New Years Eve

We started out the day with the Evans family pictures at 11 am at the Sandy Inkley's studio. Here are a few to sample of our family.

Then at 1 pm we went to lunch with the Atkinsons (Mike, Jackie, Cole and Jackson) at Olive Garden which Cameron paid for.

At 7 pm the Autrey's and McGriff's came over to our house for the annual games and alot of food. We played Apples to Apples and some other games with the kids. Then at 12 am our neighbor, Rob Autrey lit a bunch of firecrackers and the kids did horns and confetti. It was a cold night, including fog, but we had alot of fun.

Merry Christmas!!!

These pictures are of the kids christmas the night before. Riley & Erika decided to sleep in the 4 man tent downstairs. (and were awake until 11:30 pm and the next morning at 6:30 am) We told the kids that they could come upstairs to see their presents at 8 am, or until they could wake up their brother, Cameron. Christmas was good to all of us. We then traveled to Grandma Bette and Grandpa Doug's home in Sandy at 3 pm to exchange presents with them and their cousins. We all had a great time together, even though Brian's sister wasn't with us at the time. On our way home, the weather was not good. It was blowing really hard and raining vertically. We made it home safely at around 8 pm. We will be spending friday with Sharri's family for christmas exchange. Merry Christmas!!!!

12 days of Christmas fun

Erika and Riley decided to do the 12 days of Christmas to one of their friends. Erika decided to do Caitie and Riley decided to do Landon. These are some of their best friends. So on December the 12th is when we start and each night we leave a different gift that goes along with the song. Below are all the poems for each day and the little gift we put with them. We did it at night when the kids couldn't been seen as well. A couple of nights they almost were caught and one night we got stuck in our van with all the snow we had that day. For the 1st time, Erika & Riley received treats back on the 11th & 12th day. The items were waiting at the door when they went to leave the gifts for that night.









(Most of the ideas came from a website. It is http://pie.midco.net/grammalowe/12days.html)

"The Twelve Days of Christmas is the song that we sing,
But it won’t get so boring with treats that we bring.
December 13th is when we will start,
Each one will come with love from our heart.
Each night we’ll bring something
Please don’t watch for us coming.
If you catch us too soon, it’ll spoil the fun, this is true.
It’s our way of wishing Merry Christmas to you!!"

1st Day - A can of pears with this saying.

"Now in the song, it’s partridge and pear-
When we looked, our trees were all bare!
So we ran to the store at a hurried pace.
PEARS they had plenty, but no birds in the place!"

2nd Day - Turtle & Dove Chocolate Candy Bars

Did you know Two Turtledoves
Are extremely hard to find?
So here are "Turtle 'n Dove" --

The chocolate candy kind."

3rd Day - 3 pens, Red, White & Blue (for French flag)

"We did get French hens,
But then hungry we got.
So we ended up cooking them in a great big pot
So three fine pens will have to do,
In France’s colors of RED, WHITE and BLUE."

4th Day - Chapstick

When four calling birds cackle
Their mouths get all dry
Their lips start to crackle
So give this a try!

5th Day - Can of Sliced Pineapple Rings

Only Five Golden Rings?
There really are more
Of golden pineapple rings
We got from the store!

6th Day - 1/2 dozen Real eggs in Carton
"Six geese a laying
*Sigh* We’re back to those birds!
We tried stealing their eggs
But their cries could be heard
So we gave up and went to the store
These eggs won’t hatch
But don’t drop them on the floor!"

7th Day - Sparkling Water or Bottled Water
"The swans were still swimming in water so clear
It sparkled and shimmered, we shed not a tear
Instead we felt thirsty, a drink would be nice
We sent sparkling water, now you add the ice!"

8th Day - Milk Duds Candy in a Box
"The Maids were all milking

Milk foaming like suds

And then they all vanished--

Just leaving "Milk Duds."

9th Day - Foot Bath Salts
"Nine ladies dancing,
They danced all night long,
But when they looked down
Something was wrong,
From dancing all night
They had aching feet,
So here’s some bath salts
To give your toes a treat."

10th Day - Toy Frogs in a Jar with lid
"Ten lords a leaping,
Wonder if they could reach the stars
They jumped higher than these frogs
That we caught in some jars
Some people think frogs
Are princes in disquise,
So maybe the lords were protecting them
As they leapt for the skies"

11th Day - Bubbles with Pipe
"Eleven pipers were piping
What a wonderful sight,
‘Cause they blew bubbles
And watched them take flight.
So here are some bubbles and a pipe just for you.
So you can join in and have lots of fun, too."

12th Day - Ice Cream Drumsticks - 4 in a box

"Twelve drummers drumming
Each on their own drum
That’s the end of the song – Wasn’t it fun?
Here are the drumsticks, there are more than two
It’s for wishing Merry Christmas from us to you."

Gift Exchange with McGriff Family

Our family and the McGriff family have exchanged gifts for the past 5 years. Last night they invited us over for Dinner (Chicken Noodle Soup, Rolls & Cheesecake). After dinner they gave a short but sweet Family Home Evening lesson and then we exchanged gifts.

First, Brian. Two Beaker T-shirts. You have to be there when Brian does his Beaker impersonation. The McGriff's found a picture and then transferred it to T-shirts. We all had a good laugh. Next, was Sharri. A Headband, Bath & Body socks and twisted peppermint hand soap.

Then it was Cameron's Turn. A fluffy steering wheel cover, just in time for Winter. Next, was Erika. Earrings, Bath & Body Socks & a flower for her hair. And Last, was Riley. A tie-dyed T-shirt and a big roll of Duct Tape. If you didn't see the blog about Riley making Duct tape things, just look back a couple of months.

In return, we gave them the following items.

Dave McGriff (Dad) - Thermometer Hide a key

Nancy McGriff (Mom) - Pedegg (for her feet)

Nathan McGriff (Cam's buddy) - $10 Blackjack Pizza Gift Certificate (Nate loves PIZZA)

Heather McGriff (Erika's buddy) - Microwave French Fry maker

Sara McGriff - (Riley's buddy) - The card game "Blink"

We hope to carry on this tradition in the years to come. Thanks McGriff's.

8" of SNOW in Provo!!

All day today, it snowed in Provo. Big flakes and it was really good packing snow. Riley and Erika enjoyed playing and building stuff in it with their friends. This is unusal for Provo. Usually Salt Lake (Sandy, where the kids Grandparents live) get hit the worst, because of the lake effect. But today, Provo and Utah County received it all and Salt Lake had nothing. We also got stuck in our Van in one of the neighborhoods just west of our house. The kids had to push and push until we were able to get unstuck. CRAZZZZZY WEATHER!!!!!

Sitting on Santa's lap

The kids were able to sit on Santa's lap for the 2nd time on Thursday night. The Brown Family were able to have all the cousin's over to visit with Santa. There were 17 kids there and 9 adults. Pretty crazy in a small house. Cameron is bigger than Santa, but he still was willing to participate. This has been a tradition over the years with the Evans family. Thanks to the kids Grandparents who host it.

PHS Fine Arts Concert

Provo High School performed a Christmas concert on Wednesday, December 17. Erika's philharmonic Orchestra performed 3 numbers. Also, the Band and Choir performed 3 numbers each. This was a two hour concert and well worth it. Although, we had to wait an hour after the concert for the Yearbook pictures to be taken. We were home at 10:30 pm, on a school night even. We have been busy with many activities for the kids this week.

Ward Christmas Party!!

Our annual Ward Christmas Party was great. With Turkey, Ham, potatoes, stuffing, rolls and many many desserts. Thanks to our neighbor, Nancy, who is the activities chair. After a nice dinner, many ward members put on the Nativity Story. Brian was one of the Wise men and sang, "We three Kings." Erika and the Young Women were the Angels and sang, "Angels we have heard on High." Then Santa came while some ward members shared their talents. We all helped with the clean-up. (which took quite a while).

Sharri's Doll Cakes

These are the latest creations of doll Cakes. Sharri has made them for years with her mom, but recently, she has made 3 in the past month. One for a co-worker, who had the same birthday as her. And the other two for co-workers daughters. The last one, she was asked to make wings for a Fairy birthday theme. She wasn't sure exactly how to do that, but with the help of Independence High School Art Teacher, Jamie, we were able to put wings on it. It turned out really cool. Jamie, the Art teacher, told Sharri that she should start a portfolio of cakes that she has made. We couldn't count how many cakes over the years her mom and her have made. (probably over 50 or more). She hasn't been charging for her time, just the materials. These cakes can range over $25 each by professional cake decorators. It is more fun to give them to someone who is not expecting it. It is mostly one of those fun hobbies that she does.

Erika Violin Recital

Erika performed in a Violin Recital with other students of her Private Teacher, Bonnie Wilson. She played the Kanon, Silent Night, Oh Come all ye Faithful and Concert #2. Her grandparents and family were there in attendance. It was at the LDS Church Relief Society room by her Private teacher home in East Provo. She has accomplished many pieces over the 6 years. She plays in tune and can easily site read any piece. This is a great talent of hers. We hope that she will continue with her talent as an accomplished Violinist. Great Job Erika!!

Riley Science Project

Riley was required by his 6th grade teacher to do a science project. He first was going to grow mold on bread with different liquids, but the bread he used had preservatives in it, so it never grew mold. (Note to self: DONT USE BREAD WITH PRESERVATIVES IN IT!!!) So he had to change his project the week before it was due. He then decided to try different liquids to clean a penny. He chose water, milk and A1 steak sauce. Believe it or not the A1 wins, because of the tomatoes and vinegar and other stuff we won't mention in it. On Monday, he had to have his poster done with his question, hypothesis and the results on it and sit by it while the whole school and parents came by and looked at his project and he had to explain what he did. At Westridge Elementary, this was not required, but optional. But now he is at Lakeview Elementary, it was required. His parents have now done 5 science projects over the course of Cameron, Erika and now Riley in school. We have 2 more science projects to go in 7th and 8th grade, so watch for it next year.

Utah Valley Symphony & PHS Choirs

Brian, Sharri and Erika attended the Utah Valley Symphony on Thursday night. The PHS Choirs joined them in the concert. Some of our neighbors that were in the PHS Choir, were Claire, Jensenne and Heather. Also, Erika's violin teacher, Bonnie Wilson was in the symphony. We enjoyed this concert with many Christmas songs by the symphony and the Choir.

Eeek!! A Big Spider

Last Saturday, Erika and Sharri decided to clean out the washroom to make room for a new treadmill. As we were cleaning, we found this spider. We were hoping it was plastic or dead, and it was plastic. We laughed about it and then Erika threw it down the hall. About 10 minutes later, we heard Cameron make this loud scream and said "HOLY COW, THATS A BIG SPIDER!!" When Erika threw it down the hall, it landed right in front of the bathroom right side up. When walked into the bathroom, he didn't see it when he went in, but when he opened the door coming out, that is when he saw it and screamed. It was startling at first, but then we all laughed about it and told him it was fake. He had better hope to go somewhere on his mission where there aren't any BIG BUGS!

Riley & Brian golfing

Brian and Riley decided to go golfing yesterday afternoon at East Bay Golf Course in Provo. They went with our neighbor, Rob Autrey. This has become the new thing for Riley. Riley has become interested in golfing and especially going with the guys this last summer. Riley will try any kind of sport. He loves them all. He now has a new name in the family "the all around sportsman." If we can't find him, he is usually outside doing some kind of sport. From Soccer to Tennis, to Basketball to Football, to Frisbee to Rollerblading, to Golfing to who knows what it next (probably Skiing or Snowboarding). Last summer we caught him launching golf balls over the neighbors fence on Sunday (of all days). We then decided that he needed his own set of clubs and NERF golf balls. He took a 3 day golf training through BYU Jr. Golf Club and has been golfing with Brian since. Maybe someday he will be Famous and win some kind of Golf Tournament.

Silly Riley

Riley had some latex gloves to use to peel of the black shells of some walnuts. After dinner the other night, he decided that he was going to be like his dad, and try it on his head. Brian helped him with it and the gloves were a little bit tight, as you can see in the picture. He was laughing so hard that he couldn't breath out with his nose to inflate the glove on his head. Brian does a better impression of this, especially when we are visiting someone in the hospital. The last time this happened was when Grandma Holly was in the hospital, and we were all rolling on the floor laughing. I guess that Riley thought it was so funny, that he would try it for himself.

Kids Picture 2008

And here is the picture of the kids taken the same night as the family picture. We kind of all like the black and white version.
Cameron (18y), Erika (16y) and Riley (11y)

2008 Family Picture

Our ward had a fundraiser for Girls camp to have Family Pictures taken. This is our picture from that event. It is hard to believe that our family is getting so old. The kids were just little the other day. Just thought we would share them with you all. Enjoy!! (picture taken Nov 11, 2008)