (I think Hailey had some influence on that name!)

 Tom and Spencer went on his first scout overnight campout.  It's only just begun . . .

 Hailey and I dressed as cowgirls for our ward Halloween Party!  Yee haw!

 I love Hailey's expression on the arrival of the pumpkin guts!

I just love that Spencer will still dress up for Halloween in the 6th grade.  He is just one of the coolest kids I know!

Kelsey, still at kid at heart, dressed up as "Where's Waldo" with her bestie, Marli MacLay.  So cute!

One of the biggest pieces of news was that we gave our business to Shiloh Knight, our general manager.  It was a business decision that was best for our family and hopefully will be great for hers!

This was the last payroll check I signed as owner.  

 Tom went to the 6th grade Science Camp with Spencer.  They were gone about 3 days and  Spencer was SO glad his dad could go with him!

 Another big story----we graduated and were able to take our pool fence down.  It was so rusty and gross that it was TIME to get it out of there.  It looks SO much better now that it's gone!

 Rider had his first dental appointment and was pretty funny coming out of the anesthesia!

 Here are my two absolutely gorgeous nieces, Hayden and Parker Marshall.  They live in Utah and are seriously the cutest little girls!

 I love that playing the piano is a common thing in our house.  The more music the better!

Lastly, Tom and I were called to be the Stake Music Directors for the upcoming Gilbert Temple Cultural Celebration in conjunction with the dedication on March 1-2.  We were asked to help some of our youth audition for special musical roles and we will be in charge of rehearsing our stake choir to get them ready for the performance on March 1st.  Over 12,000 youth are participating (including Kohler and Kelsey!!  yeah!)  What an experience of a lifetime!