December

On Black Friday we got up early with some of the cousins and went to

  "Feed My Starving Children."  

This is such a great Christian organization that ships nutritional meals to needy countries.

There set-up is efficient and really fun to participate in.  

They play fun music and have a competition

with each station.   

This is Isaac's Lego Robotic team.  Ike looks like the big brother,
but they are all in the same grade.

For 3 months they work on programming a robot to perform specific tasks and then they compete

against other teams in a regional tournament. 

They did really well as rookies at their first tournament.  They scored in the top 10 and also learned

a few things to improve upon.  Overall, it was a great experience and Isaac will do it again next year.

We lucked out and received tickets for this year's 

 Christmas concert with the 

Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Santino Fontana and the Sesame Street Muppets. 

(Thanks to my sisters for entering the drawing to help my chances)

My girls are huge fans of Santino.

This was our first time staying in SLC around Christmas and I have to agree

with a woman I overheard in the hotel, 

"Those mormons sure know how to celebrate Christmas."

The lights, music, nativities, and light snowfall were a great way to get into the Christmas mood.

 Here we are at temple square with Red Riding Hood 

Best part of the evening, for me, was watching the organist and the Count 

perform the 12 days of Christmas. 

We met up with cousins Annie and Cozy.

Times like these, Ike sure misses having a brother around.

We see Brazil- we think of Cole.  

Winter Formal

Summer and Hudson

Simas Homecoming

I had the opportunity to takes some photos of Austin Simas returning home from his mission to Sweden.

We have been friends with the Simas family since college.  My claim to fame is that I was the first to get

baby Austin to giggle on one of our many date nights up at BYU.  He was such a darling baby and he grew up

to be such a good guy.  I loved seeing the anticipation of his return.  

This was a look into what heaven may be like.  Such a sweet reunion.

Christmas means a lot of family time, especially with my side.

I have a sister and brother that live out of state so this is the only time we are all together.

Nana's Nativity

This little lamb got fired after leaving the stage one too many times.  

Anticipating Santa's arrival at the end of the night.

Santa always brings pjs....

and all the moms matching robes.

I love my cheetah sistas.

Aryn, Kippy, Bridgette, Shelley, Me, Michele, Meghan, Mom, Carissa, Carlee. 

As much as I love a new cheetah robe, the very best part was skyping Cole.  

We got to have an hour with him.  He is so happy, healthy, and loving his life.

 He is currently serving in Pocos de Caldas, Brazil.

When Cole got a little emotional, 

this very helpful woman wiped his tears for him.

This was an hour of pure joy for all of us.  

Our Adult Post-Christmas party (with my siblings) is always a highlight.
We always have dinner, games and a themed gift exchange.

This year we played a dice game called Left-Right-Center. 

Meg had a great weekend in the snow with her friends.

I am so grateful for this great group of girls and their good influence on each other.

Our last hurrah all together was spent at Krazy Air. 

Sweet Elle (My brother Chad's little girl) spent an evening at our house.  

She wanted nothing to do with bedtime and 

  snuck down the stairs to "Dom."
This was a great way to close the holiday season.  

November

Thanks to the Barneys for inviting us up to their ranch.

It is always such fun to cook meals together, play games and visit.  

We are going on almost 20 years of friendship and that is a beautiful thing.

This gang was pretty excited to see some fall leaves- a novelty.

Meg and I share a birthday in November.
She was the best gift on my 27th birthday and still continues to be.

Her best friend made her a favorite, lemon meringue pie.

Despite fake grass, Ike still has to mow.  It is actually more like vacuuming.

Flag football season came to a close and 

can you guess that we lost in the semi-finals?  

My favorite expression is Nolan's on the bottom right.

This is my Grandpa Bunker.  I love this man.  Currently we go to physical therapy together 3

times a week.  He needs the outing and I have tennis elbow.

We have our routine.  I give him a warning call that I will be there to pick him up and

he heads outside with his walker to wait for me on the bench.  He worries that he will keep me waiting.  He has always been big on punctuality.  I help him into the car with his favorite XM station

playing his favorite 40s music--Glen Miller band, the Andrew Sisters, Mel Tome.....

I love this time together.  He will be 91 on January 5.

We loved helping out at the Gilbert Turkey Trot this year.
What a great race that continues to grow.  This year it was held at San Tan village.
 We are also grateful that it benefits Azbrainfood.

My registration helpers...after the rush.

This race will help to feed 750 school children for a month

Isaac helped out at the finish line.

Their were a lot of mixed reactions for this elf that looked a little like Quasimodo.
He both delighted and terrified.

Can you spy Ike's eye peeking behind the snowflakes?
He was a good sweaty sport for doing this.

I love "running" into my sister Bridgette, Corey and their boys.  

It is a dream having them live here.

My niece Heidi and Tanner Ainge with their cute gang

Oliver, Oscar, Piper and Sawyer.  

Grandpa Jack and Nana came out in support of Ike's mascot debut

Another one of our favorite families- Watts family.  We can't wait for baby #4 to arrive!

About 100 people ran the race in these complimentary santa suits

My sister in law Ruth came up with a great idea to have snow machines at the finish line.  

Light snow flurry with the bright warm sun shining through-my kind of snow.

After the race, we enjoyed Thanksgiving with the Farnsworth side.

There were only 160 of us..no biggie.

Tom's brother Ross Jr. (front middle) was recently diagnosed with a terminal brain cancer.

It is tough.

We wanted to make sure that we had a picture taken.

I knew Ross Jr. before I knew Tom.
 He was my family's home teacher.  He was a great support

to us during difficult challenges and 

was a great young men's leader to my brother Clint before his mission.

He has a big generous heart and we love him.

I love that we have a pen pal in Brazil.  He writes us real letters in addition to his emails.

Opening up a mailbox and finding a letter from him is gold.