CTR Monkey Boy

The first Sunday in January Kyle went to his new CTR Primary class.  He was a little concerned because there were no snacks but I think he survived.  He loved showing us his CTR sign and his CTR ring.  

 Whenever Don leans over for any reason Kyle jumps on his back.  It doesn't matter what time of day or night or where it is Kyle will jump on top dad!  Kyle loves it, dad just has to make sure he's prepared for it.  We called him monkey boy before he was even born and the name still fits.  

Gessel Christmas

We recovered from Christmas on Saturday and got ready to go to Provo.  We left on Sunday so that Cody and Jason would be able to be at the family party because they had to work late the rest of the week.  We packed up and headed out Sunday morning.  While we were packing the truck Kyle found the sidewalk chalk and proceeded to practically roll in it.  I had to change his pants and wash his hands and face before we could leave.  Cayden rode up with Cody and Smokey so we would have a little more room in the truck because Connor came with us to Provo on condition that we would only be there until Wednesday and then we would come home. 

 Kyle and Ella were thrilled to see each other and they were rolling around and kicking their arms and legs in unison.  When we got there we had our dinner and our family party.  The kids drew names this year of their cousins and they were each excited to see the reactions of each other as they opened their gifts.

 All the Gessel grandkids except Brady and Jessica and Cody-he stayed for dinner and presents but because Smokey was locked up in his cage in the basement and howled most of the evening he wanted to get home.

 Mawmaw did good on the gifts this year.  The men got ties and tie tacks and the girls got a really lovely statue of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus and the big boys got $20 in rolled quarters.  For some reason they thought it was quite funny but I thought it was a great gift and it is amazing that Mawmaw remembers and is able to buy Christmas for 12 of her grandkids and 10 of their spouses and 29 great grandchildren.

 This is the Owen necklace.

 Calley and Jason were in charge of Jeopardy.  They did a good job and our family won Gnomeholio.  Laurel and Jim's family could not come up so Don decided that we would send them Gnomeholio for them missing out.  Grandma Penny will take it down to them when they go to Texas in a few weeks.

 On Monday we went out to Aunt Suzanna's house so the kids could play and of course that meant play in the snow.

 Before the kids got in the snow her backyard was pristine so I definitely needed a picture.

 The little kids played Candyland and made a mess in the downstairs and Suzanna, Ryan, Anne and I and Abby and Owie a little played some bigger games like Ticket to Ride, Cover Your Assets, Qwarkle.  Don and Chris are poos and won't play games but we had fun anyway.  Ryan had a really hard puzzle out that we worked on too.  We took JCW's over for lunch and then since we stayed until dinner time we ordered Costa Vida.  The kids had a great time playing and we enjoyed chatting and playing games.

 Miss Henley wanted the See's candy.

 Connor and Caleb stayed up at Grandma's.  Caleb because he wouldn't get out of bed and Connor because he wanted to shovel snow and help Grandma put away her Christmas decorations.

When it was snowing the flakes were falling lightly on to the widnshield and they were all in such beautiful different intricate shapes that I wanted to get a picture of them but I all I got was the wet window.  

We babysat Miss Henley so Chris and Anne could go see Star Wars late Tuesday night.  The little stinker woke up 10 minutes after her parents left and stayed awake until 15 minutes before the got back.  It took the whole family to keep  her happy because she sure loves her momma!  Before we left on Wednesday we had to snap a classic pose with the groovy Cousin Eddie hat.  It was a quick trip but always fun.  We came home a little earlier than we normally would because the boys wanted to celebrate New ears Eve with their friends this year. 

Christmas 2015

Another Christmas has come and almost gone.  This is our lovely house from in front of the neighbor's house.  These neighbors love our lights each Christmas and this year were a little concerned because it was getting so late and we hadn't had time to put them up yet.  They thought that because the house was for sale that we weren't going to do it this year but we finally were able to the week Saturday after Thanksgiving.  

We had a fun first week of Christmas break.  We made a gingerbread house that didn't even last through the afternoon because apparently we didn't let the icing dry enough when we put the house together before we added all the candy decorations and it was just too heavy.  

 We went to the movies a few times-- Peanuts movie--a total waste and we only made it through the first hour before Kyle was DONE!  We ate out at Cheesecake Factory that day and did a little shopping.  Connor and Caleb worked a lot with Grandpa waxing floors and they went out to Nevada Power several times for the regular afternoon cleaning.

 This was Costco on December 23.  It was crazy!  I got up early that morning and went to the temple and finished our shopping for the holiday.  Don took the boys up to Mesquite to finish his Christmas shopping.

Our Christmas Eve traditions for the last few years has been to go to the movies in the afternoon.  We went to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  Kyle did pretty good and we all really enjoyed the movie.  We took Caleb's girlfriend Kelly came with us too.  

After the movie we ran to Walmart for some last minute something or other and then we headed home for our Adams family Christmas Eve progressive dinner.  Apparently I didn't take any pictures at any other house but Grandma's.  We had appetizers at the Zundel's and opened gifts from them.  Then we came back to our house for salad and then to Grandma and Grandpa's house for dinner-chicken spaghetti.  We played the bell/pipes at grandma's house as tradition dictates.  Giving Kyle and Sophia the pipes and a big nail to bang them with left us all with a clanging in our ears and headaches.  

Connor wanted to open his gift from Sister Whipple.  She gave him a cup filled with cash.  I think there was over $20 in mostly ones.  She is so good to him.  

After the Adams Family Festivities we went home and of course the boys had to open their traditional one gift of jammies.  Dad read the Christmas story out of the Bible and we read the night before the Savior's birth from the Book of Mormon.  

We told the boys that they had to wait until 7am to get up.  I woke up at 6:30 and thought that the kids would be dying to get up but it was 7:45 before they started stirring.  Cayden actually woke up at 6 and went and woke up Caleb but Caleb saw the clock and told him to go watch Netflix because it was too early.  I sat out on the couch listening for movement and read my scriptures and some of my favorite Christmas stories.  The boys did their usual waiting in the hall for mom's ok to come into the living room. The boys each got a big new duffel bag and it was a very electronic Christmas.  Connor got a Chromebook, Caleb got an Ipad, Cayden got a Ipad mini and Kyle got a Kids Kindle.  Cody got more grownup gifts like a table for his kitchen, a bedframe and a panini maker and a griddle.  

 The only thing Kyle asked for consistently was a bunny treehouse.  He saw this up in  Provo at Thanksgiving in 2014 at Blickenstaffs and he has never forgotten it.  The one at Blickenstaff's was a really big tree house but this was the best we could do.  

We took his table up for him and put it in his apartment.  

 Cody's loot.  

 Kyle's loot.  

 Cayden's loot.  

 Caleb's loot.  

Connor's loot.  

We told the boys that they had to wait until 7am to get up.  I woke up at 6:30 and thought that the kids would be dying to get up but it was 7:45 before they started stirring.  Cayden actually woke up at 6 and went and woke up Caleb but Caleb saw the clock and told him to go watch Netflix because it was too early.  I sat out on the couch listening for movement and read my scriptures and some of my favorite Christmas stories.  The boys did their usual waiting in the hall for mom's ok to come into the living room.

Dad's new dress jacket.  

 I got a new laptop.  

 Kyle is always saying he doesn't like the dark at bedtime so Santa thought that this light up pillow pet would help.

Dad finally got the blanket I gave him the material for 2 years ago at Christmas.  

The boys each got a new scrubby in their stockings.  It had little pieces of soap in it and Connor didn't quite believe us that it was soap so he put the scrubby in his mouth to test it.  Yep it was soap and he promptly spit it out.  

Kyle got his favorite Lemonade gum in his stocking and he promptly shoved 3 pieces in his mouth.  

The front room was a total disaster and after we were all done Connor was so helpful by cleaning up the whole room and taking everyone's stuff to their rooms and putting away all the boxes and throwing away all the trash.  We had Christmas breakfast of grits, lots of bacon, and biscuits and gravy.  

At 2pm we headed to Gubler bridge area for Adams family pictures with all of dad's family since this was probably the last time we would all be together for a holiday and able to get a big picture.

Then we went home and got ready for Christmas dinner.  We invited the Morgan's over and had smoked ham and turkey, hasselback potatoes that looked better than they tasted, spinach and goat cheese salad, spinach artichoke dip, green bean casserole, strawberry pretzel salad, and Buche de Noel.  I think I spent most of the day in the kitchen.  

We are so so blessed.  We have plenty of food and family.  We have lots of love and are able to share with our friends and family.  I am so grateful for the Savior and to be able to understand his light and life and mission.