December

I found a groupon deal to the Zermatt hotel in Midway, so I decided to get it and surprise Brad with an early anniversary get-away. I didn't tell him anything until about an hour before we left. We got to Midway and checked into our hotel then went to the Homestead Crater across the street for a little soak. It was awesome. We went to a Mexican place for dinner that night then watched a movie in our hotel room. On Wednesday, after checking out of the hotel, we stopped by the Park City outlets on our way home. It was a fun little get-away and it's been the best 4 years of our lives! 

-We had our annual Vivint Christmas party. I am sad I didn't get more pictures, but we had a blast! We played the present game, minute-to-win-it games and pictionary. We were given tickets throughout the night and then we put the tickets in the stocking of what we wanted to try and win. I won a nice winter coat and Brad won a jacket. Drew came with us and he was the lucky winner of the ipad mini! It was a fun night! 

-Makoi dressing up as Mario

-Pretty sunrise on an early morning.

 -I took the Hess kids to see Santa at Smiths Marketplace. Ruby was, once again, scared to go near him but Charlie and Lucy enjoyed sitting on his lap and telling him what they want for Christmas.
-I decided to help the Hess kids make paper snowflakes one afternoon, and I love the way they turned out! The kids liked them too.

-One day while driving home, Ruby and Lucy both fell asleep in the car and then asked to take a nap 

when we got home! 

We went to Island Park, ID with Brad's side of the family. We were only missing Elgin, who couldn't get time off work. We stayed at the cabin of Bryce's cousin and it was the perfect size for all of us! We got there late on Sunday and stayed until Saturday morning. We had a lot of fun hanging out at the cabin, playing lots of games, watching movies, opening presents, going on snowmobile rides, celebrating Coralyn's birthday, making ornaments and decorating the tree (they cut it down before we got there). For meals, each couple was in charge of one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner and it worked out perfect! We also went into West Yellowstone one day and walked around the little shops. It was so fun to see all the cousins together and it was such a fun week! 

We got to go to the Piano Guys concert in Salt Lake with my parents, Kylee and Brody. It was awesome and we loved every second of it!! (The Hatches came to Logan for Christmas break and got here while we were in Island Park.) 

My mom had a fun p-day party in honor of Jake and Cam (because they love their p-days). It was so fun- we are going to make it a tradition and do it every year! Everything we did that night started with a P. We wore our pajamas, ate pizza, pop, purple punch, potatoes (fry's), pretzel jello, popcorn and pistachios, and we played the pickle game, ping pong, pictionary, prediction game, and had prizes! The Bundy's and my Grandma joined in the fun. 

The Call's invited us to spend a few days at their cabin in Wyoming. The Nelsons and Grandma were there too and it was so much fun! They had just finished building their 'barn' which is actually bigger than the house. It has an arcade room, a stage for karaoke, 2 bowling lanes complete with bowling shoes, a tv and sitting room downstairs, a kitchen, a huge mud room, a pull-through garage for their 9 snowmobiles, a boat, 2 side-by-sides and some 4-wheelers. Then upstairs has 2 big screen TV's (for gaming), air hockey, and two bunk rooms that can each sleep 10 people. PLUS what will eventually be a zip line into a small pond! It was all seriously amazing, we were all blown away! 

 Aside from playing in their new barn, we also had fun visiting, playing pool, eating and loving on Evan.

 We went on a snowmobile ride to the top of the mountain and it was so beautiful at the top! It was so fun and I even rode my own snowmobile, which I don't normally do!

 The outside of the house and barn + some cute pictures of Evan in his snowsuit that was way too big on him! haha

We spent Christmas Eve at the Weyerts where we had an amazing dinner consisting of crab legs, shrimp, oysters, turkey, roast beef + tons of sides. We also played the present game, had a photo booth and opened our presents from my Grandparents.

We were afraid we would not have a white Christmas, but luckily we woke up on Christmas morning to this beauty! It was the best! Brad and I opened a few presents at our house, then spent the morning in Willard with his parents and little brothers.

The best part of Christmas was getting to talk to these two brothers of mine. They are both doing so good on their missions but we miss them like crazy! It was fun to get to talk to them both at the same time so that they could see each other as well.

We opened presents before heading to the Bundy's for a yummy dinner and some fun games.

Yup- he is the cutest! It was so fun to spend two whole weeks with him! It's so fun to see his cute personality as he gets older. We got to see him eat solid food for the first time. He wasn't too sure about it.

-Kylee got a new camera for Christmas so she wanted to try it out and took our pictures. I love how they turned out!
-We had a fun game night with the Bundy's one night with some minute-to-win-in games.
-For New Years Eve, I went with my family to the Skeens for dinner along with all of our relatives who live in Cache Valley. After dinner, we went to Trace's church for some fun games and more yummy food. Brad was gone on a preseason trip to California so he missed out on the fun. :(

November

It was our friend Nick's golden birthday and his 30th birthday so Mindi went all out and had a fun party for him at the Vivint building. We had dinner, played who knows Nick best, 'I have never', took photobooth pictures with a polaroid camera and had cupcakes. We had a fun time with great friends! 

Baby Evan was blessed at my parents house and it was such a special day! My dad did a wonderful job on the blessing. It was fun to have all of Brody's family there plus the Bundy's. We had yummy orange rolls and hot chocolate after, then the Bundy's came back for dinner that night. 

It was so sad when the Hatches had to go home, especially seeing them say goodbye to Cam- who they wouldn't see for two years! 

We were able to go to Cam's setting apart and it was so amazing. It made me so sad that I missed Jake's. The Bundy's were there, along with 5 of Cam's good friend, the Bishop and Stake president, my parents and Brad and I. Everyone shared a testimony to Cam and it was so special. It was so hard to say bye to him. I already miss him so much and it is so weird to not have him around. 

We went to St. George with the Wheelwrights (minus Elgin, Ben, Katie and kids) to spend a weekend with the Williams. Heather had been participating in a biggest loser competition and lost 30 lbs! She looks amazing! We went to support her in a race and Brooke, Dallen, Drew, Brad and I ran in it with her! It was a 5k and my first race ever so it was a good one to start with. We ran/walked pretty slow, but the boys and I decided to we would go as fast as we could for the last mile. Bryce, Ann, Jordan and the babies were there to meet us at the end. We finished in about 36 minutes.  I accidentally forgot to bring some running shoes so I decided to wear a pair of Brad's. They were much too big but I still wanted to run in the race so I decided to just run in them anyways. I actually didn't even notice the whole race so that was good! 

After our race, we went and had a little picnic and then went into Zions and went on a little walk. We went to church on Sunday, then headed home. It was a fun, short little trip! 

Brad played in a Vivint dodgeball tournament at the Sports Academy. His team did pretty good, but unfortunately they didn't win. It was still fun to watch them and hang out with some friends and he had a good time. 

My mom decided that we needed to go somewhere for Thanksgiving this year so that we wouldn't miss the boys too much. We picked Moab since it was about the same distance for us as it was for the Hatches. My parents rented a nice three bedroom condo and we got there Wednesday late afternoon. We had dinner and played games that night. Then on Thanksgiving morning, we went on a 3 mile hike to Corona Arch. It was awesome and so pretty!  

We made a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, went to the movie Mocking Jay part 1 (except for dad and Evan), then played some more fun games and had a yummy pumpkin dessert.

On Friday, we went to Arches National Park and went to Delicate Arch, which was another 3 mile hike. It was awesome and so fun to see that famous arch up close and in person. We did a few other small hikes, had a picnic then came home. We watched Elf, ate leftovers, and played some more games. 

Saturday was Brody's 30th birthday so I got up early with my mom and Kylee to help decorate. My parent's present to him was 30 $5 bills that we hung up and my sister put 30 reasons why she loves him in balloons. 

Brody and Kylee went climbing, my dad, Brad and I went back to Arches to do a few more small hikes, and my mom stayed home with Evan so that he could have a good nap. That night, we all went out to a yummy Mexican Restaurant, played games and had birthday cake and ice cream.  

We went to church on Sunday in Moab before heading home. We love this baby boy so much... if you can't tell! :) It was so fun to see him and his parents and spend a fun few days in Moab. It was a great Thanksgiving!

October

This year for Vivint's year end party, they rented out Lagoon for the night. We went down with Dallen and a date and had a blast. Only bummer part was Brad got sick after the second ride. After we got some dinner, he did feel a little better and was able to go on a few rides. 

Cam went through the temple for the first time! It was so special and I am so happy Brad and I were able to go. We had a yummy dinner at my parents after. 

In between sessions of Sunday conference, we went with my parents and Cam on a hike/walk in Logan Canyon. It was SOO pretty!

We went to the cabin with the Galvins to spend the night one weekend. We had a lot of fun riding the 4-wheelers, playing games and hanging out. 

My friend, Meghan got married and she look absolutely beautiful! I went to her reception and it was fun to catch up with some old friends.  

Brad and I went to Brigham one day to babysit this cute niece of ours. Aideen is such a cute, easy going baby and we enjoyed our time with her. 

Brad went with Derrick to go deer hunting one morning and they got a deer! Brad said it was hard work hiking the mountain, and then dragging the deer back down, but it was worth it! 

I hosted bunco this month at my parents house. I am sad I didn't get more pictures, but we had a good time! Mikell even brought baby Kennedy for everyone to love on. 

One of many beautiful Cache Valley sunsets.

One day while Brad and I were driving home, we came across this horse and buggy in the middle of the road. We thought it was pretty random!

And just for fun.. the kids I nanny in the mornings. Makoi on the left, Malachi on the right. I can't believe they are already 3!

 And the kids I nanny in the afternoon. They love climbing trees and the girls are super big into cats right now. They also love the 'scary house' that we pass every day that is decorated so awesome for Halloween. 

Guess who came to town??!! Yup, this cute nephew and his amazing parents. I just really cannot get enough of him! Brody had to go to Cancun for a week, but we enjoyed having Ky and Evan here for a week and a half and we did a lot of fun things while they were here. 

We hiked up to the wind caves since Cam claimed he had never been there before. What?? Brody stayed home with Evan. 

While I was babysitting the Hess' one afternoon, my mom, Ky and Evan joined us in going to the pumpkin walk. This is always one of my favorite Fall activities to do. They always do such a great job! 

We spent Saturday getting ready for Cam's farewell. Then the Densleys came over for dinner. It was fun seeing Shep and Evan together since they are so close in age! 

We love our 'little' brother! Cam gave his farewell talk and did an amazing job! 

After sacrament about 100 people came over for some lunch. Luckily it was good enough weather for some people to go outside. I enjoyed catching up with some of my cousins who I don't get to see very often. 

Drew got home from his mission to Cancun! He was scheduled to arrive on Oct 30th at 7pm. We got a call from Ann that afternoon saying that he missed his connecting flight because his plane was not able to land due to thick fog. So we were told he would get to Salt Lake at noon the next day. I arranged my work schedule so that I would be able to go pick him up. We got another call at 5am from Ann to tell us that he would actually be landing at 9am. I wasn't able to get work off so last minute so Brad had to go without me. I am so sad I missed it, but I am so happy the whole family is back together! It has been almost 4 years! 

Our cute nieces and nephews on Halloween. 

We had our annual Halloween party this year at the Vivint building. This year we chose to do a 'survivor' theme. We gave everyone 'buffs' to choose their teams, played games, had a hidden immunity idol, and even had tribal council where everyone voted for the best costume! We also gave the winning team one million dollars.. in the form of 100 grands. :) We had a great turn out and it was a fun night!
Brad and I dressed as an old couple this year and I am happy with the way it turned out. 

{Mariana and Luke won best costume dressed as stick figures}

Krista and Clayton, Mariana and Luke, Derek and Rose, Mindi and Nick, Rusty and Natalie

Claudio and Tamires, Derrick and Kelsey, Sam and Kado, Mikell and Nick, Jason and Andy. 

Relay Race: They had to untie a bunch of knots, throw glow stick necklaces onto witch hats and complete a {hard} 9 piece puzzle. Winning team got one point.

Not pictured: a memory game where they had to hold up pictures in the correct order. Last person standing received one point for their team. 

Food Challenge: We are mean hosts and made everybody eat a gross food. Everyone was a good sport about it though. Whoever finished first got a point for their team. The food items that we had included: Vampire blood (tomato juice), zombie eyes (Spanish olives), devil’s heart (whole beet), cow’s cud (canned spinach), Frankenstein toes (Vienna sausage), pig tongue (tongue shaped spam), spider eyes (tapioca pudding w green food coloring), goblin guts (baby food), pumpkin puke (baby food), and bat intestines (sardines).  

Balancing: They balanced balls on a ping pong paddle. We played boys against girls. We made them turn in circles to make it harder. Last one standing got a point for their team.