New Year's Eve Tradition

Two years ago, we enjoyed all the New Year's Eve festivities Salt Lake City's Temple Square offered.  It was delightful, so we wanted to do it again.  This time I asked my Mom if she could watch the kids so Doug and I could go up a night earlier.  She happily agreed.  So I planned Doug's birthday date/getaway.  We went to the Timpanogos Temple, the to Blue Lemon for dinner, before retreating to the Plaza Hotel.  Of course, Ezralee came with us since I'm still nursing, but it was still delightful.  The next day Mom, Dan, and Hunter brought up our kids and Daniel, Adrienne, and their kids came too.  Temple Square had many great performers performing all over, but we stayed in the Tabernacle as it was freezing outside.  The boys and kids did head over to the big "ball"room filled with a bazillion different sized balls and inflatables.  They had a great time.  We all enjoyed eating dinner at The Lion House and then had a yummy breakfast as the Blue Lemon the next morning.

Hunter took this picture from our hotel.  The lights were spectacular, but I left my camera in the room since it was sooooo cold.  But it sure was romantic to walk under the lights holding Doug's hand this time (last time we did this as a family, he was in Afghanistan).

Love this 5 year old!

You love legos, drawing pictures of Pokemon, playing with your big brothers, loving on Ezralee, climbing trees, you ask for snuggle time with me, and you completely have my heart!  Your imagination and creativity have busted through this year and I can't wait to see what else is in store for your brilliant little mind.  You remind me of me as you love to dance and ask me to video you dancing almost daily.  And you remind me of your dad with your goofy, carefree self...you and Dad both love make people smile and you do that daily!  I love you my sweet boy!!

Christmas 2014

We pulled our car out of the shop (it had been there for 2 weeks after Doug accidentally rammed the front end into a low cement wall, thinking he was pushing the brake...it was the gas pedal) just as they barely finished repairs and jump on the road to drive to Missoula, Montana.  This would take the edge off the 11 hour drive by giving us a 3 hour head start.  So the next morning we woke up early and jumped on the road to witness the sunrise and made it to Utah by dinner time.  

Christmas Morning was full of smiles.  Each of the boys got 3 presents (wear, read, play). Talon asked for a skateboard.

 Colton got a remote control truck.

 Jason received science experiments.

 We paused in the middle of opening presents to eat Jesus' Birthday cake and to Skype with Devin.

 This was by far my favorite part of the day...to witness my brother LOVING his mission.  He was seriously glowing, just radiating with love and goodness.  It was so beautiful to see him love doing the Lord's work full time.  I was humbled to see how serving with your whole heart can bring so much joy!!!

Doug received some "pistol" bookends.

 Lee loved her reindeer toes.

 Our ninja loved showing his moves.

 Boys each got basketball shoes and a certificate for a basketball camp.

 And Lego books to read.

 Gavin drew Doug's and my name.  He charmed us with a pic of him!!!

That evening we went to Mom and Dan's for Christmas dinner and to do our traditional musical nativity.

 This year was fun to include Jax and Tal's piano skills.

 Over Christmas break we were able to see two of Doug's brothers Scott and Jon, and Doug's "Army" brother Scott Gale and his family.

Also, we celebrated Colton's 5th birthday.

Go Cougars!!

So fun to take our kids to a BYU basketball game tonight and then get creamery ice cream...mmmmm, BYU makes me happy...also feel like I'm 20 yrs old again when I'm there.

Benita's Mission Call

My beautiful niece just opened her mission call and is very excited to share Christ's Gospel with others. Anyone who can go through all life has thrown at her and come out with a positive, courageous, happy spirit, is inspiring to me. I could have photographed her radiating smile all night!

 

Doug's 35th

For your birthday you just wanted to go hunting, so you did.  Then we went to the church Christmas party.

But since I'm writing this months after, I just wanted to brag about how awesome I think you are.

 Helped Jaxon make his first pinewood derby car- the jaguar.  And helped Talon become a reindeer for his Christmas music program!

 Took boys turkey hunting.

 Raised our first pig Jimmy with the Norman family (who named theirs Dean).

Since your 35th birthday occurred, you've been working two jobs to support our family so we could pay off student loans, serving in our ward as the Elder Quorum President using your high quality fellowshipping skills and inviting lots of families over for dinner, making mounds of food for your sick/pregnant wife, doing loads of laundry, many grocery shopping trips, squeezing in turkey hunts so you could witness Talon and Jax get their first, offer many incentives to help Colton stop sucking his finger, and teaching Ezralee to kiss and bonk heads.  Basically blessing many lives.  Yesterday we got in an argument and I shattered a glass of water on the back cement patio.  You lovingly picked up every chard of glass you could find from the grass and swept up the rest.  I watched you do this selfless act of service with our boys out the window.  Taking the opportunity to teach our them about love, I told them how much I loved you for tediously cleaning up the mess I made.  I do hope our boys grow up to be a man like you.  Also, later that night Jaxon said to me, "You and Dad have only fought 3 times since I've been born."  I do appreciate the peacemaker you are and that together we strive for good things in our marriage.  You are a good man Douglass McArthur!

Jaxon's 9th Birthday

 He just wanted to have some friends over for a "Pokemon Battle" and treats.  So the boys made their own pizza role and we ate things that were round like "Poke' balls."  Jaxon has made quite a few friends from church and school.  They all happen to be in our neighbor which is convenient.

 To my handsome boy,
You are growing into a fabulous person and I absolutely enjoy you!!!  You, my friend, have goodness written inside and out. You are excelling in school and your teacher thinks you should be tested for the gifted program.  You are an amazingly kind and caring big brother to Ezralee and play the role of teacher/leader to your brothers.  Sometimes I feel like my time with you is shrinking as this is your half way mark living in our home!!!  Moments when we snuggle up and read a book together or you say, "I just want Mommy time" I feel will flee all too soon.  Know that your Heavenly Father has a plan for you and I'm just here trying to help you become the man He needs you to be.  You will do great things if you choose God daily!  Love you my sweet boy!!! -Mama

Zlee 6m

6 months already! It's been Christmas everyday since she entered our family. Her beaming smiles and sparkling eyes fill us with Christ's love daily!