December 2016

Brooke and I went to the Christmas Tree lighting downtown Cornelius and Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived by firetruck!

It was raining and Brooke was the only one who would go with me.

At our ward Christmas dinner.
Zach, Ashley, Ryan (with the Santa hat) and Beau

Brooke decorating a candy Christmas tree at Activity Day girls.

School cancelled! It's a snow day! This is at 11am.

So kids have chores: Zach is on the piano (I love hearing him play)

And Nicholas is doing homework.

By 2:30pm we had a decent amount.

A couple days later we made our annual Graham Cracker Houses. Carolyn always comes to visit Ellen in early December.

Masterpieces!

Ellen had bought each of the kids a special Disney ornament on our last trip. It took her awhile to hunt down just the right ones.  We didn't know this would be our last Christmas with her. This is the last picture I have of her and our kids.

A few days after that, Mike and I went on his birthday trip to the coast.  The Ocean Lodge is a perfect place to stay in Cannon Beach.  We loved this corner room with a fireplace and great view of Haystack Rock.

We even got some decent weather!

Exactly a week after our last snow day, we get another one!
Izzy, Brooke, Ashley, Sarya, Gabe

Nicholas is pretty proud of himself that he can lift me!

Mike's 46th birthday - playing card games as a family.

His usual ice cream pie!

Kids wanting to see what dad gets for his birthday.

Christmas Eve- we joined some other families in playing/singing for elderly people in an assisted living facility.
Nicholas and Zach playing "Carol of Bells" duet.

Merry Christmas!

Convenient to have afternoon Church on Christmas so we have time to open presents in the morning.

Brooke loves her new Christmas boots!

I got to speak in sacrament meeting on Christmas too!

Christmas dinner with just our family.
(Ellen went to see Sara in Seattle.)

Going to Sky High during Christmas Break with friends.
Brooke and Sarya playing dodgeball.

Zach and Beau playing dodgeball. 

Gabe jumping in the foam pit.

New Year's Eve - playing Watch Your Mouth.
A gift from Rust and Brit!

New Year's Eve, Zach had Peng over.

David and Gabe played a lot of electronics.

Brooke had Izzy over.

And Nicholas was off to a stake dance.