Dancing and DQ

Once again I am way behind, but can't forget a very fun evening watching Ellie in her dance recital.  The pictures we took aren't too great, but the dancing was so cute.  Ellie did such a nice job.  After the recital we met up at DQ for treats.  It was a fun way to end the evening and some took the opportunity to "RIDQULIZE" themselves for Grandma's camera.  Good job Ellie.  We love you!

Snowy Views over the holidays

A couple of times over the holidays we took drives to see the snow.  Paul's knees are really bad right now, so hiking and skiing are out. Drives were the best bet.  The first drive was up to Pine Valley.

On the way home the sun was hitting the mountains just right and they glowed gold.  These pics are just cropped - not enhanced in any other way.  It was so pretty.

  

Our next drive was up to Zion.  We didn't get many pictures because it started snowing really hard soon after we arrived.  It was still nice to just get out a little in such a beautiful place.  We stopped in at the Visitor's Center and the Lodge and almost no one was there.  It was fun to just browse around with no crowds.  

Christmas 2012

Christmas 2012 - It started on Christmas Eve when we visited the Borrowmans to open presents with them.

The Weavers livened up Christmas at the house by sharing their fun with us on Christmas morning (and for a few days before).  It's a lot more fun with little kids than just us old folks that are left at the house.  

Moss and Christie dropped by our house instead of us going to them.  Brenden was pretty happy to get to open up his new cowboy boots.  They were very hard to get on...until we took the paper out of the toes!  Eliza was so pretty in her Christmas bow.

Then it was off to the Smiths to celebrate and open gifts with them.  Trigg stole the show .(Unfortunately the camera was goofed up on the pictures of Tasia.)

After lunch and a nap we headed up to the Randalls.  Afton was not too happy with her itsy bitsy spider!  We hope it will grow on her!  We had a fun time opening presents, visiting and sharing more lunch with them.

Bean and Brady had made some amazing Lego creations.  Ellie created a very tall tower.  

Christmas with Jay and Brynn came a little bit late, but loved it just the same.  

Thank you to everyone for all of the thoughtful gifts and most of all for your wonderful selves.  We are so thankful for each of you. We are so thankful for the most wonderful gift of all from our Savior Jesus Christ...the gift of a forever family.

Sunrise & Sunset on the Red Hill

I don't take the time to walk on the Red Hill as often as I would like, but when I do, the scenery always makes it worth it.  What a magnificent backyard I have!

Divas & Donuts

I am way behind since they changed the way you put pictures on here, but just remembering a good time with Kaebri and Tasia.  I got to come to their school and eat donuts with them and their mom and brothers and visit their classes.  Tasia's student teacher used to work in the class I work in as a practicum student, so that added to the fun of the morning.  Paul got to go with them to Dad's and Donuts a little later, but didn't get any pictures. He had a good time too. Thanks for the invitations girls! We are proud of you and how hard you work in school and how well you do.

December birthday and The Piano Guys

Catching up yet again, this time on the December birthdays.  We had brownies and cheesecake and presents for Brynnli, Paul and Gaige.  That made for a lot of smoking candles!  

One of Brynnli's presents was two tickets to see The Piano Guys.  She got to choose who to take.  Tavin was the lucky one.  It was such a fun concert!  Afterwards we stopped off at Burger King for hot fudge bacon sundaes and ended up chowing down some Whoppers too since they had a bogo sale for some anniversary celebration they were having.  Such a fun evening with fun people!  

Thanksgiving 2012

It was an everybody comes year for Thanksgiving this year.  There were 31 of us this time, and it is probably the easiest Thanksgiving feast I have ever prepared.  That's because I didn't do much of it!  Everyone just signed up on the family blog and I only did turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce and a couple of pies.  It was great food, great weather and most of all great company.  I was so busy gobbling, that I didn't really get many pictures.  Thanks to all for your tasty contributions to the fantastic feast!  The thing I am most thankful for is all of you.  

Birthdays late and early

The late birthday was Brynn's.  She was a good sport about us saving her present until she got here for the Thanksgiving celebrating.  Happy late birthday Brynn.  We love you!

The day after Thanksgiving Supe had Paul and I convinced to go out to a breakfast that he had earned teaching swimming lessons that he was paid for in gift cards from his friend Leo.  I don't know how we fell for it, but by the time we drove up to Weed and Derek's church I was more than sure he was not being completely up front with us.  Then we went inside to be greeted by the whole family who had prepared a  delicious Dutch Oven breakfast for all of us to enjoy.  It was an early birthday celebration for Paul's 60th!  The grand kids had decorated the gym and the ones who are old enough shared pictures and stories about "Grandpa".  Christie had sneaked pictures from our computer and prepared a fun video of Paul's life.  Then everyone helped to share "60+ Things We Love About Dad" and presented it to him in book form.  After that we played a fun game trying to guess Paul's favorite things - hard to describe, but very fun.  Brynnli and Tavin serenaded us with their violins too.  Thanks to everyone for a grand surprise!  Can't think of any way it could have been better... other than if I had brought a camera!  

Later on in the afternoon we got together for leftovers for lunch, more pie, and then went to a really cool park.  It was a really sweet day.  Thanks to everyone who made it so wonderful.  I don't know how we can make the real birthday any better than the early one!

Eliza Rae's blessing day

Since everyone was in town for Thanksgiving, Moss and Christie got permission for Eliza to be blessed.  It was so nice to have as many a could make it there for this sweet little girl's special day. Moss gave her such a nice blessing.  Afterwards Moss and Christie had us all over for a really nice potluck dinner with both families.  It was fun to hang out with the Key gang as always.  Eliza slept peacefully through the whole party. We love you Eliza!

A pretty little wahine

Wahine is another word for Hawaiian or Polynesian girl.  Kaebri showed off her hula skills with her dance group at the Jubilee of Trees.  She looked so pretty and did such a nice job.  I was glad I got to go and enjoy the performance.  Keep up the good work Kaebri!