Card Games

Aside from what this looks like, Grandma and Grandpa Yates really aren't teaching the girls how to play poker! Aly and Kels got a cube full of games for Christmas, so Grandma was teaching them how to play 31. They had so much fun, they continued to play it for quite a while even after Gma and Gpa left. To top it off, Aly decided that a "family card game" fit nicely into her Family Home Evening lesson tonight about FaMiLIeS and being together.

Thanks for coming and hanging out with us Grandma and Grandpa!

Oh, and nice job on the FHE lesson Aly - we had a lot of fun.

Happy Birthday Mom!

We celebrated my Mom's birthday last Tuesday by going out to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants. Aly was unable to attend due to her procrastination of her "Oprah" report. Missed you Al! I am so grateful that my Mom is such a big part of my life and especially my girl's lives. She is always there for me whenever I need her, and is such an example to me. When she was battling cancer, she was the one that was strong for the rest of us. I couldn't even talk about her cancer without breaking down and crying. I'd never been so terrified and scared. But my mom never slowed down. She went through several months of chemotherapy and radiation. There were people in her office that didn't even know she was sick, because she didn't skip a beat. She is a shining example of courage, faith, and love, and I'm so lucky to have her for a mom and best friend. We love you Mom!

Welcome to the Oprah Show??

Alyson had an assignment for her English class to do a biography on someone, so, she chose Oprah. She had to create a picture board which also included a photo of her as "Oprah", as well as some props to create the "show". I'm still not sure how, but she made this "Aly as Oprah" picture on some website and we all got a laugh out of it. She did a great job and we all learned some facts about "O" as well. Good job Aly!

The Perfect After Christmas Gift

Kelsey had her 3 month check-up on Tuesday. We had gone in a few weeks ago for some tests, new lab work, and another x-ray. We met with Dr. OGorman and she was SO excited to tell us the good news! Kelsey is doing really well, the new meds seem to be working fantastic, and she took her off one of the other meds. There are a few things that the doc will continue to watch, and we'll see her again in April. We are all very relieved and happy for Kels.

The Holidays, All Wrapped Up

The GiRLz From the Hood

A few of the girls from our old neighborhood (where I grew up), planned a little get-together so we could reminisce about the good ole' days. It was so fun to see everyone and talk about our childhood. We all felt so lucky to have grown up where we did and be able to maintain those friendships.

Back row: Lynette and Julianne (Shaw), Candice (Cooper), Megan (Staker), me

Front row: Mindy (Staker), Liz, Katie, and Michelle (Clegg)

ChRiStMaS DaY

Santa was good to all of us and everyone had a fabulous day. We felt so blessed to have been able to share the day with all of our parents!

We had our annual Overly family Christmas party the weekend before Christmas. My Grandma has hosted this family get-together for as long as I can remember, and every year she has a little gift for each of the grandkids and great-grandkids. I think our family has reached somewhere around 70 people!We made the annual trip to see Santa...
We had to convince Aly that no matter how old you are, you're NEVER too old to sit on Santa's lap!

Rather than buy the gingerbread house kit that I usually do, I decided that this year, we'd do something a little different. They turned out really cute - and the girls and I had a lot of fun!

LiPsTicK JuNgLE

"It's all about the lips, mom", says Kelsey. For the last few months, Kelsey has REALLY been into lipstick. Her friend Ashlynd has been giving her lipstick for birthdays and Christmas for the last few years. Needless to say, she loves it! She's got quite the assortment, and I've even borrowed some. The sad thing is, it's hard to get too upset with her, because she puts it on REALLY well! I'm sure her teachers at primary and school really wonder about my parenting, but I figure if that's all she wants, and not the mascara, eye liner, etc., (and as long as she shares), bring on the lipstick!

We are ThaNkFuL for...

Steve and I are most grateful for the two little girls that keep us very busy! From homework, piano, and dance, to more homework, violin and softball. Somewhere in the middle of all that, we are also grateful for their achievements, nighttime prayers together, all the hugs and kisses, and even some of the tears. They bring so much joy and love to our lives, we can't imagine it any other way.

We are thankful for our pets, but this one just seems to get more attention than all the others.

This year, we were fortunate enough to have 2 Thanksgiving dinners. One at Steve's dad's, and one at our house. We are so thankful for all of our family and the love and support they give us.
In honor of Thanksgiving, (a late thought), I asked the girls to name 5 things that they were most grateful for. Aly's list went like this:

1. my family

2. my home

3. my friends

4. my cell phone

5. steak - Mmm

When I asked Kelsey, she told me she'd think about it, and get back to me. About half an hour later, she brings me this list that is over 3 feet long! Her top 10 (out of 81) went like this:

1. family

2. temples

3. friends

4. world

5. food

6. Primary Childrens Hospital

7. Jesus Christ

8. to be free

9. violin

10. school

Kelsey loves to rake up the leaves (another thing we are grateful for!).
Happy Birthday dinner!

For Steve's nieces' birthday (October), we went to the Blue Iguana for dinner. I love Mexican food! Most of their sauces have a chocolate base in them... sounds strange, but it's SO yummy! We hope you had a happy birthday Amanda - thanks for inviting us!