"A Child Is Born"-- East Valley Millenial Choir Performance

Robin flew into town this morning and tonight Katelyn, Robin and I went out to see Allison perform in her annual Christmas Concert at the Mesa Arts Center.  On the way, we stopped for a yummy dinner at Kneaders and then headed out to the concert.  I always love to go see this concert and this year was no different.  The music was so beautiful and it brought tears to my eyes!  I love going to see this concert and feel like it begins the Christmas season!  It poured down rain the whole ride home from Mesa back to Peoria!  Mom was coming down with a bad cold, so she wasn't able to go with us.  She really felt badly as she always loves to attend this concert as well.  It was a fun night!

We Are All Barrabas...

Here's a beautiful lesson that Brooke learned in her religion class about Barrabas.  I love the insights and knowledge that she is gaining, but I also love to hear her feelings about the Savior and her gratitude and thankful heart for all that He has done for her!  This is a beautiful example of what Christ, the Savior of the World, does for all of us!!!

Gaga Ball and Nine Square in the Air!!

When we had a break from watching football this afternoon we played Gaga Ball and Nine Square in the Air!  We had SO MUCH FUN!!!!  Everybody enjoyed getting off the couch and getting outside in the beautiful weather we are having and getting some exercise!  Ben Furlong-- one of Brooke's friends also came along and some of the Hinton's also came over to enjoy the fun!  We had fun playing and laughing!  I think we all got to be King at least once in Nine Square and Todd and Allison ruled Gaga Ball! 

Black Friday at the Mall, Modern Round Virtual Shooting, Table Tennis and Some Sweet Notes on Our Front Door...

Today was another super fun day!  I don't know what possessed us to go the the Mall today... but we did!  It was super crowded, but we had fun!  Todd was happy to find the Super Smash Bros.Ultimate game being debuted at our Mall.  (Apparently there were only 7 Malls in the nation that had it and ours was one of them!) 

Later we went to Modern Round and played some virtual shooting games which was a blast!  (No pun intended... haha!)  Allison and Jordan were there and Robin joined us a bit later.

Todd and Mike Simpson had fun playing table tennis later on.  They both share a love of the game and Mike was able to give Todd a lot of tips on the game!  Todd gave him a run for his money but Mike is a really good player!!  It was fun to watch! 

Tonight when we all got back from Grandma's house there were these post it notes all over our front door... the Spear's had come by with some messages of thanks to Bill for being the Bishop!  They were fun to read and such a sweet thing to do!  Another great day!!!!!

Thanksgiving 2018!

It was such an enjoyable and relaxing day today!  Allison hosted the turkey dinner this year at her house.  Robin, Brent and Shelby, and Jordan and Joshua were also all there!  We ate WELL and had some good company!  We ate a yummy dinner, watched football and finished it all off with some yummy pie and games together!  We have so much to be grateful for!!!!  (And some of us enjoyed a snooze!) 

Fun with Cousins!

The Thurman family stayed with us tonight!  They traveled from Utah all day and are on the way to Kyle's family's house for Thanksgiving... we had fun playing volleyball at the church and going swimming and hot tubing in the jacuzzi!  We stayed up late, but we had tons of FUN!!!  Pictured below are Katelyn., Aimee, Heidi and Kaylie.

Out To Lunch with the Fam at Cheesecake Factory!

Today we had a fun lunch together... we were just missing McKenzie.  We brought her a peace offering of strawberry cheesecake to  make her feel better!  (She was still at school.)  We enjoyed a nice visit together... everyone is so happy to have a break... including ME!!!

Todd's Haircut...

It's so fun to have Megan and Todd home for Thanksgiving!  They went and got haircuts from Alison today and wanted me to go with them.  I love what a good sport Todd is and that he lets me take lots of pictures!! 

Brooke Decided to Serve a MISSION!!!

Brooke sent me this today!  She has had an interesting process as she's struggled to find direction from Heavenly Father as to whether or not to serve a mission.  She was able to have such a sweet experience and confirmation of HER choice to serve a mission.  Heavenly Father respects our agency to choose, and it wasn't until she made the decision and then brought it to Him, that He was able to confirm that decision with an an answer that included so many fruits of the Spirit.  It was a sweet experience for Brooke, and one that I've been praying for her to have!  Now she understands the process of how decisions involving Heavenly Father work!  We have to do the work and then take it to the Lord with our decision.  THEN He can give us a confirmation or a stupor of thought!  I'm so grateful for Brooke!  I knew that she would make the right decision because I knew how hard she was seeking to do the right thing!!  Either way-- to go or not to go, I knew that she would arrive at the right response, because she sought our His help and guidance, made a decision and received His confirmation in a way that only HE can give!  Now she's acting on those promptings and is working on her papers right now!  She wants to leave in May, so she will put her availability for then... here we go AGAIN!!!!!  :)