Thanksgiving in Utah

Thanksgiving break started out a bit crazy. The kids were all out of school that Monday but I still had to teach my dance classes. Avy and Rylee were with their Grandparents in Nyssa and Ryker went to work with Kefford so that he could get his braces adjusted. Kenedy was still sleeping when I left but I left her cleaning instructions and a list of chores she had to get done. I taught four classes and by the time I got done with my last class my voice was shot. I had been feeling not too terrible Sunday and Monday morning but by the end of the day I was done and feeling pretty sick. My voice went bye bye and I had to resort to whispering for the next three days. We were planning on going to Utah to spend Thanksgiving with Emily and her family, Andrew and Erin who had flown up from California. On Monday Erin sent me a text letting me know that Emily was having really bad Kidney stone problems and that she a Drs appt that afternoon to decide if she was going to have to have surgery. I told them to give me a call when they knew what was going on. When Emily called later she said that she was going to have surgery Wednesday morning but she still wanted us to come. She said that she has had this done before and she will be fine having us all there and we would not be in the way. She could tell by my lack of voice that I was sick and said that was even OK. She still wanted us to come. Sounded good  to me!

Tuesday afternoon I got a text from Erin saying Ben fell and had to have stitches in his eyebrow. At this point I felt like we were all cursed and was wondering what was going to happen next. 

We got to Utah late Tuesday night and it was so good to see my family and be able to visit and hang out. 

The kids were excited to hang out in the hot tub and though us adults thought they were crazy, they loved it! 

Emily's apartment it not too spacious so we had to get creative with the seating arrangements. We were able to have a kids table and an adult table. I believe everyone enjoyed that arrangement.

Rylee found some time to attack Avynlea and I loved hearing their squeals and giggles

After dinner we decided that since for the most part the adults did the dinner, that the kids should do the clean up. Surprisingly there was not any complaining and they all chipped in to get the jobs done. Kenedy went the extra mile and was last in the kitchen cleaning up to make sure nothing was missed.

We decided to take off Saturday afternoon to get an early start on getting home. But before we left the girls went to visit Emily's classroom so we could add some festive flair. I was dying to do something fun with her door and we found a really cute gingerbread house idea. As I was working on it I kept getting calls from Kefford asking me when I was going to be done and telling me that I needed to hurry up. I felt rushed and looking back at it I wish I wasn't rushed because I don't think it's my best job and there was so much more I would have done. Avynlea did a great job being my little helper and I also had Kenedy make the candy canes for me. we cut out the canes in white and then I had her add the red stripe with some red ribbon. She did a great job and worked really hard on those candy canes. I was planning on putting them on the door in the shape of a heart but when she was done I realized I forgot to tell her to do the stripes on opposite sides. Oh well, we made do and I really appreciated her helpfulness. The next week Emily had her kids decorate gingerbread men so that they could add those to the door. Such cute ideas!

It snowed that morning which was one of the reasons for Keffords anxiousness to get going. Before we left I made sure to get a picture with my sisters. It was such a good trip and I am glad that everything worked out so that we could be with my family.

Erin, Elizabeth and Emily

As we were heading out to hit the road I had the kids make themselves some sandwiches to eat. I got creative with my road food and enjoyed my meal immensely! 

We decided to drive to Nyssa to spend some time with Keffords family that night. They had pizza waiting for us and it was quite nice to spend some one on one time with his parents. 

We stayed the night and went to church with them the next morning.

What a great week of fun we had!

BSU

Kefford and Kelsey were doing a giveaway at the local Elementary schools in order to entice kids to their office and get more patients. It was a Halloween coloring contest and the grand prize winner got to choose between 4 tickets to the final BSU home game or a $100 visa card. I believe the winner chose the visa card because they were going to be out of town the weekend of the football game. The four tickets were then left unclaimed and so Kefford and Kelsey took their beautiful, talented, fun and awesome wives on a date night to the football game. 

Initially I was pretty excited, I love watching BSU football and I have never been to a live game in the Broncos Stadium, seemed like a win-win for me! The day of the game I became less excited. Up until this time I was not thinking about the weather and when I realized how cold it was going to be I was down right scared about sitting in the stadium for 3+ hours freezing my tush off. 

I had dance that night and I left a little bit early so I could get home and be ready to leave when everyone else arrived. Kefford and Kelsey were in Baker that day and although they worked the schedule so that they could leave early, the plan failed when they had a patient drive 2 hours to Emmett for his appointment not realizing they were actually five minutes from his house in Baker that day. I have to feel real bad for that guy. So the nice guys waited for this patient and were thus late coming home. Gave me time to prepare myself for the cold so it was ok they were a bit late. I layered and layered. Fleece lined leggings under jeans, thermals and sweaters under my down coat. I even wore my snow boots because they were warmer then all my other shoes, smart thinker I am! I grabbed myself a couple of hand warmers to put in my gloves and a blanket for Kefford and I and I was set.

We got to the game late and missed BSU scoring the first 15 seconds of the game. I wish we could have seen that because it was pretty much downhill from then on. BSU has had a rough season and this game against the Air Force was not a good one. 

	1	2	3	4		Total
Air Force	3	21	10	3		37
Boise State	13	0	7	10		30

As you can see we got trampled by the Air Force in the second quarter and although BSU tried to being it back after halftime and did do better it was too late and we lost. It was really disappointing. 

As far as the coldness goes, for me it was not too bad. I was doing fine up until the final quarter and by then I was done. I gave my hand warmers to Kefford to put in his shoes to help his feet not get frost bitten and once those were gone my hands started to get really cold and I was good to go home. We left when there were about four minutes left in the game. I wanted to leave a little bit early so that we would not have to wait forever in crowds to get the shuttle to take us to our car. Luckily we got out of there in no time and were able to get home where I crawled into my warm electric blanket heated bed.

Kelsey and Brit brought their kids over to play and be baby-sat by Kenedy and that was really fun for my girls to be with their Cousins.

I would be more then willing to go to another football game but only if it were earlier in the season so that I would not have to worry about being cold. I had been fighting a cold for the past couple of days and sitting outside in the freezing weather did not help me one bit. I was up for half the night feeling miserable and sick. I was finally able to get some sleep and I woke up right before 8. I had a little bit of time before my fit barre class and so I was relaxing in bed reading scriptures when I heard a pounding on the door. At first I thought it was Ryker messing around downstairs but he was on a scout campout, then when the pounding stopped and the doorbell started going like crazy I realized who it was, Alison and Bob coming to pick up Avy and Rylee. Alison had called the night before while I was at dance to see if they could pick up Rylee and Avynlea after they went to the Temple Saturday morning and take them home for a couple of days. I had completely forgot and everyone was still sleeping from being up so late the night before. I got Kefford up to answer the door and I rushed into the girls room to wake them up and hurry them to pack and be ready. I felt terrible for forgetting but Bob and Alison were so kind about it and waited while we hurried the girls along. 

Definitely a crazy night and morning!

Primary Program

Sunday was our Primary Program and it was amazing! I love when the Primary gets to do their program and really think it needs to be done more then once a year. These kids have the sweetest spirits and seeing them up there bearing testimony of our Savior is beautiful to watch and experience. With how quickly my girls are growing up, pretty soon they will not be participants in this yearly program and that is really sad. I will definitely treasure these moments more because I know how fast the years go by. 

Avynlea's part was:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave His only only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

When Avynlea said her part she said she got a little nervous and instead of saying "John" she said "St John". I thought she was adorable and did such a great job. If you recognize the dress she is wearing as the one she wore on Halloween that is because it is in fact the same dress. The dress looked so good on her and fit her so well that I decided to take off the tulle and roses and then added a white ribbon for a sash to turn it into a dress perfect for Sunday. She is such a beautiful girl and I love her!

Rylee's part for the program was:

"By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things"

Moroni 10:5

Rylee did awesome as well on reciting her scripture. Both my girls had their parts memorized pretty quickly and were able to recite them to me perfectly whenever I asked them to. 

When I asked Rylee what she was going to wear for the program she told me it was a surprise. I was thinking she was going to wear her baptism dress and was really hoping not because Avynlea was already wearing the poof maker and we only have one. I would have had to have gotten creative with finding another something to make a dress poof. Luckily she came out wearing this gray outfit and I thought she looked so beautiful and grown up. I love this youngest member of our family so much!

As always at times like these I am so grateful for our knowledge of the Gospel and that my kids have the opportunities to grow up going to church and learning about Jesus while developing their testimonies. I feel so very blessed.

McCall!

Thursday night after Kefford got off work we packed up and headed to McCall. Avynlea and Rylee have been on track break and since they were off from school they got to go up with Whitney on Tuesday and spend the week with Whit and her kids and Bob and Alison. Lucky girls were spoiled and loved on all week!

When the rest of us arrived we found diner waiting for us and Bob had baked a birthday cake for Ryker and I. I thought that was pretty awesome! Ryker was given his present from his grandparents which was a k'nex roller coaster set. He wasted no time getting it out and putting it together. I didn't think to get a picture of the final product but it sure looked pretty cool.

It had snowed earlier in the week and the next morning the kids had a blast sledding down the hill with their cousins. Brit and Kelsey came up the night before with their kids and Michelle and Trevor were there also. My kids love being with their cousins and like to love on the younger ones and play with them. 

Rylee and Qiana attached themselves to Trevor's legs and had fun hitching rides.

Avynlea made sure to show me the little snowman she built. It was little and cute just like her!

Kefford had fun going down his own hill and got some pretty nasty bruises when he encountered a rock in his path.

Kenedy sent me these cute pictures of Kefford having some fun with Tayvia

Avynlea really enjoyed being with her little cousins, helping Tayvia with her gloves and sliding down the hill with Sadie

The kids loved being in the Hot Tub. For me it would be fun to get in but not fun at all to get out, brrr!

Ryker was a really good help with his little cousins as well

Avynlea got to go fishing a couple of times with her Grandpa and loved it! She caught a lot of fish and was always anxious and willing to go out more. Kefford took her out Saturday morning and took two pictures for me. She is a cute little fisherman!

Happy Birthday Elizabeth and Ryker!

On my birthday I had so many well wishes from friends and family on  instagram and lots of text messages were sent. 

Heather, Jessica Mortenson

Karli Cleaver and Joshua

Andrew, Brit

 Cheryl Pierce and Whitney

Mom and Erin sent special messages on Instagram and they made my day! Its fun to see pictures of me when I was little.

Ryker and I decided we wanted hamburgers and french fries for our birthday dinner. I also made a special request for Sierra Mist Cranberry, I love that stuff! I took this picture of our food before the french fries made it to the plate. My Mom bought all of us "special Plates" quite a few years ago for Christmas. We use ours all the time on birthdays. While I was in California this last August I found this plate that I fell in love with and I had to have it. I am glad I got it because Ryker and I both get to have a special plate on our birthday and we do not have to trade off.

Our birthday fell on a Sunday this year which was fine. I had to conduct in Relief Society and I had to announce my own birthday. We had the Young Women in with us for opening exercises and as I was announcing birthdays I tried keeping it light and cute when I announced mine but I could feel myself getting hot and embarrassed. Unfortunately I did turn pretty red and it was definitely noticed. Ha ha fun times, good thing everyone knows and loves me ;)

After dinner it was time to open presents.

My Mom sent me my favorite chocolates from Sees and Ryker has been reading Enders Game and loving it so Kefford bought him the movie. He has already seen it but it is fun to own it so he can watch it whenever he wants.

She also sent me a Lighthouse Alex and Ani bracelet to remember my Dad!

The Ariel one I got from Erin for Christmas last year, the Best one I got from Heather this last spring because she loves me (she has the other half of course) and now my new lighthouse. I love them all and that they all have a special meaning to me!

Kefford gets cheesy and likes to clap for us. Kenedy took all of the present opening pictures.

Ryker got money and 4 bags of peach rings candy from his Grandma Bonnie

The Piano Guys are coming to Boise in Febuary and Ryker and I are big fans. Ryker wrote a research paper on them last year for music class and the kids and I watched some of their Face to Face video on the Mormon channel while getting ready for church one morning. So when I found out they were coming I talked it over with Kefford and then bought Ryker and I tickets to go see them as part of our birthday gifts. Ryker was a little confused looking at the papers trying to figure out what they were and so I threw him a bone and told him they were tickets to see the piano guys. He was really excited and gave me a big hug!

Kefford gave me a fun Ariel card with a sweet message inside from him.

And I got some new boots that were "from" Ryker.

Ryker and I were then given tiny little packages to open

Which had these inside. Ryker got the bottom one and mine was the top

Ryker found his present which was a Dell computer. His Uncle Steve got him a refurbished one when he found out Kefford was looking for one. Ryker was pretty excited about it and immediately had it turned on and was checking it out.

I had to trek it to the toy closet to find my surprise. 

A new sewing machine!!! This one is digital and has 140 stitch options plus monograming! I am so excited!! The sewing machine I have now was given to me from Alison about 13 years ago for Christmas. It has been great but now I am so happy to have this new one! My girls "gave" this to me and all have asked if they could have my old one. I am not sure what I will do with the old one, probably just keep it around so they can use it and get good on it before they can touch my new one.

After the presents we decided to watch a movie and I was asking when we were going to do cake and ice-cream. I had requested chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting and Ryker wanted cheesecake. So Kefford bought a little cheesecake for Ryker and mix for my cake. Avynlea baked the cupcakes after church but they never got frosted and when I asked about it nobody would respond. I decided not to worry about it and then I got this picture text from Lana. I could not figure out what she was sending me but then I got the next text and it all started to make sense.

She made me a cake!!! And it is all the more special to me that it is imperfect! That is why everyone was being shady about the cake, because they all knew that Lana was bringing me one. I seriously have the best girlfriends. In addition to the cake, Kathy Caroca gave me a giant candy bar, Cheryl Pierce sent over my favorite mint brownies, and Candice Nicholes brought me a huge bag of her homemade toffee. So much sugar! Luckily Ryker had a Cross Country party the next day so I frosted the cupcakes and sent those with him.

We had to take the paper off to get the candle in :)

I had such a great birthday and I am thinking Ryker thought his birthday was pretty great too.

Rykers Favorite Things:

Food: Steak

Dessert: Cheesecake

Candy: Airheads

Church Song: We'll Bring the World His Truth

Radio Song: Monster by Imagine Dragons

Book: Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Movie: Ender's Game

Color: Green

Friend: Baeden Jones

Scripture Story: The Brother of Jared

Thing to do: Play Basketball

School Subject: Math

1) Ryker tells me he loves me without fail every time he leaves the house, I drop him off somewhere, I leave the house, before he goes to bed, pretty much anytime he says goodbye he follows it with I love you. He is the sweetest and it is nice to hear!

2) Ryker is doing amazing in school and has really found his groove. He is working hard to keep up on his school work so that his grades remain high. I had a meeting with all of his teachers the other day and they all had nothing but great things to say about him. They talked about his positivity and his willingness to speak up when he has questions. Basically they all love him and love having him in their classes. I am so proud of him for wanting to do well in school and for being such a great example to the other students and his teachers.

3) Ryker is very service minded and loves to help others. He has gone with his Dad so many times to help rake leaves and do other yard work for those that need it and he never complains. Ryker will help me with things around the house when I ask him to and I love being around him and watching him help others. 

4)Ryker is working hard on his testimony and I have seen him growing in the Gospel. He will talk to me about his fears and things that worry him and when I ask him how he thinks he should handle things or what he thinks he should do to help himself not worry so much, he talks about reading his scriptures and praying to his Heavenly Father. He knows that doing these things will help him and will also increase his testimony. 

5) Ryker is an avid reader and likes to tell me about books that really interest him. He gets excited about getting new books and any time there is a book fair at his school he writes me a wish list in the hopes that I will get him some new books and I always do. I will do anything to encourage a passion in reading. He likes recommending books to his sisters and friends as well. I love that he has a love of reading, it makes me very happy!

Good Times Together

On Fast Sunday after church I set up my computer and let the kids watch a movie on it. I was really trying to distract them from the hunger they were feeling while they were fasting and I think it helped. They looked so cute snuggled up in their blankets I couldn't resist snapping a picture.

We took family pictures on Saturday and I took a couple of selfies to make sure I looked camera ready. I practice smiling in front of the mirror also. I may be weird but it is effective.

My girls are officially on track break and I love it! They came with me while I taught a couple of dance classes on Monday and in between a couple we had a little break and so we stopped at Target for a few things. I am teaching about the Nutcracker in our dance classes and talking about the Hot Chocolate dancers so much really makes me crave the drink. Our Target just recently replaced their snack bar with a Starbucks and I happen to have a gift card a Dancer gave me in May that I have not used and so I got some drinks for me and my girls. While I will not complain too much about the drink because essentially it was free, I do have to admit that the Hot Chocolates we got were not that great. They could have done with a lot more chocolate. Oh well.