We celebrated Mariah's birthday a little more on Sunday.  She officially turned 15!  We had cake and opened presents and we all had a good time.  She is a beautiful, gracious, driven young lady and we are so grateful she is a part of our family!

Mariah went back to playing basketball this week!  Practices everyday and then Friday and Saturday a trip to St. George and Cedar City where she played in four games.  Her super-dedicated dad went, too, took pictures, evaluated the games, and cheered her on.  It was an exhausting week! But they both had a good time.

Sarah and Megan both worked mucho, mucho this week.  After working during the week, Friday they both worked until close at 9 and then Saturday they worked during more Christmas rush until 4.  They came to the ward Christmas party only to get a call asking them to come back at 7 for emergency restocking.  They were NOT happy campers.  But they were dutiful and went.  Afterwards they stopped at Sonic and came home happy and laughing again!  Thank goodness for slushies. . . and sisters.

Cali and Cheyenne had their last robotics class this week.  I am impressed that they spent some of their free time doing science and engineering!  I got to go on their last day and see their robot and the computer program they used.  They wowed me!  Such fun.  They also played a lot of basketball again this week.  They are becoming quite the little stars!

Bethany's class performed a Thanksgiving program for us this week!  Bethany got to be a little pilgrim girl and then got to be Narrator 4, as well.  Her whole class was adorable and I loved learning about the pilgrims and indians once again.  It's a great story--one that should be remembered! Bethany was the most adorablest of all!

Benjamin had a good week, as well!  We did homework together in the mornings as per usual and he played with Devon and Calvin and David and Patrick in the afternoons.  Yes, in our house and yes, usually involving all the cushions being taken off the couches to make forts every. single. day.  I actually love seeing them use their imaginations.  On Saturday, Cali, Cheyenne, Bethany, Melanie, and Josie made a carnival for Benjamin, Devon, Calvin, David, Patrick, and Brandt to attend in the TV room.  I loved having the house full and them all playing together.

Our ward Christmas party was Saturday night.  They decorated the gym with Christmas lights and a giant tree and put red and green paper on the tables.  We had a big dinner, then watched dancers, a play, a video, and heard the primary children sing.  What could be better than being with neighbors and heralding in the Christmas season the same way year after year?  My heart was full.

See Sarah and Megan being shivering peasants?

See Ben not singing the song? Lol!

Merry Christmas!