Putting up the Tree

This year we decided to try the tree in a new location and everyone was excited for the change.  The boys all jumped in and helped decorate the tree, and despite the fact that we're having awful luck with lights this year (house lights were a bust and went in the garbage....maybe we'll have lights on the house next year....we tried), we powered through by adding a string of lights to the pre-lit portion of the tree that was dead, and I think it turned out the best yet.  We've been slowly adding new things to it each year but most of the ornaments and decorations we've had for as long as the boys can remember and it is full of reminders of our Savior as we celebrate His humble birth.  We all love sitting next to the warm glow of the lights throughout December.  Bring on the Christmas cheer!

Thanksgiving 2022

Our boys were extra excited when they found out they'd have a few cousins in town for Thanksgiving.  After watching the parade and making some food we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's to spend the day with everyone.  We ate WAY too much food, played lots of games, enjoyed each other's company and were so grateful Grandma and PapPap could come too.  

Our traditional Thanksgiving photos.  Can't believe that next year there will be five of them!

These cute cousins make me so happy.  Braddock really wanted to help Hylie make a book tree like his so he sacrificed one of our books and taught her how.
 

Primary Program 2022

We lucked out having our Primary Program the same weekend as Landon's musical, so Grandma and Grandpa Hilton got to be in town for both!  Braddock and Bridger did awesome!  They both memorized their speaking parts and had them down-pat.  Braddock accompanied the whole primary for one song and did such a great job that some people didn't even realize it wasn't Grandma playing.  And Bridger sang the verse about Noah in "Follow the Prophet" as a solo and nailed it.  I sure hope these cuties remember how they felt as they testified of the things they've learned and know.  I'm proud of them for working hard and sharing their talents and spirits with all of us.  Best Sunday of the year!

AND to make the day even better, Bridger got to open even more birthday presents!  He sure milked his birthday this year, spreading celebrations out for weeks!  Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for spoiling him!

 

Seussical Jr.

One of my greatest joys as a mom so far has been watching Landon perform in the musical.  There's something about seeing your kid succeed at something they worked so hard for that fills me to overflowing.  Landon's pretty tight lipped about things and all he'd ever say is that "he's not even in the show that much."  Well he was the first person on stage and the last at the end, and he sang solos and duets and nailed every, single, note!  Not sure if he's just humble or self-deprecating, but it made things that much more exciting when we finally saw him shine.  He played the part of "JoJo" who is the son of Mrs. and Mr. Mayor of Whoville.  After months of practice and hard work, two days of performances just never seems like enough.  I could have watched them again and again.  It was extra fun having Grandma and Grandpa Hilton fly in to see it.  And Grandma and Grandpa Nelson came both nights too.  We're so very proud of you Landon!  Especially pulling it all off on a broken foot!  You truly are amazing and we love you buddy!

Carter, Jacob, and Landon (a.k.a. The Cat in the Hat, Horton, and JoJo)

He was well loved and supported by lots of people!

YM/YW Cooking Competition

Tanner was in charge of the combined YM/YW activity for November and he put together an awesome cooking competition complete with a welcome/intro video to explain the rules.  We had an incredible turnout that night and broke everyone into three groups to make three different desserts in the 1.5 hours we had for the activity.  We had a cobbler, a cheesecake, and a cookie cake by the end of the night and the cheesecake walked away as the award winning dish.  Tanner sure impresses me when he puts his mind to something.  He did a great job organizing everything and everyone really seemed to enjoy themselves.

The Arcade

For Christmas last year (yes, it's now November!) we gave the boys discount passes to our local arcade.  They were all out of school for Veterans Day and we figured it was high time we use those passes.  Dean and Tanner were wrapping up a shed roof project earlier in the day but that evening we braved the rain and hit up the arcade.  It is the coolest place with SO many retro games to play.  We paid for two hours and then just went to town playing anything and everything we wanted to.  Braddock even found one of his friends from school there and afterwards we stopped at Arby's for dinner.  Tanner had been begging to try the "Diablo Burger" and lets just say he won't be ordering it again.  Haha!  It was good for all of us to get in some quality family time.

I schooled Landon at air hockey.

Tanner is a closet PacMan pro.  Who knew!?

This was spice city!  He managed to eat it anyway, but did not enjoy it.