The most wonderful time of the year

Mandy trying to go back to sleep with Macey and Riley's Christmas gifts (pillow and blanket)

Mom and Dad opening the Nativity set Mandy made for them.

Mason and Riley opening stockings

Aunt Heidi and Marley

Miley with her new bike, helmet, and rocking horse.

We had a great Christmas this year. We headed to Rupert Idaho to mandy's parents house and got to visit with them for a couple days. The plan was that everyone would stay at Faye and Darrell's for Christmas Eve and we could wake up, open presents, and spend Christmas together. Our plans got a little skewed however by a snow storm. Mndy's sister from Boise and her husband had to make it a quick trip down and back because of a coming storm. And the road to Salt lake was closed so Mandy's sister Susan couldn't come until several weeks later. It was fun visiting those that were there though.

Piano recital

Every December I have a piano recital at the house for all my students. They did great this year! There were 6 of them and they all have improved so much over the last year!

Back row: Tanner Mabey, Carter Cooper, Creighton Cooper, Mandy Simons, Alex Talbot.
Front Row: Parker Mabey, Christian Cooper

Ward Christmas Party

We had a wonderful ward Christmas breakfast this years. It was a blast and both girls loved Santa!

Happy Birthday Miley!

A bunch of our friends

Miley, Hannah, and Noelle

She asked for a Mickey Mouse cake....and mommy aims to please!

Her digital camera

Showing her FurReal cat to Marley

Miley is officially out of the "terrible twos"! At least she should be! She is now our big 3 year old. We had a wonderful party and combined our traditional "Christmas karaoke" with her birthday party. It was a lot of fun. Miley got a camera so that she doesn't carry ours all over the place. She got a lot of other fun things too, and best of all got to celebrate with all her friends!
Just a little note one our sweet 3 year old. She has got more imagination than anyone I know. Her liveliness just oozes from her being. She is a fireball of delight. Sure she never sits down and doesn't listen to a word we say, but we love her spunk so darn much!

Dear Santa

Just thought I would share Miley's letter to Santa (FYI, Hannah is a 10 year old friend who she adores):

Dear Santa,
I have been nice this year. I was nice to my friend Hannah. I helped Santa Claus. I gave you a present. For Christmas I would like; Food, to set up the Christmas tree, ballet, a dolly, Hannah, a pink present, a kitty and dog. I love kitty cats and a dog. I want to get a big Christmas tree. Have a nice Christmas! I love you. Thank you!

From, Miley Eliza Simons

Happy Thanksgiving

Marley driving us home

The shoot-out

The view from the cabin

Mason and Carol setting out Thanksgiving dinner

Miley eating her snow

We had a great Thanksgiving. We went down to Hurricane, Utah, and then to Kolob to Michelle and Steve's family cabin. It is brand new and absolutely beautiful! We had a great time there and the kids loved playing in the snow. And we had great food!. The next day we came off the mountain and had the annual Theobald family shoot-out. All the guys went skeet shooting. It was fun. Then a little shopping to finish out the day. On Saturday we had family pictures, then headed to Vegas. On Sunday we got to hear Quay and Carol give a presentation in church on the temple. It was so much fun! We had to head home on Monday but were so grateful we got to spend so much time with family!

Who knew???

Recently we were tagged by my cousin Kristi. The topic is "6 things people don't know about you". Hmmmmmm.......................
1.Marley is a pig! She eats as much for a meal as I do sometimes...and several times a day. The exact opposite of Miley.
2. Mason has 3 jobs. He works for Elko county as the Juvenile and Family Court Master. Then he hears the child support cases for a couple of counties south of us. They don't have enough cases for a full-time Court Master, so they asked Mason (who is known far and wide for being a great Hearing Master!) to come down a day or two each month. He also teaches a political science class at the college here.
3. Miley is the greatest pretender. She often makes me be a puppy or baby. We play that we are pirates, racers, and ballerinas all the time. She will take anything (food, toys, sticks, etc) and they become little mommies and daddies. Such a great imagination!
4. Mandy would really like to go back to school and get her Master's degree or Juris Doctorate. It probably won't happen until all the kids are in school though!
5. Mason has only got upset with Mandy once or twice in their whole marriage. He is very, very kind and patient!
6.We love the gospel of Jesus Christ so much! This may not be big news to anyone, but I don't think we express our gratitude for the blessings we receive enough.