Merrill and Mary's 40th Wedding Anniversary

We thought it would be fun to surprise Merrill and Mary for their anniversary and have everyone come down and go to dinner and get our family pictures done. The surprise didn't go so well, other than stressing Merrill and Mary out that something was terribly wrong with John. So they found out about it, but it always works out for the best. It took a little more planning and I think Mary was glad she knew she was going to have extra guest for Christmas too. We went bowling and Aunt Wendy showed everyone up. Then we had family pictures taken and after that we had babysitters for the kiddos and headed to Vegas for dinner. We had a wonderful time and they sang happy anniversary and brought them shots of Tequila (is that how you spell it?). They just about shoved it down Mary's throat. It was pretty funny. We had a great time. We are so thankful to have them in our lives and to have their examples for us in our marriage. I am sure both of our parents have gone through their hard times but both of us feel so blessed to have parents that are such great examples and hold marriage so sacred. Merrill and Mary thank you for the wonderful examples you are to us and for the wonderful heritage you give to our family. Happy 40th Anniversary!!

BYU at the Vegas Bowl

BYU made it again to the Vegas bowl. We were excited because that means that Uncle Shane and Aunt Carrie come and usually some more visitors. We went in early and went to the Belagio, and MGM to see few sites before we headed to the game. The game was freezing cold and miserable. The game went great but me, Tyson, Makenzie and Addie (Shane's niece) went home at half time. It was so cold windy. BYU won and they had a great time trying to rush to the field after the game. Drake and Sierra were so excited and had a great time. Thanks for the fun, freezing, exciting memories.

Christmas Parties

We had a few Christmas parties this year. We had our ward Christmas party, a party at the firestation, and the kids class parties at school. They were all a lot of fun!!

Sierra Clog, Clog, Clog

Sierra had 4 performances in Dec. (3 in Vegas). She danced in the Boulder City parade, at the Pomegranate festival, Galleria Mall, and had a performance here too. She did an awesome job and loves to clog.

LEAVES

The kids had a great time playing in the pile of leaves Steve raked up at Grandmas. He was going to help clean up but it ended in a great time had by all. The kids each took turns jumping and then had a leave fight.

Christmas tree and Lights

We love to pick out the perfect Christmas tree every year. We have a great time running around the lot for the perfect tree and we found it again. The kids had a great time decorating it and finally were able after crazy schedule and cold weather to get on the roof with dad and put up the lights. Scares me to death but they have a great time and think they are so cool.

Sawyer Christmas Performances

Sawyer stayed busy performing a number of places in Nov. and Dec. He is very talented and is fun to hear play. Here are a few pics. from some of those performances. He got to be Joseph in a live manger scene at the Festival of Trees too.

Sierra's Field Trip

Sierra's 3rd grade class went on a field trip to Anderson Dairy and Las Vegas Natural History Museum. I was able to be one of the lucky chaperons and Sierra had to have me ride the bus. It was so much fun:).
We had a wonderful time at the dairy and even was served ice cream.


The museum was fun. They had different rooms for all differents kinds of animals. They had live sharks even. I didn't even know it was there so we will have to go again. Thanks for inviting me on your fun trip Sierra.

Gratitude Family Home Evening

Sierra always loves to do Family Home Evening Lessons. This time there was an article in the Friend on gratitude. She read the story, explained what gratitude is, talked about doing service for others with out being asked and had us all write our own gratitude lists. The list of the last few got longer as they listened and added to there own list.

Dad: Family, Job, Pets, Testimony, Kids, House

Mom: Family, Home, Church, Jobs, Friends, Country

Drake: Family, pets, jobs, testimony, cars, house, school, yard, friends, guns

Sierra: Family, Yard, House, Animals, Beds, Supplies, Gospel, Car, Cousins, Clothes, Shoes, Musical instruments, teachers, friends, jobs, school, pets, United States, Testimony, Church, Food & Drinks, IceCream

Makenzie: Family, Dad & Mom, Teachers, Friends, House, Pets, Jesus

Tyson: Horses, Painting Room, Jesus, Classy (horse), Sisters & Brothers, Leaves, Grandparents, Cousins, Dad & Mom, Boots, Friends

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

Drake's AMERICA Program

The 5th grade did a program about America. It was very good and inspirational. They sang, played the recorder, and Drake presented the flag. They did a lot of fun songs but this was one of our favorites.