And Here Comes Christmas

 On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Alyssa and Ashley got to ride on a float in the Lehi City Santa Parade. They were on the float with their choir and then got to sing on these risers after the parade. It was really cold that day, so we waited with the boys in our car until the parade got to us.

On Friday, I took the kids to see Santa at the outlets. He was very nice, but Tyler was not a fan. He didn't cry, he just didn't look very happy on his lap. Later that day, we went to the Festival of Trees. I didn't get any pictures while we were there, but the kids loved looking at all of the trees. They also loved the fudge that I bought them when we needed a break from walking.
Yesterday, we had another opportunity to meet Santa. Edge Homes was hosting a Christmas event (and everything was FREE). They got to meet Santa, get a picture with him and Mrs. Clause, pick out a toy or candy, eat donuts, drink hot chocolate(which they served in actual mugs), and take home a balloon. The hot chocolate, by the way, was like drinking melted chocolate. So good.

 We are looking forward to more Christmas fun to come in the next 18 days. We are especially ready to get through the next week and a half so that we can have Danny around again.

Thanksgiving and Ashley's Devotional

We had a nice Thanksgiving. We felt fortunate to have my parents visiting for most of the week. They made a last minute decision to come to Utah for Thanksgiving so they could visit with a friend of theirs who has not been given much time to live. While they were in town, we took them to a BYU Basketball game with us. Apparently they are good luck because I won a $25 gift card for showing my Wells Fargo App on my phone and then my parents were given a Papa Johns Pizza from Cosmo for being the loudest fans(we're pretty sure it was the guys sitting behind them that helped win that one so they shared some of the pizza with them). Camden also made it on the baby cam. Our seats are right behind the basket on the front row, so that may be part of the reason for our good luck. Here are most of our kids enjoying the game with my parents. You can't see Alyssa, but she is right behind Tyler. 

We had Thanksgiving dinner at Danny's parents house and it was delicious.

The week before Thanksgiving was Ashley's school Devotional. She was chosen out of all the second graders to play the xylophone during one of the songs. She was so excited to be chosen and did a wonderful job of it. This is my first time trying this, but here is the you tube link: https://youtu.be/J8vChT0MYkE

I love the music in the 2nd grade devotional at their school. The last song they sing is called "A Chosen Generation." I truly feel like my kids are so much stronger than I when it comes to resisting temptation and doing what is right. They are chosen to grow up in a time when there are terrorist attacks and shootings and when the sanctity of marriage is being attacked. I pray that they will continue to make good choices and live up to the responsibilities that they have been entrusted with by being born in this time.

 

Happy Halloween, in December

 I meant to post these right after Halloween, and then life happened. Anyways, our kids were a racoon, Marshall from Paw Patrol, a pirate, and a teddy bear.

 This was our favorite Halloween decoration this year.

 And here are their pumpkins.

Family Pictures

We had a family photo shoot about a month ago. Here are some of our favorites.

 

Having great pictures is easy when the kids are so cute.