First Snowfall of Winter 2016 (November 17)

Eli woke up at 6:00 and got dressed immediately and went out in the snow.

Eli and Jake wanted to have a picture together in the first snowfall.

Jake loved Eli's face in this one. He was so excited and trying to catch snowflakes on his tongue. :)

We had our first snow of the winter of 2016 yesterday. Jake and Ava skipped school and played with Eli until the snow melted off. They were so disappointed it didn't last longer but they had fun while it was on the ground. We went to G&G Merrill's and made pumpkin muffins too. Grandpa had already made carrot/pineapple bread and when we left, Grandma was making mincemeat muffins too. As we left and were driving away, Jake said, "I love how homey Grandma and Grandpa's house is". :)

Halloween 2016

Jake as a 50's teen

Dennis and his last two kiddos getting ready to go trick or treating.

Silly faces

Miranda Sings and Captain America

Miranda

The Captain showing his muscles

This Halloween was sure eventful! It started off normal enough but then Jake didn't come home from school. It was early release day so he was supposed to be home by 2;15. When he didn't come home I thought maybe he had missed the bus. I was annoyed because I had planned to take the kids to Mom and Dad's for dinner and to meet up with the cousins to see their costumes. Well, after driving around our neighborhood, down the busy Pioneer Crossing, checking the school, and driving back home via Main Street, and not finding him, I started to panic. It is not like Jake to not come home. He has never asked to go to a friend's house. I knew he had a few friends at school but he never asks to hang out with them. So after two hours of him not coming home, I called the police. They came over asked for a picture of Jake and then 3 police cars went out searching for him. They drove over to the Middle school (Dennis had rushed over there from work too). We had neighbors and friends even in Eagle Mountain out looking for him. Rachel came over and we were really fearing the worst when I got a call from Jake. Autumn had contacted one of his friends (who he just happened to be with) and told him we were searching for him. He said he thought I knew he was with his friends at a Halloween party. (He had asked a few weeks earlier but then said he didn't want to go so I had totally forgotten about it) Anyway, he came right home and the poor mother of the group felt so bad. She had asked if each of the kids had asked their parents and they all said they had. Needless to say, Jake was grounded for a while. He felt really bad when he found out that the police and neighborhood were out looking for him.

So, he stayed home and passed out candy with me, Dennis took Ava and Eli out trick or treating, and Brad enjoyed a movie and popcorn with his friend Liam. The little ones had a blast and came home with tons of candy. What a day!

Fall 2016

These kids were so excited to rake our leaves and jump in them this fall.

I love the action shots Jake took of these two jumping into their "pile" of leaves.

I think someone enjoyed playing in the leaves with his brother and sissy.

My "HOT" Husband :)

Isn't he the most handsome man ever?! Sure do love this man of mine!

I saw this sign and thought how funny it would be to put it with a picture of my "hot" husband.  He's a good sport and puts up with  his crazy wife. :)

Fall drive through the Alpine Loop (October 2016)

We drove the Alpine Loop Conference weekend. Jesse Bear had spent the night so he joined us.

Jesse Bear

Ava girl

Eli (still wearing his Thanksgiving Point farm sticker)

Jakee Juice

Most of the fall colors were gone except for the Aspen trees and we loved these bright red berries contrasted against the white bark and evergreen trees.

One view of some Aspens.

You can see that it was a busy weekend for "leaf-peepers".

Love this boy

We drove the Alpine Loop on Conference Weekend. It was packed with cars and people. All of the orange and red leaves were already off but man, the Aspens were the most vibrant yellow I've ever seen. We went up some side road past the Timpooneke trail head and finally were mostly by ourselves. It was a beautiful afternoon!

Best Parents Ever

I wish this wasn't so blurry! I love this one of  Dad and Mom. They really are the cutest couple and get along so good. It's fun to see them thinking of each other each and every day.

Mom looks so pretty when she smiles. If only we could convince her!

Dad had the worst experience with this front tooth. It just would not stay in and every couple of days it would fall out and back to the dentist he would go. We thought it would be funny to take a picture of him with his tooth out. :)

Of course we had to get a picture of these two with their baby. :) I guess 'ol Tess is now 7 years old! She is getting white on her muzzle and eyebrows. She has been the best thing for both Dad and Mom. They spoil her just like they spoiled their kids and grand kids.

Ava turns 9!

First one that Jake took.

I love this one! Her natural smile and laugh are just so adorable.

Isn't she stunning?!

The "pensive" look

Jake took these pictures in September. I love my little girly girl. She will turn 9 tomorrow but is having her friend birthday party tonight. She wants to do a few games, open presents, have cake and ice cream, and then have a movie night with popcorn with all of her friends. She has invited 8 little girls so we will see how many show up. Ethan sent her a package for her birthday. It came in the mail yesterday. He gave her a cookbook, an iTunes gift card, a cd, some sparkly nail polish, and the sweetest note. She was so excited and couldn't believe it was all for her.

Jake turns 14 years old!

On the balcony at Don and Jill's in Henderson, Nevada

San Clemente, California (first day)

San Clemente, California (before heading to the beach)

At Pebble Beach/Monterey area in California

Jake finally got to see the Golden Gate Bridge

So handsome!

My little Juicy is now 14 years old! I can't believe he is now a Teacher and will soon be getting his Patriarchal Blessing. He's been wanting to get his for a while now so he spoke to the Bishop this last Sunday about getting it. I can't wait. It seems to help kids with their self esteem and confidence to know that God knows them and what they are personally wondering about and to have those questions answered in those special blessings.

Jake is such a joy to me! He is kind and thoughtful and always willing to help with anything I need help with. He loves his siblings and enjoys spending time with them. He is especially aware of his little brother, Eli, and is very protective of him. People see him as a shy kid but that's only until he trusts you enough to open up and be himself. He is funny and has the best sense of humor. He loves photography, dreams of owning his own real estate company some day, loves the ocean, sunshine, and palm trees. He loves friends and cousins and spending time with family.

I can't wait to see what the future holds in store for this kiddo! I love my Jakey Juice more than I can ever express!

First Day of School (August 22, 2016)

Ava girl going into 3rd grade.

She really was excited that school was starting even though her face says otherwise. :)

Brad going into 10th grade.

I forgot to have Brad hold up his fingers to represent what grade he's in. It was too early to think clearly. :)

Jake is in 8th grade this year.

I love this boy's style. He picked out his clothes and found a new favorite store this year. H&M will have a new customer!