Fristers

At this point, these two are really great friends.

I'm sure they will have their differences but I hope they are always close.  

And, maybe one day they'll take their for real babies on a stroll.

By then, I hope Abby won't try to wipe her nose on her sister's sleeve.

Texarkana

Is it Texas?  Is it Arkansas? 

This is where we spent a few days for Spring Break.  You can see our cabin here on the edge of the water.

 We spent a fair amount of time at the playground.

Even Brad was inspired.

Kids tossed lots of stuff into the lake.  

We made s'mores at least 3 times.

Caught a few fish.

And went go-carting.

It was a fun-filled, slightly ghetto, memorable trip.

Love spending time all together.

Chop, Chop!

I had to chop Abby's hair.  I didn't know if I wanted to because she has a bit of curl but, in the end, I did and I'm so glad.  I think 3 year olds with a bob haircut is about the cutest thing.

Seeing Abby likes this reminded me of little Anna when she was 2 years old.  That was about the time we moved to Tulsa.  Oh, how time flies!

Jenks Basketball

Both boys played basketball this year.  

For me that meant 4 practices a week and 2 games on Saturday. 

It was busy but really fun too.

For the girls it meant lots of coloring and duck, duck, goose.

Here's Grant passing time at Parker's practice with his homie, Gunnar.

Here is Grants team.

I guess it was so busy I overlooked getting any pictures of Parker and his team.

He played really well and learned and developed more of his skills.  It was great!

Lemonade Man

Grant is obsessed with lemonade.  Often I find "Lemons" scratched on my grocery list by his little hand.  He will squeeze his own lemons, add a very tiny amount of sugar (he likes it tart), and stir it into some water.  Here he is teaching Abby the ropes.

Abby enjoyed the process but is not a fan of lemonade yet.

Anna's snowflake cake

Anna requested a snowflake cake for her birthday as it is in January.

This is what I came up with.

Gingerbread 2013

Making gingerbread houses has become one of the favorite Christmas traditions.  The kids talked about it for weeks.  We saved it for Christmas afternoon this year.

Brad's masterpiece.

Armed and dangerous.

Mother Mary

Abby loved being Mary this year.

She took the role very seriously!

Christmas Cookies

The kids love decorating cookies this year.  Abby even got in on the action!

Sharing Time

Our tiny primary did a little nativity on Christmas Sunday.  They were cute.

Not very reverent, but cute.

Grant, the Shepard

 Grant, the Terrorist?

The whole gang

I was released as counselor in Primary.  I have served there for about 3 1/2 years.  I feel surprisingly sad about the change but I am sure it will be good for me.  I felt inspired by the lessons I prepared and grateful for the simple truths of the gospel.

Santa Girls

 No Santa anxiety here.

One day I received a letter in the mail addressed to Anna from Santa.  I hadn't realized that Anna had written him.  But she had.  On her own she drafted and placed her mail in the box.  She told me she asked for a cotton candy machine.  Do I want a cotton candy machine?  Do we have one now?  You probably know the answer....  Thank you Aunt Sarah

Let it Snow!

It snowed just enough for school to be out for 3 days and the kids to go sledding!

Fast Friends

We got to visit with our dear friends, the Sams.  The kids hit it off so quickly and it just made me miss them so much!  What an awesome family.

Temple Lights

Fun Night at the Arizona Temple Lights