A painted lady

A'leese went to a mascaraed party so I got to paint a mask on her.
It looked awesome...but then again when doesn't A'leese look awesome?

Out with the old in with the new

It was finally time to get rid of those old tonsils that continually make Natalie's life miserable. We checked in and it was off to a room and a new look.
She got fitted in her gown and "not so glass" slippers.
An IV and a moose was the next items of business...
A little dose of La-La juice and off down the hall to the operating room.

Here she is right after they brought her out of recovery. She isn't feeling to swell but hopefully this will get rid of the chronic tonsillitis.

She had just eaten her first Popsicle and decided to pose with her moose. Little does she know she will get SICK of Popsicles!!!!

She spent the remainder of the time recovering in A'leeses room. She had plenty of visitors.

One of her favorites was Ryan...can you blame her? He sure has a way of lighting up a room with his enthusiasm.

NOEL

K'Lees cat Angel died on Thanksgiving day so sweet Cierra and Co. went in search of a kitten for K'Lee... her name is Noel.

Merry Christmas to all....and to all a hat.

It is amazing to me how many times, in my adult life, Santa has made Christmas special.

I LOVE SANTA!

It was the year of hats. Johnny got this lovely wool cap.
K'Lee got this cute disco hat.

A'leese got this Russian hat that Johnny made a head for before he wrapped it up. A'leese is excited to show off the realism of the paper head.
Natalie got her long awaited bird and named him Elvis.

John got a t-shirt with grumpy on it and wore it for two days.

Natalie got gum. I'm glad they are satisfied with the simple thing in life.

K'Lee got toe socks.

Johnny lounging on Christmas morning in his HAT, of course.

A'leese showing off her PJ's in a older hat.

I am glad that our Christmas' are about showing one another how much we love them by the way we treat them and not how much you get under the tree.
Otherwise we would have been in trouble. Thank heavens for SANTA!!!

Christmas lights

This was one of the most glorious sunsets I have ever seen. It was a reminder to me that light is a gift, and that gift comes from our Heavenly Father.

The one and only pillar of light coming from the sun, at that moment, shot straight up towards the heavens. I am so grateful for the light of Christ. I am grateful for the chance to celebrate His birth. Merry Christmas.
We went to temple square to see the lights. I would like to have said it was spectacular but... life doesn't always give us what we want. I can say that these two are some of the most important lights in my life and I thank them for their gift of love that lights the dark places in my heart when I need it most :)

Johnny's 17th birthday & Black Friday

We met at Chili's for lunch.

Setting out early in the morning to get all of the "best deals" and then for lunch met to wish Johnny a happy birthday.
It was on of the nicest lunches I have had in a long while.

Not because the food was anything to crow about.

But the company was amazing!!!!

Here Johnny is trying to eat one more bite....His face says it all.

He was soooo happy to be the birthday boy! Even if Shaela was squirting lime in his eyes.

After lunch we adorned ourselves and started out for round two of shopping. These are the moments that make life worth living.... and these are some of the people who make it worth it as well.