Carter's Pinewood Derby and Blue & Gold

Carter had his first pinewood derby last month and had a blast.  His car came in at 2nd place which he was thrilled about!

 Carter with his certificate and car.  I guess I should have gotten a closeup of the car huh!

This month was his Blue and Gold Banquet where he passed onto the Bears.  The Cubs did a cute little skit and Carter was a Russian Chef.

 

 Receiving his awards

His leaders gave him a cute little wolf flashlight to "light the way" to his new troop which will be Bears.  His leaders Jim and Lori have been so much fun and we are going to miss them!

Hailey's Princess Tea

 One of Hailey's Christmas Presents this year was a ticket to attend a "Princess Tea".  Chayce, Paige, and Morgan were able to attend as well!  Here's all the girls meeting a princess and waiting for the party to start!

 This event was a fundraiser for the Family Resource Center in our area, and I was so excited when I found out they would be holding this!  Hailey loves princesses!  She was able to meet a bunch of them and get their autographs!

 There were a couple games or activities set up by each of the princess stations.  This one is Fishing for Ariels station.

 They served a light little luncheon...

 And then they turned on music and the princesses and princes danced with the girls!  It was so fun to watch the little girls admire those beautiful princesses!

 Hailey and Morgan dancing...

This was so much fun and we can't wait to go next year!

Sledding and Dinner with the Abbotts!

 Our dear friends Barbara and John invited us over for dinner and sledding this past week.  They live right smack dab against the mountain, so we walked out their back door, and went looking for good sledding spots! 

 I think their sweet dog Star had as much fun as the kids!  She would race up the hill with us, and then race down trying to beat us every time!

 Barb and Hailey

 Hailey got the royal treatment with Bryan and John pulling her up the mountain...

 Bryan and Hailey

 The Clan...

 Just Us...

 I love this lady!  Such an inspiration who spends her days serving others!

After sledding for a bit, we headed inside where their son Ian and his friend Kat joined us for dinner. Hailey asked us before we left for their house if she could bring her teacups so she could have a tea party with "John, his wife, and his son" as she put it!  So while we got dinner ready, we enjoyed hot cocoa with Hailey. After dinner we watched How To Train Your Dragon. Such a fun evening with great friends, thanks Abbott Family!

A sweet moment with Star and Hailey as we were getting dinner on the table...

Christmas 2012

 One of Hailey's friends brought over her reindeer to play with at our house.  I caught the kids on it, and had to take a picture!

On the Sunday before Christmas we celebrated with my family.  Sadly almost half of our family was sick, so it was a small turnout.  It was quite calm, which was strange.  Able to make it was Mom and Dad, Cami, Meili and Ty, Scott and Alivya stopped for dinner but headed home because Scott wasn't feeling well, but left Daxton, Grandma Larsen was there, and also my brother Bryan.

We started the evening with yummy food and then headed downstairs.

Look closely at this picture and you will see how flexible my nephew Ty is!  He was casually sitting on the couch with his leg wrapped behind his head!

 

 My Mom always has us play a couple songs on her chimes....

 Dad, Daxton and Ty

 Hailey, Carter, Bryan, Meili and Cami

 Hailey got a pretty dress from Grandma and Grandpa

 Hugs....

 Carter has been wanting Mario Cart for a couple years now, he was soooo excited Grandma and Grandpa got it for him!

 Bryan got coveralls to wear while he doing his woodworking...

 All the little girls got lil' kitties...

 Grandma and Grandpa got Hailey a music player with a microphone which is perfect for her!  She loves to sing and dance.  She started belting out tunes right away...

 My family got to see what my life at home will be like....she turns the microphone volume all the way up and sings as loud as she can!

 

 Dad had to have a turn...

 This is just a random picture taken I think on Christmas Eve.  I love it when I catch them together, and they're not fighting...ha ha ha!

Christmas Eve day we got tons of beautiful snow!  It was nice to have snow for Christmas for a change!  We went to our churches Christmas Eve service and then came home for appetizers, read stories, and opened one present.

 Carter asked for "footsie" pajamas this year.....

Honestly I think they're so dorky at his age, but he loves them!

 Hailey got princess jammies...

Papa stayed the night of Christmas Eve as did Grammy.  She showed up late and the kids and her slept in the Family Room together.

 Christmas morning in all our pj glory....

 The kids with Maggie and Papa

 With Grammy

 Carter made Dad a wooden picture frame in scouts.  He was so excited to have something for Dad to put in his wood shop!

 He also made me a wooden man....

My favorite gift of all!

 The kids got spoiled as usual!  I didn't get a picture yet but Grammy painted a picture of Hailey in her princess dress to hang in her room.  I cried, like always!  It will be something Hailey will treasure forever.

 While I made breakfast everyone got busy putting together their toys!

Then we went outside to enjoy the fresh snow!

 I'm excited to put a close on this year, and I look forward to a new year of adventures!  As I reflect on this past year, it has probably been the toughest year of my life.  It also has been a blessed and beautiful year and I have learned and grown a lot!  As I think about my life in the last couple years, there is not one thing that I would change.  It has made me who I am today and I'm greatful for each day that I am given to learn from my mistakes, and to try harder to become a better mother, wife, daughter and friend.  I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family.  I have the best kids who teach me valuable lessons every day.  I also have an amazing husband who I have watched grow and change so much this year.  I am proud of the husband, father, and man that he is.

I think this picture is the day after Christmas.  I went to take a shower, and when I got done, I looked out the window and Carter was shoveling the driveway for me!  I thought it was so sweet and it totally made my day!