Must see pics!

Carter goes to Grandma Day's on Wednesday with Vivian while I teach. He loves going! He loves reading with her too.


Dayton is so grown up and can feed the dogs on his own. Which is saying something because Pawnee is 100 lbs and Koda is about 150 lbs. He is a giant! Gosh, I don't love animals! I sure do love Pawnee girl though. She is mild and sweet.


Vivian helped herself to the peanut butter. She got both hands in it and licked away. She is so dang busy and funny!


Carter said, "Mom can I take a picture of you?" This is what I got! Our everyday life I guess, me getting ready in the morning for teaching.


We have implemented the new Come Follow Me program in our home. In fact I have started a business doing it. I send weekly lessons to families all over the world geared toward primary aged kids. It was 100% inspired for me to do it. All that said, personally for our family it has been delightful to be teaching more at home with a focus and purpose together. On another note Vivian loves to color. Her fine motor skills are exceptional for age two!


Dad and Rachel reading from the New Testament that we are studying this year. I think this is priceless!


It is a new year and we are grateful for eachother. Winter is in full gear and although we are freezing our hearts and our home is filled with warmth and love. Mostly, there is that real life sibling rivalry part. ha!

Rachel got a fish

She paid for it with her very own money. She originally came home from the pet store begging for a bird. That was a big fat no! Stinky, tweety and another animal, in my house? No thank you! I told her we have 40 birds already, the chickens. She bawled. When she calmed down she came in and calmly asked what animals she could get with her own money. So a fish it was. Adam took her tonight. All is well in the word again.

Vivie loves to color!

She colors all the time on her own accord. She loves to peel the crayon wrapper off. She even colors in the lines. 

Date Night

We hit cold stone tonight then went walking around the track at Logan High. It was actually really nice to get out and talk and move! Winter is rough sometimes with how cold it gets so this was awesome! Thanks babe!
 

Noon Years Eve at the Library

This was so fun to go to! The kids didn’t have to stay up til midnight, nor did I. We had donuts, sparkling cider, made hats and counted down to a balloon drop. I’ve loved break with our kids this year. Teaching is so bitter sweet! I love kindergarten and the kids but oh how I miss mine when I’m away. I don’t know if that will ever get better for me.

This new yet my goal is to come unto Christ. In all ways! With the new Come Follow Me manual in the home, daily scriptures as a family and for myself (I listen on the app as I drive to work) working on our marriage (dates and making each other a priority) and attending church. I want to focus on this thought, “we no longer have the luxury of spending time on anything that does not point us or our families to Jesus Christ.” I agree and am going to do things with more purpose and aim to God.

Anyway, here are pictures!

Happy New Year! 2019 here we come! 

Rachel has been giving!

Rachel has been really giving lately. She has left many notes next to my bed of nice things she will do to serve. We introduced to the service hearts as part of a family home evening lesson, she has really taken to it. Then on Sunday she chose to make Dayton a special card saying she would do his dinner job. Just to be nice. I love that she has such a big heart. Some days she is fierce. Other days she is tender. I hope as she grows these two qualities will come into perfect balance. We sure love her.

Christmas Day 2018

Waking up!
Mom and Dad always make them wait for us to be up with the camera ready before they can go down.

Santa did come! The kids all got a scooter, the older three got motor scooters and then Vivie got a three wheel scooter just her size.

 Everyone's Christmas stash! We are blessed and the kids were plenty spoiled.

Mom's gifts!

Vivian's gifts!

Carter's gift plus his scooter!

Dayton's gifts plus his scooter!

 Rachel's gifts, plus her scooter!

 Dad's gifts!

Possibly my favorite part of all of Christmas morning is when the kids give a gift to each other. They each get $5 from Mom and Dad to spend on the sibling they drew. I took one picture of each sibling giving their gift and then hugging the kid who gave it. I think this really teaches them how good it feels to give not just receive. Plus the pictures are so touching!

Rachel gave to Carter.

 







Dayton have to Rachel, notice what one of the gifts he chose was. Ha!

Carter have to Vivian!

Vivian gave to Dayton!

After our own family Christmas morning we went to Grandma Days. Nate and Alex's baby Lucy was a hit with everyone. She is just one month old! Vivian was especially enamored by her!

Merry Christmas! We are so blessed to have wonderful family to celebrate with.