Divide and Concur! December 28-30

The week after Christmas, Adam and Caleb wanted to go snowmobiling in Colorado with some of Adam's cousins. 

The girls and I, did not.

So, we split up for a few days. They boys to Colorado for a few days, and the Girls and I to Prescott to visit the Hulse family for a few days. 

The boys snowmobiled, and snowboarded. 

The girls played games and had an Anne of Green Gables marathon. And, just to show the boys that we aren't completely averse to winter sports, Eliza and Sarah did a little ice skating with their cousins. 

Everyone had fun, but we were sure glad when we were all back together again!

"The cold never bothered me anyway"! December 26th

The day after Christmas, we packed our winter gear, loaded up the snowmobiles and snowboards and went up to the old ski runs by sunrise. As we pulled up, we noticed that my cousin Jacob and uncle David were just packing up to return to their home in Eagar. They invited us to come over for hot chocolate when we were done which we gratefully accepted! It was SO cold out that day. We only played in the snow for about an hour and we were quite finished (especially Daisy) Burrrrr!!

When we got to Eagar it was snowing hard! We enjoyed aunt Pams hot chocolate and the grown-ups played a round of one of our favorite card games, "Go to Heck". It may have been a cold day, but our hearts were warmed with the love and friendship of family! 

(This picture is from a snow trip that Adam and the kids went on with the Hunt family a few weeks before.)

Peace, Heavenly Peace. December 25th

We had a lovely, quiet Christmas at home again this year. On Christmas Eve we invited our friends the Schelins over for dinner. We used our nicest dishes and prepared a fancy feast with ham and potatoes and homemade rolls and salad. After dinner, we read about Christ's birth in the scriptures and sang some Christmas hymns while Caleb and sister Schelins took turns playing the piano. Later, we watched Christmas movies and the kids slept upstairs like they do every year.

The kids didn't wake up to very many toys on Christmas morning. They got some much needed winter gear, a few games and a note in their stocking which told them they were getting a trip to DISNEYLAND!!!! They loved it! Yay!! 

The day was spent having our traditional waffle breakfast and playing games and eating leftovers. We were hoping to go play In the snow up by the Ski resort, but it was too windy. So we stayed home and relaxed. I thought it was a perfect day.

Christmas Light Night. December 21st

On the Monday night before Christmas, some friends in our ward, the Johnsons, invited us and a few other families to join them for a fun Family night activity. We met at their house and split into teams. Each team had to drive around and find and photograph special Christmas lights. Things like, an angel, Santa's sleigh, a Disney character etc. It was so much fun, but evidently there are no Rudolfs on any houses in snowflake of Taylor! Haha! We found one in a store, but the other teams wouldn't count it! For our angel, we took a picture of angel Moroni! They did count that, because that is what every other team did too! Great minds think alike! We gathered at our house when we were done and looked at everyone's pictures and had dessert! 

Chirstmas Spectacular! December 18th

The Trio participated in the annual Taylor intermediate "CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA"!! Actually it's not very extravagant. They basically just take the monthly awards assembly and tack on a few Christmas performances at the end. It was still pretty cool though. The sixth graders preformed two numbers. The first one was "Little Drummer Boy" which they danced to wearing white gloves with a black light on them . The effect was pretty neat. The second song was "Felitz Navidad". Before the performance I told Caleb that I'd give him $10.00 if he would move his hands in the air in a butterfly motion (like Napoleon Dynamite in the Happy Hands Club). HE TOTALLY DID IT!! Hahaha! It was awesome. Of course I paid up! I wasn't able to get any good pics. :(

Science Fair, AKA Worst assignments ever! December 17th

I've heard of parents complaining about science fairs, and up until now I never knew why it was such a big deal. So, the kids do a little protect and present a report on it. So what? 

Well, now I know. For all of you who have had to help a child with a science project, imagine having to help 3 children with science projects simultaneously. Honestly, at one point I asked my kids if they wanted to just skip the whole thing and just get an F in science for they quarter. It was SUCH A PAIN!!!! But, they got them done. I'm pretty sure they all got at least a "c" but as we haven't recieved their report cards yet, we aren't sure. 

Sarah's project was to find out if dogs have a favorite color. Conclusion: They don't!

Eliza wanted to know if yeast rises better when spoken to with kind and loving words. Conclusion: it does.

Caleb wanted to find out if magnets loose their power or force over time. Short term results: they don't. 

There now, we're all a little smarter! 

Caleb's Priesthood Ordination December 13th

On Sunday December the 18th Caleb was ordained to the office of a decon. It was such a special ordination, and having so many uncles and Grandpas there made it even more special! Caleb is an amazing young man, and I have no doubt that he will honor his priesthood thruout his life and that it will be a blessing to him and his family.