It Is OFFICIAL...

Yes...it is true. Rylie is now registered for Kindergarten. All Day too...so if you see me, just don't bring it up. I might start crying on the spot. She is just growing too fast...it is so unfair!!

Hailey's last Running Team Race

Hailey is my runner. She loves it. She asks to run all the time. Today it paid off. She came in 42nd out of all the girls in her 1.5 mile race. There were so many fast kids there. She was bound and determined to race even though last night she hyper extended her fingers at soccer....and neither of us knew there was a race today. All said and done she placed 4th in the second grade girls. We are very proud. And a huge congrats to her friends Alexa and Justyce who also placed. It made it even more sweet for her!!

A Catch up....finally!!

We had Hailey's Baptism on February 6th. It was a really sweet meeting and the spirit was strong. She was able to get baptized with her two friends Sidney and Megan. These three girls sang so beautifully after they were baptized. I was totally fine until then and all the tears came. I can't believe that she is already 8!! I am grateful for her choice to be baptized and thankful she is my daughter. Here are some pictures of a little photo shoot I did with her in her dress. I know that she is mine...but I think she is just beautiful!








Here are some pictures of the actual day.






Hailey and Grandma Patti were able to go the George Strait concert. They had a blast and Grandma was in Heaven!!


Hailey also started running club at school. This is from her first race. We were all so proud of you Hailey!!





We were lucky enough to go play in the snow in Heber. We left early so that we would make it up there before they closed the roads. The rim was closed so we went through the salt river canyon and we barely made it before they shut it down. I love to watch it snow and we were able to do a lot of that. It has been a really long time since they had that much snow. I am so glad that we took the kids. There was so much snow that you really could not go anywhere. We did go to the small tube run next to the Porters house. There were some other kids out playing and everyone had a blast! We also took the kids down one side street by Grandma and Papa's house and made our own trail with the quad. The kids loved getting pulled on a tube behind the quad. We drank tons of hot chocolate. And we enjoyed all the time with Jason... He does not get to play that much because to school and work and so it was great to have him playing and not studying or working. It was a great weekend!!

















Kenzie trying to get warmed up with some hot chocolate...








Happy Birthday to Hailey!! We had a super fun rock and roll party at our house. She loves everything rockstar so it was perfect. We had actual backstage passes for the invites. I think that was her favorite part. The girls all came in their best rockstar outfit. They played sing it and totally rocked it out. I should have gotten it on video...it was great. Hailey is growing up so fast. She is kind, loving, funny and helpful (at least most of the time). She is a great soccer player and is very very competitive. We are grateful that she is in our family!





So now I am pretty caught up! Things have been really busy around here....busy but great!

Honesty

This is an email I got from Brenden's teacher. We have a bet with him that he can't go for one year without soda/candy. To be honest I didn't think he would make it one day after being at Grandma's...but he likes to prove me wrong.

Mrs. Johnson,I just wanted to tell you that Brenden is being very honest about his deal with you and the no candy/soda challenge. We've had a couple of birthdays in class and he has passed both times on the birthday treat - even when it was chocolate chip cookies because the chocolate chips are "candy." Thought you'd like to know! Kerri

Now why can't they always make good choices when we are not looking!! But I will take this one, we are proud of you Brenden!!

In case your wondering...

Rylie is healing up pretty well. We got her stitches out on Friday. The swelling is totally gone and she is on the mend. After we went to the doctor on Friday we went to get some ice cream. In our house ice cream pretty much heals all. Then we came home and the girls were playing outside. Of course Rylie and Kenzie bonked heads and split her face back open. There was so much blood...but thankfully it was not deep. I just knew that was going to happen.

And the winner is...

The winner of your raffle is Kayleen Hunsaker. Congrats to Kayleen. A huge thanks to all of you who purchased tickets. I wanted everyone to win...so I had a friend pick the ticket. This has taught my children so much about service and giving. They have also got to experience all you of giving to others as well...what a great example you are. They are so excited to get the gifts and wrap them "so very pretty" (as Hailey would say). Thanks again for your willingness to give...we believe this it what the Christmas season is all about.

Add one more ER trip to the count...

Well anyone who knows us well knows that we went we used to be regulars at the ER. Mostly with Brenden...we have felt blessed to stay clear from there lately. It is actually kind of a joke around here. It seems our luck has changed. Saturday Rylie split open her face on the trampoline. I took her to the closest ER and after hours of waiting and an hour of medicine to get her numb they finally gave her 12 stitches. The doctor did a really good job. Here are some pictures of my poor baby.
Warning: if you have a weak stomach you might not want to see these....


Saturday after our visit...she was happy to get home and even more happy Daddy had Mcdonalds for her to eat.


Sunday night...

Monday night...

She thinks she looks like Frankenstein...which is so cool if it is just for a little while!