Snowball at TMS

Channing got to go to the Timberwood Middle School Snowball last night with many of her friends. 

She got ready for the dance at Berkleys house. It's crazy how old she is getting and that she will be in high school this year!

She has some sweet friends. Berkley, Caroline, Meg, Scarlett, Maely, Cadence, Ari, and Emmy

They danced and then hit the ice cream shop!! I'm glad she has a good group of girls to hang with. 

Bring On 2025!!

I have been ready for a new year for several months. I appreciate the time to start fresh and new and reevaluate where we are and what I hope for the next year. Last year was a hard one for me with a lot of changes and challenges. I was glad for it to be over and start a new one.

On new years eve my mom, Ella, Channing, and I went and got pedicures and had dinner together. Ella had been wanting to do a girls day with Grandma before she left. We enjoyed being together.

That night we went to our friends the Larsens house just as we did last year and rang in the new year with friends.

We played games, karoked, and did fireworks. Ella got to see old friends who are in college. 

Channing always has a blast with friends and is always up for a party! 

2025 is off to a good start and we are hopeful for an amazing year! 

Cavin even saw his childhood dream New Years Day...Lightening McQueen and we had to get a picture with the car! Ella also submitted her mission papers today (1/12/25)! Exciting times!! 

Family Visit

This past couple weeks I was able to see all of my siblings. First Marisa's family came which was great. We got to hang out with her and her animated family :). They are always entertaining. 

We enjoyed hanging out and having fun together.

Right after Marisas family left, Coreys family also came into town and because of both families being in town, it allowed us to be able to see some of Chris' family as well which my kids were very grateful for.

Cousins are important and I wish they got to spend more time with them. 

We swam, played ping pong, corn hole, and mini golf. 

It was a beautiful, sunny day!! I was grateful to have a little time with everyone. Its been a difficult 5 years with our extended family, and I pray everyday for peace and healing so that we can one day be a whole family again.

Ellas Temple Experience

Ella decided this Fall that she wanted to go to through the temple and receive her endowment. She planned it so that Aunt Marisa would be in town when she went through, so the day after Christmas several of her family and friends parents went with us to do a session. It was a special experience. She is very well read and was very prepared. She is good at studying and learning so that is always a helpful start. She is hoping to submit her mission papers in a couple weeks. 

Her grandma and grandpa Speers, Marisa and Ethan, Natalie, Chris and Chira were able to join from our family. Then the Whartons, Davis', Hatch's, Armendariz, Dyers, Childs, and Calls came to support her. 

She is a special girl and I have no doubt she will be an incredible missionary. 

Transiberian Orchestra

For Christmas I gifted my dad tickets to the Transiberian Orchestra Christmas Eve tour at the Toyota Center. He loves Christmas music so I thought it would be fun to go together.

We ended up getting 4 tickets from Rangers friend, so we got to bring Ragnar and Ella along. It was nothing like we expected it to be. They didn't play a lot of their popular traditional Christmas songs. There were a lot of lights and fire, but it was still fun to be together and the suite we were in had unlimited food and drinks, so that is always a plus!! I'm grateful for the memory. 

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!