December 2017

Playing in the first big snow

Ward Christmas Party

Don got most of the photos with Santa so you just get to see a select few.  Kayla however got her picture in front of our Christmas tree when we got home because she would have nothing to do with Santa. 

Let's be real for just a minute; forcing our kids to sit on a strange mans lap is almost as bad as making them go door to door asking for candy, just saying.

Barlow Christmas Party

Landon's Christmas Program

Hughes Family Christmas Party

November 2017

Bishop Hughes

Even as I write those words I get a little teary.  On Sunday October 29th Don was extend the call to be Bishop he was given time to select counselors and on November 19th he was sustained. 

Don had felt for several months that a call to the bishopric was coming and he even felt it might be THE Bishop. I on the other hand didn't think that God would do this to us at all.   It is not that I wasn't willing to support him or even that I thought that he couldn't do it.  I had just come out of a spell of rather sever depression and was not at all sure that I could step up in the home like I would be required to do. Since we moved to Syracuse Don has been there for our little family whenever I needed him and that time would now have to be laid on the alter of sacrifice. President Hjorten was really clear about the struggles that might come if we accepted this call.  Don has always been a man filled with faith.  More faith than I have.  We both didn't hesitate to accept the call, I just wan't 100% sure that we could both physically handle this. And I'm not going to lie, it's been hard.  But I know through the strength of the Lord we can do ALL things.  We have already seen the blessings that come through faithful service to the Lord. As a couple we have drawn closer together in our daily prayers together.  We have started studying the gospel together and growing in knowledge.  We have had to learn to put aside our selfish desires sometimes and see what really matters in this life.  Our family has been spending what time we have together in better ways.  The list really does go on and on.  I know it won't be easy, but nothing really worthwhile in life is. I also wanted to say I am so thankful he called the men he did to serve with him.  They are all very different men, but a great team in moving the work forward. It's going to be a good five years.

Utah Basketball

Don has season tickets to Utah Football and Basketball this year.  This game is actually a free woman's game that we all went to.  It was a Star Wars theme.  They had family activities as well as Star Wars characters for the fans to enjoy.

Thanksgiving

Our day started with a 4th Ward Turkey Bowl.  We actually played soccer but according to some, that really is football.  The Powell family brought a lot in numbers so they went up against the rest of the ward and won.  Maybe next year the rest of the ward will come out victorious.
We spend the rest of the day in Santaquin and really enjoyed our time with family.

Bad picture, good transnational food.

A Few Other Things

Doing Jaron's science experiment.

Listening to Melynda play at Temple Square.

October 2017

Bryson's 10th Birthday

Bryson wanted to have a low key party in the gym of the church. It was really a good time.  They played games and we had cupcakes, nothing over to top.  

This boy is growing.  He loves to cook still.  He doesn't really have a specific kind of food he likes the best he likes to make and eat a verity of food.  He is a very loyal friend.  He loves to serve others. He is often thinking how he an help me and the those around him.  He is a good student in school and tries really hard to do his best, which is all I ask.  He loves math the most and really doesn't love to read.  At school he is involved in Robotics and Battle of the Books. He enjoys a lot of different kind of sports.  For Bryson he is more into things for the social side of it than the competitive side. 

The best part of being a mom is these moments when you see what they are becoming.  He is such a joy in my life.

Jaron's Soccer Team

This one one of the last games they played for the fall season.  After many tryouts and much discussion we decided that AYSO extra was the right team for him. He plays keeper and forward.  He does a really good job.  His team, even though they are the 2nd extra team, did really well in the region.  They only lost a few games, so that was good too.

Patten is 18 Months

That smile just melts my heart.  Patten loves nursery and anything social.  He says "Hi" to everyone he sees.  It's fun to go shopping and have him talk to everyone.  He has a temper.  It's always a good time working through those moments.  But aside from the hitting me often and yelling at me when I try and change his clothes or diaper, he's really is a fun kid.  He likes to sing, dance, eat bananas, play in water, eat apples, play with cars & balls, eat oranges, and carry his blanket around everywhere.

Trip Day

Kayla and I are doing a neighborhood educational playgroup weekly with around 15 kids. One of the mothers set up a field trip to Black Island Farms.  Kayla said multiple times, "This is the best trip day every!"

Bryson's Field Trip

I was able to go with Bryson on a field trip to the State Capitol and Pioneer Memorial Museum. Any field trips that fall on a Monday Don usually goes on.  I really think this is the first field trip that I have ever gone on.  I usually have a baby in me or needing me.

Visit to Grandma Barlow's

This is Patten "holding" Miles.  Whenever he sees Miles he insists on holding him or being right by him at all times to help him.

We went to Rowley's Barn on a very blustery day.  But we found shelter in the corn maze.

Those that completed the Maze

Halloween

Halloween was a whirl wind of fun and candy.
Landon is not pictured because he got sick and ended up throwing up all over the living room floor.  It was a really mess from what I hear and Don really stepped up and cleaned up the mess. The only reason I write these lovely details is because this is something to be documented.  This is not something Don usually does . . . like ever.  He just can't handle it.

Elsa

Kylo Ren

Flounder

Zombie

Werewolf