Cute Stocking Feet

Thank you, Aunt Bear, for the cute valentine socks. They are perfect.

Love,

Kilee

Visitors!

BYU-I has a barbershop festival in January and when I found out about it, I called my dad and asked him and Mom to come up and go to it. They braved some snowy weather getting here, but my kids were so excited when they saw the truck pull in the driveway.


Friday evening we spent two hours up at the university listening to some outstanding student quartets and also the BYU Men's and Women's Choruses. By the way, Elko folks, Steven Johnson is on the second row, far left, of the men's chorus. We were totally excited to see Steven, but we couldn't find him after the performance to say hello. Then we got to hear a nationally known group called FRED and my kids laughed harder than they have in ages. It was great family entertainment.

Following the show, we grabbed a bite to eat and came home to have a belated Christmas with my parents. Then it was time for bed. Nana and Papa had to leave early Saturday morning to go to a funeral so we got an early start on the day.



Nana helped Kilee make cinnamon cream syrup (yummy!) and we ate it on whole wheat pancakes.


McKay would not let Papa out of his sight. Papa had to sit next to him at breakfast....


...and when I tried to get a picture of my parents, McKay wouldn't leave his side.


We were sad to have Nana and Papa leave so soon, and we can't wait for them to come back (maybe when there is less snow).

Teenager on the Loose

I am the mother of a teenager. I think I sprouted gray hair over night.

Braxton turned 13 today. His birthday celebration started Monday with a family dinner at Texas Roadhouse. Braxton has been begging to go to this restaurant for a long time.

Even though he is 13, he isn't too old to color.

Braxton is a carnivore and Randy and I weren't a bit surprised when he asked to order the half rack of ribs. That's more food than Randy and I can eat together.

In true teenager fashion, he managed to clear his plate. And he still had room for dessert, which he kindly shared with his siblings.

This morning started early. Randy was headed out of town again and we wanted to open presents before he left.

Once again, the teenager appeared when Braxton would have rather slept than open presents.

He requested a marble cake with white frosting. I don't recall being that fussy as a teenager, but perhaps this specificity is also part of being a teenager. I wanted a better picture of him blowing out his candles, but I was too busy holding my hand over McKay's mouth to keep him from blowing out Braxton's candles.

Braxton will be able to drive in two years. He goes on a mission in six years. I was ruminating to my class today that I only have him for six more years and they gently said, "If that, Sister Stocking." Then they kindly reminded me that once they hit high school, they are busy with school, activities, jobs, and friends, and I might get to see him for only a few minutes a day.

I would like to stop time and keep my kids here forever. I would like my little 13-year-old to not get any older (and certainly not any more teenagery). But I'm also excited for what life has in store for them, for him. He has a world full of opportunities, and now, he's one year closer to having them.