Mobile Resolutions

OK, so last year I made of list of things that I wanted to do:
Keep off the caffeine:  I did pretty good and was completely caffeine free until the day after Thanksgiving.  Staying up for over 24 hours straight took its toll.
Talk to my Kids more about the Gospel:  It is amazing how when you are looking for those teaching moments, they come more and more.  It has been a great year learning about the Gospel.  Even if we told the kids that if they weren't obedient, they would get swallowed by a whale like Jonah.
Date Night Every Week:  We did OK.  We didn't really go out a whole lot when we were saving for a vacation, but we managed to get some quality alone time every week.
Go to the Temple at Least Four Times:  Wow!  I look at that and I am amazed.  Not only have we gone four times, but we have managed to go to the temple twice every month last year.  It has been a HUGE blessing and I have had some AMAZING spiritual experiences.
Do something fun with my kids once a week:  I'm sure they probably didn't think they were too much fun, but last year, we DID manage to have quite a bit of fun as a family.
Study the Ensigns:  This is one I rarely did.  I guess I can roll that one over to this coming year.
Save $50 a month:  Yah, that didn't happen.  Once I got it in my mind to party like it was 2009 all the savings went out the door.
Keep learning how to cook:  Boy, that one didn't last long.  I have come to accept my weakness that I just can't cook plain and simple.  But you still love me right?
Be more involved in Jeremy's Schoolwork: Man, that kid has A LOT of homework.  He has been really good to get it done though, and he LOVES to read so we can set him down with a book and he will be content for almost an hour just reading.

So to take a different turn at the beginning of this new year, Matt and I decided to have an FHE about resolutions and make a mobile that we can look at every day:
 
The Kids painted the base:

 
And then we talked about the 5 goals we set as a family. 
1.  Family Prayer every night.
2.  Read Scriptures every night.
3.  Be a good example.
4. Love one another.
5.  Attend the Temple.
So even though they are simple, we believe that they will help us be stronger as a family.  Here's hoping you all have a happy and safe New Year!!!

Christmas 2009

When we got home from Richfield, we tucked in the kids in bed and went about getting ready for Santa.  We were certain that Jeremy would wake up early.  However, it was mom that called at 7:30 and asked if the kids were up yet.  So we went downstairs and got the kids up.  They immediately went over to the plate of cookies to see if Santa ate them.  Then Jeremy looked by the fireplace and saw a boot print in the ash.  They were SO excited.  When mom and dad arrived Jeremy ran over and said, "Hey guys, take a load of this:" and showed them the boot print Santa left.

Then we headed into the front room.  The kids were excited to see that Santa did indeed leave a guitar and a scooter.

They had fun watching everyone open each others gifts.
 
 



Then we headed over to Mom's




After the morning festivities we got dressed and had dinner over at moms.  It was the best steak dinner ever.  The rest of the day we played games as the kids played with all their loot.  That night Holly and friends came over and we stayed up until 1am playing games, laughing, and reminiscing about old times.  It was a great Christmas.

Christmas Eve 2009

Thursday morning, we loaded up the kids in the car and started our trek down the Richfield.  Cory and Sharon met us at the house and then we were off.  As we were pulling out of the driveway, Cory came running to the window with a bag and informed us that they were for the kids.  So I tossed the bag back to Jeremy and he and Bailee opened their gift.  What was it you ask?  Well, let me show you:


You mean you don’t know what those are?  What else could they be but a cow that moo’s and a  pig that oinks “Jingle Bells!!”  Yup, Cory was SO  THOUGHTFUL to make sure that Jeremy and Bailee had something to play over and over and over during the hour and a half trip down to Richfield.  That’s not all, I haven’t got to the best part.  Both the pig and cow poop bubble gum!!!  Ya, you heard me right, POOP.  I have been so touched by this thoughtful gift that I feel inclined to return the favor, and in the near future.  So watch out Payson Morrills, the war has begun.  I see recorders and drum sets and play dough in your futures.

Anyhow, back to the drive down. 

We made it to Richfield and were greeted by Family, Food, and Fun.  After the feast was over, we gathered in the living room for some Christmas Festivities.  Jeremy and Bailee began by singing, “What Shall I Give To the Baby.”
 
Then each of us got up and said a gift that we would give to the Savior over the coming year.  Bailee said her gift would be singing.  Jeremy said his gift would be Missionary Service.  My gift was time. Matt’s gift was Temple Service.  After we went through each family, we got ready to perform the Nativity.  Jeremy was excited because he was going to be Joseph.  Bailee, however, was absolutely NOT going to be Mary.  After calming her down, she was content to be an angel:

Then, after a few Christmas stories, we were visited by Santa!!  All the kids lined up youngest to oldest:




Once Santa had talked to everyone, he was on his way and the presents emerged.

Grandma Cindy gave Bailee a princess computer, Jeremy got a halter and truck and trailer,  I got a picture that says Morrill and Matt got a carhart coat.  Then, it was time to hit road.  It was a great day!!  Merry Christmas!!!

Jeremy's Christmas Party

Today was Jeremy's Christmas Party and his last day of school for the rest of the year!!!!  His class celebrated in usual manner:  Bingo, relays, crafts and treats galore.



There wasn't a visit from Santa, but Jeremy had a blast and I am glad I was there to share it with them!!
Merry Christmas!!!!

Christmas Tree-tastic

This year, we decided to spend time ENJOYING the holiday.  We've gone to concerts, parades, Temple Square, we've made cookies (this was mom and Jenny but I am enjoying the fruits of their labors), we've gone to party after party after party, and most importantly we have decided this year, our Christmas will be "CHRISTMAS TREE-TASTIC!!"  We bought some more trees and decorated our house to the nines.  I took a shot of the tree with and without the overhead lights on so you can see how pretty they are.  Observe:
This is my all-time favorite tree.  I have had a blue and silver tree since I started college.  Its dear to my heart:

The next one is the kids tree.  They put all the lights and decorations on it:

We decided to put a little village under it:

The next one is in our kitchen:

Next we head downstairs:

The kids wanted to put their little people nativity under this tree:
 
Here is another one downstairs.  My second favorite:

To complete the white theme, I put my snowmen under this tree:

Finally, I bought a teeny, tiny tree for the Kitchen Counter:

Also wanted to show the Bethlehem Village I got off KSL, best purchase ever!!


So if you've got a minute, stop in for some cocoa and a stroll down Christmas Treetastic Lane (yes I know I'm a cheese).
Merry Christmas!!!

Bailee's Christmas Party

Today was Bailee's Christmas Party in Preschool.  She was having so much fun.  They made presents for their parents.  They made snowglobes (which were very cute by way and they had a visit from this guy:
 
Every child got to sit on his lap.

 
As Santa was getting ready to leave, I figured I would get a shot of the teacher with her sweetie (yup, that's Travis):

When I dropped Bailee off and Grandmas she ran in and started to excitedly tell her all about her day at school.  Merry Christmas!!!

The Morrill's 2009

Another year has come and gone.  So much has happened this year.  Jeremy turned 6:

Bailee turned 5:

And Matt and I, well, we just got another year older:
 
Matt and I celebrated our 7th anniversary.  Man how time flies:

We have had a lot of fun this year.  We've gone to Jazz Games:

The Draper Temple Open House:

Spring General Conference:
 
Rolling Easter Eggs:

We went to Disneyland with all my family (minus Louis and Dad):

We went to baseball games:


We took a trip to the zoo:

We went to Galulah:

Holly took me to Vegas for my Birthday:

We went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House:

We celebrated the 4th of July, unfortunately, the fireworks got rained out:

We got wranglered out and headed to the Ute Stampede:

We spent Pioneer Day down south with Linsey:

We went to 7 Peaks:

We celebrated the return of Psych:

We went to Castlerock over Labor Day:

The girls headed up to the Relief Society General Broadcast:

We headed back up to Salt Lake for Fall General Conference:

We went to Thriller with the Morrills:

Bailee and I kept our tradition of visiting the witches at Gardner Village:

We also decided to take a Fall trip to Disneyland:

Holly came down for Halloween and a little Trunk or Treating:

The kids did great in their Primary Program.  Jeremy bore his testimony about the Savior and Bailee spoke about her pioneer ancestors:
 
There were plenty of Thanksgiving festivities at the Bailey house this year:

We put the kids in the Nebo Children's Choir this year, and they had a performance during the Christmas Festival this year:

We watched the 2nd Annual Christmas Light Parade:

We watched Forgotten Carols which is the 13th year in a row for me:

Finally, we took the family up to see the lights at Temple Square:
 
Academic milestones were abundant in the Morrill household this year.  Jeremy graduated from Kindergarten:
 
Bailee graduated from Preschool:

Around August of this year, Matt decided that it was time to go back to school.  After studying for 3 weeks he took the GMAT, sent in his applications and GOT ACCEPTED to the University of Utah's graduate school!!!!  He'll be pretty busy for the next two years, but we are so proud of him. 
This year, if you couldn't find Jeremy he was usually doing this:

This kid LOVES to read and he is getting pretty good.  He even takes a turn when we read our family scriptures.  
Louis' family came out to visit this summer and we decided it was time for some more family pictures:
  
 
One of my goals last year was to hold FHE regularly and with the exception of 3 weeks, we managed to have family home evening.  It has been one of the biggest blessings in my life.  We have learned about prayer, temples, tithing, Easter, Jesus, service, obedience, families, prophets and the list goes on and on.  Teaching my children about the Savior is the most worthwhile thing I have done all year.  I look forward to family home evening and it has made our family stronger.
As I think about the past year I realized how blessed our family truly is.  We are all healthy, happy and loved and what else is there really?
So from the Morrills to all of you, may you have a Merry Christmas and may the Spirit of the Savior be with you throughout the coming year.