Christmas in the Mountains

 Colby

 Tracen

 Colby & Jayden

 Jayden, Demi & Karen

 Cameron

 Karen

 My handsome man, Tracen

 That would be me!!! Grandma sledding!!!

 Vance on his super sled!

 Mackenzie

 Travis...always in the kitchen!

 Kaelynn and Makenna...so beautiful!

 Kaelynn

 Makenna

 Out hunting for our tree

 Goof offs!

 We found our tree!

 Papa playing with Tanner

 The girls making Christmas Eve dinner

 Colson

 Jayden decorating the tree

 Best buds...Colby and Braden

 Singing carols & feeding reindeer

 Waiting for the go ahead on Christmas morning

 Jayden made Cameron a cool sword

 Dad's new knife display box

 Christmas dinner

 Game night...highly competitive

 Mom's new apron...love it!

 Grandpa and Colby

 Jayden, Dad and Mom

 Papa and his girl...Makenna

Shawnte' and Mom working on ornaments

This year we booked the lodge at Camp Zarahemla near Mt. Rainier. We ended up having a "daughter's Christmas" as the boys were spending the holiday elsewhere. It was a magical time being in the mountains with the snow and the grand kids! Christmas eve we went sledding and hiked in a little to pick out our favorite tree. It was my favorite tree of all time as the girls made the ornaments and it was simply decorated. I think the kids had a blast playing together (although poor Vance was sick nearly the entire time). The girls made a scrumptious Christmas Eve dinner ~ pulled pork with tortilla's...yum! After dark, we took the kids outside to sing Christmas carols and spread reindeer food on the snow ~ our tradition with Jayden. Christmas morning we opened gifts. It's always so fun to see creative minds at work. All of our gifts were homemade! I love the dessert plate and apron Shawnte' made for me, and Grandpa got a knife display box from Cameron that is just beautiful! Owen put together a binder of favorite talks and thoughts for Jayden which was so special, especially now that he's preparing for his mission. (They also bought him luggage for his mission...way cool). Travis worked so hard in the kitchen preparing a prime rib dinner that was out of this world! It was just fun being together and living in the moment, although several of us were fighting being sick! Seasonal illnesses can't be controlled~it's so frustrating. Christmas night, after the kids went to bed, the big kids played games and enjoyed our final night together. I'm so grateful we made time to be together. I mustn't forget to mention that we brought Marlee, our Mourning Dove who was in heaven and pretty much stayed connected to Dad the whole time.

Bricen's Blessing

We were so blessed to have little Bricen blessed in our ward. We decided to do it this weekend while the family was up for Jayden's Eagle. Good memories!

Jayden's Eagle Scout

It was an amazing weekend as we welcomed family and friends to help celebrate Jayden and his accomplishment in receiving his Eagle Scout!!! It was wonderful to have his best friend Shawn Stallings being recognized with him. The boys worked tirelessly to finish before their 18th birthdays...ha!

Grandma & Grandpa drove up and shared some quality time with us. It was so moving to have them share in this with Jayden. It's a cherished memory. We asked Kevin Olsen to MC the event as we felt he's been such a friend over the years; never missing the Priesthood Session with our boys! Dad was surprised when Shawn gave him the Mentor pin. What an honor!

Final Camping Trip of the Season

For our final camping trip of the season, we booked a cabin at Zarahemla near White Pass at Mt. Rainier. Karen and Travis came with us so we all stayed together in the cabin. It was a blast!! We arrived Friday early evening and set up (which wasn't much, considering) then had dinner. There's just a wonderful feeling when you're crammed into a little cabin playing games and laughing with your kids and grand-kids.  Saturday, after breakfast Grandpa took Colby fishing, then we all grabbed a canoe and went out on the lake. Imagine a beautiful Autumn day, a pristine lake and the laughter of your family all around you. It was just so relaxing. It was a prelude to Christmas!

Mackenzie & Jayden hanging out

The lake at sunset

John, up early to go fishing

Colby hanging out with Grandpa

We had all the canoes we could handle

Everyone scrambling for breakfast

Tracen teasing his mommy

Yes, we had to bring the bird

Jayden and Colby, having a moment

Marlee, riding in style

Youth Night - Ropes Course

It's awesome having the whole family involved in mutual night. I arranged to have a friend of mine, Andi lead us in a ropes / obstacle course event. It was a blast!!!  The theme was "Experiences" and how to deal with whatever comes in life. After a BBQ of hot dogs and corn on the cob, the Crestview Ward youth participated in the activity, then we took Kenz and Shy back to our house for a fire and ghost stories. It was a fun evening!!

Dinner with the Olsen's

We finally got to meet Jonbrock's beautiful new son, Blaise. Kevin, Cindy and the kids were all over for dinner including Shannon (Jonbrock's girlfriend) and her little guy, Malix. Malix was quite taken with Marley ~ our new Morning Dove. What a fun Sunday afternoon we had. I made Sloppy Joe's with macaroni salad and cherry crisp. We set up tables out back and just relaxed to good conversation and friends. Love it!

 Grandpa showing Malix how to hold the bird

 Shannon, Jonbrock and Malix

 Jovi and Cindy

 Dad, Jayden and Blaise

 Jovi and Marley

 Jayden having a conversation with Lindsie and Leslie

Leslie trying the bird on