Let it Snow!

Yesterday we had a nice day indoors while it snowed for most of the day.  Got lots of laundry done and had some good family time. I wanted to post a few pictures today.

Cubbies built by Don, Devin and Greg!

We have really enjoyed using these cubbies that Devin's Dad help build with Devin and Greg.  They are so nice to have for the kids to put muddy boots, coats, gloves.  I'm looking to glue some clothes pins on so we can hang up wet gloves and hats.

Samantha's Flute Class at WSU

Cindy Henderson a professor at WSU taught a master class last Saturday that Samantha played in.  She played Honeybee and did very well.  I am amazed at her attention span and the things she has learned playing the flute.  This has been a really good fit for her.  Cindy told her that she has the perfect flute lips so her embouchure is very good.

Traeden with his Arrow of Light

Traeden got his Arrow of Light in December.  He was excited to hang up his arrow in his room.   The Order of the Arrow young men came to present the awards and did a great job.  I think it's really neat that they make a big deal out of this.  The cub scouts really look forward to this and the costumes are just awesome!

Abigail with Santa

We went to the Cache Valley Mall and all the kids got to sit on Santa's Lap.  Abi was a little nervous but she talked about it forever.  Santa had a real beard!

The Overly Gingerbread house

The kids had a great time making the gingerbread house and even more fun when they ate the candy.  They were even invited to go to a friends house to each make there own.  They had a great time!

This year in Relief Society, our theme is "It's a Year of Learning."  We had a combined meeting today with all the sister, so the Men took over the Primary and YW Callings so everyone could attend.  It was neat to see everyone there.  I would like to keep my New Years Resolutions and each Sunday renew those commitments by review my goals and then make a commitment to do a little better that week.  I'm not worried if I have a bad week, I just need to keep renewing those goals and I will do better.

January?

Warning, This is a long post.  It's been a while since I've blogs so I am apologizing for the length right now!  What a crazy January.  The weather has been very dry, no snow, but in Cache Valley it's cold!  In preschool we decorated snow with colored water put in spray bottles.  Not a lot of snow to color but they all found some to spray.
Today I played for the Spanish Branch and we sang Called to Serve.  I was excited because this is a really fun hymn to play so I'm up there enthusiastically playing the hymn and after the 2nd verse finish and see the conductor standing there starring at me waiting.....  It felt like forever till I got my hands back into place and start playing again.  I hear a few giggles and I couldn't help giggle myself.  I play through another verse and look at her again and she starts another verse.   I'm thinking oh I really should have looked at the Spanish Hymnal to see how many verses.  This was the first time I have played a hymn with different number of verses.  I'm really curious to hear the English Translation of the last two verses of Called to Serve.
We had such a great Christmas and later I will share some pictures of our holiday.  Some of our highlights:
Our Holiday Open House:  This turned out to be so fun we will definitely do it again.  I did simplify the menu for my own sanity but we had oodles of food left over that I gave away to friends and family and froze some for later.  I ended up buying some fun ornaments from Oriental Trading Company that the kids really enjoyed.  My mom and dad came up and were such a great help.  Here is what we ended up making and eating:
 Rice Crispy Treats, Pumpkin Bread, Lemon Bars, Summer Sausage, Cheese, Crackers, Carrots and Celery with Dip, 7 layer dip and chips, Wassail and Hot Chocolate.  We had about 70 people come sometime during the night.  It was so nice to visit with neighbors and friends.  Hopefully everyone else had as good as a time and they will come back next year.  =)
Christmas Caroling at Sunshine Terrace and to Neighbors:  We had a great time with a couple families in the ward and went Christmas Caroling to a nursing home and we also did a night of caroling to some older sisters and brothers in the ward.
Christmas Day in Woods Cross:  We had a really nice dinner at my parents and opened presents with cousins  over Skype so Scott and Brittany's family could be a part of that.  That was cool.  David and Bonnie had us over that night for some pie and games.
Cedar:  We visited Devin's Parents in Cedar for a couple days and that was nice.  We took a day to visit Zion's and a hike and picnic.  It was awesome to be able to be outdoors in December without your hat, gloves and coat and sit on the grass to eat lunch!
New Years Eve:  This year we went to a friends party on New Years Eve and had a babysitter over to watch the kids.  We went to a really cool restaurant in Logan called Kabuki.  A Japanese Steakhouse where they prepare your meal right in front of you!  The chefs were so entertaining.  The experience was so awesome! I even tried fried  After dinner we had a game night until midnight.  Just a fun time with friends.
Now that the new year is here we have set some new years goals and we are doing pretty good.  The kids are Devin are working on practicing for 100 days in a row, on their instruments.  We also set a goal to clean up the kitchen completely after every meal.  It has been so wonderful to have the whole family work together to clean up the kitchen after dinner.  The girls and I do breakfast and lunch since the boys have to jet to school and work.  There is so much peace in me when I have a clean kitchen.  I love it!