Mesquite Presidents Cup

We always love to go down south to play soccer! We were hoping it would be a little warmer and it was, but still VERY cold! We loved the beautiful drive through the gorge to get to Mesquite but I did get car sick. Poor Tony's kids got car sick coming too! The kids love seeing palm trees. 

 Lots of cool rock formations.

 And CUTE kids to snuggle with.

 One of our best players got the flu on her way down and that was too bad. The girls played so hard and we played teams that were ranked above us. We lost all but 1 and somehow that gave us 3rd.

 I love seeing how the girls have progressed each winter!

 If I remember right, Mol had 1 goal.

 I arranged some team building activities after one of the games. We went to the local rec center. The kids could swim, play foosball or ping pong or racketball. I think most everyone had fun. But I didn't realize that Mesquite is a place people go for retirement and it was full of old people who were glaring at us! Ooops. Everyone brought a snack and the girls had a brunch there too.

 After one of the games we hit up Thunder Junction! The best park ever! The sun came out and the weather was actually really nice! We had a picnic and just played the afternoon away.

 Soccer nails for good luck!

 It was good to see Tony's family and get to spend some time with cousins! The kids loved chasing Roman around.

 At the end of the tournament, Coach gave away 3 game balls and Mollie got one of them! He told them he'd be watching for who played the hardest. I was so proud of her.

 Lola and Mollie!

 The gold team with coach Cameron.

We had a great time! I hope if we go back it'll be warmer though!!!!

Carter's Ordination Day!

Also known as, burst mom's heart day! We have been looking forward to this day for a long time! Every time Carter bore his testimony in the last year he would say he couldn't wait to get the priesthood. So cute. Look at that handsome kid in his suit!

 We planned his ordination in our home (perks of being in the bishopric!) for 11AM. Both sets of grandparents came, uncles, aunts, Eash's and friends all came to support him.

 Seeing all the priesthood holders lay their hands on Carter's head was so overwhelming. This is when I thought my heart would burst with happiness! I snuck a peek at him during the blessing and he was all smiles! He said he kept his eyes closed the whole time after it was over.

 Here are all the men who wee in attendance.

 And the ladies!

 Sister Huffman was Carter's primary teacher until she had a battle with cancer. She won it and when they got word of Carter's ordination they asked if they could come. Of course! They are so good to our family.

 After a yummy BBQ, we got ready and headed to the temple! He really wanted to go to SLC or Logan but with one under construction and the other far away, we settled for Jordan River.

 It was SOOOO busy that day as you can imagine with the begining of a new year and a bunch of new 11 year old wanting to get to the temple. I was grateful we even got in. The whole family tagged along and I was crushed a little when they told us it would be a good hour and a half wait. But everyone was patient. The next thing I knew, the temple president (I think, could have been a counselor) invited our whole family to wait in a special room off to the side of the baptistry where we could all give Carter some counsel. He invited Chad to lead it and then whoever wanted to could give Carter some counsel. HOW SPECIAL that was! Almost everyone including grandparents got the chance to share wisdom with Carter in the temple. I know that is a rare thing and I was so grateful for the opportunity. Soon, it was our turn. Carter went down into the water with Chad and he was all smiles. All the family was watching through the glass and I got the awesome opportunity to be a witness for the baptisms. He only got to do a few names because it was so busy, but then it was my turn to be baptized and Carter got to be a witness to them.

 The day was perfect and I wish I had more pictures. But we are so grateful for a large family who supports us and loves us so much! I'm so proud of Carter for setting his sights on the temple and looking forward to going and gives us reminders to plan trips. He is such a good kid. Always keep your heart set on the temple bud! It is where you while discover what happiness is.

We came home to some yummy soup in the croc pot and just enjoyed the rest of the evening.

Castleberrys are forever

 I've been a visiting teacher/ministering person to Lisa Castleberry for 6 years! I was totally ecstatic when she messaged me saying her and Quincy were going through the temple to be sealed! I couldn't make it to her endowment but I really wanted to be there for the sealing but it was in IDAHO! At the Idaho Falls Temple. I talked with Alex, who is my partner, and all she said was ROAD TRIP!  She loves to drive and I don't so it was a perfect match.

It was a little crazy timing because my family was coming in town the next day that night for Carter's ordination the next day! But I knew we'd be blessed for going. We hopped in the car and took a 6 hour drive to Idaho Falls!

 I was so glad we went! It was only us, bishop and his wife and one of her friends from work and her husband. But it was so special and they were just beaming! The kids were brought in and they were so still for the sealing. SO cool to see!

 We love this lady. And while she was super hard to track down for many years, I always reached out to her and let her know she was loved. Probably not as great as I should have, but I tried. I've grown to love her over the years and get to know her on a more personal level! She is such a good person. I'm so proud of the changes her family has made.

And my favorite part was coming out of the temple to seeing all her older kids from another marriage sitting there in the waiting room. They drove all from Utah to be with their mom and step dad while they themselves could not take part in the sealing. How hard that must have been for them, but so kind and respectful to show up. Logan is getting ready to serve a mission in AZ and that was a big push to get them to the temple. Whatever it takes!

After a few snacks we were back on the road! The sun set was so pretty on the drive there and it just brought us so much peace! Alex and I did not run out of things to talk about and she is just such a fun friend to have! I got home about 11 pm and found some of my family already there! We caught up really quick and headed to bed for an exciting day tomorrow! 

2020!

We started off 2020 with a bang! A dishwasher bang! It just quit working. We knew from the day we moved in it wasn't a great one but it lasted us a good 6 years! So after a week or so of having no dishwasher and doing everything by hand, it was finally delivered on new years eve! So we spent New Year's Day putting it in. And its huge and works beautifully! Next up, was a new water heater in a few months. 

 On the 2nd we decided to finally check out the Ninja gym that I bought a groupon for several months ago! The big kids loved it! However there wasn't a ton for the littles to do. They found enough to keep them entertained for a while.

 Mollie is strong!  And Carter worked so hard trying to run up this wall! He even had a guy giving his some pointers!

 Rylee spent most of her time swinging on this rope.

 Brielle tried almost everything but was discouraged she couldn't do much. So I lifted her alot!

 After the gym I really wanted to find Carter a new suit for his ordination. I ordered one on Amazon and it barely fit him! I went to several stores and then I was prompted to go to Burlington Coat Factory.  I looked and looked and NOTHING! I turned to leave but decided to try one more isle. There hanging by itself was a suit coat in a size 12! For $40! Sweet! I went down the whole row to the other end and found the only pair of black pants in a size 12 for $10! The brands didn't match, but I didn't care. They are close enough material and color no one would notice. I was so happy!!!!

 Later that evening we got a package delivered from a lady in our ward saying that her husband made all these hats for us! I was totally touched and the cutest old guy in the ward had thought of our family. Carters was the perfect size for a 1 year old but I made him squeeze into it for a picture! They are so thick and well made!

Happy January!

New Years Eve

I usually am happy to see the year go and get a new fresh start on everything. We kept it simple this year and just had the Eash family and Rowley family over. It was a good number and we got alot of game playing in. We did nachos and lots of goodies. Despite Nan's face, we were having a good time!

 Getting ready to cheers the New Year! I apparently didn't get many pics but that must mean I was having lots of fun!!

goodbye 2019, HELLO 2020!!!