We were so happy to have Audrey and Bret's family stay with us on New Years Eve. Phin and Emmaline were the two kiddos that actually stayed up until midnight.
The next morning they enjoyed oven pancakes.
We went to Eric and Teresa's home for the annual New Years Day party. Seth got to play lots of games with his cousins.
Sarah's family was in town on January 2nd. We headed up to Nona and Papa's house so these cousins could play together. They had fun playing playdoh.
They also went sledding.
Phin got a special date with us over Christmas break because of all of his hard work in Let's Play Music classes. We took him to the new Star Wars movie. We loved the luxury recliners at Cinemark. We also went to Johnny Rocket's after for some lunch.
Elders Quorum basketball started in January. The kids loved going to play with other kids and run around the church.
Seth's company had their annual company party one Friday night at Cafe Molise in downtown Salt Lake. This is actually what used to be the nightclub The Bay. I am so incredibly proud of Seth and his hard work.
The next day we went to an open house for The Lucy. This is one of his company's projects down by the ballpark on 1300 South.
We also got to have lunch at the food truck...yummy.
We have big plans for our house...but our next project will be updating our bathrooms. We went to the Home Show to get some ideas. Phin was a fan of these massage chairs.
I signed up for a free Kiwi Crate that Phin received for Christmas. On a Sunday in January we finally pulled the crate out and let Phin get to work. He made an arcade crane arm.
Nona was so kind to let us come over one day and she spoiled Millie by making her bedding for her doll house.
Millie was so delighted with the result and spent the rest of the afternoon putting her dolls to bed.
Silas was a fan of the bedding too...
We made a stop at Harmon's in January to sign the referendum on the food tax. Millie and Silas were delighted to find that they have car carts.
Seth has made a goal to play a board game at least once a week in 2020. Phin is always a willing participant. One Friday night we played Jamaica which is a little pirate ship racing game.
We also subbed for Phin's primary class one Sunday. It was the week where we talked about Lehi's dream...so Seth took in a rope (iron rod) and had the kids hold on to it for the entire lesson.
We lived the sweet suite life at the Jazz game one night.
Seth's good friend Brady invited our whole family to the game. You can spot Brady in the front row of the picture below. Brady is Seth's insurance contact at work. He helps Seth get insurance for all of the projects that are under construction.
Our kids were delighted with all of the perks that come with a suite...free soda, food and dessert.
Millie's hair is getting so long. We call her Mermaid Millie when she is in the tub.
We went to the dollar theater in Kaysville to see the Maleficent: Mistress of Evil movie. The popcorn is always a big hit with our kiddos.
The Youth that I work with at church had a retreat the last weekend of January. We met at our ward building for breakfast and to plan out activities for the year. Then we hiked up above the Bountiful temple. We originally had planned to meet at the Ensign Peak Ward Building and hike Ensign Peak but a series of events changed our plans at the last minute. As we were driving up to the Bountiful Temple thick fog made it so we could barely see in front of us. I was convinced that we wouldn't see much once we hiked up above the temple. I was so wrong. As we stood there looking at the fog it slowly started to retreat. The Angel Moroni on top of the temple was the first thing to become visible.
The fog continued to dissipate and eventually the entire temple was visible.
We watched as the fog returned and covered the temple and then retreated again. It was a truly amazing experience. I was reminded of one of my favorite quotes from last General Conference. "If you are constantly surrounded by a "mist of darkness," turn to Heavenly Father. Nothing that you have experienced can change the eternal truth that you are His child and that He loves you. Remember that Christ is your Savior and Redeemer, and God is your Father." - Reyna Aburto . The whole experience was great reminder that Our Savior is always there...we just have to take the steps to help the fog clear.
Phin learned all about Penguins at school. He brought home a sugar cookie that he had decorated...but took a bite before I could get a picture.
We also started our Valentines preparations in January. Millie helped me make Silas' Valentines...a Twinkie that we turned into a Minion. We attached them to cards that said "You are one in Minion!"
While we were getting Valentines supplies we stumbled across some hearts shaped stickers...which kept Millie busy for quite a while.
Millie gave out little bags of Circus Animal Cookies. I had her write her name on all of the ones to her classmates.
I love seeing her little name...I especially love the circles that she puts for the dots in her name.
We visited Baskin Robbins for their 31st of the month ice cream deal. The kids love picking out their own flavor and having a cup to themselves.
We also made some Star Wars light-saber Valentines for Phin with Pixy Stix for the light-sabers. We made a Darth Vader box too. Phin didn't end up needing the box...they made one at school. I think we may just store this one away for next year.
