James and Erica came down to visit us for the weekend to go snowmobiling and see the last BYU basketball game. It was an action packed weekend for sure.

Heading out for day 1 snowmobiling on our newly purchased black Polaris. James and Erica picked it up on their way down from Boise for us. This thing is a beast.

Snowmobile learning curve… I was very grateful for the help from James and his Uncles.

Day 1 was up above Strawberry. We found some fun snow patches, but it was a bit hard with around 6 inches of fresh from the week. For day two, we drove down to Beaver to chase a recent storm where they got 18″ of snow down there.

Wow, that made a huge difference. It was so fun to finally be able to experience what this deep powder is all about.

While we were up in the mountains, the rest of the family made a trip up to campus to get some swag for the game and eat at the BYU Creamery.

Unfortunately, on the way out of the Wilk, Landon had his hands in his pockets and then totally biffed it with a full on face digger. He bunged up his face and knocked out his front tooth! With help from Erica and a passerby, Landon’s tooth was found and Kathryn sped him off to our dentist to have his tooth set and braced. Erica complimented Kathryn on her cool crisis management and quick decisive action. Landon was a good boy and stayed calm and cooperative during the procedure. While his tooth may turn gray, it seems like it’ll be okay and will still have a couple of years before he turns that tooth in to the Tooth Fairy.

Bridger and Zoey. Maybe these two will end up being buddies someday.

The kids had lots of fun playing in the snow as well.

Basketball game time. We got our Cougar Tails, Brownies, and Creamery chocolate milk. What a haul.

Landon was pretty confused, he kept wanting to see a real cougar.

Victory! After the game, Ashley really wanted to give Cosmo a hug. That seemed pretty unlikely, but then on the way out, we heard a bell clanging and went over to investigate. There was Cosmo ringing the bell with kids. Ashley ended up getting here chance after all to hang with Cosmo!

Wow, that was a lot of work to get all these kids to the game, but it sure was fun! Go Cougs!

Pancake breakfast sendoff for our guests. It was so much fun to see these guys. Thanks for being such cool friends.

Speaking of losing teeth, this is the right way to do it. Check out this cool kid who let me do the honor.

I love you Kathryn. Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Birthday Kathryn! We sure do love you. Here is our traditional stair picture on Birthday morning.

One of the things we got done for Kathryn (and Zoey) was getting some more decorations up in Zoey’s room.

Thanks for Suzanne for coming to watch the kids so we could go out on a fun date. We tried out the restaurant Super Chix and Kathryn had what she decided was the best chicken sandwich of her life. Yes, this girl is Sauce-y 🙂

We planned a birthday trip to St George Sports Village to get out of town for the weekend. The kids thought this loft condo was the best!

We had our favorite street tacos at Angelica’s. And a super good brunch at the Hash House. Then we swung by the golf course to hit a couple baskets of balls and work on our golf game.

We then had some fun time at the Thunder Junction park. The girls really loved the roller conveyor toy. I’m so glad everyone left with all their teeth.

Then we had some fun back at Sports Village. The girls found the joy of racketball. And we had a lot of fun chilling out at the playground.

Then later that evening, a trip to the House of Jump to get some serious energy out.

Back at Sport Village, where Kathryn schooled me in miniature golf with three (I remembered two) hole-in-ones!

The kids slept rocks that night. The next day, after church, we loaded up and headed out to the Yants Flat trailhead to hike to the Candy Cliffs. The drive there became very questionable with slick mud on top of frozen ground. We took it very easy and were glad for our AWD. The hike was lots of fun, although Landon started asking if we could be done about 2 minutes into the hike! I’m proud to say that we encouraged him through it and he made the entire 3 mile hike under his own leg power.

Eliza took this picture. Isn’t she great!

All that was left was the drive home, which went pretty smoothly. Happy Birthday Kathryn, we all think the world of you and love you so much. Thanks for all you do for us and for allowing us to celebrate you this week!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Adding another star to the tree.  After we looked back through the pictures here, Oh Christmas Tree, we decided it was Elizas turn to have the honor of placing the Star.

Holiday celebration dinner with the Hawkers.

LOL

Christmas Eve dinner and festivities at our own house this year. This was the first time doing this on our own. We enjoyed developing our own traditions, and remembering elements from our childhood that we are particularly fond of. I made several batches of peanut brittle and made a pumpkin pie, both firsts for me. We had Christmas ham, and twice baked potatoes, and Christmas jello, and eggnog. We opened a couple of presents Christmas Eve, including new PJs. Now it’s time for the kids to go to bed!

Christmas morning gift opening. The kids created a FPV drone set for me, complete with the drone, remote, and goggles.

Kathryn got some awesome jewelry.

Here’s that pumpkin pie. Oh so good.

We made a trip up to Idaho to visit the family for a few days after Christmas. It was great and see Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Gerald.

Cousin time with Baby Ruth and Zoey.

Big kid cousin time doing melty beads.

Wheel club down at Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Gerald’s garage that they were so nice to clean out for these kids.

We made it back home to our house just in time to get a massive snow dump the next day.

Back when I was in school, I remembered this reading program where you’d read a book, take a quiz, and then earn some points that you could trade in for prizes. I found a similar program that also works with Home School programs. It’s very inexpensive, and I signed up Ashley for it. I then offered to pay her a dollar for every point she earned. This really kicked this girl into gear and we were amazed at what she could accomplish when properly motivated. In no time at all, she had read 20 Magic Tree House books and cashed in for her first time.

New Year’s Eve with the neighbors. Of course with our traditional 3D printed glasses.

We made it to the Spanish Fork light show on the last day they were open. Always a fun evening outing with the family.

I just really love looking out our windows. Such a pretty view.

Sister Craft Time

“Best Friend” buddy

Oh, and check out this little cutie, 2 months old! Can’t believe it!