12/29/16 Random Events

Andy had a colonoscopy.  The getting there was rather unpleasant but not completely AWFUL -- not as bad as imagined any way.  Close, but not quite as bad!  And the results were great...Dr said Andy is the picture of colonic health and he doesn't need another test for 10 years!!!  Yeah!!!

The microwave broke (after only 4 years, seriously?!  Boo G.E.)  The kitchen sat empty like this for about 3 weeks while we determined that the best course of action was just purchasing a new microwave.  Funny how dependent we are on microwaves.  The first day we had to melt butter and didn't quite know how to do it.  Ha ha.  Luckily Linda Hill was a life saver and loaned us her little microwave to get us through the month.  

We see snow so seldom here in the Desert --
Here is what I think might be the whole of winter for us this year!
 It was beautiful!

Grandma found these cute Dallas cowboy pillows for Dallas and Andy and he is holding a sock monkey for McKayla.  I had to include this picture because they are just so cute!

12/25/16 Christmas Evening

Christmas was a fun busy day ending with the family coming over.  Grandma and pa Griffin, Uncle Ben and Aunt Laura, Eddy and Wendy and all their kids along with all our family.  We enjoyed a meal and then played an exchange game and all came away with a fun gift.  The kids performed for us -- Abby played the violin and Katie played the ukulele and sang, Holly and Katie sang to a song I played on the piano and the girls played some songs on the piano.  It was a really nice evening. 

12/25/16 Christmas Morning

Christmas Eve we played some games and had some quiet family time together. We got the traditional pjs.  And had some yummy treats before sending everyone off to bed.  We didn't do the traditional drive around the city to see the lights since we had too many people to fit in one car.

Christmas was on a Sunday this year and Katie and Andy and Holly and I were performing all performing in some way in the program at church.  So we had to go to church at 8:30 a.m. The kids all wanted to get up early and have Christmas morning so about 7 a.m. Dallas and Mckayla came over and helped wake up all the other kids.  The kids enjoyed opening presents selecting from youngest to oldest.  We were able to get everything done and make it to church on time (ish)!! Haha.  Maybe 10 minutes later than we were supposed to be there but still early for church.  

Katie played piano for the Young Women's Choir.  Katie and I sang in the ward choir - we did four songs.  And Andy sang in the men's quartet with Brother Rae, Brother Wright and Brother Meyer.  Grandma and pa and Dallas and McKayla came to our meeting to watch us along with AJ and Bryce.  After the meeting we came home and had a brunch.  Bud and Carol Long joined all of us and really enjoyed cinnamon rolls, little smokies, juice, milk, fruit and McKayla's egg/sausage casserole. Super yummy all of it!!!

The afternoon was nice and quiet with some down time while everyone enjoyed their new Christmas gifts and/or a nap!!!

A little family lovin.

Aj got coal...again!!!

The wreckage was great.