End of a CRAZY Year!!

I  felt it fitting to end our year with some mask pictures.  It has been so crazy this year with a worldwide pandemic among us.  We started our lockdown right at the kids spring break march 8th.  We tried to make the most of it.  Social distance, Masks in all places, no church, no family dinner, no friends, vacations canceled, it was tough there for awhile.  The kids learned some new things while they were home all the time.  We homeschooled 5 kids all 5 at different schools and 3 learning chinese half the day in their classes.  We survived home school for the last 2 1/2 months of school.  Summer we had a lot of swim days and hikes.  We did end up going to bear lake but social distance their as well with just close family.  Through it all we learned to rely on our savior Jesus Christ more, Listen to our beloved Prophet, and spend more time as a family.  We all stayed healthy and kept jobs we had so we definitely came away from this year better off than most.  We are so thankful for the gospel during these uncertain times. Here is to 2021 of more learning and growing.

Happy Birthday Preston! 17

Preston turned 17 on his birthday this year.  He requested Donuts for his breakfast.  We let him sleep in a little bit for his birthday, but his brothers were chomping at the bit to have him eat his breakfast donut so that they could have one and open his birthday presents.  Dean had to work that day so the rest of us watched him open his gifts.  He got a golf watch a golf bag, and other things.  His friend Britton's birthday is the same day as his.  He's a senior and he invited Preston adn a couple other buddies to go down to vegas to top golf for their birthday.  I  guess with covid they make you have a reservation and the boys didn't know this so they were booked.  They went to circus circus amusement park instead and had a great time.  After that he came home and grabbed a dinner at home to invite some of his other friends over for games and then to go to Wonder Women 1984 in the theaters.  This was the first movie since covid hit that was new that entered into the theater.  He had a great birthday and I  can't believe how fast time flies. 

 

Christmas Day 2020

Christmas morning we were able to sleep in till 7:30 or so.  Poor Addison had the 2 boys sleeping in her room so she had to keep them entertained  for awhile.  We got breakfast in the oven and the fire going, then we were ready for kids.  They were so excited this year.  Brecken and Landon couldn't wait to dig into their presents. Landon asked for anything paw patrol (again). Brecken asked for a Camera, Preston a putter and driver club, Shaylee a ipods and loopy case, and Addison a weighted blanket. I  think everyone had a great christmas morning.  After we opened up our presents we ate breakfast and then headed back over to open the presents under the tree as well as our stockings.  Around 11:00 we headed over to mom and dads to give them their presents and have a turkey lunch.  We left there around 4:00. Came home and started to clean up a little.  That night I  surprised the family with one last gift that even Dean didn't know about.  We are going to Maui Hawaii for spring break this year.  The kids are so excited and we all cannot wait...hopefully covid gets a little better so all we have to do is test for covid right before we leave and that will be all.  We were so blessed this year with so many things amid all the chaos and uncertainty we were able to have home church and my boys were able to bless and pass the sacrament to us, Dean was able to have a steady job and support us during this time when so many didn't have jobs. We were all able to stay healthy and go back to school when it started in August when so many others were not aloud.  THe kids were also able to play sports with a few new guidelines.  Overall though we were blessed with where we live.   

Christmas Eve Evening with the Eves

We all headed over to Grandpa and Grandmas about 5:30 for Dinner and Fun. Dinner was amazing with all the goods we had Jimmy Johns, Wings, Chips dip, salads, veggies, and so much more.  The kids were so excited I'm sure they barely ate anything.  After dinner we headed downstairs for our reindeer games.  It was Team Amber against Team Matt.  We played stake the snowman.  With chopsticks and marshmallows.  Also stake turtle, doves.  Turtle candy and dove candy bars.  6 all together.  We did the egg drop, where you put the egg in between your legs and then waddle to drop it on a plate so you have to get really low so it doesn't fall off.  We played charades and I  think we ended it there.  Team Amber won, but it came down to Rock paper scissors ha ha.  After games we moved onto White elephant.  It was so fun this year so many good gifts the kids wanted to steal.  Brecken ended up with 20$, Landon 18 snickers, Preston golf balls, Shaylee ended up with a barbie thing, Addison got bath salts and things.  I stole the t.p from brecken, and Dean got 2 sleeves of golf balls and golf tees.   After white elephant we went upstairs to start our nativity and stuff, but we had a surprise visit from Santa Clause.  The little kids were in awe and couldn't get enough of him.  He talked to all the kids about what they wanted and then came to talk to aunt Stephanie.  He gave her conversation hearts and told them they were from someone special.  Grandpa Jerry got a lump of coal.  After Santa left they we watched the Nativity story, and a couple other special things grandpa had for us.  After a great night we came home to get ready for Santa to come.