My cuties

I bought some lighting for my indoor shoots, so I played with them today. Kind of fun. I rather use natural light, but they worked well.

And the girls were such dolls.

Jr Comet Basketball

Tanner and Dallin played basketball with the Jr Comets this year. They just finished this season. Thank goodness! It was busy. Dallin had practice on Tuesday and Thursday, and Tanner had practice on Wednesday and Friday. And they both had games on Saturdays. Paula took Dallin most practice days since I babysit while he needs to be at practice. She was a life saver!

Dallin had an amazing coach, Collin Grant. Dallin really respected him and looked up to him, and Collin was so patient with Dallin who got a little goofy during practices. Dallin improved tremendously. He wasn't the strongest player, but he was just happy to show up. He was so proud of being on an undefeated team. 

 Tanner's team, on the other hand, was defeated every game. He was probably their strongest player. The coach wasn't as experienced or in control as Collin. Had a hard time controlling the rowdy boys even with an assistant. Tanner never let it get him down; played hard and loved it. Hopefully next year Collin can coach Tanner also. Collin has a son Tanner's age that he also coached. It was pretty sad when Tanner's team played Collin's other son's team. Lost by probably 50 points. 

The girls were supportive and at every game. 

Sisters

I love Amber's face in these! These two are going to be so close, I can tell already. Ashlyn was crying the other day and Amber came and hugged her. Ashlyn just held her. And I get all choked up. So sweet.

Trampoline

The trampoline never gets old. It has been one of the best toys. Thank you Santa! (last year)

Dallin's Class Party

I was asked to help in Dallin's class for their Christmas party. I just took pictures. He has the best teacher, Mrs. Snelling. I just love her for Dallin. 

One of Dallin's buddies, Ryder. He is also a neighbor.

Job Change

Nate has been looking forward to working in an outpatient setting since he was in grad school. He chose a skilled nursing facility right out of grad school for several reasons; mostly the money, to be honest. We wanted to pay off his student loan in a hurry, which we did. Nate enjoyed his time there for the most part, and made good friends. When the opportunity arose to work with one of the clinical instructors he worked with as a student he decided it was time for a switch. The opportunity first arose last year, but circumstances weren't quite right at that time. Glad we were patient because it has turned out to be a great blessing.

He has been at Therapeutic Associates for about a month now and seems to be settling in nicely. It is quite a transition going from skilled nursing, where he saw a lot of the same conditions and working with the geriatric community, to going to an out patient setting where you never know what you will see. He likes the challenge though.

Here is his profile picture that I took for their website. Isn't he handsome?

Christmas Trees

One of the ladies that I babysit gives us tickets to Festival of Trees. Santa was there. Amber didn't like the looks of him. 

 These were some of our favorite trees. 

Ashlyn put the star on the top of the tree this year.

The kids decorated it all by themselves. Not the prettiest tree we've ever had, but the kids were proud of it. I want to start going to the woods and cutting down a tree. I think that would be such a fun tradition. 

Christmas Card 2014

Here is our Christmas card for 2014. We used a kind of older picture, from March. They were our last family pictures taken by Michaela. We are due for new family pictures soon, so I hope we get to see Michaela in the next couple months.

Christmas

We had such a fun Christmas this year. We opened presents at our house in the morning, baked some food and then spent the afternoon and my brother's house with my siblings. Played games and with new toys. I love staying home for the holidays. So happy my family is mostly in town. Would be great if we could get Nate's family close by. 

Thanksgiving

I know, I am a bit late posting this, but life got busy! So I am catching up now. 

We spent Thanksgiving day with Jesse's (my brother) in-laws, the Grethers. They get together at a church building on Thanksgiving to accommodate their numbers, and our family added quite a few. It was lots of fun. We played dodge ball, and some played board games. 

Ashlyn and I made a blackberry pie. It didn't turn out the best, but it was pretty. :)

Jesse and Tanner

Nate, Paul and Whitney

 Paul and Jesse, and Ashlyn on a scooter board. Somehow the Grether's got the dodge balls and scooter boards from a local school. 

 GO!

Shaye is a pretty amazing dodgeball player. I wouldn't expect any less from a BYU Woman's Rugby player. Tracie wasn't bad herself.