Reading as a family

This year in Primary we are challenging the kids to read the Book of Mormon, and are encouraging the process through a treasure hunt as they move from book to book. The idea came from HERE and as the primary secretary I have been given the wonderful opportunity to track our kids on their progress. It is going well so far, the children are excited, hopefully it lasts. This year the stake has also set a goal that everyone complete the Book of Mormon, which works well in the family setting as everyone completes their goals. We have set up a schedule where we read as a family at least a chapter a night, usually around the dinner table as Alexis/McKenzie finishes, or during dessert. We have found that this works best, some nights are better than others, but overall as a 4-year-old, Alexis is doing very well.

We invested in the Book of Mormon for Latter-day Saint Families. I LOVE it, and my girls love the pictures. As they get older it will also help more with explaining the history and defining words that they may sturggle with.

We are trying to stay on top of reading scriptures as a family and with the primary challenge, Alexis is excited and helps us remember. Having a little one remind you REALLY helps in getting 'it' done--whatever 'it' may be.

What are your secrets for reading as a family? Any suggestions?

2 Months

I can't believe that my little Elliott is already 2 months old, and not so little any more! At my last appointment, he was 11 lbs. 8 oz. WOW! What a change from my little girls. Elliott also is on the verge of no longer fitting in 0-3m clothing and is rapidly moving into 3-6. He is all smiles and has been since about a week before Christmas. G.G-ma Larson got a lot of arm time and loved to talk to him, which encouraged TONS of smiles, and now, he just can't seem to stop :).

The girls are loving having Elliott here. McKenzie loves to share kisses, and anything else including books, toys, and sometimes food (we usually catch her before it makes it to his mouth).

Alexis is protective and insists on watching him if I have to leave the room for anything. She has been a HUGE help in doing the little things like get a diaper, find the wet wipes, get a blanket, etc. She loves to hold Elliott and is sometimes too helpful in moving him :).


As a family we are doing our best to adjust to a party of 5. The hardest part is staying on top of everyone's needs, and still getting the house somewhat clean most of the time. My living room looks like we are moving as I sort through totes of cloths in an attempt to stay on top of my growing kids who seem to all be moving up in sizes at the same time. My kitchen is the cleanest room in the whole house which is great because this is the most important to me. Aaron is incredible and is always helping, even when it isn't his 'turn', he never thinks about it this way, that's my job. I am trying to train my body to function on less sleep, train my girls to go to bed earlier, and pray that Elliott has a good night EVERY night.

Change-brought to you by the letter B (for blessing)

The new year brought a HUGE change for our family--we upgraded to a minivan. I have almost completely adjusted :). The decision was made when traveling home from Boise after Christmas and we started experiencing problems in our transmission...more car problems! AHHHH! It wasn't expected, but we accepted the idea and started our search. We got home on December 29 and my brother suggested ksl.com. I was up until almost 2:00am looking into and researching the possibilities; I found one that seemed too good to be true, but Aaron had been asleep for hours, so I stopped here, left the picture and info up on the screen, and went to bed also. The next morning as we were getting ready to leave I told Aaron about what I had found and told him to look at the computer, it was the red one. Of course it wasn't up, I had just thought it was-it was pretty late. So we left and I thought to myself that I would get back to it when we got back. (we were on our way south to Plymoth to a funeral) When we got back the first thing I did was find the info and make a phone call: Is this price for real? (the listing was different than the description) The dealer said they would honor the listing price, but it was only good until closing on Dec. 31; we talked financing, they said they couldn't arrange financing because we were out of state (I failed to mention that the dealer was located in Orem, UT), and I started a goose chase to find financing in less than 24 hours. As blessing usually work, a last minute thought lead to a final prayer, and a phone call for a babysitter so we could leave ASAP. The financing was in order and we were on our way to SLC where we spent the night at the Benedict Bed and Breakfast (aka-Aaron's sister's house).

We were at the dealership when they opened at 10:00 the next morning, we had our test drive, fell in love (it was better than what we were expecting), signed the papers, and started home.

We are the NEW owners of a RED 2005 Chrystler Town and Country Touring Minivan. We love it more each time we take a trip, even if that trip is only a mile long.

It is amazing how the Lord works to bless us in our times of need. This was a HUGE blessing and we are very thankful for everyone who helped in the process.

Merry Christmas!

Well, Christmas came and went, we were originally planning a baby blessing on December 27, but my dad got sick and wasn't able to make it over to Boise, so we cancelled, and honestly, everyone was somewhat less stressed because of this decisioin.

We spent Christmas in Boise, Aaron had drill, and then had drill-make-up days from the 18th-22nd, it was weird to have him 'working' on vacation, not something I really enjoyed, but it worked out the best, and now his make-up days are done! The band had a christmas concert on Base on the 20th, it was fun to get to see/hear what he has been working on for so long. It was more like a family Christmas party with background music supplied by our soliders, NOT what I was expecting when I heard 'christmas concert', next year I will be more prepared to be more relaxed.

Christmas eve didn't end until well into the morning of Dec. 25, a 'White Family Tridition' of sorts :). Kids were up early, and adults had just gotten to bed, but this never delays the inevitible, and this year was no different.

It was supposed to be a small Christmas, and it was a great deal smaller so hopefully next year will be exactly on target. Aaron and I started out first family Christmas with an exact idea of what we wanted to do as a family...an ornament, a present from mom and dad, and then ONE present that 'magically' appears Christmas morning ;)...this is exactly what we have been doing for the last five years, BUT it always seems like the week of Christmas we remember something that we forget EVERY year (only for the last three years, because Alexis wasn't old enough before that)...STOCKINGS!...and this was what broke the budget, the unplanned for expense that wasn't HUGE, but it was/is always bigger than imagined--there is always one more stocking stuffer that would be SO great :). Needless to say, everyone had a great day, and plans are already being made to make next year a better CHRISTmas experience, and a better stay in (maybe even under?) budget.