Chasing snow

 Our friends the Hudsons own some property up in Garden Valley and they invited us to go up and sled so our kids could get some real snow. Boise has sorely disappointed the kids with the amount of snow especially coming from Minnesota. We went up and played in the mountains and it was beautiful!

Tubing

 When Jebbie comes into town we always try to do something fun! Debbie found this tubing hill close to our house where they make their own snow and it was SO fun! 

Scotty got so tired at one point he just laid on the belt taking us up to the top!

We left Sophie at home with neighbors and took Hattie. We were a little worried she was too young but she had the time of her life. With every jump down the hill she almost flew off but she loved it!

Then we went to a beautiful walk through light show with Nana Raines and Poppy Raph and Nana Jake and Poppy Ralph.

Sure, love this guy!

We were freezing but it was worth it!

It is so fun to live near so much family for the holidays!!

Christmas

 David's parents got to spend Christmas with us this year. We did our traditional trip to the zoo on Christmas Eve. The Boise zoo was super disappointing and small and cold. I'm thinking this tradition might come to an end this year. But it was fun to go see a new zoo all the same!

We made gingerbread houses a couple days before Christmas.

Then we did the Nativity.

Rachel got to be the angel this year.

After Rachel's part as the angel I said okay sit down now you're done. And she said, "Why did I die?"

These kids are so good to do this every year without a fight.

Then we played Christmas Bingo. This is one of the things the kids love the very best.

And new Christmas jammies. 

I love these kids and Christmas so much!!

Ashton turns 13

 Ashton turned 13 and I can hardly believe we have a teenager. Ashton has thrived with this move and has made friends easily. He loves hanging out with friends and is a great kid. He loves making things out of cardboard boxes and duct tape. He still loves Legos and reads like crazy!

When Ashton first started school with the Covid weirdness he was having trouble making friends. So when I told him that the GT (gifted and talented) crowd had smaller classes with the same group he asked if he could test in. He signed up for the test and made it in. I'm proud of him taking care of himself socially and academically.

Volleyball

 Hannah and Mallie got invited to play volleyball with our neighbors right as we moved here. Carrie coached and they loved every minute of the season. Mallie couldn't get the ball over the net with a regular underhand serve so she learned a chopping method that was hilarious and went over with some serious force. These girls were darling!

Rachel turns 5

Rachel turned 5 and is a burst of energy. She wanted to decorate cupcakes for her birthday!

This girl is a spit fire. Sometimes she'll knock on our nextdoor neighbor's door and ask if their teenage daughters want to come out and play. Physically she is so coordinated and super strong. She has all the questions all the time and we love to hear what this little girl comes up with.

Lucy gets baptized

Thanks to Covid Lucy got her own private baptism. We were thrilled when we moved here to find out our stake center shared a parking lot with the Meridian temple. What a blessing. Lucy was so excited to be baptized and we were so happy that both sets of grandparents could be here and her great grandparents.

We love this special girl of ours and are so grateful her siblings can feel the Spirit of how important baptisms and making covenants are. Mallie teared up as she was being confirmed as she remembered her own baptism day. I love that we can feel Heaven so near on these special days.