The new puppy

I can't believe we did it.  We got another dog.  This one is a mix between a poodle and a chihuahua, so it's a poochi.  We named him Pip, short for Pipsqueek.  I guess the kids and Nichole thought that would be a good name for a small dog.  I had 2 requirements, that the dog be hypoallergenic and smaller than our previous ones.  So, Jake has been looking online for a few days and came across this one.  The kids were cute because they would ask Nichole literally around 100 times a day and would call and text me begging for us to get the dog.  The dog is cute, but for me, the verdict is still out as to whether I'm happy about it or not.  I know it's not for me though.  The kids though are so excited, so I guess it'll be good.

When one of the neighborhood kids came over, Nathaniel Hanna, he saw the new puppy when collecting fast offerings.  He was sarcastic in asking us, "what, is that dog #7 for you guys?"  He is so right, though.  We are the worst dog caretakers.  Trapper jumped the fence in Eagle Mountain just before we went on vacation to Arizona, Tobita died of parvo, we gave another dog away, Sheila jumped out of the back of my truck when I decided to take her with me to work one day.  She broke her legs and we had to put her to sleep.  Then, Lacy had to be put down because of the accidents we were having with her.  I sure hope we can be better this time and have better luck 

Pinewood Derby

 Jake did his final pinewood derby as a cub scout.  This year, the car was done a little different.  I actually cut it out at work and did the majority of the sanding.  Jake did the painting and stickers. 

Jake had the derby on a Tuesday but the plan was always to work on it together the Saturday prior.  However, I got really sick and was in bed all day and the night before on Friday from the flu. Because I was sick, Jake was actually prepared to admit he did not have a chance to make a car and would forfeit his chance to participate.  He wasn't even mad at me.  He, thinking he wasn't going to have a car, only said, "it's okay dad if I don't have a car."  He is so kind hearted.  After that, it was impossible for me not to help him have something to race with. 

                                        The face of excitement!!  He obviously had fun

 

Award for the "Best Funny Car"

 

Classic!

Ava wanted to take a shower and go swimming, so....

 

 

Elder Andrew

Andrew, David's son, left for his mission just before Christmas.  He is going to Colombia.  I thought it interesting that he ended up going to the Bogota MTC after being in the Provo MTC.  I didn't realize the church does that

David and Carolyn came to Provo to spend a couple weeks together with Andrew before he was to leave for his mission.  Good luck Elder Ralph!

2 Proud Scholars

Jake made the Director's List which is when a student gets higher than a 3.8.  The Director's List is the highest honor roll.

 

Brad got his award for being a good student and for the "respect" characteristic trait.  He shows respect to his peers and to the teachers

Christmas decorating and tree

We used to have enough roof lights to go around the whole house.  Now, we have like 3 strands that work.  Crazy how the lights seem to always go out.  But, Jake wanted us to get yard decorations in addition to lights, so we got the candy canes

Ever since living in Lehi, we've always gone to the same tree farm for the Christmas tree.  Each year, the kids take a turn and decides on the tree.  This year, it was Ethan's turn, which I assume will be his last time picking out the tree

Me and the gang

Nichole and the gang

A good laugh...I drove into the garage with the tree still on the car.  So, I forgot it was on the car...who doesn't do that?!

The faces of an angel

 

 

 

Ava, the little princess

 

 

Ava has her own room, but she still does not want to sleep on her own.  How can you say no to such a sweet and innocent looking face as this one.  So, Eli sleeps in her room while she sleeps with Jake in his room.  Isn't Jake so lucky.  Jake has a queen size bed so it works out pretty good. 

Ares, God of War

 

 

So, Brad bought a plastic sword for his school project, but he could not take the plastic sword without it being confiscated.  Isn't it sad what this world is coming to now.  He couldn't even take a "plastic" fake sword to the school.  So, he had to make a cardboard sword.  I thought he looked pretty dashing as a Roman soldier.  The funny thing is that while Brad was doing his project, Ethan and I thought he was spelling "Ares" wrong.  Ethan and I both thought it was Aries.  It turned out that Brad was right...Ares not Aries.

Haircuts

In nothing short of a miracle, Brad and Jake both let me cut their hair.  Jake got his hair colored as one of his Christmas gifts.  But, he didn't really like it a whole lot because of the way the lady did the coloring.  If the coloring had been better, he'd have wanted to keep it.  So, I cut it trying to take out some of the coloring while keeping it a cute style that he would like.  Brad, well his girly-locks was just getting so long.  Brad didn't let me cut it as short as I wanted to cut it, but I was surprised he actually let me cut it at all.  Eli didn't have an option.  Daddy cut it without any input.  Usually, it's not cool to let daddy cut the hair, so we'll see if I get another chance.  They usually like going to the hairstylists.  If only they knew the truth that their daddy was a hairstylist then they might let me continue cutting their hair.  Ethan still won't let his daddy touch his head

 

A couple firsts

 

Isn't this the cutest happiest face...so cute!!

I loved Eli's hair long, but Nichole and I both thought it was time to cut his hair.  I had just gotten done cutting Brad's and Jake's, so Nichole thought it a good idea to cut Eli's since we already had hair all over the kitchen floor.  With a sick 10 month old boy who doesn't like to sit still, all I could muster up on the haircut was to just use the clippers.  So, that's how he got his first haircut.  In addition to his first haircut, he sadly got sick for the first time.  A sick 10 month old is such a sad sight.  It's tough not being able to do anything for him except for just looking at him and wishing he'd get better.  The Utah air has been pretty bad lately with the  pollution and it has affected the whole family