Jake's 5th grade class singing at their Christmas program. Mr. Drummond was leading the way!
No coal under the tree this year (even though some of us may have deserved it!)
Youngest to oldest line-up!
I think the dog was more excited and awake than the kids!
We were very spoiled and blessed for Christmas. Joe surprised me and bought me a beautiful ring. I was shocked and amazed at how wonderful he is. After 17 years of marriage, it just keeps getting better. Love you Joe!
Heather Haynie, Wendy Weight, Diana Nelson, Danielle Spangler
Connley Samuels, Morgan Weight, Taylor Gregory
Kelsey was a creepy zombie this year. She and her good friend, Ashton, were both zombies and looked scary! All credit goes to Ashton's mom, Rachel Hunt, who has the talent and ability to make them look this great.
Jake was Thor this year. One tough boy!
Todd Driggs, John Darrington, Jae Darrington, Joe Weight, Wendy Weight, Susie Holdsworth, Mike Holdsworth
It's true! My crazy son (AND my baby) is now in the double digits. Jake turned 10 years old on July 13th.
We got to have a week-long celebration since the girls and I were gone on his actual b-day. We started the Saturday before by opening some gifts, eating at Costa Vida (Jake's pick) and playing a game of laser tag. The girls and I were gone to girls camp on his special day, but Joe and Jake went to the Weight Ranch and enjoyed a "boy's night" of camping to celebrate.
Finally, we ended the week celebration by going to the final Harry Potter movie. Jake got a wand and several Harry Potter Legos sets for gifts. He dressed up for the movie and we all had a great time. I love you Jake! You are an awesome young man, full of joy and humor. I am proud of you and your choices. You will be an incredible missionary some day and a true warrior in the fight for truth and righteousness.
As with most years, Morgan's birthday fell during our Yellowstone week. This year she turned 15 years old. (Holy, moly, hold on for next year!)
Joe took Morgan out driving to help celebrate her big day. They saw 2 moose on their drive. Not every new driver has to dodge moose! We didn't actually get her driver's permit until we returned to Utah a few days later. Watch out world, Morgan has her permit and we're not afraid to use it.
Morgan's most prized gift was a new cell phone. Those weren't even invented when I was 15 years old.
Fun day, gorgeous weather, and beautiful daughter. I am amazed at Morgan's maturity, kindness, hard work and determination to do what's right. She is a blessing to our lives and I am grateful I can spend eternity with her. Love you Morgan.
So I got some pretty wonderful gifts on my birthday. And, as always, it's the gifts that have thought and love put into them that are the best. First of all, Morgan decorated my bedroom door for my birthday with 40 Ways to Say "I Love You." She then put up "I Love You" in 40 different languages. It was so SWEET.
My sister, Debby, and Joe put a lot of time and energy in to making a beautiful center piece for me. They called and emailed several people that I have been close to in my life. They had each of them give one word to describe me. The cool thing was that no one gave the same word. Then they put those words onto small rocks that went in the center piece. It was lovely and very touching. Thanks for making this potentially tearful birthday one of joy!
40 years young, and counting.....
To help celebrate my big 4 0 , Joe and I took a quick weekend getaway before the big day. We flew to Newport Beach, CA. Yes, it's true....I realize we were just there in the spring but we loved it and wanted some more fun and sun.
My sister, Debby, and Curtis met us there. We had such a great time! I can't think of a better way to celebrate life than be with people I love.
Susie and Mike came down for a day and we went out to eat, bike riding, eating, boating, eating....yeah, our regular theme. Food is always a big hit.
The weekend went too fast but I enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you Deb and Curt for the long trip from Missouri to make my birthday special. And thank you Suz and Mike for driving down and playing. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people.
Disneyland - Fun day but long! Kids loved the rides. 
Spent 2 days in Newport Beach - Chilly but so nice to feel the sun and breeze.
I even think the teenager enjoyed herself. (Just don't tell her that.) (:
Sand, sun and fun
We finished the last day off with whale watching. It was pretty amazing.
Kelsey has been busy at school. She has been in the A.L.L. (Advance Learning Lab) program for the past 2 years. This year the school work has been very demanding, yet also very rewarding. The beginning of April Kelsey participated in Images of Greatness. Kelsey researched the life of William Shakespeare, prepared a tri-fold board, wrote a poem and then got to perform that poem the evening of the program. She was adorable and did a great job.
The end of April, Kelsey's class had a Renaissance Fair. Kelsey had several projects she had to complete to earn her place in society. She worked hard so she wouldn't be a peasant. She earned her spot as a "Lady" and had a fun day feasting and participating in activities. Fox13 News spotlighted her class on the early morning news. Way to work hard sis!
Our sweet Kelsey turned twelve in January. She had the joy of going to school on her birthday, so we got to celebrate early before school and later after school. It's so strange to have two girls in Young Womens now.
We sure love you Kelsey! You have brought 12 years of joy to our family. Thanks for being such a kind and wonderful daughter.
Our family tried out skiing and snowboarding at the end of January. All in all, it was a fun and exhausting day. I was impressed with the kids' abilities and we are hoping to get them back on the slopes soon.
Jake got some good exercise this month playing on his Junior Jazz team. We had games every Wednesday night for the past 2 months. He had fun but is now excited to move on to baseball in a couple months. Go Jake!
Happy New Year to all our family and friends! We brought in the new year with laughter and loud noises! Kelsey and Jake decided they would not only blow their horns, but they'd jump up and down on bubble rap to add more excitement. It was just fun watching them!
Morgan and her friend, Taylor, decided to take the more mature approach.
And, as always, I was sappy and emotional. New Years Eve always brings back family memories and thoughts of my dear parents. Tears are good!
Christmas was a joyful day. Santa keeps finding our home, regardless of our behavior, and he had a fun sense of humor this year.
Family tradition....First prayer, then line up from youngest to oldest. (I always enjoyed this tradition since I was the youngest of 5).
Morgan received a life-size cardboard cutout of Edward. This became the "joke of the day" as we kept hiding him in rooms, closets, showers, etc. and scaring each other. How come it's always the random gifts that become the favorites?
Christmas Eve was spent with family and friends. We enjoyed our traditional singing of Christmas hymns, reading the account of Christ's birth from the scriptures, reciting my mother's Christmas poem, singing the rowdy Christmas songs and finishing in unison reciting, "The Night Before Christmas." It is always a wonderful evening.
One of the most beautiful things about having a blog is that I don't even have to write a Christmas Letter recalling all the happenings of the last year. All one has to do to see what's happened is scroll down the page.
