January Highlights

This has been such a fast, busy month! We have done a lot of fun things, and here are some highlights:
1. Jesus Want Me For a Sunbeam! Lexi is officially a sunbeam at church. I kept telling her about how she wouldn't go to nursery anymore and that she would be a sunbeam. After one time of explaining to her she said, "But mom, I don't want to be a sunbeam, I want to be Lexi!" The first few weeks were pretty rough, since I am in Primary. I was conducting the first week and doing sharing time the next, so it was hard for her to sit with her class while I was there. She's done much better the last few weeks.

2. The little guy is growing up! Jackson turned two!! I can't believe it. He was so excited about blowing out the candle on his cake. Each time he would clap and say "yay!" We did it over and over again! It was really fun to have my dad, Kathryn, and Jenn here to celebrate, which brings us to our next item...

3. Visit from dad, Kathryn, and Jenn! They drove down from Utah for MKL weekend. It was perfect weather while they were here, so Saturday we went for a walk and then played at the park. That night we all (minus the kiddies) met Wayne & Patrice for Thai food and to visit at their house.

Sunday we had church and then went to the park after dinner.

And Monday...we went to the park again! Wayne & Patrice met us there, and it was a perfect day. Then they had to leave. :( We also put my dad to work while he was here. He replaced the cartridge in our guest shower, so now there is hot water in there. It was so much fun to have them visit, and we look forward to seeing them more in February!

4. Chuck e Cheese! We took the kids last weekend to go on the rides and play games.

5. Playgroup. We've gone to the park, played at the church gym, and had a tour of Great Harvest bakery.

6. Swimming! Since the weather has been warm and nice, the kids have been asking to go swimming. We took them to the YMCA indoor pool last night. They loved it!

7. Hiking at Red Rock. We did the Calico Tanks hike today with the Jensons. Here's Jackson and "Hay-Hay"

View from the top!

8. Amazing weather. We have had the warmest, sunniest weather this month. I think we've been to the park about 15 times this month. It's been so nice for that and to take the kids for walks.

9. Jeff's firm moved into their new building last Friday, so his commute to work is now 3 miles!

10. Jeff ran the St. George half marathon. He loved it and is excited to participate in more of them.

The Holidays

We've had such a busy few weeks. Here's a quick re-cap:

--It snowed about 4-5 inches at our house!

--My mom, aunt, and cousin came into town the week before Christmas. They stayed in a hotel on the strip, but I got to spend a lot of time with them. We had so much fun: saw Mystere, ate at RA, went to Town Square, shopped, saw Four Christmases, sleep over at their hotel (talked until 4:30am), shopping at the outlets, etc. And it was really fun having them come to my house a few times to hang out with the kids. The kids loved Nana's Christmas present, which we let them open when she was here: A Kitchen!

--Primary craziness: new teachers, update binders, deliver binders, burn CDs for kids with 2009 songs, Christmas gifts, teacher appreciation breakfast, three baptisms, countless calls with the bishopric, BofM reading program, new birthday gifts, etc, etc.

--Christmas in California - we had a blast at the Luszecks!

Santa came to visit!

Lexi with uncle Tyler and Santa

Presents!

Santa was pretty smart this year - he brought the kids each their own guitar and four wheeler - he must realize that they're having problems sharing! :)

Christmas Day at grandma's house

And a day at Knott's Berry Farm!

--got home and had a fun few days with the Banners (both sets!) including a fun night out at the VIP movie lounge at Red Rock to see Marley & Me.

--New Year's Eve uncle Tyler & uncle Reid drove up to see us. The kids were hilarious when they saw them - bouncing off the walls with excitement! Jeff and his brothers braved the strip that night, while I hung out with friends in the ward. The kids both stayed up until midnight! Luckily they both slept in, too!

Now we're just getting back to our normal routines, which feels good.