Odie Snoozing

 

It's been an unseasonably warm winter thus far, and Odie, as well as his fam, are enjoying all the sunshine we can get. 

Brenna's Program

Brenna is off track, but has been looking forward to going back for the 1st grade Christmas program.

Singing about 'Wanting Her 2 Front Teeth'

Her Stocking

B with her small C track class

McD Fun

We got to have Ryan and Leah Tomlinson for the afternoon. Their older sister Jenna was at school.  Bummer.

We played and ate and ate and played

and drank and then headed home for more fun.  We love these kids and appreciate their Mom sharing them with us.

Late Night Lights

Rober really wanted to get the Christmas lights up, and with his work, church, and family obligations he doesn't have much time,  So...Tuesday night about 8:30 pm seemed to be as good a time as any.  He  got his running head lamp and headed for the roof.

Linsday fed him the strands from her window and used the head lamp to read in between strands.

 

Em was the official photographer, but stopped before the lights were all up. She'll get a pic of the finished product another night I'm sure.

River Trail Ride

It's almost December ande we are still out riding bikes.  I love it.

 
We rode down to the Jordan River Trail

And then back up 114 South, which is quite a hill.  I was a little worried about Em making it up with no gears, but she just kept riding.  Here Lindz is checking on her by the Equestrain Center.  We also saw Jim Matheson on our way home and he was wearing a 'blue shirt' from Costco, just like he says in his commercial.  The girls got a kick out of that.

Driver AJ

This young woman drove part way to and from AZ this past week with the fam.  I can't believe how grown up she is...so proud of the amazing girl she is!

Chicken Time

We were able to visit the Zimmermans and Haywards when we were in AZ.  Two awesome families that we love to be around.  Em, who hopes to marry a farmer?, finally caught one of the chickens and held it long enough to get a pic.  Aubrey wasn''t quite as successful.  We should have gotten a pic of her holding the turtle.

Grant helped Brenna catch one as well.  There are so many good people who bless and enrich our lives, and these families are full of that goodness.  It's fun to visit with them when we are down there. 

Mesa Temple Lights

On our last night, we went to see the lights at the Mesa Temple, all 20 of us.

We took up the whole hallway in line to see the Nativities.

Michael and Barb.  I think this is the only pic I got of Barb all weekend.  Sorry sis.

Me and my first born in the desert.  Aubrey always feels at home coming back to Arizona.  She love the 115 degree temps when she was a baby, but I'm not sure how much she'd like then now?

Pretty Lindsay Lou.  Next time we come out her she will be old enough to go to the temple to perform baptisms for the dead.

Kayla, Rachael, and Aubs.  It's so fun to have cousins your age.  They are good friends and love to text and share pics with each other when we are apart.

Mesa Temple

I just don't have the same vertical I once did...but I love Aubrey's kung-fu motion

The Webber girls...minus Barb.  Love you girls!

Michael & Ally

Ally and her new husband Michael Bloomer

They were married 10-11-12.  We love you guys!!!

Elvis

Em found a pic of her true love - Elvis, while wearing the new outfit Mrs. L gave her.  Life is good!

Dentist Ally

Ally has been pulling other peoples teeth since she was a kid.  She loves it.  Tonight she was able to pull her nephew Brody's bottom tooth, and her niece Brenna's first front tooth.  When we were kids she would go with my Dad on emergency's and assist him while the rest of us would sit in his office or the waiting room reading magazines.  If she weren't a personal trainer, she'd be a great dentist.

 

B looks different with her tooth missing.  The other top tooth is wiggly, so that space will be even bigger soon.  Too bad Al can't come pull the next one as well. 

Mrs. L

As many know, Mrs. Lifferth is one of Emily's favorite people in the world.  She was her 3rd grade teacher, and moved to Arizona the day after school ended, so her husband could attend Dental School there.  She and Emi communicate regularly and Emi has being dying to see her, especially after our October trip to AZ was cancelled.  

Her friend Gracie, who was also in Mrs. L's class last year, was in Phoenix for Thanksgiving so she joined the party.  They both hoped Mrs. L would have her baby while they were there, but no such luck.  Any day though.  We love Mrs. L and are grateful for the positive influence she is in our lives.

Double Double

We love In N Out.  It's not the healthiest place for us, but we love a good double double every now and then.   Robert and I grew up on double doubles.  We were just talking about how we grew up in small community, nestled in the foothills above LA, and our small town had an In-N-Out, Trader Joes, and the original Sports Chalet.  How weird it that?  Now we see these places all throughout the western states, but they were La Crescenta/La Canada orginals.

Ally's Boot Camp

Al teaches Boot camp at Barneys Sports Complex in Queen Creek.  My Dad and our family always go when we are in town.  She works us hard...but it is good.

Our crew post workout.