Daddy/Daughter Activity Days Activity...

 

Dinner with The Smiths...

Lucas was Joseph Smith Sr., Rhen was Lucy Mack Smith, & Jodee and Jayda were their friends.  This was Jodee & Jayda's first activity, they were super excited to go!

Activity Days is a program for girls, ages 8-11years old, they meet twice a month at the church, activity days help them learn more about Jesus Christ and his gospel:  by doing things like service, scripture study, crafts, developing talents, etc... THey LoVe Activity Days!

It's Great to Be 8!

 Our little twinners turned 8 years old in January!  Can't believe how fast time flies...

The girls were pretty excited about their very own scripture sets :)

 Scripture cases made by Aunt Tessa


"The Holy Ghost is like a Blanket" book & blanket from Grandma Nea & Grandpa Bob



Birthday Cakes by Jake!  (We love Jake's Cakes)

 Make a wish sweet girls... Hope your day Rocks!

Auntie Kyra made these cute "subway art" pictures for them to remember their baptismal day

 

The girls made the choice to be baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, what a special day it was for them!  We had lots of friends & family come, it was very spiritual, and emotional for Mommy:) "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."-John 3:4

Beautiful dresses made by Grandma Jiggy

Proud Daddy got to baptize his girls! (So thankful for the priesthood power that he holds)

Reflections contest: "The World Would Be A Better Place If..."

Jodee decided to enter the Reflections contest this year.  She worked very hard on her drawing, and ended up placing first at her school level, and 2nd at the district level.  (For grades K-2)

 

 This was the ceremony they had at the community center to honor all participants & those who placed!  Jodee's drawing ended up going to the state level, which was a huge boost for her confidence! 

"The World Would Be a Better Place If..."

Everybody Had a Home!

Great Job Jodee-Bodee, We LOve You, & are so Proud of your efforts!

New Year's Eve continued...

New Year's Eve we had Dayna's birthday party, and then did our usual New Year's Eve events... We are creatures of habit, and I love traditions.

We ate too much food (per usual), attempted a 1,000 piece puzzle (of the USA) (sidenote, I did finish it a few days later, it was missing a piece, and I forgot to take a picture before putting back in the box.) Watched "New Year's Rockin' Eve", waiting for the ball to drop....

Everyone on their iPhones or iPads...

Popping balloons with our bodies to see what candy & treasures are inside...

Ashlynn & Dayna watching "The Little Mermaid"

The "Banging" of the pans...

 Happy New Year!!!

Crazy dancing with Aunt Kyra, ended our New Year's Eve bash!!



Sweet Dreams little girl!  Here's to another wonderful year!

Dayna's 4th Birthday

Sassy Miss D, turned 4 on New Year's Eve... It was a Little Mermaid party!

Donut holes & Ariel juice "Breakfast of Champions"

Cake by Jake... Uncle Jake is Amazing!

Adorable Mermaid tail blanket/sleeping bag style, made by Aunt Tessa

SOOOO EXCITED FOR "The Little Mermaid" on DVD

Giant Hippo, from Grandma Nea & Grandpa Bob (Dayna named him Sky)

Can't believe our baby is 4!  She is so much fun!  All spunk & sass, I LOVE IT!  (Most days she's adorable, and I laugh a lot at her Daynaisms... I could seriously write a very funny book with this girl around.)  Dayna can write her first name, knows all her colors, knows her address, & can buckle herself into her car seat.  Thank You Dayna for making our lives uber blessed!  We love you!

Christmas Morning Madness...

Kyra's family stayed with us while they were in town... Super fun to have all the kids together Christmas morning...

GOod MoRning!

 We were very blessed this Christmas, we received many fun things.  These were a few of my favorite "Happy" reaction pictures.  Each child got 5 gifts: Something to wear, something to read, 2 things they want, and 1 thing they need.  It's enough!  The last few years, I've tried to control my buying, it's easy to get carried away and buy everything that their little heart's desire.  This is not the reason we have Christmas.  It needs to be more about giving than receiving.  I feel like my children are starting to learn that we don't need lots of presents to be happy.  And we are all doing better at trying to remember the reason for the season:  Our Savior Jesus Christ, his birth, & a celebration of his life. 

Willow loved the tree :)

Christmas Eve 2014

 

Christmas Eve was at our house with my family this year.  The night was filled with yummy food, and many family traditions that I love.  Leslie read, "Stevie's Christmas" (a cute little book that my Grandma Manis read every Christmas Eve until she passed away in 2007)  We decided to keep this tradition going in our family!  We had a family talent show... lots of talent here!  Some sang songs, read poetry, played instruments, Good Times!

 Christmas isn't complete without new Pajamas...

Keep your eyes closed... No Peeking!

 Now go to bed, so Santa can come!!  (Tee-Hee, like anyone can fall asleep Christmas Eve)