Ordained a Teacher

Today Payton was ordained as a Teacher.  We had some family in the ward come in for the blessing and this time Payton asked if Grandpa Swensen would ordain him in addition to Mckay who was there as well (I believe Uncle Dean was also in the circle).

Payton is a great kid and I can't believe he is changing before our eyes.  It is neat watching the process of him growing up and we appreciate the example and the young man that he is becoming.  Such a neat experience to be there for these milestones as he matures and grows into the young man that he is becoming.  It makes me grateful for the many influences of good family members and friends who love and support and help to shape our children.  

A Special Date with Kenzie

Slowly we have been taking each of the kids out on individual dates.  It was finally Kenzie's turn to go on a date with us and she was a sweet gem.  All the way there we were discussing possible options for places where she would like to eat.  I think all along she was craving boneless chicken wings but didn't want to burden us if that wasn't what we were wanting.  We kept trying to tell her it was her choice as we gave her options but we wanted to leave it up to her.  After a long debate and her concern for making us spend money, she finally settled on what she had wanted all along Buffalo Wild Wings.  She had been hearing about this place from us and different siblings who have had other chances to eat there (she probably even sampled leftovers from us on occasion) but had never actually been there herself.  It was funny to watch her trying to decide while being all too polite!!

Dad, McKenzie, and Mom

We had a nice little chat, I gave her a note, and we got to catch up and make this sweet girl the center of the evening!  She is a wonderful addition to our family and we adore Kenzie and our time spent with her!  These dates are so special!

My Birthday/Winter

Sometimes it is fun to go shopping with the kids and let them take the reins a bit.  It's easy to get caught up in my own errands that I often rush them.  When I take the time to let them/myself enjoy it a bit, it is much more pleasant for us all.

Brielle and Gavin having some fun on a ride at the mall.

They had fun making a few little stops they wanted to enjoy.

Even a moment to sit down and dream of a new sectional.

It is funny because the kids actually seem to like furniture shopping!!

For my birthday, Mckay had a surprise up his sleeve and had Byler's Bakery make me a cake.  He did not let me in on this secret and the cake was gorgeous!

This guy melts my heart and makes sure to make me feel special constantly.

During tax season we occasionally Face Time in order to get a visit in!

Ready to enjoy some birthday cake with the family!

Love my tribe!

Oh her little sweet face!

The kids and the whole family always try hard to make the birthday person feel of their love...it is sure nice when my turn rolls around and they all give me the royal treatment too.

Love it!

I wouldn't trade any of it and feel beyond blessed to be a wife and mother!

Mommy and Me Preschool

We have settled into the new year and gotten back into the swing of things.  Cynthia and I have made plans to teach Gavin and Braxton preschool for the rest of the school year: A Mommy and Me Preschool with our boys.

Gavin was so excited and looked so handsome for the first day.

Complete with his Lightening McQueen backpack.

Yay for Preschool and learning.

The boys and Cynthia.

Ready to learn!

Buddies

The boys and me ready to get things started.

Snack time may be a new favorite.

I think they will have fun learning together.  Gavin is eager to learn and is taking it all in at this fun age.  He looks forward to preschool and loves it when I read to him.  I cherish these little memories with him too.

Come Follow Me Kick Off

We kicked off the new at home/church supported Come Follow Me curriculum as a family.  I am excited about this chance and although it will be a bit of a learning curve, we are excited to do this as a family and grow closer as we learn the gospel in our home.

Of coarse we had treats to wrap things up... I made Lava Cakes and topped it off with ice cream.

It will be neat to study from the Come Follow Me manual both at home and at church, making everyone on the same page.

Family Foot Spa Night

For Christmas the girls got a foot spa and have been eager to try it out.  They boys were watching something sporty-probably football, so we took the opportunity to pamper ourselves.

Kenzie loved it, we are going to have to do this more often.

Gavin wasn't going to quit until he got his turn...oh that sweet little face says it all.

Brielle love all things girly and was loving every minute of this.

Payton wanted to try it too, he loved feeling special too.

Taylor enjoying himself.

Nice and relaxing!

We even took care of Mckay while he was watching the game.

It was pretty much a family event this time around.

Time with the Roos Cousins

The kids have been enjoying some time with cousins.

Braxton and Gavin like it when we run errands so they can get together.

We even swapped kids and they watched our kids while Mckay and I went to the temple before Tax Season really starts to pick up.  It was a Friday that we went, it was nice because we did a lot of different work while we where there and my mom had sent us family names so that was exciting.  We did a session, as well as initiatory, and some sealings.  It was the perfect day spent together and a wonderful experience as a couple.  Then Saturday we traded and we watched Dean and Cynthia's kids while they were able to go to the temple.

Gavin and Braxton got in swimming suits and spent a long time hanging out in the jetted tub.

From there we had a tub filled with cousins in their swimming suits and it doubled as their bath before church the next morning.

Gavin adores bath time!

Funny kids!

They were having fun.

This was some of the fun they had while we were at the temple.

Day of Firsts-Kids Are Growing Up

McKenzie  decided to play volleyball this year now that she is a 6th grader.  It is fun to see the talents, activities, and different skills/interests each child will have as they reach different ages.

We bought Kenzie some knee pads and she was slightly nervous and excited to head off to practice all at the same time.  She is a little perfectionist and worries about things like how she will do, what if this, what if that, and even down to the clothes she is wearing.  Sometimes as her mom I have to hold back a few chuckles as she tries new things!

Due to the new age changes just announced from the church about our youth...Payton is now a teacher and McKenzie is a new Beehive at age 11 she can even go to the temple to participate in baptisms for her ancestors.  (Payton was being cheesy in the picture above.)

This is a little more serious from my two big kids.

 What an exciting time for the youth of the church!!

New Year...Welcome 2019

We headed home from the cabin just in time to unload our stuff, make a few snacks, and host a New Years Eve Party at our house to welcome in 2019 (we had the Roos family join us and Lane and Liz as well as their kids)!

I snagged the first family picture of the year just after midnight!

I can't wait to see what is in store for our family this year and I am beyond grateful to be on this adventure with them!

On New Year's Day we caught up with Grandma and Grandpa for a visit.  Kenzie loves snacking at their place and eats her heart out with all of the onion concoctions she can get her hands on.  Even though I dislike onions, I adore this fun thing about McKenzie.

Taylor not only loves to eat cheese balls for a fun occasional snack, he also likes to help make them and I can see him carrying on this fun tradition with his family one day.

Brielle helped me make a simple apple dip and loves  to be a little helper in the kitchen.

Then we spread a blanket, enjoyed snacks, and watched a movie as a family (some of our favorite things all wrapped up together).

Great way to start off the New Year!