Worth It

My boss brought in a bracelet making kit.  And for Christmas she let us all make a bracelet.  We were supposed to pick out a word that had meaning to us.  I've been struggling big time with my self esteem and life is really a struggle.  I decided my word needed to be something that was a reminder to myself that I am okay. 

Surprise you're getting teeth pulled

I've had an infection I've been fighting in a tooth that 15 or so years ago I got a tiny cavity and it's given me problems ever since.  I've never had any other dental work except for this stupid tooth.  I've had a filling, a root canal, a filling replaced, a crown, and a crown replaced all in vain because now I've got a freaking hole in my mouth where the dentist just finally pulled the tooth out.  I don't have the finances right now to fix it with a bridge, so I will be toothless and I hate it.  Gator went with me for a "quick" visit to the dentist and we ended up being there over an hour and a half and we both lost teeth over the dang visit.  Her baby teeth haven't been very cooperative in falling out and she had two last baby teeth that the dentist looked at and said they had to be pulled now.  So we had a bonding time together getting teeth pulled.  

And after the numbing wore off, Gator had a Christmas concert at school.  She loves choir.  Mrs King is amazing, and Gator just loves going to choir.  They got to wear pajamas and her friend bought the three of them matching pajamas, so they looked like triplets. 

Argentina

This morning was Collins farewell, he is on his way to the Mexico MTC on Tuesday and then Argentina  after that.  We are excited for the first email Collin and you are in our prayers.  

The mountains got snow

The weather forecast was for another big winter storm.  We didn't get any snow down at the house, but the mountains got 3 feet of snow.  It was a great day for Davis and Gator to go skiing.  Ryan, Gabe, and Jess joined them on the slopes.  As well as Santa.  Christine and I chatted in the lodge while everyone enjoyed the fresh snow.  

Temple Square

And I thought Ogden lights were crowded the other night.  It was nothing compared to tonight at Temple Square.  But you know what, I didn't care at all.  I had so much fun with my family, it didn't matter that we had to walk 2+ miles to even get into Temple Square.  It was raining on the way down, but it stopped when we got to Salt Lake.  We stopped by our favorite BBQ place in Farmington on the way down.  Owen's girlfriend Kylee and Kennedy went with us.  It is so beautiful with all the lights and the temple.  All the treat places were closed by the time we hiked back up to the truck, but Walmart is always open and we got some ice cream from there and watched the Grinch. 

I asked the boys to take a picture of Gator and I, this is what I got.  I asked Kylee after this.  

 We also walked around City Creek and went to see the candy windows outside of Macey's.

Ogden Christmas Village

It's nice when I don't have to be the one to plan an evening out.  I was cleaning up dinner tonight, and Owen suggested we go to the Christmas Village.  I didn't hesitate, because I didn't know when I'd get the boys to go willingly before Christmas.  Maybe they weren't in the best of moods while we were there and it was crowded, but I am thinking small here, and it was a fun evening for me at least.  

Dancing, skiing, and North Pole breakfast

Country View had a 6th grade dance.  Gator was so excited, she got a new dress and her friend asked her to dance.  His mom and I sat on the stage and cried.  Gator has a pure heart and loves Ethan's friendship.  His mom said he struggles with friends, and she is so grateful for Gator.  I agree, I am pretty grateful for that little girl too.  

 Ski season is here!  Davis skipped school on Friday.  He sent me this picture and it sure didn't look like he was in the classroom.  I went up on Saturday with him and Gator.  Not all the lifts were open, but Davis took Gator on a little bit more advanced of a run than she did last year, and he said she did really good.  I hope they get a lot of snow this year, so these 2 can use their passes alot.

 I still do the North Pole breakfast. Owen and Davis just do it for the bacon, but I still enjoy doing it.

Lights and hot chocolate

It's not a secret that I love Christmas lights.  Owen went to Milford again last weekend and on his way home he saw this bright glowing tree.  Of course when he told me, I said take me to see it.  It was more than just the one tree, it was the cutest light display.  A neighborhood in Farmington sets it up every year in honor of a little girl that passed away from brain cancer.  Elora's Lights they call it, and I looked it up on Instagram.  I will be visiting here yearly.  Owen has also been hanging out with a girl from Tremonton.  She came down to meet us and go to the lights with us.  She is a really nice girl, hopefully we'll get to hang out again soon.  

 This is the "Tree of Hope".  It is beautiful, and so bright. 

Baptism

Bethany got baptized yesterday.  She was a little crazy, she was so excited.  It's getting harder and harder to get pictures of all the cousins together.  The older think they are too cool, or the little ones are too cranky.  I take what I can get. 

Fun day together

We made it to Thanksgiving Break.  It was pretty tough, but we are here and it started off great!!  We were told it was going to snow, and boy did it snow!  Big beautiful flakes all day long.  We spent the morning being lazy, well the kids were lazy.  For some strange reason, I was baking.  I don't bake often, but homemade bread sounded yummy.  So I made some homemade brownies too.  After we went and cashed in my change cup to get some lunch and go pick out the Christmas tree.  Christmas trees make me so happy, and I love the lights.  It makes the living room very cozy and smell so good.  We set the tree up and went to the dollar theater to see Abominable.  It was a very cute movie, we all liked it.  That says a lot for us to all like the same movie.  Then it was home to eat dinner and the homemade treats I baked earlier in the day.  It was honestly a near perfect day.  I loved being with my awesome kids and just having all day for us to hangout and do whatever came our way.  Thanks guys, I love you!!