A Little Glimpse into December

Here's some random pictures that didn't make it into our other posts for December: 

Brynnli loves to go to Sheels and ride the Ferris Wheel... She also loves posing with the bear there. 

 "I like to look for Rainbows whenever there is rain and ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again."

 Caden was determined to read a whole page of the Book of Mormon by himself. When we asked him what he read about he said, "well, 'it came to pass'" Oh man, I just love this kid!

 Caden's teacher is pregnant and right before she left on maternity leave Caden wanted to buy her a present and write her a note. He is seriously the cutest kid!

 "Dear Mrs. Otley, You are teh best teacher. I got you come baby toys for baby Read. I hope you like your baby. Have a Merry Christmas. Love, Caden"

The best part about this letter is the part where he says, "I hope you like your baby" because if she doesn't, she's in trouble! Also, Makayla helped him write it, which makes the "Baby Read" even cuter because that's the only read the kids know (She is naming her baby, Reid)

Proof that sometimes these two get along and really do like each other.

 We went to the U of U gymnastics preview. They were doing a special autograph night so we waited in line for like two hours just so Makayla could finally meet her favorite gymnast. Mykayla Skinner.

 Go Utes!

 Face painting is a must when we go to basketball games.

 Remember how I love to tease Tyler that he has a girl crush on the women's basketball coach, Lynn Roberts? And remember how he finally got to meet his "other girl friend"? Ok, so he was really just standing by her, but doesn't he look excited?

 What's the best part about having a girl in dance class?

 Having two girls in dance class!

 My least favorite part? Paying $60 each for costumes that they literally wear twice.

Would it really be a blog post if there wasn't a selfie?

 Gettin some dinner after we bought our car.

 Awww. life is so great with these cuties!

 What? Doesn't everyone deliver neighbor gifts wearing old dance costumes? Oh, I guess just Brynnli does that!

Thankful and Grateful

We have a lot to be thankful for, so we spent the month of November writing down some of the things we were thankful for and putting the leaves on our tree. Our tree was very full by the end of the month. Some of my favorites included: 

"Bimp, bimp"- Brynn

"Jingles, the penguin" -Makayla

"Nice people" -Caden

"8:00...bed time" - Mom

"Supportive extended family"- Dad

 We had some sad news this month. My Grandma Draper passed away on November 3. She was 93 years old and was able to stay in her house up until the last two months of her life. I remember staying overnight at her house when I was little and being so upset when I had to go home because I just loved being at my grandma and grandpa's house. My Grandma Draper was one of the most thoughtful, caring, and determined people you would ever meet. Her funeral was bittersweet. Bitter because death is never easy, but sweet when I think of the sweet reunion she must be having with my Grandpa Draper and Karen. I'm so glad my kids got to know such an amazing woman!

Makayla colored this sweet picture of my grandma.

 My Grandma and Grandpa's house. I have so many good memories of playing here.

My Grandma Draper was buried next to my Grandpa Draper and my Aunt Karen in Fountain Green where my Grandma grew up. 

Did you know that 3 out of 4 of my grandparents lived to 92/93 years old? 

 Caden taught our "Family Meeting" one night. He did a great job on his lesson and we all learned a little more about being honest.

 Brynnli loves band-aids. Seriously, she can go through a box a week. If there's any kind of mark on her body or if anything hurts, she NEEDS a band-aid. This particular day Brynn's lip hurt, so she remedied herself.

 We went to dinner at Pizza Pie Cafe and Makayla was in heaven eating her salad and Oreo pizza. The rest of us thoroughly enjoyed ourselves too.

 We are so proud of Makayla because she was awarded "The Leader in Me" award because she "is a great example of beginning with the end in mind. She works hard to excel in her school work. She works hard in class and stays on task. She is a good example of making a goal and then working towards reaching it."

Great job Makayla!

 We had tickets to Disney on Ice. It was a great show, but poor Makayla didn't feel well because of a "Squirmy" problem, but she was a trooper and made it through the show even though she was miserable. Sadly, these were the only two pictures I took.

 I love Thanksgiving because it is just one more day to verbally express how much I am grateful for my family. They are my greatest joy and my everything. And how cute are me and Brynn in our matching flannel shirts?

 I am grateful to live in America. I'm grateful to live in our paid-for house. I'm grateful we are debt free. I'm grateful for Tyler; he is truly the rock of our family. I'm grateful for Makayla, Caden, and Brynnli because they bring me the joy and happiness that I need everyday. I'm grateful for my Heavenly Father who has blessed me with so much. I'm grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ because of his atoning sacrifice. I'm grateful for the temple; I have found a lot of peace and understanding each time I go. I am so grateful for my eternal family. And I'm grateful for me. I'm a lot stronger than I was in the past and I'm happy with me. It's taken a lot to get me here and I have a long way to go, but I'm proud of who I am.

We finally had a good snow storm and the kids couldn't wait to get outside to build a snowman. Thanks to Daddy for braving the cold to go out with the kids to help them. Me, I stayed in the warm house and watched from the window.

 The finished product... the kids did a great job!