Christmas

For Christmas this year Mitch's dad Matthew, and his wife Dilene, came out to Utah to spend some time with us during the holidays. Mitch was able to get this time off from work as well, so it was real nice having them all around before and after Christmas.  

Making clouds

 Powering the lights

 Jax and I getting ready to light it up

 Morgan and I created our own dinosaur

 Jaxon putting together the dinosaur skeleton

 Dilene, Matthew, Mitch, Ethan, Morgan and Jaxon(digging for bones)

Christmas Morning

And then the day after Christmas Mitch's little sister and family came to join the party!

Levi and Jaxon w/ Matt in the background

Nathan and Logan

Levi jumping to touch the plane

Jaxon's attempt at reaching the airplane

Lusks in SLC

Celebrating December birthdays and Christmas the weekend of the 18th was months in the making. Typical for the Lusks it wasn't until last minute that we would all know when for sure. Coordinating everyone's schedule is no small task!
Friday night, once everyone found their way to our house, we rode the Trax to Temple Square to go see the lights. The kids had a great time riding the train- for most it was a first. The light's were beautiful but for the little ones, well they were ready to go not soon after arriving. They did find enjoyment as we walked down the streets to the restaurant watching all the Santas (from the bar crawl) walk by, even the ones that wore only santa briefs w suspenders.

Saturday we headed to Gardner Village to find elves - a huge hit in light of 'elf on a shelf'.

And they're off

 

 

Morgan17, Ethan14, Miah5, Jaxon4, Tate4, Abby4, Ryan6

No elves in there

Ryan's birthday - 7 years old

GIFT EXCHANGE !!

So excited about his camping dish set!

LOVED their fairy wings!

Thanks hug for his Fransisco remote control car



Gingerbread house making and cookie decorating

One down, three to go

I did it! First semester and finals - done. Let the holidays begin!

There were times a long the way I wondered if I was really going to be able to do it. The first month was extremely stressful, new curriculum, working part-time, mother of three children and wife. After much debate I eventually had to give up my job in order to give myself a little more time to devote to the more important things. Another big stress relief - in an odd sort of way - was Morgan being able to drive. What a huge help it has been that she is able to get herself to her activities, as well as helping shuttle her two younger brothers around. Mitchs' never ending support and belief in my abilities is also a huge help.
Wow - all this and it was only the first semester - you'd have thought I was finished with the nursing program. But what this first semester gave me was the confidence that yes I can do this!

Ethan turns 14!

December 10 just happened to fall on a Saturday - which normally one would think is a great day to have a birthday - unless your dad is working all day and you have to to wait for him to get home before you can celebrate. Finally, about 6 pm we were headed to Iggy's for Ethan's birthday dinner, he loves a great burger!

 Since we were still trying to finish the last of Morgan's cake - more cake didn't even sound good, so Ethan went with mint chocolate chip ice cream and oreo cookies. A yummy choice!

Trying on his new boarding helmet w built in audio attachments - way cool!

Morgan turns 17 today

 Happy Birthday to You

Yeah...new boots!

What a busy fun day today was. It started early with a wake up Happy Birthday Song, then she got to drive to school in a birthday decorated up car. Mid morning we all met back at Jaxon's preschool for his Christmas program with a surprise visit from Santa.

The low point of the day was when I had to bee-line it to the U to take a Pharmacology exam - at least I got an 'A' on it- and stay around for a review for the final for next week.  Luckily, Mitch had the day off from work to help shuttle and run arrands. He picked out baked a very yummy cake too!

When I finally got home we headed to Johnny Carrinos for dinner, Mo's 2nd pick. Her first pick was packed - really on a Thursday night? Then back home to hurry and open presents and have Birthday cake so she wouldn't be late for indoor comp soccer.... whew

A side thought: As we were heading to Johnnys amongst the cluster of restaurants, bitter sweet memories surfaced of the times spend at the bbq restaurant, Famous Daves, with my parents (my dads fave pick everytime he'd come to visit), or the time my mom 'made' us try Eat At Joes with her, and we all ended up regretting it. Also, the more recent memories of eating at Johnnys with my mom for Morgan's birthday 3 years ago and then again 2 years ago after us three girls went and watched the first Twilight movie. I think they spent a little time with us there again tonight.... I sure miss them.