January

My Uncle Harman was the cross country coach so we went to a run in his honor. He inspired so many to become better. As I reflected on his life, I thought about the many times we stayed at their house when I was a child and we were visiting Colorado. I know he wasn't intentionally trying to be an example to me, but as we stayed in their home, I watched him gather his family together for prayer each morning and evening, read the scriptures, have family home evening, serve diligently in his church callings and be a dedicated father and husband.  

We had a nice lunch at my Grandma Pav's house. 

The Hostetters were my closets cousins growing up so I loved being at the funeral and seeing all of them with their own families. 

My uncle's funeral was so uplifting. I left determined to be more like him. Although I feel like he still had so much good to do on this earth, I trust that Heavenly Father needed him more. How grateful I am for eternal families and I know my uncle's spirit lives on. 

Adelaide slept with me during the nights we were Colorado. She kicked me multiple times, but then I'd see her peacefully sleeping and think about the moment she was a brand new baby. 

Here are pictures of cousins at the funeral. 

After being in the valley, we drove to Colorado Springs and stayed the night with the Raverts. It was short and sweet, but I was grateful we could shave off several hours of our drive home. 

The following weekend after we got home, Grammy and Grandpa delivered their Christmas gifts to the kids! It was like the joy of Christmas all over again!

Eleanor had her friend Jack over after school. They requested lemons for an after school snack. Lemons? They really did eat them. 

Austin got several cookbooks from his grandparents. He made muffins, drop biscuits and cookies. 

The kids had two days off of school because of SNOW! It finally snowed! Eli finally was able to use his snowboard! We loved being home together. It felt like a huge blessing after a busy December. Aaron's office was closed too. Everyone played outside and then we warmed up by the fire while we read our scriptures. We're reading The Book of Mormon this year for Come Follow Me. 

The kids went back to school on Thursday. Austin had his choir concert. He told us he didn't know a lot of the songs because he leaves each week for his Peak class, but I watched him and he did know all the words!!

Friday. We received a call this morning that school was canceled again. Yay! More family time together. Since the kids have already used their traditional snow days, they did have to do some school work virtually. After they completed their assignments on their i-pads, I made them put them away. We did some traditional school work on paper and I made them practice the piano for music class, read books for library and play together for recess. Sometimes I wonder if I should homeschool them, but I love how they are learning to be an example of the believers as they share Christ's light around them. 

Aaron had this picture on this phone - here is the quilt my mom helped me finish. I'll cherish the week we had with my parents visiting. We don't see them as much as we use to when we lived in Colorado, but we're still grateful we live close enough distant to drive and see each other as much as we can throughout the year.