December Activities

December went by very quickly. We started off by putting up the Christmas decorations. The kids favorite thing to do. They start begging on Thanksgiving Day to get all the decorations out.

Justin and Kaylynn took turns putting on all the tree decorations. Hanna did her best to get in everyones way.

We went as a family and with our friends the Ludlow's to see the Mesa Arizona Temple lights. It was a very nice evening - no storm or rain like usually happens when we want to see the lights.

I asked the kids to get dressed for church and Justin and Kaylynn decided that they should all match. I must say these three kiddos are the cutest around! Trying to get all three of them to sit still and smile is very, very challenging.

The girls showing off all their cuteness. Kaylynn even came up with this pose for the picture.

Annual Jordan ornament making night. Every year we as a family make our own Christmas ornament to hang on the tree. This year we found a kit that made miniature Christmas trees out of beads. The kids found out it was really fun to hang them on their ears like earrings. Hanna only got to look at her ornament because she kept trying to eat it.

Kaylynn and Justin at our Ward Christmas Party. Kaylynn sang with all the Primary kids and Justin played a wiseman during the song. They both did an awesome job singing.

JL and I celebrated our 8th Anniversary. We went to the Temple and then out to eat at Texas Roadhouse. It was an enjoyable few hours to ourselves. Love you tons Honey!!

CHRISTMAS DAY!

Hanna in her 1st Christmas outfit. By the way Hanna started walking at the beginning of this month. Look out world she is on the run now!

The kids with all their Christmas presents. JL has been out of work for over a year now and we knew this Christmas was going to be tight and that we would not be able to share gifts with family and friends, even though we wanted too. So long story short, THANKS to all the family and friends who made this Christmas possible for our family. We appreciate all your generosity, kindness and love. We will always remember it and hope to be able to return the favor.

Justin and Kaylynn as they opened up a very special present from Grandma and Grandpa. They bought us Wii. Grammy and HotRod bought the family the Fit board to go with it. The kids are beyond excited. Thank You!!

JL and Hanna chillin' waiting for Christmas dinner at Grammy's.

Cousin Power! Kaid, Justin, Kaylynn and Brielle showing off and posing for the camera.

Hanna looking a little dazed, but very cute. She was bored waiting for Mom to get her some food.

Linnlee got a new camera for Christmas and so she gladly took pictures of everyone. They turned out awesome. Enjoy!

Hanna not really into taking pictures. Justin and Kaylynn playing in the leaves.

Justin handsome as ever. We finally got a picture of Hanna not crying.

My two favorite girls of all time!

Boys being boys! Girls trying to be cute.

Yeah! A family picture, we have been so bad about taking family pictures this year.

HotRod and Grammy with all the Grandkids!

JL and I, along with Hancock's went out to our Stake Youth Trek and taught a workshop on Square Dancing. A long story goes with this picture and the events of the day. First we didn't want to go and tried to get out of it for months. At the last minute we ended up having to go. We got there early and was dropped off in the middle of the desert and were told that the kids will come around the mountain. Hours past and we did not see any kids. We knew we were stranded in the middle of the desert with me being sick and Nichole was pregnant. Lovely. Then a truck pulled up and Bro. Dockstader had found us. He told us he had a feeling to go drive around and find some missing people. He didn't know the area and drove right to us. He took us to the place we were supposed to be and we presented our workshop. Come to find out later the brother who dropped us off first did not know that the youth were not going to move that day because they had some severe weather the night before. The Stake spent the whole day fixing broken tents, and taking sleeping bags and clothes into town to get them dry. We had over an inch of rain the night before and then had several days of below freezing temperatures. Both unusual for Arizona. Lesson we learned is sometimes you just need to do what the Lord wants because he is trying to teach you or give you a testimony boost. Either way it will always be for our good.