Christmas 2015

We had an awesome Christmas!  Christmas eve we went to Derk an Debbie's for a delicious prime rib dinner. The kids reenacted the Christmas story then Debbie read us the story of the Christmas orange and told us a story about grandma Archie and grandpa Hollis and how an orange was one of the few gifts they got on Christmas.  The kids then opened their presents from grandma and grandpa and Kyle surprised his family with a trip to Disneyland!  We had dessert and then headed home to wait for Santa.  The kids had a hard time winding down, especially Kinlee.  It was 11:00 pm before she finally fell asleep.  Then, Connor was up at 2am begging to open presents.  Finally at 5:00 I let him wake everyone up and open presents.   After opening presents we went to Nana and Papa's for breakfast and more presents.  Breakfast was delicious and the morning flew by!  After breakfast we went to Derek and Nicole's to talk to Taylor.  It was so fun to see him and talk with him.  My favorite part was when Nicole asked Matthew if he remembered Taylor, we all laughed and reminded her he's only been gone 7 weeks.  The rest of the day was spent napping, playing with toys and visiting with family.  I can honestly say it was a perfect day.

This has been an amazing year and I'm so grateful to spend it with the people I love.  Here is our top 10 of 2015:

1.  Matthew and Kinlee learned to ride their bikes with no training wheels.  Kinlee tried it first, Matthew saw her do it and decided he was going to do it too and the rest is history!

2.  Rory began his job as a detective for Carbon County and received the Employee of the Month award for the month of May.

3.  Connor received his Arrow of Light in Cub Scouts and promoted to Boy Scouts.  He also received his Hunter Safety certificate and ran for student council President and won!  This is his last year of elementary school before he's in middle school, so crazy!  He is still playing baseball, basketball, and tackle football.  He also does guitar lessons and Musical majors, so he is one busy kid.

4.  Kadee joined Musical Majors (an after school singing group at Wellington Elementary) and got to sing her first solo at the Christmas concert.  She also did cheer for a few months in the Spring and is now in dance and absolutely loves it.  She is still in Gymnastics and is working on perfecting her back hand spring.  She is an awesome student and was picked to be in an accelerated learning program at school called Peak.   

5. Kinlee started Kindergarten!  She has started to read and learn addition and subtraction.  She loves school and loves her teacher, Mrs. Penry.  She also started dance this year and loves Mrs. Tori and making up dances in our living room.  

6. Matthew started his second year of preschool.  He played t-ball for the first time this Spring and totally loved it.  He took it very seriously and even whacked the ball several times, we have another ball player on our hands!  He is our animal lover and outdoorsy kid.  If he has shoes on when he goes outside we are all shocked, lol!   

7.  We finished the new house and moved in April 25, 2015.  It is so wonderful to not be renting and each of the kids has their own room. 

8.  We adopted our puppy Maggie.  She is a German Shepard and is so lovable.  She loves to learn tricks, bite ankles, and play with Connor.  She has been a fun addition to the family.

9.  We were able to go on a few camping trips, a few trips to the Living Planet Aquarium, take in a bee's game and Jazz game, visit Fish Lake, spend a long weekend in Glen wood Springs CO., spend a few weekends in St. George playing ball, playing at Sand Hollow and a girls weekend to the Tuacahn.

10.  We have been blessed with the best family and friends. I am so looking forward to 2016 and what the future holds for our little family.