'Tis the Season

We have had a busy week filled with holiday festivities- and it isn't even December yet! Just a reminder to me of how unprepared I am for Christmas! Here is a recap of our intro to the Holiday Season...

Traditional Thanksgiving Feast and Play with the Junior Explorers (or "everyone I know" as Tanner refers to this bunch!)

Christmas Tree Lighting at Victoria Gardens with my Mom and our friend Susan. When we got there Tanner asks: "Isn't this where the snow comes off the roof?" Either Victoria Gardens is trying to conserve energy this year, or the snow machines weren't working correctly, but the snow coming from the roof was not quite as magical this year. But, it was still fun to see the tree and see Santa come to town! I was feeling quite festive after this evening!

On Saturday, Monica and Brad were passing through town on their way to LAX to catch a flight to Dubai (tough life). We were able to catch up with them for lunch and a little shopping. And why not pictures with Santa?
Monica and I decided it had been way too long since we had a picture with Santa together, so we hopped in the pic too!


Reunion Time! My BYU Girls got together thanks to Kristen and her grandma's adorable home! I love, love these girls and am so grateful for the rare opportunities to get together. I didn't even get a picture of the four of us together (Kristen, Jenn, Kelly and I - we missed you Natalie, Shauna, and Carolyn!!) I was too busy dealing with a major tantrum involving a pitcher of water and a stubborn two year old! But, I did get a few of the kids before the breakdown began:

Here are a few choices Hunter has for his future bride:

Claire or Ellie. Too cute!

Of course, Thanksgiving! We celebrated with my dad's side of the family this year in Indio. My Aunt did a wonderful job and we ate so much wonderful food. Here are the kids with Great Grandma. Good thing we have a firefighter around just in case the turkey catches on fire!

We are so thankful for all of our wonderful family!

Happy Thanksgiving!
and let the Christmas Season begin (with as little stress as possible, please!)

The post you've all been waiting for...

HE PASSED!!!

Ladd's hard work paid off and he is officially an attorney!
Congratulations Ladd Hoyal, Esquire!

Exploring the Rain Forest

What a good looking group of Junior Explorers!

We visited the LA Arboretum (free every third Tuesday!!) to experience the Rain Forest. The kids had a great time and learned a lot. We were all exhausted, and filthy, afterwards!

Hunter trying to feed dead leaves to the ducks.

Tanner gave a report on the four layers of the Rain Forest. He made a layer dessert so everyone could remember what he had taught. It even included three foods that grow in the Rain Forest!


After our Rain Forest experience, our Bishop, who is also the Dad of 5 of the Junior Explorers, took us on a tour of his Police Station, which is near the Arboretum. All these boys were in Heaven. Tanner kept saying he learned soooo much at the Police Station. He was very impressed with the SWAT car he got to go in and trying on the Motorcycle Police helmet. Hunter loved the Police motorcycle lights. I learned a lot too and after hearing about what our Bishop does everyday, am very grateful Ladd is not a police officer. I don't know how Julie sleeps at night!

Hooray for Police Officers and their families!!

Welcome Makaylee!

Yesterday morning my sister in law, Chelsea, has her first baby. She was born at 4:23 am and is as sweet as can be! I am always so amazed at how small babies are when they are first born! Chelsea is doing well. Congratulations Brett and Chelsea on your adorable daughter! Makaylee Kiesha Joy Hoyal

7 pounds 2 ounces

20.5 inches

Just Perfect!

Brothers!

What I catch my two little monkeys doing when I turn my back:

Reading together (so sweet)

Jumping on the Bed

Trying to make a flood in the bathroom (notice the depth of that bath water!!)

No picture for this "caught red handed" act: The other day I caught Hunter sitting on the kitchen cupboard in his birthday suit ("nudey ka-boody" as we call it) stuffing handfuls of Halloween candy in his mouth. Of course, all this was inspired by his big brother whom I found hiding in the other room with candy corn stuck to the side of his mouth! Not such a sweet discovery for me!

These two sure do know how to have FUN! Although sometimes their idea of fun is what Mom calls mischief...

A New Do

I took Tanner to get his hair cut today at Fantastic Sam's, hoping it would be cheaper than the Kid's place I usually go to. It cost the same, but included a shampoo. He laughed the whole time she was washing his hair. I thought it was pretty funny too, a five year old getting deluxe salon treatment! She talked me into a "style" but promised Tanner it would not be "spikes". Tanner has been adamantly against spikes and gel in his hair since he was three. It is a battle I have decided he could win. Here's the new do:

I think he looks adorable. He says he will allow me to put gel in his hair tomorrow, we will see!


Another picture from today entitled "Picasso at Work!"

Thank you California!

A few things I have experienced the last few months:

-I have been cussed at.
-I have been told I am teaching my children to be hateful.
-Some of the yard signs we put out were stolen or vandalized.
-I cried because of some of the hurtful comments left on my blog that were more against our church than against Prop 8.
-I have viewed commercials that were blatant lies against Prop 8 and our church.
-I know many other people who have endured much, much, more than this.

I have not enjoyed any of this, but I would do it again to protect my religious rights and what I believe is ordained of God.

The Yes on 8 campaigners that I know kept their integrity, while many of the opponents choose to fight dirty. The Sacred Institution of Marriage has been restored in California thanks to the many volunteers who have worked so hard. Thank you California for "getting out the vote"!

Here is a great site I found to follow any results from all California elections:
cbs2.com

Jace's Baptism

Our nephew, Jace, was Baptized on Saturday night. The chapel was filled with lots of people to witness this special event. Jace was beaming all night. We are so proud of him for making this important choice!

Tanner was very excited to see his cousin and one of his best friends get baptized!

These are the next two to enter the waters of baptism from our family. Madelyn and Savanah turn 8 in March.

Trick or Treat

Tricks

We demonstrated the tricks of Halloween Friday morning with two mad scientists. The kids also heard a Halloween story and made spiders out of Oreos and pretzels. What a way to start Halloween off right!

I love this picture of Hunter and Brayden listening to the story. They were so mesmerized the whole time!

Treats

The kids got their treats at night. My mom came over to go trick or treating with us. We kept it low key and just took the boys on our street.

Sid the Science Kid and Elmo

Hunter has discovered his favorite holiday and is now best friends with all of our neighbors!

Tanner already knew the joys of Halloween and this year was brave enough to go up to every door, even the ones with scary decorations!

We hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!