January

A brand new year! Caitlin started going to Sunbeams, and is loving primary. They didn't have a teacher for her class at first, so the first few weeks her teacher was Grandma. That made it an even easier transition. There are only two other kids in her class, and they are both her second cousins, Carson and Lewis. My cousin took this picture of their first Sunday while they were singing a welcome song to them.

This was a picture that Grandma took in their class that day. Such cute little Sunbeams.

In mid January, Jared went to Las Vegas for the International Home Builders Show. I always miss him, but I had plenty of volunteers to keep me company in my bed at night.

Mackayla designed some great outfits for the boys to wear and model for us.

Jared and I were able to go to a HBA crab feed dinner together one night. This was a picture from the event.

We went over to April's one night and I happened to be wearing the same outfit as her.

Just because she looks so sweet sleeping

One night Caitlin didn't like the movie we were watching, so Daddy set up her own movie theater in her bed with the ipad. She fell asleep pretty quickly.

Bradley's class did a little production for Martin Luther King Day, and we got to watch it in the morning. He was so cute!

Getting ready for the Cardinals big play-off game. They lost but at least we were all looking good.

Homework time!

Here is that Copper Hills guy, working on some plans.

This was crazy sock and crazy hair day at school.

While they were getting the cub scout program reorganized and set up, I got to fill in as a leader for several months. It was fun to get to participate with Bradley.

Jared took Bradley and Mackayla on a scooter ride one Saturday afternoon. It was cold, but they chose this as a reward for good behavior. The little kids chose a Slurpee for their reward, so I had taken them for those at the same time.

Jared and Mackayla went on a date one Saturday night. I took her that afternoon and got about four inches cut off of her hair. Jared took her to Red Robin, then to the mall to play around, and then stopped for some frozen yogurt on the way home. They had a wonderful time!

A selfie before they ended the night.

Mackayla turns 10

Such a bitter-sweet day! How can my baby be 10 already?? Mackayla's birthday was on a Sunday this year, so we got to have a nice relaxing day. After church, the Holts joined us for a little celebration.

Here are some great pictures of Mackayla that capture her personality perfectly.

She wanted pancakes with homemade syrup for dinner.

The cardinals were playing football that day as well

Time to open the presents. She got lots of new art supplies, and a fancy sheep skin rug.

Happy Birthday to you!

Mackayla at 10

We've been writing the same things for years, but Mackayla is very constant in her likes and dislikes. She is usually very happy unless she has to go to bed, wake up for school, or do her homework. She loves playing with her siblings, and is still a wonderful big sister. She loves art and being creative. You can just give her some paper and a pencil, and she'll stay busy for hours. She enjoys writing funny commercials for silly products, drawing funny pictures, and writing stories. She has done so great this last year in overcoming so many of her fears. She lived through her most dreaded nightmare, moving from our home in Utah. She has been so brave and done so well. She has adjusted well to her new school and made new friends. She finally agreed to take swimming lessons this last summer and is still learning the piano from her Mom. She was so proud to play Deck the Halls for the Family Christmas program this year. She's looking forward to playing soccer again this spring. She loves to read and is still one of Calvin and Hobbes' biggest fans. We love her mature sense of humor, and how she always get all of our jokes now. She bring so much happiness to our family, and we are so proud of the girl that she is. We love you Mackayla!