Candle Light Christmas

For a family home evening, Brad wanted to take us up to Heritage Park. A Candle Light Christmas. It is an old fashion Christmas. We were able to see how the pioneers celebrated Christmas. It was a wonderful experience. My girls had a great time. It was moving to see how they lived and how simple everything was in their lives. It was humbling for all of us. It made us all appreciate what we have in our lives. We have been so blessed.

We invited my parents and my sisters to go with us.
Tyler, Keri, Kelli, Teysia, Rylee, Me,Sadie and Grandma

Grandpa, Hunter, Brad, Watts and Jackson

Riding on the trolley. So Cold!!

Cousins love to be together..

Happy Birthday!!

I have to be honest and tell the truth. Yes I turned 40. I have the sweetest husband who had a surprise party for me. Saturday was December 13 was my birthday. My sisters, my parents, Bart and Robyn, Melissa and my husband took me to breakfast. We had a great time. The rest of the day I spent with Brad and my girls. We went to a couple of movies and out to dinner. I thought it was a great birthday.
Sunday we got up and went to church. Then after wards Brad took me for a ride. The girls came with us. We laughed and really enjoyed ourselves. I had no idea that something was about to happen. When we got home I walked through my door and both Brad's family and my family were all dressed in black, screaming surprise. Kelli and Keri had decorated my house with black everywhere. It had banners saying over the hill and streamers hang from the ceiling all around. 40 black balloons floating in the room and more on the ground. It was such a nice surprise. I really did not have any idea that this was going to take place. It was so nice to spend the evening with my family. They truly mean the world to me. I am so thankful for each one of them and what they mean to me.

Greatest Family Ever!!

They love it when I make them have picuters!

DANCE!!

Teysia and Tyler have been working hard to qualify for New York Dance Alliance this summer in New York. They have put so many hours into dance. Teysia and Tyler qualified everyday that they are in to take to New York. Yea!! New York here we come.

Sadie and Rylee have also been working hard in dance. They just had their ballet Christmas performance. Both on them did an amazing job. I am so proud of them. Sadie just finished a solo that she will be competing this year. I can't wait to see her.

The girls love to dance!

Sadie, Tyler, Rylee

Here I am!!

Jordan had a better week this week than he did last week. Jordan was able to watch a boy named Alonzo be baptized. He said that it was amazing. Jordan said ," When he was baptized and came out of the water I started to cry because of the change he had made."

Jordan enjoying his P-Day..

Home Sick

I received a letter from Jordan on Monday, he is having a difficult time. Jordan is sleeping in a hammock. He is riding a bike being chased by wild dogs. He is trying to adjust to the culture, the language, the poverty. He lives in a very small town. Jordan said that there are five members in three cities that he is working in. He has had a lot of doors close in his face. He did say that the people are so nice and that they are truly happy. They don't own anything but they find happiness in what really counts. Family!! I think that is why he is so home sick. All he wants for Christmas is his family. He did say, " I am where I am suppose to be. The Lord is with me."

Happy Holidays!!

One of my favorite things to do at Christmas time is to go up to temple square. My family, The Watts's, go together every year. We go to dinner as a family and the go over to the lights. We enjoy looking at the beautiful temple with all its lights. It is a wonderful feeling there. Rylee thinks that it is Heaven. I am sure that is what heaven will feel like. We walk around and enjoy each other and the feeling that is present. We always go look at the Chritis and listen to the message.

It is wonderful to look at the Savior and reflect on His life. He has given us many wonderful blessing. I hope at this holiday time we can all stop to thank our Savior for the many blessing in all of our lives. Let us remember Him in all we do.

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My cute darling parents!!

My sisters! What would we do without sisters to rely on!!

We hope all of our friends and family have a wonderful holiday season. We love you! The Slater's: Brad, Kim, Teysia, Sadie and Rylee. Jordan sends his love to all of you!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Mexico here He comes!!!

The phone rang on Wednesday November 26th. To my surprise it was Jordan. He sounded so good. He was calling to tell us that his visa had finally arrived. He would be leaving for Mexico on Friday morning the 28th. He was leaving at 6:00 a.m.. He gave us his flight plans. I told him that I would be there to send him off. Parents are not suppose to go the the airport because they can not get through security. That is not a problem for us, since Brad flies with Delta. Nothing was going to stop me from seeing my son leave for Mexico. It did not matter that I had to get up at 3:30 a.m.. This was the best gift I could ever receive.

Brad and I arrived at the airport and was able to watch Jordan come through security. He was leading all the missionaries since he was district leader. It was so fun to sit back and watch him work. We followed him to the gate. It was funny because as he walked to the gate he turned and looked over his should. It was like he sensed us watching him. A great big smile came over his face. He walked over to us with his companion. We visited for a while and then took him to breakfast. We all had a wonderful time. Jordan looked so good. He radiates the light of Christ. As a mother I could not be more proud of him.

There were 13 missionaries traveling to Merida Mexico to serve their. Jordan told us that the church is increasing the number of missionary's their by 30%because the work there is growing so fast. Jordan is so excited to serve. I know he will be a great missionary. He loves the Lord and is grateful he can serve. Jordan is an example to all us who are blessed to know him. We are so grateful to have him in our lives.

Elder Slater and Elder Lucero

Jordan

Katie's Birthday!!

On November 21, the Slater clan celebrated Katie's' 28 birthday. Every year we go bowling for Katie's birthday. She loves to show us all what a great bowler she is. Katie was so exited to go. She had such a great time. I think the entire family did. Katie is such a joy. She keeps us all grounded on what really matters in life. I love being around Katie. She is a little peace of what heaven is like. We are all so blessed to have Katie in our lives.

Happy Birthday Katie!! We love you!!

Dad's Birthday!!

On November 17 we celebrated my dads 71st birthday. We got together as a family for cake an ice cream. It is always fun to be together as a family. I am so grateful that my dad is still with us. He has been through so much in his life. I am so thankful for his example. His testimony and his love for our Savior. He is there for me when ever I need him. He is not only my dad but he is my best friend.

I love you dad!!

Halloween

Halloween is one of my favorite days. Sometimes it can be stressful when your kid doesn't know what they want to be for Halloween or they change their mind in the last second. But most of the time it is so much fun. I love watching the kids get dressed up. It is so much fun to watch them and see how happy they are. I wish I could be as excited as they are over something that is so simple and so small. That is the joy that kids bring us in our lives. How lucky we are to be blessed with little ones who brighten our days.

This year we had fun picking out the girls costumes. Teysia, if you can't tell, is Strawberry Short Cake. I told her she was a little to sexy for Strawberry. She thought I was crazy. Rylee wanted to be a mean witch. As you see she looks so scary and mean. I told her she might scare the little kids. Sadie chose to be a dead bride. Instead she looks like a beautiful bride. I was a little scared. Her life flashed before my eyes. I could see her as a real bride someday. That will creep up on me before I know it. Sammy also had to dress up. He hated it!!!!

Watts, Tyler, Jackson
Katie, Teysia, Rylee, Sadie

My family knows that we have a tradition. Every Halloween, Kelli brings her kids down to my house for pictures. She lives a block away. I make everyone have several pictures. At least until I am satisfied with all of them. Look how cute they all look.

Rylee looks so precious!!!

Sadie so sweet!!!

Teysia's fun personality!!!


The neighborhood kids. Teysia and Sadie's friends.







We were so blessed to have Katie with us this year. She was worried that she would not have a costume. She wanted to be a witch. She looks so beautiful. Katie had so much fun trick or treating. I didn't think she would want to go. She was the ring leader. She was slow and steady, but she was not going to stop until she was finished. She kept wanting to do one more house. I think she got more candy than some of the kids.

Bret and Sunny at their house.

Sunny, Fairy, Sam, Dax and Zoe

Everyone wanted to go get candy. They are going to kill each other. Indy is through before she even began. Lily is posing for us while her sister cries for help.

At our house after everyone had finished trick or treating we went inside for chili and doughnuts. It wouldn't be Halloween without them.


Brad with his brothers, Ryan and Travis, Jack and Candice. At least one of the brothers dressed up, Ryan.

What a good sport!!

A Champion

Jackson is my nephew who plays football. He loves the game. I have been so lucky to watch him play this season. It has been so much fun. I have loved it, especially with Jordan being gone. I have told Jackson and Watts (Jackson's little brother) that they are my boys while Jordan is gone. Jackson played on the first and secondd grade Lone Peak team. This is Jackson's first year. It is amazing how serious the coaches, parents and fans take it. Jackson had an awesome season. He had three touch downs, several blocks, and an interception. My favorite is he had a sack on the quarterback while he was playing safety. Jackson 's team beat the Pleasant Grove team for the championship. I am so proud of him. He never gave up. He worked hard and had fun doing it.

The Lewis Family

Hunter, Kelli

Watts, Jackson and Tyler

Jackson is ready for his second championship. Next year.

Katie

We love having Katie in our home. She bring us so much joy and happiness. Katie is so full of life and loves being with her family. One of Katie's favorite things to do is go and get a drink. She would like to get a couple drinks everyday if I would let her. I have to tell her only one drink and next time we will get her another. Katie loves shopping, she is a girl at heart. My favorite is when I am shopping with her, somehow she talks me into getting something I didn't even want.
I have found out for myself that loving and serving others makes a person really happy. I am so grateful for the time that I have with Katie. Even if it is a minute it is a special experience. Katie is having a hard time with her parents being gone. If anyone would like to see her or just write her a note she would love that. I know it would make her feel special. She is alone and needs her family. She lives at Medallion Manor in Provo.

The girls love aunt Katie.

Katie makes everyone smile.

She's a Blonde!!!

What can I say. My daughter is a Blonde! Teysia is a straight "A" student. She is a beautiful dancer with so many talents and yet she can be so blonde. Teysia was looking in the mirror trying to be funny. She took the comb and twisted it around her bangs several times. Like I said she was trying to be funny. Then she realized that it was not so funny when she could not get the comb out of her hair. I thought she was teasing us. Brad and I were both laughing at her. To our surprise she was not laughing anymore. I thought I would be able to get the comb out. I tried for about ten minutes. I couldn't get it out. I started laughing harder. I told Teysia we might have to cut out the comb. She panicked!! There was no way she was going to allow us to do that. Teysia turned to her dad for some sympathy. I started laughing again when he had to get out his glasses to try and see what she had done. I got the camera and was taking pictures. Laughing the entire time. Brad tried for about fifteen minutes with no luck. By this point Teysia was starting to have a heart attack. I have to admit by this time I was not laughing any more. I called Kelli and told her we needed help A.S.A.P.. She came over so fast. Kelli felt bad for Teysia. She worked on getting the comb out for about twenty minutes. Kelli saved the day. What would Teysia have done with out her aunt Kelli. Teysia has learned a valuable lesson. DON'T EVER twist a comb in your bangs.

District Leader

We received a letter from Jordan this week. He is doing

so well. We are so proud of him. He has such a positive attitude. He has so much faith. Jordan said in his letter. "I have some news for you. I have been called to be the district leader. President Joseph F. Boone called me to this position. I don't know why the Lord chose me. All I can do is be the best leader I can through His help. "

Jordan's teacher.

He did not tell us a name.

Jordan is loving every minute of his mission. He says that he struggles with the language. He knows that the Lord will help in all that he is asked to do. This is Jordan's District that he is over. The sister missionaries are going to Peru.

Jordan not loving his wake up call.

Elder Lucero, Elder Slater
(companions) The other two are roommates.
Jordan did not tell us who they are.