Christmas Time

 We went see Christmas lights at the Ethel M Chocolate factory as a family.  It is a different sight than we are used to.  These lights are set up in a cactus garden and there is no snow anywhere to be seen.  Then we went through the Chocolate Factor and had some free samples.

 We spent a week in Utah with both sides of the family over the Christmas break.  We went up to Daniel's Summit, and went snowmobiling with my family.  We try to do this pretty often.  It was one of my Dad's favorite places during any season of the year.  We have spend many days up there horseback riding, four-wheeling, or snowmobiling.  In trying to keep the tradition alive and have some winter fun we had a awesome and tiring day of snowmobiling.  We started together with the kids and everyone except Vanessa (she stayed home since she was ready to have a baby any day).  After 3 hours, Mia fell asleep.  We struggled  to make it back to the cabin and hold her on the snowmobile too.  The boys had to dig each others snowmobiles out more than a couple of times.  At the end of the day Bub, Sam, my Mom and I took one last outing where Bub's snowmobile got stuck super deep.  Bub and Sam were up to there chest in snow trying to get the snowmobile unstuck.  The sun had gone down and the snowmobile took forever to get out. Thank goodness for delicious hot chocolate waiting for us when we made it back to the cabin.

                                     Hailey singing at her schools Choir performance.  It was a big deal to Hailey.

                     Mia needed a cuddle break so we stopped and hung out in the snow for a while.

                         The girls made an awesome fort in their room and the fell asleep right away.  They got to sleep there for a couple of days and were in heaven.

                                                   Grandma Tere, making snow angels.

 The girls had fun at our ward Christmas party.  Hailey asked Santa for a dog, of course. Mia just wants a unicorn stuffed animal.  Santa knew the girls by name and they were a little freaked out by that. LOL

                                    These girls get a long most of the time and are great friends.

8 is Great

                          Hailey, Grace (from school), Graces sister?, Hailey Hughes from Church

                                                               The Ryan girls, Emily (Kate's sister)

                                                                  Aubrey (from soccer), Andalynn (from church)

                                                                                       Mia

                                                                   Lizzy (Church) and Kate (school)

 I  am not sure how Hailey can be 8 years old already but the cute girl just will not stop growing.  Hailey was so excited to have her 1st friend birthday party and I let her plan the whole thing.  It was at the River Mountain Park by our home. We decorated cupcake, played pin-the-tail, had pizza and the girls loved it.

 On the day of Hailey's birthday we had a small family celebration at home.  She got some Piano music, a Book of Mormon, and a CTR ring.

                          We sure love Hailey.  She is such an awesome, friendly, talented girl.

Hailey is growing up way to fast and time just keeps on flying by.  I thought I would ask her a few questions to help us remember her at this age forever.

How old are you? 8

What makes you happy? Playing with my friends
What is your favorite food? Orange Chicken
What is your least favorite thing to eat?  Tomatoes
What is your favorite thing to do? Play with my family
What is your favorite TV Show? My Little Pony
What are you really good at? Sports
What is your favorite movie? The Lorax
What is your favorite color? Purple and Pink
What is your favorite song? Call me Maybe
Who is your best friend? My best friend in my family is Mia and my best friend at school is Kate
What do you and your Mom do together? make cookies together
What do you and your Dad do together? play video games and soccer
What is your favorite sport? Soccer
Where is your favorite place to go? Chucky Cheese
What is your favorite book? Junnie B. Jones
What do you want to be when you grow up? A Veterinarian

Bub's Travels

     

Bub has been traveling all over for his OBGYN residency interviews.  In Pennsylvania, Bub went out to the Amish area where he found Longenecker Road.  I have never met another Longenecker outside of our family.  I guess out in Pennsylvania they are all over the place.

Bub had an awesome time shooting guns with the Elders in our ward.  I guess the desert is good for something.  HAHA

It is weird to not know where our family will be living for the next 4-7 years.  The options have been narrowed down to Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Texas. It is exciting in a way to know we will be starting on a new adventure in places I have never been.  I am sure glad to know that the church is everywhere and we will be just fine. 

Thanksgiving

     We had Thanksgiving dinner at the Las Vegas Longenecker's this year.  Bub was supposed to work on Thanksgiving and I was sad that we would be without him that day.  I started my day with a bike ride and when I came home, Bub was there.  The resident sent him home and told him to spend the holiday with his family.  I was so excited.  Bubs parents also came down from Utah to spend Thanksgiving with us.  Later that weekend my Mom, Bruce and Austie came down to visit too.  We love having visitors and enjoy having people come see us.