To Idaho for Thanksgiving

We went to Idaho for Thanksgiving.  We stayed with Melissa and Zac.  It was a great time, as always.

Melissa hosted Thanksgiving at her house.  It was a little crazy, but so fun to have all of those cousins together.  Logan and Leo have really started to be little buddies.

(Clockwise) Ellie, Lily, Sasha, Teagan, Scott, Austin

We also went to a family party at Grandma and Grandpa Durtschi's house during the weekend.  We read the Christmas story, had some activities, and dinner, and the highlight for the kids was receiving Christmas presents from Grandma and Grandpa.

Austin, Dad and Logan, Grandpa

One of the highlights of the party was the hay ride Grandpa Durtschi took us on.  We sang Christmas carols to a few people in the ward.  We all rode on the back of a trailer sitting on hay.  There was a fire in the middle to keep everyone warm.

Ellie's present for Christmas was a fingernail polish set.  Here are all of the girls trying it out.

Zac helped Ty build this track.

Mom and Whitney with Alfie, Logan, and Morris

Kate reading the Christmas story at Grandma and Grandpa's

Logan opening his present with an audience

We always love seeing our Idaho family!

Buddies and November

With the three older kids in school all day, these two have become quite the buddies.  Ty doesn't go to school until after lunch (during Logan's nap time), so they get lots of time together.  Here they are in the cart at Sam's Club.

Playing Kinetic Sand (one of their very favorites)

Logan and Kate are also buddies.  Here, Kate is putting Logan to bed.

All of the kids discovered how fun it is to go down the stairs on the crib mattress.  Surprisingly, no one got hurt!

Logan tore all of the flaps out of his adorable flap book.  Here he is picking up the mess.

Logan intently studying the hymns.

One night, we went to check on Logan and found ALL of his diapers and wipes piled around him. 

Here is Ty building a fort in the living room

...with sheets on top

Logan loves everything to do with technology.  He gets in quite a lot of trouble for it on a regular basis.

These two love hanging out with Dad!

Lunch Workers

While taking Ty to school, Mom had to tell Kate something.  Lucky Mom!  Kate and Scott were both lunch workers.  Neither was thrilled to have their picture taken, but an important moment was documented in history!

Setting up Christmas

Let it be known that in 2018, Kate put the star on the tree. (The kids are never sure whose turn it is).  We set up early this year even though we said last year that we wouldn't.  We were gone for Thanksgiving, so we had to!

Austin Claus

This is such a frequent picture at our house.  (Scott is wearing Austin's jersey here by the way).  These two love to read books together--not separate, but the same book.  In fact, it is a common occurence to see anyone in the house reading a book and someone reading it over their shoulder.

Logan and Ty loved the Christmas train set (we had to throw it out this year because it wouldn't work)

Always an exciting time of year!

Jeff Fun

For "fun," Jeff went to a freezing BYU football game.  Looks like they had a great time!

Jeff has also been loving to ride his dirtbike.  Here he is with neighbor, Mike Speth, dirtbiking.

Dad cleaned his dirtbike to get it ready for the winter.

The Kids are Growing Up

Mom went to change the pictures and realized how much all of the kids are changing.  Everyone is growing up so fast!

Logan (0 - 2)

Ty (1 - 6)

Austin (3 - 9)

Scott (3 - 9)

Kate (5 - 11)

We love our precious kids!

A Visitor for the Weekend

In Ty's kindergarten class, they have a class pet.  His name is Skippy Jon Jones!  Each student gets a chance to take Skippy Jon Jones home for the weekend.  They take pictures with him, then put it in a class book to share.  Ty was VERY excited for his turn with Skippy Jon Jones.

Ty made him a comfy house to live in.

Ty wanted to take Skippy swimming (we thought that might not be the best idea)

Ty also loved making silly faces with Skippy.

It was a fun weekend with Skippy Jon Jones!