Christmas Countdown is On!

I don't know about you, but getting out of bed this morning was rough!We were up early over the break, but we had no schedule or obligations and that was HEAVEN! We are back to early morning seminary, work, school, sports, and other commitments...but only for three weeks! Let the countdown for Christmas break begin! #lovewhenmypeoplearehome #itsalmostnotfairhowcuteheis

Since We've Been Home

Since coming back from Utah, we are really just in a countdown until Christmas break and more time off work and school. To keep us busy, we have filled some of our water jugs, continued going on walks most every morning (Me, Abby when she isn't at school, Ava, and some friends), and playing with the new toys we got from Grandma and Grandpa.

Tanner used the money from Grandma and Grandpa to buy a really neat Lego set. One day after school while the girls were sleeping, the two of us sneaked into my closet to build them without distraction. 

Sienna spent some of her money to buy a telescope and microscope. Sadie used some of her money to buy a giant whiteboard. Abby bought a sparkly ice-cream play-do set. They are having fun with all of their new toys.

Shumway Cousins!

We had so much fun at Nana and Papa's house. We were all together and enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner, movies, games, hanging out, a small snow storm, and got the kids together for a surprise picture for Nana and Papa. We had our family talent show and watching all the kids perform was so much fun. They all did something from reciting poems, singing, the Pledge of Allegiance, skits, and more. I love these people more than life itself. The only problem with this week was how fast it went. We are already counting down until we can get together again.

Emily!

I never get enough time with my girl when I'm in Utah. Luckily she lives in the middle of our parents' houses and we can usually squeeze in a quick visit while in transit.

My YW

So many of the youth I have worked with and taught are growing right up. Many of them are at college, on missions, even married with kids. It is crazy to me. While I was in Utah and at the BYU Bookstore I heard someone say, "what are you doing here?" When I turned around I saw one of my YW, Kira Ganschow. I had to text her mom (my good friend) that I got to see her first. She went home to California a couple days after I saw her for Thanksgiving week.

Fun with Cousins!

The best part of going home is all the time we get with our cousins. The kids love each other and have so much fun regardless of how much or little time they are able to get together. Being an aunt is one of my favorite 'callings' in life. I am so grateful my kids have so many cousins. Sienna kept telling me she has the best of both worlds - she has older cousins on my side as her close friends and she gets to be the oldest on Matt's side. I think she has it pretty good too, best cousins ever!

While we were in Utah we went to my dad's family Thanksgiving dinner. You never really know how these events are going to turn out, but we had a great time seeing my aunts, uncles, cousins, and all of their kids. We also played dodge ball and met new relatives.

Utah!!

We made it to Utah and are already having so much fun with Grandma and Grandpa. We spent some time hanging out at the house with Grandma, and when Grandpa was done working we went out to eat at Tepanyaki. The kids loved watching them cook our food hibachi style and I loved eating it. Thanks grandma and grandpa for spoiling us like always!

Attitude

"Attitude, that's right." -Abby

T's Thanksgiving Party

These are the cutest turkeys I have ever seen. They had a video of all the things they were grateful for, sang us a handful of songs, and then ate pie together. I love my little Tanner Turkey! 

Way Too Many Hours at the Dentist

The family went to the dentist together and it was a huge mistake. It took hours for all of us to get our cleanings. It took so long that Tanner left early to go to a birthday party. Then Matt went and picked him up from that bday party and took him to another. Thank heavens for good and easy going kids. They made four plus hours at the dentist office seem like a normal everyday routine. It was still torture for me though. What a waste of a day. Oh well, we all got our cleanings done. Everyone managed to escape without cavities except poor Tanner. He had SIX! His teeth are so tight and close together and all of his cavities were in between his back molars. This meant that we got to go back to the dentist two more days in a row to get them filled. I was nervous but Tanner really put on a brave face and just pounded them out. His face was swollen and sore (because he bit his cheeks pretty bad) for a couple days, but he was such a big boy! His cheeks were swollen when he went back to school, but that didn't stop him from still being the most handsome boy around.