Where is my Christmas cheer?

The Holidays seem to be zooming by so fast this year. This poor blog has suffered because of the CRAZINESS of the season!!!! 


We spent a wonderful Thanksgiving with the Spences this year and it was FUN and eventful as always!!! Not a dull moment...EVER! 


Berkley, Chelsey and I decided to tackle Black Friday in style. Chelse works for The Children's Place at South town mall, so we got to tag along and enjoy the sales AND her employee discount. SWEET!!! (Thanks again Chelse) I have NEVER in my life seen sooooooo many people in one place. PERIOD! CRAZY people. Berkley loved every minute of it, but I think I'm getting too old for this stuff. It's pretty obvious by my sophisticated picture below. Ha Ha!

Thanksgiving lasted a minute and now onto CHRISTMAS. Christmas cards were sent. Presents are purchased and wrapped. But unfortunately, I still have Thanksgiving decorations everywhere. No Christmas in sight here. True story. I'm all tuckered out. Oh wait. I have lights up and a wreath on my front door, but that's it. I need to find  Christmas cheer. Hopefully we'll get a tree this weekend, which will definitely help. I hope. 


Here's our Christmas card...

CHEERS TO YOU AND YOURS! 

My life...

We've lived in our home 9 years now and I've never noticed this amazing tree outside our family room window. I haven't noticed how wonderful it looks when fall comes to a close and chlorophyl vanishes to expose it's true beauty. It's beautiful. Colorful and vibrant. Why haven't I noticed it before? I love this tree. Bright yellow leaves with fluorescent red berries. Wow! 

I like spring, but it is too young. I like summer, but it is too proud. So I like best of all autumn, because its leaves are a little yellow, its tone mellower, its colors richer, and it is tinged a little with sorrow... Its golden richness speaks not of the innocence of spring, nor of the power of summer, but of the mellowness and kindly wisdom of approaching age. It knows the limitations of life and is content. 

--Lin Yutang

I adore this quote for so many reasons, but mostly because it helps me to be more aware of my surroundings. I definitely know my limitations and my goal is to be ok with that. To be content. Fall has always been my favorite season. I do feel content. I also feel thankful. So thankful for my life, my family, my freedoms, the gospel of Jesus Christ and my surroundings. This is MY season and I am truly thankful...

So funny!

I can't help but giggle every time I watch this video of Berkley teaching Joe a few new dance moves. It's the sweetest thing I've ever seen. Great entertainment! Berkley is very patient and Joe is very eager to learn. ha ha!

xoxo

MORP

Chan had so much fun at MORP this year. His group dressed up as Cowboys and Indians. Chan decided to be a Cowboy and his date (Kenzie Winegar) was an Indian. They looked so cute leaving our house. They started early Saturday morning by kidnapping Chandler for breakfast. Later that evening they went to dinner at a friends house, then off to the dance, and lastly, Paint balling till 2:00 in the morning... YIKES!!!! 


Here's my handsome cowboy....

GIDDY UP!!!

80 and going strong

Today is my Nana Low's Birthday. She turned 80! Love this cute Grandma of mine! Despite her on-going battle with MS, she's one tough cookie after all these years. She's one of the kindest, non-judgemental, amazing women I know. One of my fondest memories is her ability to cook. She's an amazing cook. I've suffered from migraines since I was 8 years old and Nana Low is the only person I wanted to be with when a migraine flared it's ugly head. She's the best care taker. She would put a cold, wet wash cloth on my forward, put me to bed in a dark room and make homemade custard. HOMEMADE CUSTARD PEOPLE!!!!!! I've got to get her recipe. Anyone??? Who has it? 


Needless to say, I love this lady with all my heart. She's a sweetheart. My cute Mom threw her an 80th Birthday party last week. It was truly amazing to see so many friends from all over the world come out of the woodwork to wish her a Happy Birthday. She is definitely a LOVED woman. 


Is she the cutest thing you've ever seen? I love that face! Happy Birthday Nana Low!

Conference weekend...

What a great weekend! It was filled with VIBRANT COLORS, FAMILY & FRIENDS and most importantly... WORDS OF WISDOM. 


Friday night....Joe and Chan went to the U game with Brian and Colton, while I drove Berks and her friends to Lagoon. After dropping off the kids, I headed up to Eden with Bryn and Mason. We decided to stop at Snow Basin and take in the changing leaves and beautiful views. This is by far my favorite time of year. 


After Snow Basin, we drove to Kasteler's cabin and waited for our crew to arrive. We had a wonderful, relaxing weekend eating yummy food, watching conference, walks, ping pong tournaments and laughing with friends. 


My favorite talk was by Elaine S. Dalton. She's the General Young Women's President. Her talk was so sweet and inspiring. I love how she mainly spoke to the Dads. She encouraged them to Love their wives. She said,"The greatest thing a father can do for his daughter is love her mother." 


I love that. Love it! Thank you Sis. Dalton.


I also felt like the theme this session was on the moral decline of society and also agency. We definitely live in scary times and the things that used to be bad when I was growing up are now considered normal and ok.  That freaks me out for my kids. I wish I could place them in a bubble and keep them safe from the world's influence, but unfortunately.... I can't do that. The only thing I can do is teach them. And love them. And spend lots and lots of quality time with them.

Thanks for the great weekend Kasteler's... WE LOVE YOU!!!

Homecoming

Chandler was pretty excited to go to homecoming as a Junior this year. He asked a darling girl named Breanna to be his date. The plan was to pick up the girls at 5:00. Then off to the first house for appetizer's and Salad.

Chan & Porter ready to go...

After appetizers they scurried to their 2nd destination for dinner.
I got to help and serve the kids their food. It was really fun to be there and observe.


After dinner, the kids sped off to their last destination... Dessert. After eating for hours, they went to the dance. Chan said he had a great time dancing. That's my boy!


After the dance (11:00pm), they went to Momentum climbing gym with their dates. They rented the place  until 1:00am. Yikes!!!


I was so happy I got to take pictures at dinner. I can't believe how nice and respectful the kids were for such a large group. 52 in all.... Wowzers!

This is where the MAGIC happened. We served the kids Steak, Southern parmesan chicken, green beans, twice baked potatoes, rolls & raspberry butter. It was quite the production.

Rob Moffitt 

Connor & Lydia

Garrett Eichers

Nate & Cassie

Matt Young

Zach Ney

Sage Nelson

Zach & Maddie

Colton

Chan & Bree

Porter & Sydney

I wanted to take a picture of the entire group of 52, but unfortunately a few had already left. 

Why is it so easy for teenagers to be silly. They LOVE IT!!!

Cute girls

The BOYZ...

The GIRLZ...

The HELPERS...

Cute couple

I'm glad Chan had such a great time Saturday night and I'm extra glad that he has such great friends. I realize friends are EVERYTHING to teenagers. Lucky for me in this case, it's a good thing. 

Great friends=Great kids.