::: Polka Dot Prom :::

Looking for a Prom dress is usually hard to do, but this year Alix found her dress at the very first store. She saw the dress in the window and she just knew.

She tried it on and. . .it was perfect.

Alix's Prom day started with breakfast at the Jone's house and shotgun shooting came next. When she came home to get ready Spencer's sister Karlee came over to do her hair and make-up. It was so nice not to have to worry about that! She did an amazing job and Alix was relaxed and looked absolutely beautiful. Thanks Karlee for making Alix's day so special.

Last year Taylor stopped by before he headed out to pick up his prom date and this year he came by again. Alix and Taylor have always been close - 7 months apart - Alix won't ever be able to get rid of him.
While waiting for Alix to finish up, Taylor could not get away from Briggs.

Alix and Uncle Tay
I can't believe they are both so grown up!
It seems like just yesterday that Taylor was climbing on her high chair stealing her Cheerios.
- Alix - Karlee - Ralphie -
Karlee just got a new puppy - Coco -
Alix is jealous as can be, she thinks she needs a puppy.

The flowers were amazing - they matched perfect!

I can't believe Spencer and his sister Stevi put these together.

We finally got the flower on!

And they were off . .

Spencer picked Alix up and they went to meet their group at the Timbermine for dinner, and then headed to the dance. After the dance, they went to the Pack's barn for some tennis together. Spencer did a great job planning and

organizing the date. Alix came home with a smile on her face and had great day.

Thanks Spencer!

St. Patrick's Day Dinner

St. Patrick's Day started out with green pancakes. It was a great day. Clint and I had went up to Snowbasin for a ski day. It was so nice to spend time with Clint and be together. The sun was shinning and the temperature reached 60 degrees. What an amazing day!

The night was just as fun! We were invited to a St. Patrick's Day dinner at Sharon and Dave Beckert's house. He is Hadley's soccer coach and gives so much of his time to help her out. Each year they invite one family to attend their traditional GREEN dinner. We were honored to be picked this year. We didn't know what to expect, but it was an exciting evening and full of laughter and smiles.

They really know how to host a great dinner.

THANKS DAVE AND SHARON!
When we first arrived to dinner, it started out with green and white frosting, cookies and lots of sprinkles. The kids frosted all the cookies, except Briggs. He frosted one and ate all the frosting off.

Meet the Beckerts!

Sharon - Dave - Justin

The table looked incredible. Full of fun and surprises for everyone. Each girl got a shamrock box, wristband, and necklace. The boys each had a green top hat and a necklace. Briggs got a green whistle and some great looking glasses. Jayden and the girls ended up wearing the glasses. . . Briggs didn't like them on his face. He was too busy and they fell off. We had some good green food!

Trying to hold the napkin holders in your eye is a tradition. Our family struggled with this. We didn't have a huge success. Hadley could do it, and the rest of us used our hands to hold them in.

Crafts and the game "NUTS" came next. We laughed at everyone trying to suck up the M & M's and get the most. Justin received the HOOVER award!

He won it all!

Skiing with Grandma and Grandpa!

Growing up I always spent my Saturday's skiing at Snowbasin. I didn't realize then how lucky I was and miss those Saturdays! My dad always Ski Patrolled and skiing was the family tradition. He has been Ski Patrolling for about 39 years now. He has taught all of his 6 children to ski at age 2. Which is why I have started teaching my children at 2. Well it is not as easy as it looks and we always call on grandpa to come and save the day. Briggs would not ski on his own until grandpa showed up. Grandpa can work miracles! Grandma and Grandpa with Briggs. . .

he still isn't very happy.

We love you grandma and grandpa!

Grandpa got to work and Briggs loved skiing down and enjoyed the magic carpet.
We love our little guys!
Carter had a smile on his face the whole time. He loved his first day skiing and went down the hill with flying colors.

We always have to take a break and hit the lodge. We snacked on nachos, fries and hot chocolate until Grandpa came with the chicken tenders. The kids were starving from their night skiing.

Hadley and Hunter were enjoying their time together. They enjoyed hanging out and skiing together without the little ones around.

Clint and Briggs working on their way down the hill. Briggs loved the lift and always wanted to ride up, but the ride down was a hard workout for mom and dad.

Alix has a snowboard and skiis. She decided to ski tonight since everyone was skiing. She was very helpful when the little guys got tired she took them home to play.

Jayden loves skiing. She is a little hot dog on the hill. She loves to ski and wants to hit all the jumps.

I just want to thank my dad for all the many days he spent up skiing with me. I love to ski and enjoy carrying on the tradition now with my own family.

Thanks to my moms -Angie and Carol-

for putting up with my dad and all his years of Ski Patrol and the many Saturdays on the hill.

~ The Famous 2nd Grade Puppet Show ~

Hadley was in 2nd grade when we moved to the valley. She was the first to experience the fun and excitement of the Puppet Plays.

She and her good friend McKell were both pigs in

The Three Little Pigs.

Jayden was the mother in the puppet play

- Ask Mr. Bear-

Valley Elementary has put on puppet shows for over thirty years. It is a 2nd grade tradition. Jayden did a great job and spent many weeks practicing her parts. We enjoyed our night with Grandma Angie while she helped us out with the sewing. I provided the sewing machine and dinner while she did the work.

I don't do well with my sewing machine. . .

I am lucky to have my mom to come and save the day.

She made Jayden's mother puppet a darling body and cute cupcake apron.

Alix, Grandma Angie, Briggs, Cooper, and Clint were able to come and see Jayden.

Fieldtrip Fun!

Jayden is in 2nd grade now and got to go up to the Environmental Center.

We had a lot of snow in the valley this year so the snowshoeing and sledding were going to be great.

We had a surprise that day. . . rain.

The activities were still fun, but really wet. I got to go up with Jayden and help out on the sledding hill. We were soaked after the first class and had three to go. We used garbage bags to cover us.

Jayden - Brianna - Caitlyn

Inside they got to take off their wet snow gear.

They made marshmallow towers and climbed up the climbing wall.

Snowshoeing was fun and they couldn't wait to climb the hill once they had their snowshoes on.
Oops!

Brennan - Jayden

Jayden loved the sledding hill the best.

We enjoyed our time out on the sledding hill helping the children get up and down safely, but when it was time to go in we were ready.

Uncle Casey

Casey was here in town for an interview with the U and we were very lucky to go to dinner with him. We were very excited to see him and catch up on the latest news. He brought my mom a special surprise...a photo album of their children. The last pictures were of the new Baby Bachison.

Luckily, Haley shared her news with me and Missy a little early.

YES...we kept the secret!!!

Haley really wanted to surprise my mom so we kept quiet. It was a fun dinner, but all of us missed Haley, Avery and Owen. We can't wait until we are all together again for a visit. Here is one picture I was able to get...the boys don't like pictures.We love you Casey!

Happy Birthday (a little late)!

Hadley remembered on your day, but it was midnight your time so we didn't call. Hadley was really happy she got to see you.

You are Hadley's favorite - Thanks for the visit!

Family Favorite!

Four years ago, our new neighbors invited us up to their family cabin in Lava Hot Springs. We did not know them very well and had to think about it.

We took a chance and decided to go with their family.

We had a great time with them and since we have become best friends!

They are like a second family for my children.

Since that vacation we have never missed the winter cabin trip!

Hadley missed a soccer tournament in St. George and yes, Alix took off work to join us this year. We had a great time. The Handsakers, Baileys, Bones, Shribers, and Stevensons were the families there this year.

We had a great time and hope to continue on with this family and friends winter tradition, as long as the Stevenson family does not get sick of us! Blake - Cameron - Montana
Kelsey - Cameron
Alix -Kelsey
On Valentine's Day we were able to celebrate with Brian and wish him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Fred - Denise
These boys had a lot of fun spending the week-end together. They had just finished their chocolate cake in this picture.
They were full of fun and smiles until they each had a expired juice box that made them both get food poisoning. My sister and I were both shocked to when they both threw up within an hour of each other. It took a little while for these little guys to get feeling better, buy they still were troopers and participated in all the activities. It is amazing at how much energy they have...even when they don't feel good.
Rub-A-Dub-Dub Two Boys in the Tub
Of course, we have snowmobiling pictures. My husband loves to ride!
We found some great snow and broke in my sister's new snowmobiles.
Missy was a little nervous, but rode great that day!
Fred making his way down...we didn't have any accidents this trip!
Scott loving his new sled!
Alright, yes even the moms took a ride down the sledding hill. I have not laughed so hard in a long time. It was a lot of fun!
The kids didn't love us taking over the sleds for a few rides, but they learned to share. The kids were out sledding at least three times a day. It was nice to have the snowmobiles to brings you back up the hill.
Alix
Hunter-Hadley-Carter-Jayden
Hadley
Me and my Briggsie!