New Calling and Burkholder Family Party

Sunday brought a new change for us. We got called into the Stake President's office last Sunday. Dan got called to be the Stake Executive Secretary. The Stake President, who is also our neighbor, said that his name just kept popping up in his head. He was the man for the job. So this last Sunday, they released him from being 2nd counselor in the bishopric, much to several people's surprise since he had only been in there for 9 months, and called him into the Stake Executive Secretary calling. He is a bit overwhelmed right now learning the ropes, but he will be good! Makayla would not let go of him when he came off the stand to sit by us. The kids will love having dad to sit by us now, or for this year at least since we are 11-2. A past bishop in our ward reminded Dan when he got called in, that Levi was crying as he walked up to the stand. He was reminded of his own son when he got called in to be bishop and what a tender moment that was to see Levi. He was glad that he would be able to sit back with us. It definitely is a family calling when those men take the stand! We will also probably get him home a little more during the week, he may just have to make a million phone calls every week! He will miss the guys he worked with, our bishop is great! The Lord wants you where he wants you. That is something we learn often! We are definitely NOT in charge! So off to that new adventure!
Monday we had the Burkholder family party. I was not feeling well so we skipped out on the sledding before hand. Dan had to work so we didn't make it till dinner at 5. The weather was poor and some of the family had to leave early, so it was a short but sweet get together! The kids always love to see their cousins! They ran around crazy and we ate yummy food! Bada spoiled them as always with the cutest books. I always love coming home with such fun books to add to our collection. The kids read for days after! I didn't get many pictures since my camera was in the car and it was all done before I finished eating! Thanks to Makayla it takes me awhile:)

 I found out that the kids were running from the cameras once I pulled mine out. So I did my best! This was the best I got of Zack... They have too much fun with all their cousins!

Kate was the only one who wanted her picture taken!

 The inseparable Adelaide and Levi!

Lincoln would only give me his silly face...if I was quick!

 Doggy pile on uncle Adriel. He always asks for it!

Since we barely made it up the driveway on the way there, we took off around 7 to get home. They needed up closing sections of I-15 since the wind got so strong blowing the snow over the freeway. We beat the worst of it home. Welcome to winter! 

Sledding

The day after Christmas we headed back down to Grandma and Bumpas. We had some lunch and let the kids play before heading over to the park for some sledding. As always, they loved it! Makayla and Levi got cold after awhile and Zack stayed for a little longer with dad while all the rest of the kids finished up. 

 Fist time all by herself! My little marshmallow did pretty good!

 My pregnant body went once, and once was enough on those tiny sleds!

 Krista sure loves having 3 brother-in-laws!

We hit up Cafe Rio since Grammy got us all gift cards there. It was fun to spend time with family! We put the kids to bed and played games with Kellie, McKay, and Dad. Then everyone hit the sack. Well we should have, but Dan ended up playing video games with McKay and I ended up sitting up with Kellie talking till about 2am. We paid the price the next day when our kids were up around 6:45! We did some shopping and lunch the next day. After that I left Dan with the kids at my parents house since we did not have church clothes for everyone. My cousin Candice and her husband Joel lost their little 4 month old baby on Christmas to SIDS. They had a quick funeral before heading home just 2 days later. It broke my heart to see her have to bury her son, but what a strong feeling of the truthfulness of the plan of salvation you got from them and the feeling in the room. I hugged my babies tight that night when I put them to bed. I could only imagine! So grateful for the knowledge of eternal families and for my little family. We headed home after the funeral to get ready for Sunday!

Christmas 2014

I love Christmas! I love the family time. I love the kid's excitement. I love the chance to just play all day with them. I love that no one knocks on our door. I love that the only phone calls are from family.  I love that we can stay in our jammies as long as we want to. I love having Dan all to ourselves! The kids spoiled us that morning after playing so hard the night before and didn't wake us up till 7:45. We woke up to little feet running to the tree and then running back to our room. I swear they checked the tree for a week before Christmas every morning in hopes that it would come a little early. Well, they were beyond themselves excited. It took everything they had to use the restroom and wait a few minutes for their sister to wake up and for mom and dad to get out of bed! We were so mean and made them wait a few minutes longer as we read the Christmas story from Luke and talked about what Christmas was really about. Then we took turns opening presents until they were all gone. The kids were bouncing excited not only for their own, but for everyone else's! Makayla started off strong, but ended up just wanting to play with the opened ones more than opening more! So we helped her at the end!

 After presents we had some traditional cinnamon rolls. I was too lazy and tired to make homeade rolls this year!

 We were lucky enough to wake up to our first real snow this year. The kids were anxious to go out and play. Somehow Makayla was the most anxious and went to shovel the walks with dad before they all went out to play in it! She cries every time you make her come back inside. She loves the snow!

 The boys jumped right into their toys. They spent all morning playing and almost 2 hours building their new Lego sets they asked Santa for. They worked hard and both did them with a tiny bit of help every now and then.

 After their Lego's they bundled up and headed out to build a snowman. Too bad the snow was not super packable yet, so they just ended up making a tiny one!
Makayla copying the boys when they made snow angels!

 Our little snowman!

 This guy is just taking a nap in the snow.

 Oh, I just love these guys!

 Hugs before going inside.

We had a relaxing day of watching the Grinch, doing a puzzle, playing new games, and just playing playing playing. It was a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve PARTEY!

We headed down Christmas Eve to the Hegerhorst family party. We started off with some downtime/lunch.

Followed by the guys setting up a nerf gun course for the kids. 

 Levi was Mr. Sharp Shooter. He hit almost every target with one shot!

Christmas crafts

 Followed by the Year 2014 recap slideshow Bumpa and Grandma made.

Then we headed downstairs for the talent show. My kids all sang Jingle Bells. Makayla usually will yell, "Hey!" But, she was too distracted by everyone:)

Grandma went all out this year for costumes and the kids loved it! Makayla was an angel and Levi and Zack were Wisemen.

She really is a little angel!

We also did the left-right white elephant game somewhere in there! The kids always love this!

One of the boys ended up with fake mustaches, so we had some fun with them!

 Bumpa and Grandma made a pretty good Mr. and Mrs. Claus this year!

 As you can see by Zack's face, he was pretty excited for his gift from Bumpa and Grandma! We all got spoiled rotten! Aunt Krista even made all the kids pillow cases with some new pillows.

After all the cousin gifts, it was time for the scrumptious food! It was delicious!

 We headed on home after the kids opened up their Christmas jammies I sewed them and slippers. We wrote notes for Santa, set out some cookies, and tracked Santa on the computer right before hitting the sack. These kiddos partied hard and crashed!