Jaxon Court of Honor, Aaron's B'day, Nativity Festival...

The end of the year always comes with a full schedule. Here is a small sample...

 Court of Honor, Jaxon received his merit badge Citizenship in the Nation.

 We celebrated Aaron's Birthday.

 The Stake put on a Nativity Festival. I believe this was their 6th year.

I think that the stake did a great job in keeping this event effective 

yet simple at the same time.

Thanksgiving 2017

Thanksgiving this year was at our house. Dad, Melissa, Billy and families came to visit us.

Snuggling with Grandpa

On Thanksgiving day we invited the Capener family to join us. Unfortunately, I did not get many photos of the adults but rest assured no one died from our cooking and we even went to the movies afterwards to watch Justice League.

Okay so I bought way too many pies! But thankful that Costco provided them this 

year to save me a little stress. 

Billy, always a kid at heart, was showing everyone his virtual reality game.

Billy and Cooper having a stand off

London was trying on Jaxon's Halloween accessories 

On Friday we all went bowling. 

Family is the most important thing!

Jaxon's Jazz Band Concert

Jaxon is taking a Jazz Band class for one of his electives this year. 

He is enjoying playing his guitar.

In November they held a concert at the school.

Jaxon's Birthday/Halloween week

Jaxon turned 15 this year. 

He is growing like a weed and is already taller than mom.

For Halloween, Jaxon dressed up like Slash from Guns N Roses.

Jaxon hung out with Keegan and Jack for Halloween.

Darby's last visit before mission

Darby said she would not come and visit us in Florida unless we took her to Disneyworld.



Grandpa flew into town too so he came along with us. Jaxon and Melynn
stayed back so they would not miss school.





Ha ha...this guys shirt is awesome and so true!

We found an ice rink in Jacksonville.
Helping Darby get used to the cold again before she leaves!

Darby spoke in sacrament meeting, to give her mission farewell, in our ward in Jacksonville. Honestly, she wasn't too excited about speaking in front of a bunch of strangers. The problem is that her records are now in our ward and if she would have spoken in Utah it would have been in a student ward that is ever changing anyway. There was no good solution. This is one of those "sacrifices we made to move all over the place" situations.

However, I did invite a couple of families over the Sunday before so that Darby could get more familiar with some of the ward members (and our friends). 

Darby did a wonderful job on her talk. She spoke very honestly and real about her feelings. Many people mentioned to me afterwards how they appreciated the thoughts she shared.

Darby was set apart Monday night. The next day she would be flying back to Provo.
Here she is saying goodbye to Jaxon before Jaxon went to bed.

Darby and Mom met up with Dad for lunch before taking Darby to the airport.

After arriving back home from taking Darby to the airport and feeling a little sad,  I found a wonderful and much needed surprise on my dresser!

On Wednesday, Ashtyn and Darby had lunch with Brittany before going to the MTC.

But first they stopped at the Provo Temple to meet up with a childhood friend,
Kylee Hoffman, who is also entering the MTC at the same time.



Bye Darbs! We are going to miss you!

Melynn visits Penang

Melynn was really missing her friends in Malaysia so we allowed her to miss a week of 

school so she could go back to Dalat and visit during their fall break.

Melynn finally arrived!

Taking a selfie before heading into Thai Odyssey, our favorite spa!

Melynn ate out at the wet market a lot during the week.

The beautiful ocean view from Dalat's campus.

The girls made Korean food with Gbae's Mom.

The girls supported the boys soccer team during their week long tournament. 

This photo was taken after one of their games.

Melynn went to high tea with her mentor (Ms. Grad) and dear friends. 

Melynn and Grace stayed with Ms. Grad for the week.

Claudia and Esther took good care of Melynn while she was visiting. 

Melynn gave Kayla and Grace a bracelet with the coordinates of Dalat.

Melynn saying goodbye to her besties.

Everyone secretly hoping that Melynn would return in a few months:)