Sunbeam!

This is Lera on her first day of Sunbeams at church.  She did so great being in primary and with new teachers.  She loves it!


My sweet Chess had a little bit of a hard time having a new teacher, but after she got to know her, she had a great time.

I love my big girls.

New Year's Eve

We celebrated New Year's Eve this year with a few "fireworks" and sparkling grape juice.


Getting ready to light the fireworks.


Showing me the goods.


Loving it!


This one was a little loud.


A little bit of bubbly.


Happy New Year!

Lera's Quilt

I made Chess's quilt when she was about one year old.  I finally did Lera's now that she is three!  Well, she likes it and it looks really cute in her room.  I used mostly fabric scraps that I already have, and I like how it turned out.  Very bright and happy, just like Lera!

Fun with the Thompsons

We were so happy to get to see Jared's parents during Christmas.


We went to Jared's brother, Trevor's house.  The girls had some fun with their dogs.  Well, Lera wants to like dogs, but she is a  little wary of them.


Playing with the dogs and with Trevor in the kitchen.


The girls are wearing their ear protection while Jared practiced shooting our guns.


Shooting.


Having a wonderful dinner with the family.


Playing trains with Uncle Trevor.


Later, Grandma and Grandpa came to visit us at our house.


Hope to see you again soon!

Tiny Dancers

A friend of ours invited us (the girls, not me) to try out a ballet/tap class for free, so we did it.


Aren't they the cutest things you've ever seen?


Showing me their best moves.


Warming up


Lera was mid-spin here.  She was smiling ear to ear the whole time!

It was the cutest thing ever to see them dancing!  They loved it and so did I!

Christmas Morning

Ponies!




Fun stocking stuffers.




My gift from Chess.  She worked very hard on one for me and one for Jared.


Yearly family picture (I was feeling much better after a good night's sleep).


The little pieces will continue to overrun the house, thanks to Santa!  He brought Strawberry Shortcake toys and My Little Pony toys, just like Chess asked for.


Christmas pancakes and hot chocolate.


The girls begged to take a bath with their new bubble bath.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

I took most of these pictures while sick on the couch.  I still enjoyed watching my sweet family have fun, even though I wasn't feeling my best.  Making cookies for Santa was on the list of things to do, but that got canceled.  I don't think my girls or Santa minded a bit.




Not wanting to smile for a picture.


Christmas Eve wrestling


We still had our traditional fire in the fireplace.


And I moved from one place to another to read "T'was the Night Before Christmas," of course.

The girls went to bed very quickly so that Santa could come.  Jared and I were even in bed by 10:30.  And to all a good night!

The Christmas Bug

This year we had a little stomach virus as a surprise visitor in our home.


1. Sick Chess


2. Sick Lera (she looks happy b/c she has a popsicle, but look at those feverish cheeks!)


3. Sick Momma (don't laugh!)

It made us more thankful for all our blessings when we felt better.

Christmas at Mimi and Poppy's

When we got to Mimi and Poppy's, we had time to play outside for awhile.  Jared made a human rope swing!






Me and my momma




Decorating sugar cookies


I thought Chess did a great job.  Look at those candy cane stripes!




The paparazzi


Sweet thing


The adults' turn






My dad is good at giving thoughtful gifts.

A good time was had by all.