Enjoying the snow

Out of all of our kids Kate enjoys the snow the most and lasts the longest. She never comes in complaining about being cold.


Unlike Eli, who had a difficult time finding the joy in jumping off the back deck into the pile of snow. Especially when he lost his glove!

Doyle and Kate enjoyed the day of shoveling and catching snowflakes on your tongue.

Kate and Doyle were snuggling Sunday after church in his favorite chair and she told him "This is the best day of the week" he said to her "Why is today your favorite day?" and she said "Because you are home!" Gotta love it!

More Snow

Kate is demonstrating how high the snow is. Whoa!

Snow

We like to complain about it but it is simply serene to watch (when you are sitting on a comfy chair in your warm house, wrapped in a blanket). This is a picture of our backyard looking out into the forest off the back deck.
It is beautiful.

Masey

Masey was not terribly excited to go on this trip. Over 2 weeks away from friends can be very painful in the life of a teenager. Somehow she survived by texting, minor complaining and sleeping.

We did manage to capture her smiling on a few occasions, I'm not sure if this was by mistake, courtesy or she was genuinely having a good time. I'd like to think she did enjoy (on a small scale) her time with family because we sure enjoy her.

All joking aside, she is just an amazing person and an example to me. Despite what many say, I love having teenagers in the home and they have all chosen such good friends who are delightful to have around. I am going to miss Masey terribly as she ventures off to BYU this fall (Doyle and I cant speak of it without getting emotional). We are so happy with the girl -woman- you have grown up to be.

Happy Birthday Honey

OK it wouldn't be polite to list my baby's age because he will forever be 30 to me! We had a little surprise party for Doyle before we left Arizona so that my family could celebrate with us.
Now I have made a lot of stupid decisions in my life but marrying you was THE single best choice I have made. You are my best friend, support system and partner in crime. To the greatest man I know....Happy Birthday!

As a small token of my love I made Doyle his favorite chocolate mayo cake! And may I add, it was delicious.

Hey baby you are just getting better with age! I'm not sure if 8 kids is keeping us young or aging us faster. All I know is you better be stickin' around for another 47 years....opps sorry babe.

Turning 60

Turning 60 calls for a few things......
PRESENTS!

KISSES!

And SPEECHES!

ALL of which were heartfelt and tear filled and joyous! Happy Birthday to my hero and greatest example in life (along with Grams)! I love you! Here's to 60 more great years!

Grandpa is 60!!!

Grandpa turned 60 while we were there, so we celebrated man! We hit Del Taco one of Gramps favorite spots (along with In n Out) for lunch.

Hiking

Hiking was one of the families favorite activities while in Arizona. They hiked the Superstitions and San Tans. Look, they even got Gramps up there.

Colby and Seraphin jumping the stream. Colby has 2 hats on. And Dads pretty good with the action photos.

Cute Bums

We loved the cute print across the girls jammies bottom so much that we had to take a pic just of that!

Traditional Christmas PJ Pic

Here they are in the PJ's Grams got them for Christmas Eve......its tradition.

Mesa Temple Lights

The Mesa Temple lights were amazing. It was fun to see palm trees lit up and the lemon trees. Although it was a bit chilly that night.

From back to front: Brayden, Serf, Masey, cousin Summer and Eli.

Trouble

I know what your thinking...TROUBLE.

Actually, we are really blessed with an amazing group of kids. They are all well behaved and fun to be around with just the right amount of spunk to keep things interesting and lively. We are a pretty lucky bunch!

Dad and his Girls!

Brooklyn and her wrist

Its hard to believe this girl just recovered from a broken wrist from falling off the monkey bars. She could not wait to get back on!

Summertime???

I know what your thinking....shorts, T shirts, sun and the park.... it has to be a summertime pic right? Wrongo, this is Christmas in Queen Creek, Arizona. We had it rough. The local kids may have thought 68 to 75 degrees was a bit chilly but our kid shed their winter clothes and were basking in the sunshine.

We spent many afternoons in the park....well Doyle and Grandpa did more than us ladies. But we spent our fair share (hey we had some shopping to do).

Gramps and Grandma bought the kids a football and basketball which Serf quickly put to good use. This park is right by their house .

Plane ride

This was many of our kids first plane ride and boy was it an adventure. Imagine 8 kids making their way through all the lines with their own carry on luggage and back packs. Then imagine us going through security (without Doyle) with 8 trying to get shoes off, lugguge up, back packs off, coats and jackets off, cell phones and belts off (or should I say forgetting to take them off). We were a travelers worst nightmare. We held up the line for what felt like hours. Not to mention all of this took place while Doyle was wisked off to some secret location and their mother is walking with a cane.

Serf is an old pro at flying by now but this is Colby's first. He is just hiding his excitement! Actually when the plane lifted off we could all hear him saying whoa... this is awesome!

Masey and Brayden were excited also...not. Masey was upset she had to turn off her cell phone for 4 hours. As soon as we landed it was back on again and she was texting away.

Brooklyn had to sit by a stranger but she was across the row from Dad. Her eyes were as big as saucers when we lifted off and she was holding dads hand across the aisle. Watching her face and listening to Eli, Kate and Colby's cheers made it all worth it.

We survived on suckers and Nintendo DS. The little ones did surprisingly well and the flight attendants all commented on what a beautiful, sweet family we have.