Zoolights

I am an avid believer that anything Christmas should wait until after Thanksgiving. However, I am also a cheapskate and it was a much better deal to go to the Zoolights a few days before Thanksgiving. So we kicked off the Christmas season early on a Monday night in November at the Zoo.




I am still adjusting to life in the desert again. It was so strange not to be bundled up in boots and gloves and clutching my handwarmers as we walked through all of the magic of the christmas lights. Part of my family was in shorts! I am not complaining though because it was a beautiful night.

We got to do two things that night that we don't normally do--visit stingray bay and ride the carousel. Kyler, Kacin, and Layla loved touching the stingrays. Perry wouldn't get close to that water. Perry and B loved the carousel.



Every outing our family goes on seems to include at least one outburst from somebody. Is there some kind of rule in the universe that 7 people in one family can't all be happy and get along for two consecutive hours?? If so, I should just try to just make peace with that rule. But I can’t help hoping and trying for a little Christmas miracle this time of year. Maybe it is yet to come this month....But Zoolights was not our night. Unfortunately, Layla lost the privilege of riding the carousel that night.

I can’t end this post on that note. So instead I will end with two pictures of some dancing (by dancing I mean jumping, twirling, and, if you are over the age of 12, standing there and maybe scratching) around the giant Christmas tree. 

a little more thanksgiving

Eric and I got to attend the thanksgiving feasts in Layla and Perry’s classroom. 

You bet I rubbed it in Eric’s face when Perry showed us his Thanksgiving placemat. In case you can’t read it, he is thankful for his mom. :)

At Layla’s feast, she told everyone she was grateful for her baby sister. 

I’m glad we were able to go to both of the feasts at school.

welcome Harper Jo

We just welcomed a new niece and cousin to the world. Isn’t she adorable?


Harper Jo came in the middle of the night. While Jacqui and Josh were in the hospital, we got the cousins with us for two nights. The cousin twins were pretty thrilled about that arrangement.


Though I wasn't thrilled when they kept each other up really late and woke each other up really early (to sneak fruit snacks and gum).

I really need to apologize to my neighbors for letting five kids jump on the trampoline at 7:30 each morning. These kids had a lot of energy to burn. And they were not quiet about it.









I took Jacqui's kids to the hospital to meet their baby sister.






B got to meet her cousin, too. B is four months older than Harper and just four pounds heavier.

Welcome, Harper! 

from Layla

I melt every time she gives me one of her heartfelt creations.

Inside this one was a beautiful detailed Thanksgiving picture (I didn’t take a picture though).


We "lof" you too, Layla!!

She also made this Star Wars diorama creation all on her own to give to Kyler. I especially loved her sweet note that included a “for kyler” and how much she loves him forever.

winter swimming

No matter that the water was only 63 degrees....


These crazies jumped in for a little swim on Black Friday.


Kacin was devastated that he still can't get in the water (because of his ear surgery). But he swam in spirit with them. And no doubt he will jump in on Christmas or something even crazier.



They didn't last too long anyways before they headed inside for hot showers and cocoa.

happy birthday to Kyler!

Our oldest turned 14 years old! Kyler is a really spectacular teenager.

14 words to describe him on his 14th birthday: responsible, leader, helpful, resilient, understanding, adventurous, hard-worker, reader, soccer, strong, caring, intelligent, inspiring, pure-hearted

He is the best oldest child one could ever hope for!

I am excited for him to be 14. It is fun to watch him grow up (admittedly, a little scary for me, too.). He moved on from Deacons Quorum and was ordained a Teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood.

I think he is happy to be 14 because it means that he is that much closer to being able to drive (yes, he is already talking about cars). But deep down I am sure he is excited to get to go to stake dances now (another milestone of being 14).

We celebrated on his birthday by going to an Escape Room. And we totally escaped from that Steampunk room!







Then he chose to eat at Native for lunch.





Layla decorated a birthday cake for her big brother.







After we sang happy birthday, he opened all of his gifts.











No, he didn’t really get diapers for his birthday, but we used them as a filler for one of his presents--a big gift bag with a gift card.

We love you, Kyler! Happy birthday to you!!