Better Watch Out

Sierra passed her written driving test today and now holds a learners permit.  She will out and about practicing her driving skills with her father.  So keep an eye out for them.  

Braces No More

After two years and seven months Sierra is now braces free! 

Hanging out eating ice cream with the young women on the Harrison ward for Alexis's birthday.

Text Message

A random text message sent to you from your daughter who is at school "learning".  lol

Phone hack

I saw that Cody had my phone.  I asked him what he was doing, he said checking the time.  Later I found this photo.  Sneaky boy. 

Christmas Lists

Creeds list

Sierra's list

Cody's list.  He later scratched out the top item.  

Climbing Comp.

This was Cody's 4th year to participate in the Little Rock Gym Bouldering Competition.  He always has a great time.  

Getting ready. 

Thanksgiving Utah Visit

This year Sierra & I took a girls trip to Utah for the Thanksgiving holiday. 

This is Sierra packing the night before they left.

We drove to Tulsa Oklahoma airport at 5:00 a.m. so we could catch our morning flight to Utah. 

We had two flights before they reached their destination. 

Sunday we walked to church in the snow. It melted by the next day. 

On Tuesday we caught up with Garrett, who just returned from his mission that following week, so that he and Sierra could do some temple work.  (Baptisms). Afterwards we went to lunch with Laura, Bobby, Brandi, Charlotte and Grandma and Grandpa Johnson.  

Jennifer worked on some Christmas decorations she had sold while we were at the temple. And after we got back from the temple.  

Jennifer talked me into running a 5K the morning of Thanksgiving.  She caught me in a weak moment. The day before I received a call from the Lyon France mission from President Roney telling me that Elder Johnson was a great missionary and he was okay but there had been an incident.  He had been beat up an stabbed… but he was a great missionary and we are great parents.  So that is how Jennifer got me to get up early on Thanksgiving day and run a 5K when I have barely been working out period.  

(You can read about Cameron's "experience" by clicking HERE.)

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  Coming back to Utah to celebrate a little bittersweet to me.  I love seeing my family and catching up with everyone but it also makes me a little sad.  It makes me miss the days of when we were all younger and Grandma was still sitting at the head of the table with Grandpa.  I am grateful for having those memories and am happy to make new ones.    

My plate that I had all ready eaten the turkey for the most part. 

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Two of the three musketeers.  Just missing Spencer.  

Emmi

Owen playing his new favorite game

Taking a family walk to make room for pie. 

Plenty to choose from: Pumpkin, lemon meringue, apple, pecan and banana creme.  

Plotting out Black Friday

Then we headed over to the church so that some of the family could have a friendly game of basketball.

Molly and her family came over the next day to eat leaf overs and make Christmas cards for Cameron.

We went to airborne with Stanton for some jumping fun. 

Ready to go out and shop.

Grandpa Astle took us out to eat. 

One of Sierra's favorite treats when she is in Utah. 

Back on the plane and headed home. 

The time spent with family always seems to go by too fast.  We had fun and will return this summer as always.  :)