Mt. Nebo Basketball

Today Dallin had his first freshman basketball game! Let's just say the adrenaline was pumping. They played their rival - Payson. It was a tough game. Both teams had their strengths. Payson dominated the game the whole first half. Mt. Nebo struggled to close the 9 point gap, but the second half was all about Mt. Nebo! Dallin's team shut down Payson. They closed the gap and ended up winning by 5 points by the end of the game! The energy in the stands was intense. (Jeff did behave himself though.) I'm surprised Jonas didn't freak out with all the yelling and noise. I could even feel my heart rate increasing. It was such a fun game! It was fun to watch Dallin play again. What he doesn't have in height, he makes up for in speed and determination. He's not afraid to get in there and get the ball. It's going to be a fun season to watch! (Dallin is #3. He's the one in the bright pink shoes.)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Now that Thanksgiving is over it's time to bring on my favorite holiday of the year - Christmas! To be honest, I've been listening to Christmas music since Halloween and have finished all my Christmas shopping (except for the little gifts for neighbors), but now it's time to openly celebrate this magical season! I don't know what it is about Christmas - perhaps it's the decorations, or the music, or the gift giving, or the traditions, or perhaps it is truly because of the reason for this season, our Savior - but something creates a palpable magic during this time of year. I would like to think it's the latter option. He truly is the reason we celebrate this time of year. He gave us the greatest gift we could ever receive - the Atonement. Because of His birth, we can live again with Him. This is a season that people are a little kinder, a little more generous, a little more like Him. I love it! I even love the commercial reasons for the season. I love Santa Claus. I love the person he embodies. I like thinking of little elves watching if we're naughty or nice. I love Hallmark Christmas movies. I'm pretty sure there's nothing I don't like about this season...ok, egg nog and hot chocolate...but everything else is great! Well tonight, since Amber was home, we decided to decorate the house and put up the tree. I love putting up our Christmas tree because of all the ornaments we have. Each year, we collect 2-3 ornaments from vacations we've been on or momentous events of the year. Jonas even got to help me put on his very first ornament. When we put the ornaments on the tree, we reminisce about the moments from this year and years past. It's our memory tree. Now we get to see and reflect on all those fun memories all season! It's time to bring on Christmas!

4 months!

Jonas turned 4 months old the day after Thanksgiving. I can't believe it's only been 4 months. He seems to have been a part of this family for much longer. He has brought so much joy to our home. It has been fun to watch his siblings interact with him. There is a greater unity in our family because of his presence. During this past month, his personality has come alive even more! He is definitely more vocal. He has a squeal that can call all the dogs in a one-mile radius. He will laugh when you tickle him and he smiles all the time. He has started to reach for and grab his toys...and anything else he can! My earrings and hair are no longer safe! He still isn't incredibly fond of tummy time, but he can roll from his belly to his back and his back to his side. He is pretty good about sitting up with assistance too. He loves playing with his brothers and Dad...especially when his dad throws him around. It gives me a heart attack but Jonas loves it. Jonas is no 14.3 lbs (23%) and 28.5 inches long (78%). He took a drastic jump in height over the last month, but remains pretty steady in his weight. He has started bottle feedings and is doing well with that. He is easy to put to sleep and easy to console when upset. We feel very lucky to have such an easy-going baby. I just hope he stays that way! Our love for him grows more and more each day. We are excited to see what new adventures lie ahead in the next month.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year our Thanksgiving adventures took us to Idaho Falls. Instead of Stan and Kristi always coming to Utah, we decided to visit them up north. I have to admit I was a little anxious to take Jonas on a 4 hour road trip and spend 4 days in a "strange" environment, but he did great! He slept the whole way there and back, and, while there, he didn't seemed too phased with the new surroundings. All the boys (and Amber, who was able to join us on Wednesday and Thursday) loved hanging out. We drove up early Wednesday morning. We got there, unpacked, then headed to the ice rink to let the kids skate. Each year Katie pays for the kids to participate in a fun activity during Thanksgiving break. It's her Christmas present to her nieces and nephews. Last year, they did simulated surfing. This year was ice skating. The rink was FREEZING, but the kids didn't seem to mind...even Jonas, who fell asleep amidst all the noise and chaos. 

After a couple hours, the kids were done with the cold...but only until after a warm soup lunch. During the afternoon, it started to snow. It snowed enough to blanket the ground with a few inches and suddenly, the blanket of white became the boys playground off and on for the next couple days. Jeff and Stan took turns pulling the boys on sleds behind a 4-wheeler. I swear someone should have broken a limb or had a concussion or something! They would jump off and on the sleds while the 4-wheeler was going...sometimes other kids were still on the sleds! It was crazy but they had fun! Jonas, on the other hand, wasn't too fond of the snow. I bundled him up and took him outside for his first snow experience. We sat him in the snow, but he didn't seem to have any interest in playing with it or staying outside. That only confirms that he's my son!

All bundled up! My cute little bear.

Thursday rolled around...and so did we after all that food! Kristi did a great job hosting us for Thanksgiving. We enjoyed a delicious turkey with all the trimmings. I have been wanting to shed my final 15 pregnancy pounds, but it looks like I'll have to wait until after the holidays!

Maci, Carson, Bennett, Danny, Travis

Amber, Jeff and I

Stan, Kristi, Dallin and Grant

Jonas enjoying his "Thanksgiving" meal.

The rest of the weekend was spent watching movies, playing games, going to the church to play dodge ball and basketball, and just having fun together. Oh...and we had to go to Reed's Dairy for ice cream. It doesn't matter how cold it is...Reed's Dairy is a must! We thoroughly enjoyed our Thanksgiving weekend with family. This is what life is all about...family. I am truly grateful for the family I was born into and the family I married into. I feel incredibly lucky to have my best friend as my eternal companion. I feel blessed to be able to raise 5 beautiful children. I am thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ. He has shown me how to live a better life. He has given me strength during moments of weakness and peace during moments of doubt and fear. He has shown me how to love and be loved in returned. What more could I ask for in life? Happy Thanksgiving!