January 2019 - Joseph

The flowers below were a peace offering/gift from Peter for enduring 4 hours at the DMV getting Joseph's learner's permit. It was the longest experience. I really wanted to start cheering when someone's number was called but after 3 and 4 hours nobody else really seemed to be making eye contact with anyone else. Samantha was a champ during this whole ordeal especially with how long we were there. 

 We have discovered during this process of teaching Joseph to drive that it is not an intuitive thing and it truly takes a lot of practice for those instincts to kick in. But for weeks now, Joseph has been driving our family to and from church. He is getting so much better but there is no denying parking the suburban is a beast! I still have trouble with it. 

 Joseph was nominated for an award at school and looked quite dashing, even before the haircut that is shown below. 

January 2019 - Pinewood Derby

These pictures pretty much say it all.

The designs were the girls entirely and they did most of the cutting and all of the painting on their own. Lily's unicorn turned out so amazing! Arabella placed 1st! 

Peter was the best cubmaster and announcer for the derby! 

January 2019 - New year party

For years, we have been having a dinner during the holidays with food from a foreign country. 

It has grown from just the elders, to one family, to a whole houseful of people. 

This year we did Korean! I have found a new favorite food: kimchi fried rice! The food was all SO delicious and the friends in attendance were eve better! 

Christmas 2018

Christmas morning was filled with magic, as always! 

There were books, clothes, toys, treats, and a new Nintendo switch! 

 LOL dolls

 Small appliances made for a happy mom and dad! 

 New bag for school! 

 Nintendo switch makes everyone all smiles- especially the boys. 

 We had the missionaries over for dinner and played the Speak Out game. 

So much laughter! 

 And finally, skating for the whole family so Arabella and Lily could try out their new skates. 

Christmas was a wonderful day! I must say that I don't love working holidays because on days like Christmas, I miss out on the hanging out all day with my kids and husband. There are memories to be made in doing those simple things and I am saddened that some of those memories for my kids will be of mom sleeping. But I do love my job and I have plans for not working any more weekends or holidays or nights.