Where did December go?!

So somehow December came and went and I feel like I missed it. And of course I didn't keep up on my blog so here is a post of the month leading up to Christmas. The week after Thanksgiving we got some stuff together to send to Josh. The kids decorated this shirt for him. I think it turned out really fun.

Then we went to the ward Christmas party where we had a visit from Santa. Oakley however is convinced that it wasn't really Santa but Alviso (our neighbor). Smart boy ;)

Addi talked me into buying a gingerbread house kit at Walmart that the kids did together.

The Sunday before Christmas we let the kids open their draw name presents to each other. I wanted them to know which ones they got from each other.

Addi got a Littlest Pet Shop pack from Jensen.

Oakley got a Lego set from Addi.

Jensen got the BYU hoodie that she really wanted from Kolton.

Lexi's was the best because Oakley was going to give her an electric blanket but she figured out what it was so Oakley and I carefully opened the present, took the blanket out of the box, replaced it with pajamas and rewrapped it. I even had her convinced for a minute that I had gotten the box from my mom and didn't actully buy the blanket. She got the blanket from Matt and I on Christmas.

Kolton got some Areopostale sweats from Lexi.

Matt even got to open a present from the kids.

Bread pans!

The 6th graders did a Christmas play. Jensen was in the choir.

Can you guess what song they're singing?

Thanksgiving in St. George (okay, actually La Verkin)

Matt's mom and step dad, Shirl bought a house in St. George (actually La Verkin) and invited everyone down for Thanksgiving this year.

Thanksgiving day was beautiful and we were able to eat outside.

Later that afternoon we took Jensen, Oakley, and Trinity (a cousin) and went to do some geocaching.

1st cache

Found it! 2nd cache

The 3rd cache was missing but it was supposed to be at this park so the kids had fun playing.

4th cache

The next day we went to Zion's and did a couple of hikes.

Pay it Forward

Awhile back I commented on a Pay It Forward post on Noelle's blog. The first three people who commented got a homemade project from her. This is what she made for me. Isn't it awesome!!! I love it!

Young Women's in Excellence

For Young Women's in Excellence each of the young women were supposed to show something they had done toward their personal progress. Lexi did the cake decorating class for her value project in Individual Worth so she made these cute Christmas tree cupcakes and this cute cake. They turned out so awesome!

Time Out For Mom

My mom came up to help me with some projects I'd been wanting to do but couldn't get the motivation to do on my own. We spent the first day canning beans.

We did pinto and black beans.

While we were working on the beans she helped me make an apron. I haven't done much sewing and wasn't sure how to use the pattern and how to put it all together.

I think it turned out pretty cute.

The next day we headed up to Noelle's house to do some more beans and make freezer jam.

Noelle and Stacy stirring the jam.

We made strawberry/peach, peach/mango/strawberry, and peach/strawberry.

The next day my mom, Kristi, Stacy, Noelle, and I headed to Salt Lake for a women's conference called Time Out For Women. It was Friday evening and most the day Saturday. It was so fabulous. The speakers were outstanding, inspirational, and even really funny. Jenny Oaks Baker, a violinist, performed on Friday evening and Hillary Weeks, a singer, performed on Saturday. They were both so amazing. Their music was beautiful and the spirit was so strong. It really was a Time Out and I really enjoyed spending time with my mom and sisters. I'm so blessed to have such an awesome family. We missed Heather and Kera but hopefully we can do it again some time and they'll be able to come.

Me, mom, Noelle, Stacy, & Kristi

Field Trip to Clark Planetarium

At the first of Nov. I went with Jensen's class to the Clark Planetarium. It was fun to be with Jensen and her friends.

Me, Jensen, and her friend Emily.

The kids favorite activity of the day was riding the huge elevator.