Crazy Hair Day! (6th grade style)

Another last.  Crazy hair day is usually a HUGE deal around our house.  This year Brooke said most of the 6th graders don't really do it, so we tamed it down (sad).  She looked cute though and said she was glad she didn't go all out, cause most of the kids really didn't do it.  It was fun though and I went to the school and took a few pics of the girls we carpool with.  Aren't they cute?

Here's Brooke with Isa, Isis, and Ella:

Conner's 15!!

Conner had the 3 day birthday treatment this year.  One day he had his friends over for pizza and a movie (I didn't want embarrass him by photo stalking him- so no pictures:( , then we celebrated as a family opening presents, and had a nice meal.  We were all too full for cake, so we had it the next day.  I've never seen a kid so excited for a new coat before, but he enjoyed his coat and new phone our kids get when they're 15.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CONNER!!

Science Fair

Brooke did her 6th grade science fair project on heat conductors.  It is the LAST science fair project for this family- and I have to say WooHooo!  I enjoyed the time we spent together though, but we can find other ways to spend time together that I think I like better.  Like, we just finished reading the book The Giver together and she and her dad are going on a daddy-daughter tomorrow night.

We happened to be puppy sitting the afternoon we conducted the experiment, so Paisley got in on the act too!

Cheer Competition

Kacey came up for a cheer competition, so we got to spend some time with her.  It's never enough though.  She's a busy, busy girl!  We're looking forward to May when she'll be home for awhile from school.

Mount Timpanogos Temple

I did a photo shoot today that was lots of fun.  It was for a good friend of mine who's leaving on a mission for her missionary plaque (I'll post those a little later).  We were at a park across the street from the Timp Temple.  Look!  Snow!

Happy New Year!

We rang in the New Year with our little family by going to dinner and having a quiet night back at the condo.  We toasted to being together, good health, and a great new 2012 to come.  We watched the ball drop in Times Square, and kissed who we could!  I am so grateful for all our family was blessed with in 2011. We even got bigger!  We're so happy to have Lane as a member of our family and for all of the wonderful experiences our Heavenly Father has given us together.

Sam's Birthday

Sam's turns 17!!!

We celebrated Sam's birthday by going tubing at Gorgoza Park.
She wanted family only, but it wasn't in the cards.
Nate, our new little friend from India nuzzled up to us starting with our first wait in line.
He didn't say a word.  He just stayed with us.  We thought, ok.
We rode down tethered together and wondered if we should invite him.
When we went to the start of the line again, there was Nate, like my fifth kid that wasn't there
(sorry Kinsey, you were replaced).
We invited him to hang with us on the next ride and he was part of the family from then on!
His family waited for him at the bottom of the hill and each time sent him up with us (he was the only one of them with a ticket).
He turned out to be a great addition!

Sam had a good time, but I think what she really liked was the shopping and dinner afterward.  

This is a fun video we took of our tubing ride at the park:

Happy Birthday SAM!!!!

Deer Valley

We were able to go to Deer Valley for some R&R a couple of days after Christmas.  

It was so nice to be away with the family.  We got to have Kacey for a whole week!!  

Kinsey and Lane were only able to stay for a day because of work, but we loved having them.

Main Street in Park City is great.  

We always head for the Pizza and Noodle Factory, 

a little sight seeing at the cool shops and galleries, 

and caramel apples and chocolate trolls from the Chocolate Factory.

Christmas Day

Christmas started this year with church at 11:00am.  I loved that schedule!  We woke up later than usual, opened stockings, and went to church.  We waited until after church to open the gifts and it made for a nice, stress free day.  Can we have that schedule every year?

 Oh Kacey... I got a new smartphone this year and saved the box.  Kinsey got a new phone and that left her nice, yet used Blackberry available.  We gave it to Kacey in the smartphone box.  Not knowing how excited, or thinking she would even care about a smartphone, I threw the Blackberry in the smartphone box for wrapping purposes.  I don't think it went over too well, but after the initial shock, I think she's enjoying her slightly used phone from Kinsey.

 I love how excited my kids get to give us their gifts.

Kacey was also involved in another funny this year.  This coat.  It caused me stress.  Kinsey and Lane got only a couple of things because they got an expensive mixer.  Kinsey wanted a gray coat.  I ordered the one Kacey has on.  When it came it looked black.  It was a great coat and I thought Kacey could use it, so I put it in her pile and ordered Kinsey a more gray one.  I worried and worried about it.  Just what I thought might happen, Kinsey liked Kacey's.  She never said a word to me, but Kacey told me so now we we have two of the above coats and the light gray one got sent back.  I don't know why I hate sending things back, I just do- it's like shopping twice.  Nice coat(s) girls.

Don't you love the after chaos?

 We always have a big breakfast with quiche, french toast, bacon, sausage, egg nog, orange juice, chocolate milk, eggs...  When we asked Brooke her favorite part of the day she said, "Breakfast!"

The rest of the day was spent playing with the toys, spending time together and hanging out with Grandmas.  

 What other day of the year can you ripstik down the road in your jammies followed by a brand new puppy?

Grandma Savage with her new Kindle.

Christmas was amazing!  What a great way to celebrate our Savior's birth.  Giving, receiving, worshipping, and spending time with family.