Jackson Priesthood

 

Jacks turns 12 in May, so the beginning of the new year he was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood. He was super nervous but excited. He was able to pass the last two weeks, and while pretty nervous for that as well. Today he wanted to leave about 30 minutes early so he could get the spot he wanted to pass (so he had 'the best route'). 

Each time a grandson get the Priesthood Grandpa Arrington gives them a coin. I have had Jacks' in my purse for almost a year now and he was excited to get it. He had a Zoom call with Grandpa so he could tell him a little about it. Grandpa gave him an assignment, and once he does that, we will let Grandpa know. 

Cam for a few months has been working on a song that means a lot to the Arrington's. It's a rendition of "Oh My Father". One sacrament (I think sacrament) someone played it in my Grandma Arrington's ward. She loved it so much she went up to them and got the name of it. Since then, Paul and I have played it, I'm sure other cousins have as well. There was a time that no one could find a copy of it. The sheet music was lost and we thought for good. Paul did a lot of looking and finally found it. We made lots of copies and have a file saved as well. I've told Cam he should try and play it, and he finally started on it. After Jackson talked with Grandpa, Cam played it for Gma and Gpa. He did such a good job, and I think it meant a lot to them. It really is a blessing that they are 2,268 miles away, but able to hear him play in real time. 

Dogs

Camden was on dishes and let the dogs help clean up. Usually I don't let them, but we weren't home. Luna was very happy...

And looked very guilty.

Wahooz

 Recently I had a friend move from Texas to Idaho. We wanted to have a 'Welcome to Idaho' party, so we spent the afternoon at Wahooz. I think all of the kids had fun and really liked it. 

I'm not a fan of heights, so I wouldn't think of doing this Emery liked it, Emma, not as much. 

They're pretending to be dead.

Christmas

Another Christmas has come and gone way too fast, but it was a good one. 

We started Christmas Eve off with breakfast at Black Bear. It really is the best we have had so far. Camden gave Emery one of his sausages, and was a boy about it. 

He thinks he's funny.

We did gift exchange gifts and pj's, then Cam had to work. Emery and I watched "Wednesday" while all the boys home watched "Willow". It was nice to do nothing all day and just relax. 

With only having phones now and not a solid camera, getting a family picture is kind of hard to do. So we went with a family selfie. 

This year the kids had to look on the tree to find with paper was theirs. 

For some reason, they all still like to get up at 6:30 am to open things. They are like my brothers, make the baby of the family wake the parents up. Jackson just flicks the light  on, which is jarring. 

The rest of the day we moved rooms. We were going to hang up this chair Emery got. Emery and Cam talked about switching rooms for a bit and decided Christmas day, that was a good idea. We spent most of the afternoon moving things around. Emery also got a neon sign, and it is bright! This is downstairs.

It's a quote from "Mean Girls" and she loves it. It really is a fun thing to have in her room. 

It gives everything a pink hue when it's on. I forgot to take a picture, so while I was typing things out, I asked Jackson to take a picture; he added a cute selfie as well. 

Cam got some markers and other art things. This was the first picture he did with them. I think it's pretty impressive.  

Cam got Beck this. Eevee and Luna as Step Brothers (maybe sisters?)

Beck said his favorite gift was a muscle message gun he got, and probably money for his trip coming up. Emery's was Birkenstocks. 

Jackson's favorite thing he got was his light saber. It can change colors and sounds. 

Camden at first said that button up, then he said a book we got him called "The Card College: Volume 1"

Distinguished Day Take 2

The boys had a lot of fun on their last Distinguished day, and so they have decided to do one the day after a big break from school starts. They did this one the start of Christmas break. 

The started by getting better jackets from Men's Warehouse. I have to say my boys look very dapper. They went to Dave's Hot Chicken for lunch and got the hottest one you can. Their friend Cameron did not like at all. 

Cameron is trying to drink away the hot pain. 

I don't try to understand all the these boys do. I'm just glad the plan of putting that into the back of my car did not work out. 

The exchanged crappy movie gifts.  

Then had a rock session. Beck plays his guitar every day almost and has a playlist he just listens to and plays alone. It's fun when I know the song and can sing along in my head. 

Looking way too old, but that's okay, I'll just cry happy tears. 

Then they watched one of the movies they got. "Super Mario Brothers"... not a great pick since most fell asleep. 

The prize at the end of the day was this Lego that they build together. Why this Lego? Because Cam bought it. 

The winner of the first game of poker got this chalice. Cam won.

Zander was the proud winner of the Lego pig. They are thinking of plans for the next one at spring break.