Christmas 2024

This year Christmas came and went so quickly. We were so lucky to have my sister Marisas family here with us in Texas. We even got to see Chris' kids once so that was a blessing. 

Christmas Eve my parents came over and we had soup, decorated sugar cookies, read the Christmas story, shared our testimonies, and played Kahoot. It was a fun evening. 

I love the peace of Christmas morning before the kids come down as I go in the kitchen to make cinnamon rolls and breakfast casserole. 

The kids came down to the song "Deck the Halls" and Ella found the pickle in the tree this year. 

Cavin chose to wear his halloween shirt :) he is a silly kid! They each got several things they had on their list. Ella got airPods, journals, jewelry, clothing, a dress, shoes etc. Cavin got a water bottle, a suit, several pairs of shoes, clothes, phone case... Channing got a Kendra Scott necklace, jewelry, makeup, clothes, a curling iron... Deacon got books, soccer clothes, a soccer bag, shoes, basketball hoop etc. Hopefully they felt loved and taken care of.

It was a beautiful Christmas Day. We went over to my parents, ate, played games, and went for a walk. 

Christmas Sunday everyone participated in a musical number except Ragnar. There was a beautiful spirit of Christmas there. 

This was our Christmas card this year. We had a nice Christmas.

We were grateful for a week with the Scharmans. 

Gingerbread House Fun!

One of the traditions our kids love is making gingerbread houses. I always love to see their creativity and Cavin's creativity always comes out most during this tradition. 

Deacon doesn't typically like anything artsy/creative, but he did pretty well this year. 

Channing is always happy crafting.

Cavin did his based on a Pixar theme.... the movie UP 

I think it looks so creative and he worked hard on those sucker balloons :)

Ellas roof kept falling off, so she improvised and decorated the inside of her house. 

I have four great kids and I am grateful for each one!

Concert Season

I am grateful for music and for kids willing to share their talents. However, there are so many concerts this time of year. Cavin had an orchestra concert, Channing three choir concerts, and we had two church ones and even Ella had a couple in college we got to see parts of.

First Channings concert at AHS where the incoming 8th graders sang one song, then at TMS where she had her holiday concert. 

Then she made the region choir this year as an alto so they had a performance at Davis high school. They sang really beautifully there. Ella was able to join me as she had just flown into town. 

Cavin had an orchestra concert the same night as Channing's basketball game, so we tried to make most of both.

I love that Cavin still plays in the orchestra. He is so talented at the cello. He played a duet of a piano guys song " O come, O come Immanuel" at church and it was incredible. 

Ella had the privilege of performing in a choir "The Forgotten Carols" directed by Michael McLean which was a really cool experience for her. 

She has had many amazing opportunities in her time at SUU. I'm grateful for music that brightens the season! 

Thanksgiving week!

The week of Thanksgiving Cavin and Ragnar went to Camp Caney Creek to go to stake young mens camp. Ragnar is the stake young mens secretary in our church so he got to go and hang out with Cavin.

We have a great group of young men in our stake.

They had a good time together and got to enjoy some special testimony meetings, learning the Haka, and Cavin enjoyed time with the priests chatting and playing football. He had mandatory football practice so he had to drive back and forth each day, but the camp was only 3 days and only about an hour and 15 minutes away, so I was glad he was willing and wanting to make the effort. 

Channing the week leading into Thanksgiving had broken her ring finger on her right hand fighting for a jump ball in a basketball game. 

It was pretty swollen and bruised, but thankfully she only had to wear a brace and not a cast and only for 3 weeks. 

Cavin had his football game that week which they won against Fulshear high school.

They ended up losing to North shore the following week so they were eventually out of the playoffs which was sad.

Thanksgiving day we played soccer with a bunch of families for our " Turkey bowl" and we had a lot of fun. I am glad we have so many families to be active with. We then went to my mom and dad's and had a nice dinner there. So grateful for family and friends.

Another Tx Heatwave Season In the Books!

We have completed another year of Fall soccer season. While I truly love watching the kids play each week, I’m always happy to have our Saturdays back. The kids both had good teams they played on and Ragnar was gracious enough to coach both teams this season. 

Channing played U14 girls and their team name was the Oompa Loopmpas. They ended up finishing 2nd place in their division and improved a lot.

She got to play with her 3 close friends which she loved. 

Deacon had a rough ending in part due to a missed call by the referee, they ended in 3rd place out of 10 teams in their division. 

The kids love to play and Deacon always wants to be with Ragnar at the fields. Any time he refs he wants to tag along. I’m grateful they have Ragnar to support them, coach them, and cheer them on. Yay for another season of growth! 

Girls weekend!

Since I’ve been working full time, I haven’t had much extra time to keep in touch with my friends. I feel like I’ve been going a 100 miles an hour. As soon as I get home from a long day at work I have to go to some child’s event. While I love to watch the kids, I’m tired! My friend Rachael asked me to come along on an overnight trip to Canton, TX to go shopping and hang out. I definitely needed a little time, I was excited to go with the ladies, but not super excited about shopping 🤪

It was about a 3.5 drive from Houston to Canton, Tx. 

It was Eva’s birthday so we celebrated extra for her and stayed in this cute cabin. 

There were lots and lots of shops to walk through. We did a fair amount of walking! 

My friends Rachael, Eva, Cecilia, Christina, Kelsey, Shandie, and I. We had a lot of uplifting, meaningful conversations on the way up and back which I really needed. Although I didn’t buy anything and don’t like shopping I had a nice time with these ladies and feel lucky to be surrounded by such great women.

Halloween!

Many who know me know that I don’t love Halloween! However we still celebrate and do all the trunk or treating and trick or treating. Deacon decided to be a glowing skeleton this year, Channing was an M&M with her friends, and Cavin just wore a festive shirt since he was in charge of our wards haunted house all night. 

Deacon went trick or treating with some buddies after Cavins football game.

He got lots of candy at the trunk or treat as well. 

Channing and her cute friends had a fun night together. 

Another year, another pantry full of candy!