Braden's Farewell

The day after Christmas we drove to Idaho to go to Braden's mission Farewell.  He did such a great job on his talk and I will miss him tons. He is such a great example to me and I look up to him so much. We have known the Ottley's for as long as I can remember they are just as close as family, and basically are. I can't wait to see the things that he does on his mission! Love you Braden! 

Christmas Day!

Grandma and Grandpa Barker sent us these for Christmas Eve

 These are just random pictures of our different gifts that we received Christmas morning.

 After we opened presents, it was time to take a nap, then get ready to go to Branham's house for Christmas Brunch.

After Brunch we jetted off to Provo to go to Grandma and Grandpa's again. We spent the rest of the day,  just hanging around with our family.

This Christmas mom and dad gave Rory and Karen suitcases for the
 Cruise, Jesson thought it was just the right size to climb into. 

Ciel and I did a princess puzzle multiple times. 

I love this picture! He is my favorite! My little buddy! 

Family pictures for deb, I don't think anybody really wanted
a picture taken. 

Christmas Eve

   This year for Christmas Eve we went to Grandma and Grandpa Sandstrom's House. Debbie, Tyler and the kids had arrived the day before and it was a great evening to all spend together, especially since we hadn't been together in two years. 

These two monkey's played together all night.  

Debbie's kids performed their songs from their Christmas Program 

We also did the Nativity, but we forgot the part about the wisemen again. So we just made it up as they walked in a gave baby Jesus their presents. 

He's such a Ham

Our forgotten wisemen

After the Nativity, it was time for PJ Pants. Tiff decided that we were too old for pants this year so we got badges that said we were graduated, and the cute kids got matching candy cane pants. 

The favorites with Grandma 

Well I guess its time for bed. Santa comes tonight!

Back in the Day

Isn't it sad when you look up to people and they end up being something far different than you through they were. I was talking to one of my childhood hero's yesterday and I didn't even recognize him. I use to look up to him so much. He was an amazing leader and he had an awesome testimony. He helped me through a very trying time and showed me the ways to Christ. He pushed me to become better and to get out of my comfort zone.
I looked up to him and his family so much.
I wish he still lived around, I wish he was still strong and a great example to me.
I wish he still had that light, I wish I could see that light.
I wish I still knew him, and I wish that he would still push me to do better.

Maybe this is my chance, I can take this and learn from it. I can make sure the right things are in my life so that I don't loose my light.

Skiing!

On Monday Brandi, Jodi and I took the kids skiing. Connor, Josh and Hunter all bought the 5th grade ski pass. Hunter and Halle had never been skiing so Brandi wanted to see if they liked it first. 

That morning we got up early and got already to go then we heard that the canyon was close because of an avalanche warning. We called and we saw that they were still open. Once we got through the really snowy canyon and got all ready to go the Boys and I took off to get a run in. It had snowed so much the night before that there was powder up to our ankles. It was gorgeous. However, we hadn't been to this resort before so we didn't know the easiest ways down. This was problematic. Every time we pulled out the map it got wet and tore. So the Boys and I just winged it. We had skis popping off in every direction. Lets just say after that we stuck with the bunny hill. 

Hunter, Halle and Josh were all in ski/snowboard school in the morning then we all just skied on the bunny hill in the afternoon. Hunter and Halle had stayed on the tow rope all morning so they didn't get the chance to go on the actual lift. Haha, that was fun. We decided we could do it if I helped with Hunter and Jodi helped Halle. Brandi and I had pep talked Hunter the whole way up and we thought she could do it. Well when the time came for all of us to get off we stood up and slid down the little hill. But Hunter skis were icy on the bottom and she just stayed sitting down. By the time the guy got out of his little box, she was too far. She had to ride the lift all the way to the top and then come back down. Poor Hunter, her first experience and she was stuck on the lift. 

Brandi went to the bottom to catch Hunter when she got off, and I stuck with Halle. She is so cute. I love this girl! She was doing really great for her first time going skiing. One time to help her, I took her arms and we skied together, and every time she fell i would bend down to help her up. My knees still hurt. Ouch! I didn't think I was old enough to have my joints hurting. 

This is us at the end of the day, it looks she still likes me!

A weekend in Logan

So one weekend when there wasn't much going on I went and hung out with my long lost friend Shelby. We went to the USU basketball game and then after we went with her neighbors to make gingerbread houses. It was a ton of fun and I met some new people!

 My leaning Tower of Pisa with some brotherly love in the back ground. :)

And our awesome christmas sweaters that we found in Walmart. We can always find amazing things in Walmart. 

Roommate Christmas

  So now that finals are over, I really have no excuse to not blog, but i swear that I am more busy at home than I am in Logan. Right before we all left for the weekend, we had a roommates Christmas Party. We were missing a couple of roommates at times. But it was fun over all. 

I made these cute blocks for Kelli this year, I was too poor to go buy something. 

Our Cute Little Christmas Tree

 

Hawaii

Over Thanksgiving my family and I had the chance to go to Hawaii and visit my grandparents. We had a great time.

We went to the Polynesian Culture Center

 We went out to Lunch with my Dad's college roommate, Darren. We had this delicious sherbet ice cream stuff, it was so yummy!!!

 We went to Pearl Harbor, (nice hair mom)

 Gorgeous Sunset!!

 This is my cute Grandma and Grandpa, they work at the PCC

 We went to the beach and Grandma and Grandpa waited patiently for us as we boogie boarded and snorkeled. Happy Thanksgiving Day!!

 Another Gorgeous Sunset

Darren taught us all how to surf one day. It was a lot of fun and it was easier than I thought it would be.

 The Perfect Snow Cones, They had the most finely shaved ice, and ice cream in the bottom. Delicious!

 We met up with our friends the Yoons, they lived across the street from us when we lived in salt lake. We hadn't seen them in ages. It was great to catch up.

 We went for walks around the temple. It was dedicated right before we got there, and we were all able to go, except for the boys.

 We took family pictures on the beach, It was a little windy but still great.

 Mmmm. I can't wait to go back.

 More delicious snow cones.

 On our way out of town we stopped at the pineapple plantation. YUM.