It's hard to believe that 2018 is coming to an end. How did it go so quickly? The days are still long but the years fly by. It's a phenom I don't understand. We are busy and happy and we had a great year.
To end it off, we continue with soccer. Session 1 of indoor. Brother vs. Brother. They're both playing U11 so they get to play each other 1-2 times during the indoor season. Triston's team has won every game, but Alex's team sure did scare them the first game; the score was 3-2. Brother shooting on brother. The first game was amazing to watch. So proud of these boys and the effort they put into their sports. They are tough and so healthy. It's wonderful to watch.
We were able to try to "Light the World" during December. It started off great, and died out toward the end, but we did get to take a birthday cake and watch to a 13 year old boy living in Denver Children's home. My kids have no idea what it would be like to live there without their family. I'm grateful they don't have to experience that. It was nice to be able to do something for someone in need.
We love our Wiley dog!
Triston was a drummer in the 4th-5th grade choir concert. He did a great job and put a lot of time into rehearsing.
We believe! I was lucky to get this picture this year.
Off to a Christmas party looking so festive!
Ethan breaking rules at school!
Ethan struggled with depression this past semester and I am happy to say that through a lot of prayers, tears, therapy and medication, he is doing so much better. I'm grateful that he's not a quitter and that he trusts us enough to help him. We love you Ethan!
I love my puppy and...
I love it when my friend Jill has to pay up on a bet between USU vs. CSU in football
I love my calling. Here we are at a sisters home after we carolled to her, she gave us hot coco.
Ethan's first and last concert as a trumpet player. He is retiring, but learned a great deal and did have some fun, although he may not admit it.
Annual ugly sweater party was a blast this year. I love getting together with our dear friends and having a night of laughter and yummy food.
Bjorkman, Ravsten, Cottrell, Bruggeman, Harris
Travis scored this hot pants!
The boys second mom Erin is awesome cuz she goes on field trips and sends me pictures so I don't have to go! Alex, Brennar and Matthew have become really close this year as they have Mrs. Allan. They are some of the silliest boys I know!
Grandma Kathy's twelve days included the kids favorite gingerbread house! This year Kedzie, Alex and Triston decorated it together and in the end it was the ugliest thing ever. But, I will always remember the laughter coming out of that kitchen the night they decorated!
And Travis will always remember having his kids and wife all surrounding him singing carols!
Again, I love my calling and this activity of learning about the Christmas story as we travelled to different houses throughout the evening. We have amazing youth that I get to serve.
My cute dog on the way to and from school each day.
Slippers Grandma sent in 12 days! Ugliest, most comfy things ever!
Ethan's had two best friends move away...Luke and Cooper. It just so happened that Cooper invited them both and their friend Talon to a sleep over and paint ball. He finally got a real sleep over for the first time ever and did paint balling for the first time ever. He had the bruises to prove it too. He loved every minute of being with these boys.
Christmas Sunday pictures...obligatory!
I love these kids so much. We had a challenging month and a challenging Christmas eve due to thinking we deserve the very best. But, we are all six learning and growing together. I wouldn't want to be doing that with anybody else. These are my people and I couldn't be more grateful for them.
And these are my oldest laurels. Love them so much.
Charlotte, Camden, Lauren, Anita and Abbie.
Family gift time on Christmas Adam. They just couldn't stand to wait any longer.
Kedzie made this beautiful nativity out of sculpy clay. She's pretty talented. Grateful she'll share her talents with our family. My favorite nativity yet!
Love these two "turdalers"
Santa came?! He did. It was questionable, but he followed through and he did a wonderful job.
Plane tickets to Hawaii so we can hula!
The gift he's been asking for, for three years!
Kedzie got a hair straightener and chair for her room.
Alex got a team USA Pulisic soccer kit.
Ethan got a gift card to Walgreen's so he can buy candy and soda!
Merry Christmas!
Ethan sick at his friend Garrett's cabin. Travis had to drive four hours round trip to pick him up. Poor buddy.
Kedzie continues to have a straight and beautiful back. Grateful for medical doctors who reaffirm how well she is doing each year.
Happy New Year lunch and movie with Nuf Said. We saw the new Mary Poppins. Everyone enjoyed it except Ethan who was home sick. Grateful for Nuf Said.
Sis. Quintana...Saint extraordinaire. Taught these boys and two girls, not pictured, for two years. These are the new deacons (plus Camden) as of Jan. 1st! Bless the deacons leaders and young men program. Daniel, Ethan, Tyler, Dawson, Declan, Austin and Owen.
Kedzie bought herself a snorkel mask for our February adventure to Hawaii. Adorable.
2000
1997
And, I can't ever close out a year without a shout out to the best mom ever! I love her so much and I miss her so much. I still write to her on my phone on occasion. When I'm at my lowest. The week before the 31st is always the hardest and I always think it's going to be the day she died. It isn't. That day tends to be just fine. The week leading up to her passing is so filled with memories. It's a challenge. I feel for my family, but I'm so grateful that they love me unconditionally. My mom taught me to be brave, kind, persistent, adventurous. I'm so grateful for her love and light and example. I also attribute my job and the help we got with Ethan to her and to my Savior and my Heavenly Father. I couldn't do anything without their heavenly help.
2018 was full of everything. I'm grateful to be alive and experiencing what my life has to offer me. I am truly blessed. Now, bring on 2019!
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