Adoption of Layton

The best and most wonderful event that took place in 2011, and we had lots of great happenings, was the adoption of our wonderful son Layton James! We got Layton on March 27, 2011 at about 1:30 in the morning. It was snowing outside and he was only wearing a onesis and snow coat. He was so cute, and you could tell he was wondering where the heck he was at! But he was so content and easy going. We were hoping from day one, he would be with us forever. We have had between 10-15 kids in our home who have been placed in Foster Care, and we have never been so in love with such a little guy! We are truely blessed to have this sweet spirit in our home. We attended a few court dates to get things in line to finally adopt him. On December 15, 2011 we went to our final court date and got the adoption officially done. On December 17, 2011 we were able to have a very sweet experience and have him sealed to our family for "time and all Eternity" and all of my children were able to be present in the sealing room. They all came in the room dressed in white and literally looked like angels. It was so darling to see all my children in the Temple with Travis and I. We had some family and a couple of friends present. Roger & LeAnn, James & Amber, Nantalie and Debbie Kinghorn were able to attend and we greatly appreciate thier support. It was a once in a lifetime experience and we are so blessed and happy to have a knowledge that we are sealed together Forever as Families. We reconize that we are a family in the hereafter, and that "death do us part" is not the end, we are together for "time & all eternity". We get to be families in the Eternities! We love Layton dearly and we are so happy to have added another spirit to our AMAZING family!!

First Date~Winter Ball

Justice turned 16 on December 22, and on December 23 she went on her first official date to the Winter Ball. She went with Gunner Anderson, and they both had a really good time. The girls picked up their dates (it was girls choice dance) around 11:00 to go eat lunch at Fongs, then Travis and I took them shooting for their day date. It was cold, but I think they all had fun shooting a bunch of guns!! After that they took the boys home to get all dressed up for pictures and hanging out. They all had dinner at our house and then more pics and then finally off to the dance. Unfortunetly, Gunner was not feeling well all day from eating at Fongs, so he ended up going home a little early. Poor Guy!! All in all I think they all had a good time and have great memories!!

Surprise Party

I planned a surprise party for Justice, with the help of her best friend, Mercedes!! It went well, she had to cheer at a game and I had Mercedes tell all the friends to come over to our house straight after the game. I knew Justice would try to make plans with friends so they just told her they couldn't do anything!! We stalled and drove around, then when we got home Justice went right downstairs and her friends jumped out and threw confetti and yelled "surprise"! It was pretty fun!!

Justice's 16th Birthday!!!

December 22 was Justice's 16th birthday!! Yay!! Finally 16 to date and drive!! She has been waiting 16 years for this day! HA!! She had a pretty good day....slept in and then went to lunch with mom and dad. Picked up her dress for the Winter Ball, had birthday cake and presents with her family. Then she was off to the Boys Basketball game to cheer!! Luckily she had her mom and dad there to make sure the whole school knew it was her special day! I had Mr. Luke, the Athletic Director announce it was her birthday, and then I ran some balloons out to her after the cheerleaders performed!! It was a great moment to put her on the spot!! Happy Birthday!!!

Christmas Morning!!

Okay so this was so hard to decide on the pics to post! We had so many great moments and loved watching kids open up gifts. We were very blessed with very nice things and had a good time together!! After opening gifts we ate a delcious pancake, eggs, bacon and orange juice breakfast. Then off to church for sacrament meeting! It was a great day spent watching movies, fixing dinner and playing with new things!! Great Christmas 2011!!

School Christmas Program

Every year is also the famous Central Elementary Christmas Program. We have been to several of these over the years! Karli and Ryley did a great job singing and dancing with thier classmates. It was fun to see them perform and then after they got to go sit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. It was a fun evening....even on the back braking bleachers!!

Breakfast with Santa!

For a several years now the football team does a fundraiser and has "Breakfast with Santa". We eat yummy pancakes, eggs, sausage and milk. Then the kids go sit on Santa's lap and tell him all the things they want for Christmas!! It is a fun activity to do with the kids, and get breakfast!!

Getting caught up.....again!!

On December 10th, Justice and her cheerleading squad sang Christmas carols at an outdoor shopping center. They did a great job and sounded beautiful. The shopping center is called Hemmingway Village, they had hot chocolate, cookies, Santa, horse carriage rides and photo booth! So while Justice was singing, I took the kids to go get a carriage ride. It was a fun afternoon.