Johnson Christmas 2014

The Johnson party was on the following Monday (after the Joneses) on the 15th.  We had it at our house.  

Here's Todd, Moriah, Caleb, and Michelle

Grandma Johnson, Aunt Gina, and Me (Yes, I know I'm not even looking at the camera....what's up with that?)  :)

We visited, had ice cream sundaes, and opened presents.  It was fun spending time with the family.  Except we wish Wendy and Anthony's family could have been there, but we totally understand that it's hard for them to come down all the time.

Kyle, Moriah, and Joshie

And here's the tree...just in case you wanted to see it.  HA!  :)

Josiah and Moriah

Joshie and Josiah

Moriah loved her present

Jacob, Brandon, and Dallin

It was a fun party.  The cousins drew names and the adults played a white elephant game to exchange their presents.  I ended up with the same thing I brought.  Oh well, it was useful, at least!  :)  Another successful Christmas party!  

And then Brandon got his wisdom teeth out on Friday, the 19th.  These next two pictures are of him on the second day.  He was really swollen, but these pictures don't do justice.  Fortunately, being swollen and sore didn't stop him from eating.  Here he is eating Arbys!  

He was not a happy camper.  Although he did recover quite well, he also got Strep Throat a few days after.  Poor kid!  He was pretty miserable!

Hopefully he'll be smiling by Christmas!  Happy Holidays!  :)

Jones Christmas 2014

The first of our Christmas parties began with the Jones family on December 13th.  It was held at Aaron and Kristin's home in Hooper.  They are always wonderful hosts, so we always have a great time.  And this party was no exception.  We met during the day this year (Saturday) at 1:00 for lunch.  This was so that Mike and Shauna and their family could drive down and back from/to Idaho in the same day.  Whew!  (Long day for them--they are awesome!)

Me and Dallin

Uncle Aaron, Uncle Ryan, and Brandon

I love this picture of Mike and Shauna.  I just happened to snap it when they were totally laughing.  So cute!!!

After we ate lunch, we watched a few videos.  Todd had prepared a "jibjab" video for each family (6 total--including Grandpa and Matt and Eric).  They were a huge hit and so funny!  Todd basically just put everyone's faces into a pre-made Christmas video.  We were laughing so hard.  I wish there was some way I could put them on here, but I don't think there is...you'll just have to take my word for it.  They were hilarious!  :)

After we watched the videos, we had a talent show.  These kids are growing up so quickly and they all have such amazing talents.  It was awesome to watch them.

Uncle Ryan and MaKenna

Shauna played a song while Sophie sang (Mike was the page turner).  :)

Jacob is the only child I can get to look at the camera when I take a picture.  All of the other teenagers won't even look up!  

We're getting closer.  

Spencer and Emma

Dallin played a song on the piano while Brandon played on the flute.  They always do such an amazing job!

And Sierra played the piano while Aubrey sang a song.

Annie and Uncle Mike sang a song together.

Everyone who participated did a great job!  MaKenna sang a song too.  She was so cute.  After the talent show, we opened presents.  Of course, everyone loves that stage of the party!

Jacob opening his present

And here's Kyle.  His present was huge!

Uncle Ryan made this sword for Kyle.  He has given a couple to other cousins in past years and he plans to cycle through the group so everyone gets one.  All the kids who have one love their sword (and everyone else wants one)!  Uncle Ryan is awesome!

It was a very fun party full of food, friendship, and family.  It was a great way to start off the Christmas season!  We missed Grandma Jones though.  The family get-togethers just aren't the same without her.  Hopefully she got to watch the talent show and spend some time being with us. We do always feel like she's there with us...but it's still not the same.  :(

We love the Jones family!

Thanksgiving 2014

This year for Thanksgiving we went to Ryan and Malissa's house in Stansbury Park.  They just bought a house out there.  It is beautiful (by the way)!  And we had so much fun!

(from left to right)  Kyle, Brandon, Jacob, Dallin, and Zach

Grandpa Jones, Sophie, Mike, Annie, Shauna and Anissa

And here is more of the family...

And a few more...

And these are all the pies!

Brandon (in front) and Dallin (in back)

Ryan and Malissa's basement is unfinished, but Ryan had a couple of swings hung from the beams of the ceiling.  The kids had a blast swinging on them!

Kyle and Spencer

Cute Sophie!

And sweet Aubrey!

Owen and Parker had a blast playing outside with a bunch of "wood"  :)  Boys!

Grandpa Jones, Rob, and Mike.  (Rob was really the only one asleep...Grandpa and Mike just pretended for the picture.) 

Parker found the Spiderman stuff...and other toys too.

Aubrey couldn't resist the "knight" costume...

And even I got into a couple of the pictures!  

Me, Anissa and Emma

Kristin, Brandon and Me

We really had such a great time!

Kristin, Brandon, Kyle, Aubrey, Anissa, Emma and Zach

Me and Todd...

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Thanks Ryan and Malissa for being such amazing hosts!  You both rock!  :)

Happy Thanksgiving!