Monkey Pants

Michael got home from his mission in Sacramento, CA back in July. He and Timi had met when they were 11 years old. The story goes (heard from Connie's mouth) that when they first met Mike turned to his mom (Connie) and said, "I'm gonna marry that girl". About a month off his mission they agreed to get married. Christmas Eve came and Mike decided Timi needed a proper ring and proposal. He hid the tiny box in this mess of packing peanuts. She found the ring but it turned out to be a decoy ring Mike had the real one in his pocket the whole time she was searching and searching...then he did the proper thing and got on one knee. She said yes

A tradition in Scott's family has been to open presents from each other on Christmas Eve and then Christmas Day is all about Santa. We have adopted this tradition and had fun exchanging gifts with our little family but also a bunch of extended family as well! Scott had found some notebooks for cheap and bought a bunch for our kids. Carson's cousin Jackson wanted one but there weren't enough for everyone. After Mitch said he didn't want one, Carson really wanted to give it to Jackson. He even asked Jackson's mom, Jenny, to help him wrap it. Carson wrote on the tag all by himself. You can see every letter in Jackson and Carson's names...they may not be in the "right" order, but they are all there! Here are the kids waiting for everyone to arrive so we can begin the madness! Timi Joy Johnson is Michael's girlfriend/unofficial fiance. Michael made her this apron that says, "Timi Joy Jorgensen" - no longer unofficial, I guess... G-ma scored wi...

We haven't traveled for Christmas since the year 2000. I hated trying to make sure Christmas happened just right and hoping that true believers stayed that way. It's too much work! This year with Scott on sabbatical (Intel's 8 week paid vacation every 7 years) and the kids out of school for 2.5 weeks...it was time to try again. So off to Missouri we went! It takes us 3 days to drive there because we are wimpy drivers. Scott and I both get tired at night so we like to only do daytime driving. Plus, this being the winter time and driving to the midwest made us want to take it easy. So easy we ended up taking 4 days to get to MO this time because of weather in Flagstaff. Normally our route consists of stops in Albuquerque, Oklahoma City and then on to G-ma's. We LOVE G-ma's house!! Also known as "Rancho Relax-o". A fun place full of fun people where all we do is have fun! Mitch and Chase always find an open computer to play their games. This is Kate or Katydi...

On our LONG trip out to Missouri we decided to go through Flagstaff instead of through Heber and Payson in trying to avoid really bad mountain weather. Well...Flagstaff is in the mountains too!! We hit a huge storm while driving through and ended up staying the night at my Uncle Harold's house. They have completely re-done the house adding on to make it more than twice the size it was originally. It was fun to see what they had done. Rylee got to sleep in a Murphy Bed (pulls down from the wall) in her own room with her own TV to watch. Carson got to sleep in this very comfy chair...just the right size for him Here is the proof of the storm we ran into. Can you even see Mitch in this massive pile of snow?

Here's our doggie...tired from ripping his cow toy to shreds. So tired that he just falls down right in the middle of all the carnage!

I love my Book Club!! It's full of GREAT ladies that I admire and adore! This month it was at my house. We had our usual discussion, then pot luck appetizers and desserts, then a fun book exchange done "white elephant" style! It was a blast!! I wish we could do that EVERY month! Heidi A, Heidi S, Kim and Kristin Marylee, Penny, Karen and Jen S Mandy, Renae, Jen L and somehow I only got the side of Crystal's head! Karrin and Trish

We went to see the lights at the Mesa Temple tonight. There are always such nice displays and so many lights! There was a concert of flautists there as well making the whole experience perfect! Scott has sung "We Three Kings" so many times...he had to pose with them! The whole fam in front of the temple Scott and Pam near a lit up palm tree Mitch, Chase, Rylee and Carson The "littles" got tired so it was piggy-backs to the car The full moon added to the decor perfectly Across the street from the temple is a park. In that park is a statue of the Mesa Pioneer Settlers. My Dad's ancestors (and therefore MY ancestors) were part of that group. My maiden name is Felshaw My Dad's Mother's maiden name was Pomeroy Francis Pomeroy is depicted in the sculpture...he's the guy with the long stick. It should also be noted that my Dad's Uncle Claude Pomeroy is the sculptor! The kids posing with Francis Pomeroy At the park with temple behind...Families are For...

Each of my kids got to sit on Santa's lap this year. They have all been pretty good so I hope Santa heard everything they asked him for! ;) Carson and Rylee got to see him at our Ward Christmas Party Mitch and Chase got to see him when he came riding down our street with the "Empty Nesters" group from our ward. They were caroling on a Hay Trailer with Santa so the big boys got lucky to get their lists to Santa too! Chase had to pause and think of what he REALLY wanted

Aren't my kids adorable?? Carson age 4 Rylee age 7 Chase age 10 Mitchell age 13