Dance Show

We were lucky to have Jon's mom in town for the weekend of Kate & Hannah's dance show.   Both girls absolutely love putting on costumes and make-up and both did a really cute job!

 Kate's class danced to "What's This?" from Nightmare Before Christmas.

It's not my favorite song,  but they were cute!

 

 And Hannah's class danced to "Calling Up Santa."   They were darling, but I really don't like their costumes - especially that obnoxiously huge bow. 

 

We were so grateful that Tom, Diane & Mike were all able to come!  Thank you so much!

Bowen Family Christmas Party

 A week and a half ago, Jon's sweet mom came into town for several days and we absolutely LOVED having her come!   This was her first trip to Utah since Jon's dad passed away in September.   Diane is always kind, patient, loving and fun to be with.   Our kids just love her!    Hailey would hear her voice in the morning and literally fun to find her. 

Diane was able to be here for her daughter Anne's graduation from Weber State.   We were all planning on going, but Jack & Kate ended up staying home from school that day, so I stayed with them.   But, they were all better by the time the evening rolled around, so we were all able to go to Bob & Debbie's house for a Christmas party.

I want to cry every time we get invited somewhere for dinner/party/etc.   It is such a treat to not have to cook dinner, clean the house, and re-clean the house!  Debbie did sooooooo much work to prepare for this party and it was wonderful!

She had made a couple of really yummy soups and then had put together gingerbread houses for the kids to make, cookies for the moms to make trees with and made popcorn to make popcorn balls.   We all had a blast!    The kids were in heaven with the houses and it was so fun to visit and laugh and enjoy each other's company.

Right before we left, I came downstairs to find that Hailey had dumped out an entire bottle of chocolate sprinkles on the table and floor.  

 



 Hailey just loved Bob.  He's showing her a toy and Gracie is watching.

 

 Decorating houses

 

Diane & Bob making popcorn balls.

 



 Emily, Tyler & Sarah

 

 Matt & Emily

 

 Jon & his mom

 

 Debbie & Sarah

 

Then, the kids sat in a circle and played a fun game to receive a gift!  How cute!   And then, they got in their swimming suits and got to relax in the hot tub!   

What a wonderful evening!   Thank you so much again to Bob & Debbie for the wonderful Christmas celebration!

Festival of Trees & Piano Recital

 A couple of weeks ago, the kids and I went to the Festival of Trees (Jon was working) to look at the beautiful trees and for the oldest 4 to play in a piano recital there.   We got there about 1/2 an hour early and walked around.  The trees are always amazing!

Hannah in front of a Barbie tree

 



 I cracked up at this - it's the BYU snowmen against the U of U polar bears - all made out of Legos.

 

 Rivals - Jack vs. Kate  (or BYU vs. U of U)

 

 

After we walked around, we went to the main foyer where they had a baby grand piano.   Our cute piano teacher, Haley, had arranged for the kids to play.   It was really laid back and we just sat for a few minutes.   Then, the kids got up one at a time and played.   Jon's niece, Emily Fairchild, drove up from Utah County to listen to them play.  I thought that was so sweet of her.   The kids played great!

 

  (I'm not sure why Kate's name didn't make it on).

 

 

 

Christmas Tree

I am married to a man who LOVES real Christmas trees.  Since he does all the work of loading it home, bringing it in the house, getting it in the stand and putting on the lights, I think it's great!
I miss our days in Ohio when we'd go to a wonderful place that Beth found to cut down our tree.  We have great memories with the Rasmussen's & Johnston's of going there.   But, now that we live in Utah (and we have crazy, busy schedules), we simply go to Home Depot and get our tree.   It's still fun to walk up and down the aisles and ultimately let Jon pick out the tree he feels is best.  This year, I wanted a soft one - no prickly branches!

The kids found one they loved and that's the one we got!   I love the smell of the tree and love the sweet sense of peace that a tree will bring for the Christmas season!

Thanksgiving

We had a GREAT Thanksgiving this year!   I have the sweetest Aunt Becky who was willing to host dinner and my heart still swells when I think of her doing that.   Becky & her kids worked so hard to get everything ready and it was PERFECT!

I didn't even have to cook a turkey this year and Jon handled most of the cooking on our end (pies, mashed potatoes & raspberry Jell-O salad) and I did the creamed corn.   We met over at Becky's at 1:00 and had such a delicious dinner together. 

There was quite a crowd:

Becky, Annie & Jesse Cowden
Richard Olsen
All 8 of us!
Peter
Richard, Misty & Sophia
Mike
John, Becky, Brooklyn & Jake
Aunt Claudia & Uncle Bruce
Matt
Aaron & Diane
Meg, Lucy & Nora
my friend Julie

It was so fun to visit and laugh and just be together.  We are looking forward to next year when my parents will be home (and Matt & Jake Cowden)!

After a few hours, we all made our way back to my house for leftovers, some ham & rolls, and some games.

 Becky & Annie

 

 Emily, Becky C. & Lindsey

 

 Mike & Jesse comparing phones

 

They had markers and papers for the little kids to color with and Hannah & Hailey just loved that!

 



 Aaron, Meg & Lucy

 

All the grandkids got to open new Christmas pajamas from Grandma Sorenson (and the Graf kids got some from Grandma Claudia).     They all looked so cute and snuggly in them!  Thank you Grandma!
(And thanks to me for picking them out :))   We also get out the Christmas quilts on Thanksgiving night.

 Hailey & Jake - I love his expression!  He's seriously just happy to be alive!

 

Brooklyn & Jake

 

 

Thank you again Becky!