Thanksgiving break

This week the kids had the whole week off for Thanksgiving and Ragnar only had to work one day, so it was a nice week all together. The weather started off wonderful. We were able to play a softball game with some families, as well as a soccer game a different day. It was nice to be with other families who enjoy being active as well. We also did FHE by the fire Monday night with smores. It was great to be as a family and just talk.

This week Cavin wanted to document that he officially has reached my height. He thinks he is taller than me, I think he just has fluffy hair ;)

Channing is sweet and always wants to match for church. 

Thanksgiving day we went over to my brother Chris' house for our meal. It was nice to be able to have dinner and spend the day with my brother and his family. 

After dinner we went over to the courts to play Pickleball. Cavin is starting to really like playing. 

Deacon and Crew had their own game going!

Chris and Caden came back and won over Ragnar and Cavin. It was beautiful weather and a nice evening. 

My kids love being with their cousins. I wish we could make it happen more often! We spent the rest of the break shopping, watching movies, stuffing Christmas cards, setting up lights outside, playing games, and just enjoying being together! We have so many things to be grateful for. I love the focus on giving thanks before we head into the Christmas season.  

The gift of a healthy body!

This past week the boys and I have finished a portion of our training for various sporting activities. I have been grateful as I reflect on the gift of a healthy, functioning body. It truly can do amazing things! I love watching my boys work hard and try and develop their own.

I have been doing Crossfit for a year and a half now and have come a long way. Sometimes I get frustrated that their are skills that I still can't figure out, but looking back, I have mastered some pretty amazing ones I never thought I could. Yesterday I participated in my second Clovis hero WOD. It is a 10 mile run and 150 burpee pullups. I ended up taking a wrong turn and the course was a little long, so I ended up running 11 miles first, but I felt great. My body is in good shape and I am progressing. I was excited to see Ragnar at mile 8 come to take a picture and say hello. It was the best to look up and see his face. He is a great, supportive husband. I really love fitness and pushing my body and it is a gift to have one I can work with. 

This group of people help push me along each week. 

Cavin also finished his first season of middle school football. I was surprised when he told me he wanted to play cause he is not an aggressive child, but he gave it a go. He was on the A team the first 3 games and then they moved him to the B team to add some body size to the team and help. He was glad because that meant he got to play the whole game. He has a long way to go on being more aggressive, but he made a lot of progress. He is just a gentle giant and I love that about him. 

I was grateful to have my parents come support him in both of his sporting events. 

Cavin also finished his soccer season this week. Ragnar has been his coach for several seasons and I love that they have that love interest together. He is a much stronger soccer player and I enjoy watching him and his dad on the field together. 

Deacon finished his season as a yellow volcano. Wes Brown has been his coach the past 3 seasons and he loves playing for them. He has won every game all three seasons, so I am not sure what will happen when he loses :) Deacon has a lot of natural talent and just loves the game. He lives and breathes sports and it is fun to see his excitement on the field. 

I am grateful that even though the covid virus has taken a lot, that it didn't completely take away our sport seasons. Sports have been such a blessing for the kids and I and it is something our family really enjoys to do together. 

Daphne Visits!

This weekend Daphne came to Houston to visit. She is unable to come for Thanksgiving or Christmas, so we celebrated them both a little early. We went to the boys soccer games in the morning and watched them play. 

Then we played games and set up the Christmas decorations and listened to Christmas music. I love to set up Christmas and the spirit that it brings. 

Ella is getting good at helping setting up the tree.

After we ate turkey dinner and enjoyed a great meal! Thankfully Daphne brought a turkey and did the hard work!

It was delicious. 

Daphne always does fun things with the kids, so this time she did a nonverbal IQ test for all the kids. It was fun to see where they were at. They are all super smart..which I already knew :)

We watched a Christmas movie, played more games, and then she was kind enough to come with me and Ragnar to work and do signs. It was much more fun to do together. We had a nice weekend and are always glad when she can come. It was a fun early holiday weekend. 

Halloween 2020

This year everything has been different and Halloween wasn't any exception. We were able to have a ward church Trunk or treat outside which was nice. We also were able to go trick or treating in the neighborhood with our friends. It was a simple holiday event. We had soccer games in the morning and my parents came over to watch and support, then celebrated Halloween in the evening. It was strange only having the younger two with us as our older two were with friends. The kids are happy and healthy, so even if Halloween wasn't a thrill a minute, we were glad to be able to celebrate.

We recycled some costumes this year. Ella made herself a deer costume. Cavin was Harry Potter, Channing was Hermione, and Deacon was Spiderman.

Baton Rouge!! A Special Trip for Channing!

This past weekend we went to Baton Rouge, LA to spend some time with Daphne. We enjoy going for conference weekend and had fun playing games with her and hanging out in the nice weather. We are on fall break, so Channing was able to have a special trip and stay 3 days longer with Daphne to have special Aunt time! When Ella was turning 10 she got to have a special weekend as well, so Channing has been begging for her turn. She loves her Aunt Daphne and couldn't wait!

We enjoyed nightly walks around the temple with Cortex.

The kids enjoyed rolling down the hill! Even Ragnar wasn't too old for some hill rolling fun!

We left Channing Monday night and she stayed with Daphne until Thursday. 

They made A LOT of treats! Channing loves the Kids Baking Championship show and always wants to bake the things they show on there. I don't love cooking, so I indulge her sometimes, but don't have the energy to spend hours in the kitchen. Thankfully her Aunt is a better sport than me and they baked to their hearts content!

She is so happy baking!

This is her always! Taking the measuring to the extreme! She is always singing and dancing while doing it!

They first made eclairs!

They went and got pedicures!

They made macrons. 

They played and hung out with Cortex, went for walks, went swimming and basically had a great time together. 

She even got to sleep with her Aunt and Cortex. 

The drive home took a REALLY long time as there was so much traffic. A normal 4 hour trip took almost 9.5 hours. I felt so bad for them driving.

Channing loved telling me about it, and I think she could stay there forever, but we are glad to have her back! I am so grateful for Daphne's influence in our lives and especially in the kids'. They truly adore her and she is such a wonderful support of them! We sure love her!

Family Pictures 2020

This year we used the same photographer as last year to take our family photos. I really love capturing my kids growth every year. I sure love to see how much they have grown and matured each family pictures. Although this year the pictures weren't my favorite, my family is! I am grateful to have another year of a healthy, happy family life!