Thanksgiving Bowling

We went bowling after watching the BYU/Utah game! The kids loved it! We had a lot of fun bowling with them, and watching them have fun! Brielle was so funny...she would grab the ball...let Toby help her a little, and then waited until Toby went back and then she would throw the ball down and while she waited for the ball to go down the lane...(slowly) she would dance and talk to the ball the whole way down...and even if the ball didn't hit any pins she would jump and down and scream "Yeah!! I did it!" She was so fun to watch. Mikenna and Jaron have bowled before and loved to compete against one another...what else is new!!??

We played two rounds of bowling and the kids were pretty wiped out at the end of the night...they played nonstop with their cousins for 3 days straight! I hardly knew I had kids those days! They didn't waste one minute of the day! They were pretty entertained playing with their cousins and enjoying their company. Steph & Dave left for home Sunday...and we had waterworks big time! It was hard to say goodbye! We said our goodbyes and cried and then spent the rest of the day catching up on sleep and cleaning up a bit! We sure had a fun Thanksgiving vacation!

Thanksgiving at Grandma Higley's

The day after Thanksgiving I went Black Friday Shopping and just about got all of my Christmas shopping done! I left at 5:00 and got back around 1:00. It was crazy, but I am happy I am done shopping and saved some money doing it this way. I met Toby and my kids and Steph, Ty, and Janessa & Dave and their kids at the church. My mom reserved the gym for a couple hours, and we played 3 on 3 basketball and bump, horse, ran around with the kids...played tag. It was a lot of fun! After that we headed to my grandma Higley's home and had pizza & pop and donuts! It was so good seeing her and visiting with her. She looks awesome!

My mom and dad being their wonderful selves! The kids eating pizza & pop! And my mom; also known as grandma...giving all the granddaughters manicures and pedicures...she is an amazing grandma!!

Shaelie & Brielle enjoying donuts for dessert. My little Santa girl...Brielle!

My brother Ty playing the guitar.

My mom and Steph and I went shopping and found this sun dress for Sissy. We put it on her and she didn't seem to mind it. We showed my dad...and he was a good sport and laughed! After all...Sissy is a girl...and needs at least one dress! All of the kids loved seeing her dressed up. It was fun! Sissy loved the attention!

Grandma & Grandpa Higley's Anniversary

It's my grandma & grandpa Higley's anniversary today. My grandma has been talking about my grandpa and how long they have been together. She is looking forward to the day they are reunited and can spend eternity together. I love the both of them so much!! They are wonderful examples to me in many ways. Happy Anniversary!! I Love You!!

Thanksgiving!!

Brielle & Mikenna cutting bread pieces for the stuffing!

Steph & Dave and their kids came to celebrate with us at my mom and dad's home. Brielle was so happy Shaelie & Aleah came! She didn't leave their side the whole time they were with us! Jaron loved being with Jack & Carson. And all of my kids love Sydney!! Jaron enjoyed his favorite pie in the world...pumpkin!!

Toby cooking up a storm with the turkey and the stuffing! Mikenna enjoying a turkey leg. Brielle & Shaelie happy to be together!

When it was time for bed...the girls all slept in one room together and the boys all slept in another room together! They even all brushed their teeth together!

Thanksgiving...a look back.

Bowling Thanksgiving 2007.

Mikenna ~ AAU Basketball

Mikenna played two games Saturday with her team...she played really well. She is a great little defender and scrapper. She had a steal and ran down and scored for her team. She is really starting to love basketball. We thought she had practice tonight and the gym was full with other games...and she was so bummed...she started crying. My camera doesn't do well in gyms...I am still trying to figure out the right settings.

Mike & C.J. Wedding Anniversary

Toby's parents Mike & C.J. were married the same month as Toby and I. They were married November 23rd and Toby and I were married November 11th. I love Mike & C.J. and I am so grateful to be a part of their family. They raised an amazing son...and I am one lucky girl to have Toby in my life! I look forward to meeting my father-in-law some day...(he passed away when Toby was 12 years old) though I feel like I know him through feeling his spirit and having some special experiences when Toby and I were dating, and then sealed in the temple, and also when our children were born. Mike & C.J. were converts to our church. They were sealed in the temple after they had joined the church. We have done a lot of temple work for Toby's family. We even sealed Mike to his parents and we also sealed Mike's parents together. We also have done a lot of work for C.J.'s family also. A lot of Toby's ancestors come from Denmark and Norway. We found some dating clear back to the 1600's. Toby and I are grateful for the gospel and the ordinances we perform in the temple that binds us together as families; for the plan of salvation and for the knowledge we will see Toby's dad again and all of his ancestors we have done temple work for.

Mikenna's Primary Talk

Mikenna gave a primary talk today. She did a great job! Here's her talk!

Mosiah 2:17

“When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”

Serving others is like spreading sunshine. Jesus served everyone around him. Since we are trying to be like Jesus, we should follow his example and serve others with a happy heart.

Jesus has showed us by example how to serve. Jesus served his apostles by washing their feet. He wanted them to understand that they should serve one another.

As families we can look & pray for those in need of service. We should give as Jesus gives. We should love one another and others and serve with a pure heart just as Jesus does.

Serving others as a family can bring us closer to our Heavenly Father and Savior, and bring us closer as a family.

As we serve those in need and serve our family and our church, in doing so we are also in the service of our God.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Hair Accessory Organizer

I made a hair accessory organizer for Mikenna & Brielle's hair bows and flowers. It sure helps to find them quickly and keeps them from getting ruined and smashed! The board is a fabric bulletin board and I added ribbons to it to fasten the bows and flowers to!

New Moon

Create Twilight and New Moon pictures.
Toby and I went to go see New Moon tonight....I loved it!!! It was so much better than the first movie Twilight. I want to go see it again!

Mikenna...Basketball

This is Dantzel Peterson and Mikenna. Dantzel is my sister-in-law Sabina's little sister. They have played a couple basketball games together. The first game they played Mikenna's team won...last Saturday...they tied! It was a great game and so fun to watch both Dantzel and Mikenna play together. All of thier games have been nail biters! Mikenna was still recovering from the flu at this game...she crashed after the game. She usually plays two games every Saturday...but this Saturday she played one because her lungs are still recovering from being sick. Their team is doing awesome! Mikenna is a little scrapper. She loves to play defense and steal the ball. She has a nice little shot too. Dantzel is a good little player too! Way to go Girls!!

14th Wedding Anniversary

What an amazing 14 years it has been. I feel so blessed to have spent those years with my wonderful wife, Mandy! We have sure seen, done and been through a lot. I will never forget the day we were married and the promises that we made to each other. Mandy, I want you to know that I still feel the same way now as I did then. I have so much admiration and respect for Mandy! She is one tough lady! She weathers any storm she has to pass through with so much strength and determination. How lucky I am to have such an amazing person as my eternal companion and mother of my children. I am sitting here thinking back on all the great memories. Country dancing when we were dating! That was so fun! I had the hottest girl in the room in my arms! I was walkin' tall with Mandy on my arm...and I still do! All night phone conversations while we were engaged. Being so tired all the time never felt so right! Married in the Denver Temple to my soul mate was such an unbelievable experience! Living in Fort Collins and having our first child, Jaron! I remember chasing him EVERYWHERE! Building our first home in Windsor! That was a great house. I have so many great memories there. Mikenna was born after we moved there. We started many of our own traditions while living there. As it turns out I am glad that we moved from there before the huge tornado hit that house. Then Eaton with the great basement. Our youngest Brielle was born during that time. I almost lost my sweetheart while she was pregnant with Brielle. I was so scared! Luckily I have a REALLY tough wife! Now we live in WA and we continue to have great memories and great experiences. Our family loves spending time together, playing together, and praying together. We have had so many wonderful experiences as well really tough challenges. I am grateful that all those experiences...good and bad... have made us stronger and closer in the end. Mandy has always been such a great support to me! I am so grateful for that. Mandy has so much love and compassion. She has such passion in everything that she does. I believe that is why she is so good at anything she decides to do and it is the reason she is such an amazing wife and mother. I am the luckiest man in the world because I have the most beautiful and wonderful woman as my wife and companion. We have been together for more than 14 years and I am grateful that we are really just getting started. I look forward to many many more years together!
Mandy thank you for being my best friend, my love, my life, my wife! I know that I can be crazy at times but I thank you for sticking by my side and loving me even when times are tough.
I love you more than words can say!! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, my Mandelina!!

14 Year Together!!!

We have come along way in 14 years. Ups, downs, and all in between...it's been quite the ride...and we've only just begun our journey together to eternity! I couldn't have done it without you!!! Through all the ups and downs of this thing called life...we have always been there for each other; and I pray that will continue as we embark on some new journeys as individuals, a couple and as a family. I will always love you and be there for you. I pray our lives will continue to be blessed along with our 3 beautiful children! I can't imagine my life without you by my side. No matter what comes our way...we can conquer anything babe! We have each other, our children, our family, our faith, and our love....all is well!!!

14th Wedding Anniversary

I made this foil picture of the Columbia River Temple at Super Saturday last week. I love how it turned out!!
Toby and I were married 14 years ago in the Denver, Colorado Temple. I will never forget everything that happened that day. I feel so blessed to have married my best friend and companion in this life and the life to come in the eternities! He truly is my soul mate!!

He woke me up with these in hand this morning and a beautiful card he gave to me.

The day of our sealing in the Denver, Colorado Temple.

The day of our engagement in the mountains of Colorado.
I look forward to many more years together. I love you Toby!!

Happy Birthday Steph!!

Happy Birthday Steph...wish we lived closer to go celebrate and have some girl time...I am so thankful you are not only my sister but my friend. There is no one else in this world that gets me like you do!! I hope you have a wonderful day...and do something fun with your kiddos and wonderful husband! We love you and are so happy for you!! Can't wait to see you during Thanksgiving....we'll have to have some girl time then!!

Happenings

Parent Teacher Conferences were this week for Jaron & Mikenna. I have been so sick, along with Brielle & Mikenna...so Toby went to both conferences. They are both doing really well. I like Mikenna's 3rd grade teacher...she is awesome! I also like Jaron's teachers in middle school. I still have mixed feelings about 6th graders being with the 7th & 8th graders. I would prefer that the 6th graders still be a part of elementary school. That's how Toby and I grew up. More is being expected at younger ages...don't like that either. Why rush?? I think my kids are growing up too fast as it is. They are both playing basketball right now with AAU and doing well with that too. Mikenna won both of her games last Saturday...Jaron's team is improving and learning! Toby took the girls to the Dr. tonight...Brielle has an ear infection..antibiotics for her...her blood oxygen level was a little low; so they x-rayed her lungs just to be safe..it looked perfect...thank goodness!! Mikenna and I have a nasty flu bug...really sore throat and fever, stuffed up...bad cough. I threw up this morning...not fun. Toby & Jaron are staying healthy! (Knock on wood!) So I haven't been my usual picture happy self. This is probably the first post I've done without a picture attached...which will have to do. My 14th wedding anniversary is tomorrow...no school...and I am under the weather...hopefully Toby and I will be able to celebrate later!! :)

Mikenna Soccer Party

Mikenna had her end of season soccer party tonight at Eatza Pizza. She and her team had a fun night! They have a lot to celebrate! They ended the season with a 7-1 record. They are a fun team of girls to watch...and they truly are a team. They each help each other improve and play as a team! Mikenna had an awesome season!! She has played every position...and has done great! She is quite the little defender! Not much gets past her!

The kids and Toby having fun playing games at Eatza Pizza.

Mikenna and her two team mates Morgan and Sophia have played together for 3 seasons now. They are all cute girls!! Team Wolf will start up again in March! It's time for Basketball season now!!

New Church Calling

Toby & I have been called to team teach the 5 year olds in Primary. We are really excited! Brielle will be in our class starting in January. She finally went into Primary all by herself today! We are so excited about that too! She has come along way!!