That's a Wrap

In order to escape some of this freeze we drove to Provo Rec Center to swim indoors. It almost felt like summer. The kids had a great time, and we were lucky enough to meet up with Justin's family who had planned to go there as well. It felt good for them to reunite with their Idiart cousins, who in many ways feel like siblings. 

The water play area was pretty crowded and Aaron and I were keeping a close eye on the kids. My favorite part was watching Noah keep track of Luci and his siblings in the lazy river. He is a very tender caretaker to them. And I love that he thinks to do it on his own. 

Following our time there we stopped off at Grandma Ashton's candy shop and back to Grammie's and Papa Steve's for some more time together and dinner out. Margaret made a delicious treat as we ate as we celebrated the New York time countdown. Nicole couldn't last until 10pm; she was too tuckered out. 

As I think about this wonderful year, I just keep wondering where the time went. I still feel like I never got used to writing 2014 on my checks. Somehow time started moving in warp speed, and I am barely keeping up with it all. I have lots of resolutions that I never accomplished last year. So, I'll probably keep working towards those goals. Again.

The best part of the year for me was found in the daily joys of motherhood. There is no greater blessing. 

Good-bye 2014! You've been a good one.

Homemade Ice Skating

The rink was finally ready this afternoon and the kids bundled up to play in the frosty windy air. Aaron and Steve have been working all week to master the rink, packing down the ice and hosing water onto the area every few hours for thick layers of ice. We sorted through all the old skates and found matches for most of the kids. Steve built some little hockey sticks. Without the railings on the side Nicole had a hard time getting up to skate so she swam on the ice for a long time.

After we thawed out with Grammie's chicken noodle soup we played a bit inside until going to the movies. AnnDee and I took the kids to see Night of the Museum 3 at Heber's small town theater. They loved it (and so did I).

Rise and Shout!

We drove to Provo this afternoon to hit Deseret Book, the BYU bookstore and a BYU game with the family. BYU won! I just keep praying that all of our children will get in. I love our alma mater.

Grandparents...

make the world a little softer, a little kinder, a little warmer.

The Fun Continues...

More sledding, bowling at a small town alley (Jane thinks bowling balls are loud), peek-a-boo with sweet new baby cousins, and hot chocolate at temple square...

The static hair and chapped lips haven't stopped us from having a wonderful time together.

I'm so glad we made it to SLC this year to share with the kids the beauty and spirit of temple square. I'm feeling very grateful.

12-9

The kids beat the adults today in our annual soccer extravaganza, 12 to 9. We reserved the indoor field at the rec center and played all morning. Then we headed back to the house for sledding and playing and laughing at some old home movies Margaret just had transferred to DVDs. We watched Dolphins 2 after dinner for an indoor movie night.

Steve and Stacy took the red eye around midnight last night to go pick up Murphy. We got news that they arrived safely. So excited to see him in a few days.

I'm Dreaming..

of a white Christmas!

This was definitely the favorite Christmas present of the day, although Mary's violin was a close second.

All the cousins and siblings arrived and we had a hallway lined with children's snow boots and a kitchen filled with tasty aromas.

The Christmas program was beautiful and the kids performed their talents so well.

Merry Christmas!