Annual Family Christmas Party...

 This year our family Christmas party was hosted by Jami and Tim.  We started a new tradition by having an ugly sweater competition.  I of course being a Bahumbug didn't even have the energy to think about wearing a sweater but it was lots of fun getting to see everyone in theirs!! Ben's was my favorite!!

 Partridge in a Hair Tree....hahahahaha

 Couldn't stop laughing!

 Gotta LOVE Ben and Tara!!!

 Of course my moms was all fancy

And then there was Dave's...

 Don't get much better than that!

 Jake and Courtney

 Jody and Chantel...loved Jody's son of a Nutcracker sweater!

 Jami and Tim

 Trav and Kalee

 Trav of course always keeps us laughing...I have the funniest siblings!!

All of us together!!  

I love this party more than others because no kids are allowed and it's just us siblings and spouses and my mom getting to bond and make memories!! Thanks Jami and Tim for the AWESOME night!!!

Christmas Eve Pjs, & Christmas Morning...

 My kids always love getting their new pjs on Christmas Eve.  We also decided to by the elders some new pjs too!!

As you can see from the picture below...Santa found us and spoiled us this year!!  Too bad it doesn't last looking like this for very long!!

 I was raised with the tradition that you line up youngest to oldest to enter the Family room!

 Ready to go!!

They were good sports for letting me get a goofy pic too!!  I love torturing them by making them wait a little bit longer!!!

Maryssa's Farewell...

 Wisconsin is one lucky place to be getting such a beautiful young lady as a sister missionary!!  This girl has been my right hand for many years.  I swear she can handle my 12 kids better than I can!!  It was super sad to see her go but know that she will be an amazing missionary for the next 18 months as she dedicates her life to The Lord!  

We Love and Miss you Sister Tenney!!!!

More Christmas Happenings...

As much as I LOVE Christmas I have learned to dread the month of December.  It seems as if there is hardly any down time.  Here are a few more of our Pre-Christmas happenings...

 These kids had Choir and Orchestra Concerts

 Set up Grandma Sharon's Christmas Tree

 More Christmas Concerts

 Went and visited Grandma Sue and Papa Charlie

Went and sang Christmas carols for Family Home Evening at my Dad's grave

 And of course School Assemblies!!

Christmas Nativity...

 Love spending time with family over the holiday.  One of my favorite get togethers is getting to reenact the Christmas Nativity out at my mom's.  It is quite the undertaking, but always worth the work.  I'm grateful for a mom who believes in keeping traditions alive!!! 

 Emma-The Star

 Getting ready

 Trey as Joseph

 Dallin the Donkey and Maryssa as Mary

 Cutest kids ever!

 Tristen, Nate, and Porter as the Three Wisemen

Love this photo of Dallin the Donkey!

Annual Couple Bunco Party...

 One of my favorite nights of the year!  I have been blessed with amazing friends!!

 Boston, Brian, Christin, LeAnna, Mitchell, Pam & Jesse

 Sam & Amanda

 Spencer & Kelli

The ugly Sweater Wearers!

Amanda, Melanie, Brian, Christin, Marcie, Kelli, Spencer, Emma, Ben, Jesse, and Pam

Our November...

So I can't believe November has come and gone.  With Thanksgiving being in November it seems to make me reflect on all of my blessings a little more than usual.  I truly am one blessed girl!!  

Here are a few of our November events...

Tristen turned 17!!  Sure do love this kid.  We are so proud of the improvements he has made over the past year!!  We are grateful he is ours!!

The Johnson family came to visit and tour Jace's mission with him.  He comes from a great family and it was fun having them here.  It was fun making new friends!!

Tate and Tanner

Jace's Family that came to visit...Tate, Tanner, Janie, Jace, Julie, Dave, Britney, Lacy, Ashley, & Addi

We celebrated Elder Strong's Birthday!!

We watched the Mustang's take State!! 

Our annual Christmas Tree Cutting!!

I guess I now know how he really feels about me!! hahaha

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner out at the ranch with a few of our Porter cousins.  It was fun to have them there with us this year!!

Heidi, Nicole, And Tara

We celebrated Caden's 9th Birthday!!  We love this freckle faced boy!!

We attended Thanksgiving plays!!

Miles is the cutest little indian ever!!

And of course we made our annual gingerbread houses with Grandma Tenney!!