New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve was a lot of fun! We went to Craig and Heidi's for dinner and a bonfire and fun in the backyard with family and friends! We had a great time with them and then we headed over to Rob and Julie's house for ping pong, games and fireworks to ring in the New Year! 

Escape the Room

While Brad and Whitney were in town for Christmas, we decided to do an adult date night and we went to an "Escape the Room" - They locked us in a room with clues to open different locks and had all kinds of puzzles and riddles we had to solve in order to eventually find the key to get us out of the room. We worked together and had fun and we escaped! What a fun night! We all decided we needed to do more things together without the kids. 

Allen Family Christmas

We headed over to the Allens' house after we spent a few hours with the Brinton family and exchanged gifts and ate dinner together. We all had fun spending time together and playing with cousins and having fun! It was fun to have Brad and Whitney in town for the break too. It was a wonderful way to end a great Christmas. I'm so thankful that both of our families live so close and that we can be with all of our family each year on Christmas, celebrating together.

Brinton Family Christmas

The day started with waffles and ice cream at Grandma Brinton's house - a tradition that has been going for years! We used to always go to my Grandparents house for waffles and ice cream and after they passed away, we have continued the tradition for our Christmas breakfast! Grandma Brinton spoiled all of the kids with presents galore and the kids spent hours playing together and having fun playing Twister, with new play dishes and all of their new presents! What a fun day with family, celebrating our Savior Jesus Christ.  

Christmas Day

Christmas morning crew...patiently waiting to go and see if Santa came! We block off the entrance to the living room with a sheet, so that nobody sneaks in before everyone is awake ;) 

Jaynie of course LOVED her new baby doll most! She is such a mother hen and can play with baby dolls for hours and hours! She is going to be such a good big sister. 

Parker got a new(used) iPod and he was pretty excited about it!

Ryler got Rollerblades and was skating around in no time. 

Carden loved the magna tiles the most and was building with them all morning long. 

We then got ready for church and went to enjoy a beautiful Sacrament meeting. It was great to turn our focus from presents and fun to the real reason we celebrate. I'm so thankful for our Savior, Jesus Christ and I hope that I can teach my children to strive to be more like Him each day. 

Christmas Eve

This year for Christmas Eve we went to see a movie together as a family- We saw the new Disney movie Moana and we all loved it! It was a fun afternoon with the kids and then we went to Grandma Brinton's with Heidi and Jordan to play a hilarious game called "Speak Out" where you have to say a phrase with this mouthpiece in and your partner has to guess what you are saying. It was so funny to watch and we had a great time together and then we went home and Santa came with presents after we were in bed! 

Annual Phelps Caroling

 We got quite the trailer this year for caroling! We borrowed this trailer from someone and it was decked out with lights! The kids LOVED how bright and colorful it was. I love this tradition of singing Christmas carols through the neighborhood with family!

Annual Brinton Nativity

The Grandkids performed the Nativity tonight after Sunday dinner and I loved every little animal, wise man, shepherd, Angel, witch(haha) and of course, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus! I love this tradition and I hope it never ends! I hope it is always a reminder to the kids of the real reason we celebrate Christmas. I'm so thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I know He was born so many years ago and lived and died for me. I know He Lives and loves me!

Cousin Friends

These two are the best of friends! Ryler and Mia love to play together and thankfully get to all of the time, since we are always doing something together! And even when we aren't together, we live close and swap play dates all of the time. I'm thankful for such wonderful cousins that live nearby and that my kids can have such wonderful friend-cousins!

Ryler's Baptism Day

What a SPECIAL day it was for Ryler! His dad baptized him into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I love that he made this decision. He had so many family members and friends attend to support him, including his school teacher and his wonderful Primary teachers. Another girl from our ward was also baptized, named Chloe Foster. It was fun to share this day with this sweet girl. Leading up to this day I took him to buy scriptures and he was so particular about what he wanted and couldn't hold back his excitement about getting his very own set with his name on them. When we went to his Baptism interview with the Bishop, he had the best answers for all of Bishop's questions and even though he has a shy and quiet personality, you could just tell he was so excited to be baptized. I'm so grateful for Ryler's example to me and for his testimony. I am so thankful he will now have the Holy Ghost with him always and I hope he always stays close to the Spirit throughout his life. 

After his baptism, we all went to have a luncheon in Grandma Brinton's backyard and had a fun time celebrating with family and friends. We went home to change out of our church clothes and Jaynie showed up with a surprise on her shirt! We are expecting again and are excited to have a sweet new baby in June!