Gingerbread houses

Candice, Kayle and the girls are staying with us while Kayle works for the National Guard.  They joined us for our FHE gingerbread making night.  It was a big success-- luckily we had lots of leftover Halloween candy I pulled out of the cupboard (my kids never eat their candy so it just sits in the cupboard and gets hard and nasty until I throw it out).  It was fun watching the kids be creative and get excited about their personal houses. Good work kids!

Christmas Tree 2015

The first saturday in December we were lucky enough to have Spencer home for the afternoon! He had to work a half day-- but it still gave us time to get a Christmas tree and then have date nights with Reece and Benson.  We started out at a tree lot right next to our house.  I didn't love any of the trees. At one point we decided on a tree but while we were waiting for the employee to help us I got serious anxiety --over a tree…I know it's pathetic.  I didn't love the tree and I was already getting buyers remorse.  So we decided to hold off and look somewhere else.  We went across the street to Home Depot and found this beauty! Not only is it HUGE and beautiful, but it was priced as a 6-7 ft tree instead of it's actual 9 feet! It seriously looks so beautiful in our home. 

We came home and decorated the tree.  The kids were pretty cute.  They each hung their ornaments that they feel connected to (some they made at school and others were given to them).  Benson was really cute- he kept looking at the tree and moving ornaments around.  After we were done and getting ready for dinner I noticed Benson starring at the tree and moving ornaments here and there to make it look "just right!" Having children help decorate and put their taste into the tree makes it all that much better.

That night I tried to get a babysitter but no one could come.  The Primary president found out we needed someone and volunteered to come over. It was the nicest things-- we hardly know her.  I am grateful for her kindness and for blessing our family that night.  Reece had Jazz tickets from his basketball team and so him and Spencer went to the game.  Benson and I had tickets with some kids from his classroom to the Utah Symphony and so we were able to attend that concert! Benson was HILARIOUS-- he was so well behaved which was impressive because it was a long concert.  His favorite part was racing me to the concert hall.  I asked him if he would be my concert buddy and he said, "well, maybe Reece and I can switch off.  Except if you'll wear your running shoes each times then I want to come so I can race you".  I love his fun heart! He makes me smile.  And I know Reece and Spencer had a great time at the game too!

GIRLS TRIP-- Minnesota

My Mother was super sweet and came down to watch my kids for the weekend while I flew to Minneapolis for a girls weekend with Cassi, Ashley and Heidi.  It was a much needed break.  I have missed these girls more than you'll ever know.  I don't have the same support system here in Utah like I had in Minnesota.  When I landed in Minnesota I honestly started bawling.   The lady next to me probably thought there was something wrong with me.  It felt so good to be back-- I definitely left a piece of my heart here.

The girls picked me up and we headed to the Mall of America. We shopped until we dropped! Honestly, it was the most fun I've had in a while.  My parents had given me some Christmas money and so I didn't even have to stress about spending it-- and I had great company to help me shop!  It makes me giddy thinking about it! We shopped until we were kicked out of the mall.  Ashely would take pictures of us in outfits to convince us they were cute! Heidi was a real trooper and at 20plus weeks pregnant walked the mall and Cassi was hilarious at Victoria Secret! We ended the day at "Glam Doll donuts".  Oh, and I can't forget when we pulled up to the hotel and thought we were talking to the valley guy but really he was just a guy standing there (he was colored and it totally looked like we were racist). 

Saturday morning we woke up and ate at "Hells kitchen".  It's a popular breakfast joint in downtown Minneapolis.  Then we went to the Temple and did initiatory's.  It felt good to be in the Temple.  We ran back to the hotel and changed and met Staci and Alissa at the theatre.  We watched Holidaze by Cirque du solie.  I really liked the show-- I've always wanted to see one. 

 We then went to the Cheesecake Factory and met up with the rest of our friends who came up from Rochester.  We were there chatting and hanging out for 5 hours! At one point during dinner I had the thought "this isn't my normal anymore".  It was honestly a little shocking because it felt so normal.  It felt like any other fun girls night.  We've had so many of those in Rochester and it felt like Heidi and I had never moved away.  I immediately started to get teary-eyed and then shoved the thought to mars so I could enjoy the moment instead of be sad about not being around these girls everyday.  I really like my new life in Utah, but I desperately miss being around these girls.  They are some of the most amazing woman you will encounter-- for real.  I love being around them because I want to be a better person.  They each are so talented in their own way, they are strong, they are independent and self-motivated, they are amazing mothers, they have strong testimonies and are charitable and kind.  They are everything I want to be and when I'm around them I naturally want to be a better person.  I miss there influences in my life.  I miss watching them interact with their children.  I just miss them soooo much.  But, I have to be grateful for the experiences I had with them and try to happy that I knew them instead of cry because I live so far from them.  

My trip was just what I needed. I came home energized and recharged.  Sometimes as a mom you don't get a lot of breaks to clear your head and have fun with no stress!! This trip was simply amazing.  I love these girls so much.  We have HILARIOUS text messages almost daily.  They keep me sane and make me laugh out loud!! Thanks girls for the best trip ever.  I am still giddy about it-- whenever people ask me how my trip was I get a huge smile and started laughing! 

And Thanks Mom and Spencer for taking care of the kiddos so I could go stress-free!

Did I also mention that I read an entire book!! I read "Edenbrook" and it was a perfect getaway book! I finished it right as the plane landed in SLC! It felt so good to read a book without feeling guilty that I should be reading a parenting book instead! :)

Ps. I love the picture of us girls wearing the same shirt (yes we all bought it on purpose--isn't it so cute)! haha! My eyes are soooo tired they look Chinese! Makes me laugh every time I look at it.  We may have stayed up until 1:30am talking!

Thanksgiving--Boise

Thanksgiving at Miller's 2015

Spencer drove through a crazy snow storm Wednesday night so he could be here for Thanksgiving.  There were many points in the trip where he couldn't see the road and was just following car lights in front of him or the map on his phone.  At one point he decided to pull over in Twin Falls and get a hotel.  After a couple minutes he passed the Jerome sign and realized he had completely passed Twin Falls without seeing any signs, lights, or anything.  It was a little frightening to say the least.  I followed him on my phone app that tracks where people are.  I was so relived to have him home!

Thanksgiving day was a blast.  I did the girls hair and then the kids and I made "turkey juice" for their drinks.  Benson had made them for his Market day at school and wanted to make them for the cousins for thanksgiving.  We made some delicious food that included ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, pretzel jello salad, green bean casserole, stuffing and homemade rolls.  It was a feast! 

We looked at black friday deals, watched a movie, and just had fun being together.  I felt like I didn't see my kids the entire trip because they were having so much fun with the cousins.  They all get along so well-- it makes me happy seeing them together.  They laugh and play and can be so creative together.  We are blessed to have such great cousins. 

Visiting Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Dunkley!  They are 91 and 94 years old! Whenever I ask my Grandpa how he's doing he replies with "I'm excellent-- how are you Juliann?" My Grandma is always so sweet and wants to hear me and my children play the piano.  They really are an impressive couple.  They have both achieved so much in life not only with the Music store, but also in church callings and throughout the community.  Their biggest achievement has been their family.  They have a HUGE posterity and almost all are active members of the church.  That is their greatest joy and biggest success in life.  I hope to be like them someday.

Natalie is honestly always photo bombing Nicoles pictures.  Life would be boring without her.

My Dad tore his Achilles tendon while playing basketball with the Young Men (he's the YM president in his ward). He's been riding around the store on this scooter. He's been an amazing patient and his foot has healed a lot faster than expected.  He doesn't ever complain about it even though its caused him a lot of pain and inconvenience.  It's hard for my Dad to sit down even for a minute so you can imagine how hard it's been to have this "handicap".

Christmas Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Dunkley's

My parents made a DELICIOUS dinner! All of us except for Spencer were there. We had a hilarious dinner with Matt and Rich adding serious entertainment.  At the end my parents gave us their presents.  My Mom thought she was so funny and gave us a Christmas card with nothing in it-- and thoroughly enjoyed us opening them to find nothing in them.  Then she gave us another present with some cash in it! My Dad got giddy and said there were two rules: 1) you decide how to spend your money and your spouse can't influence it and 2) you have to do something fun! My parents have been very generous and it definitely helps with the holidays.  I decided to take my money and spend it on my girls trip in Minnesota with Ashley, Heidi and Cassi.  We spent a day at The Mall of America and seriously shopped til' we dropped! It was the best weekend-- for real! Thanks Dad and Mom!

On Saturday we threw a bridal shower for Heather and then the kids seriously just played and played and played all day together.  It was a blast.  I enjoyed being with my Mom and sisters.  We went to Dunkley Music and checked out the new store, took the kids to Maverick for slurpees, & went to lunch with my Grandma, Mom and Kristi.

For Christmas this year we decided as sisters that instead of giving gifts to each other we would go have an "experience" together.  We all went to get pedicures-- our FAVORITE!!! It was soooo much fun.  It's nice to get away with just my Mom and sisters without any distractions and just be doing something fun.  I'm pretty lucky to have these sisters of mine! Matt was super nice and watched ALL the kids!! hahaha! Good thing he has a good sense of humor. :)

Me and the kids having fun driving from Utah to Boise! We always stop in Burley at the Subway for some food.  The first part of the drive the kids play and are seriously so cute together! I LOVE listening to them talk and laugh together.  The last half we turn a movie on.  Luckily the drive went really well and even Kate behaved the entire trip.  We are blessed and grateful for "Herbie" our Sienna van that takes us on these fun adventures.

November 2015

November was a great month. We celebrated Kate and Tanner's birthday, had the Catmulls and Miller grandparents visit, had Uncle Kayle live with us, and did a hand full of random things.  

Grandma Miller gave us Halloween money for our family to get some ice cream. We went to her favorite ice cream shop "Baskin Robbins" and enjoyed a nice FHE ice cream date.

We had to get a baby gate to protect Kate from tumbling down the stairs.  The kids like to pretend they are in jail and Kate is the gate keeper.  It keeps everyone entertained and add such laughter in our home.

We finished reading the Book of Mosiah and so we went on a family ice cream date to celebrate. Each time we finish a book in the Book of Mormon we do something fun to celebrate.  The kids picked U-swirl, a kids favorite because they get to pour their own ice cream and put on their own toppings.

This is classic Kate.  Rolling around on the floor perfectly content and happy! Isn't she a doll!

And then she goes from sweet doll face to messy face! She LOVES to go through our kitchen drawers and pull everything out. She has found the food drawers-- we like to call her our human vacuum!

Spencer and I put up our Christmas lights. You have to know the back story-- for the past two years he has gotten in serious trouble by his wife (me!) because he has waited to long to put them up.  In Minnesota people start putting up their lights in early October before it gets to cold.  I would always suggest we should follow suite but he would say it's a crime to put them up before Thanksgiving.   Well, the past two years it has gotten cold SUPER fast and there was to much ice to put them up so they didn't get done.  This year he came home from work a week before Thanksgiving and suggested we put the lights up.  I guess he's learning!

We got a sweet surprise the Sunday before Thanksgiving. My organ professor, Sister Parkinson come to the Tabernacle twice a year to play as the guest organist.  We went to watch her after church and when she was done she asked me if I wanted to play the Tabernacle organ! Of Course I said YES!! I was ECSTATIC! I played "Angels we have heard on High" and "Come, come, ye Saints"! This was my second time playing the organ. Both times it's been a magical experience.  There is so much history and love put into that organ.  I can feel the pioneers spirit every time I play.  It is a beautiful instrument and I feel blessed I was able to have the opportunity to play it.  I also think of my Grandma Dunkley who has played the organ her entire life.  She's always had a dream to play it and so I feel pretty special that I've been able to experience that for her.  During Thanksgiving I went home to Boise and was able to tell her about it. She was pretty tired that day (she is 91 yrs old) but when I told her both her and my Grandpa lite up! They've both had a big influence on my musical abilities.  They stressed the importance of Music in their lives and shared it with us Grandkids.

Tanner and Benson have become great buddies.  Even though it's 50 degrees outside they are out their almost daily jumping on the tramp together (without coats).  You can tell they came from Minnesota.  They are tough little cookies! This is my view of them out my kitchen window.

Sundays can be special days in our home.  When we play games together and enjoy a peaceful and quite Sabbath as a family there is a spirit that brings unity into our home.  This particular Sabbath we were playing "wacky 6" and the kids were playing with Tanner's new toys from his birthday party.

Kate puts everything around her neck.  I think it's hilarious and suer cute!

1st day of SNOW!! The kids were SOOOOO excited.  They claim winter is their favorite season because of the snow.  They could hardly wait to get home from school so they could spend an hour outside playing.

This was early November! Can you believe we are outside playing basketball! The weather has been awesome this fall. I've been surprised how warm it's been.  I went to run an errand and when I came home this is what I came home too.  This to me is a beautiful life.  Seeing the kids outside playing together as a family (of course there is some arguing sometimes but we manage to have more happy times than crazy times!).

Tanner is obsessed with UNO! We play it ALL THE TIME! 

He's a great game partner!

Tanner going to preschool with his preschool bag full of "fruit by the foots" for his preschool birthday party.

Spencer and Ju going on a date! We went to one of my Young women from Minnesotas musical.  It was an impressive musical of "Catch me if you Can".  It was also fun to be on a date with my lover boy!

Yes, I bribed my kids electronic time to rub my feet!
My mom used to do this to us kids so I thought I'd keep up the tradition!

Kate likes to hold my grocery list while shopping. She's a great little shopping partner.

Christmas cards are here!! One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is all the Christmas cards I receive.  I love sending them, and I love receiving them.  I honestly wait patiently everyday for the mailman to arrive! So fuN! This was me picking them up at Costco. I'm pretty sure Cassi, Heidi, and Ashly and I were having a HILARIOUS texting chain during this trip. They are such awesome friends!

Reece made a Ninjago mask at school. Pretty cool buddy.

Benson had "market day" at school.  Every second grader spent the previous month earning money so they could buy products at their market day.  Benson made "Turkey Juice" and came up with the slogan "Is it Thanksgiving yet?" He picked out the idea and slogan and was so excited to sell them.  He sold 20 of them! Good job buddy. He thought the big goggly eyes were "so cute".  It was fun watching him get so excited and be proud of his project. Good work buddy.