Talent Show Flashback

January 2026

I was looking through some old videos and found this gem from our 2014 Christmas Eve talent show. We did a silly version of The Twelve Days of Christmas. The kids are so cute!

 *Our talent*

Wrapping up the Holidays

December 27, 2025-January 6, 2026

We enjoyed having our big kids home for several days after Christmas. Planned family activities petered off, and we settled into normal, everyday life. Parker and Tanner golfed some and hung out in the evenings, and Aubrey spent more time with Charlotte, "girl" Parker (Huse), and Maci. We also enjoyed some Taco Villa lunches, Sunday nights, and celebrating Aubrey's 19th birthday.

Aubrey and Parker 

I'm going to miss all of the family time when the kids leave. I'm glad Parker will only be a couple of hours away at an internship in Carlsbad, NM. He's hoping to come home on weekends. Also, I'm looking forward to a little weekend trip to Lubbock to go to the temple, shop, and got to the BYU/Tech basketball game.

We played some football and watched some football.

BYU Pop-Tarts Bowl 

BYU 25 Georgia Tech 21

Brian had to work, but I watched it. I thought these three college students would be more into it, but I guess sleep won out.

Aubrey, Charlotte & Parker

That evening, when Bri got home from work, Aubrey and Parker did a crazy workout together during one of the bowl games. I think they called it "Murph" and it included a one mile run, 300 squats, 200 pushups, 100 shoulder presses, and then another one mile run. It was impressive. (Brit and I work out together three times a week, and we are very proud that we have worked our way up to 10-20 pushups spread throughout our 30 minute workout. Also, I'm pretty sure running a mile would kill me off.)

We were so glad Benja joined us one Sunday for dinner and FHE before he headed back to BYU.

Me, Tan, Kaide, Erin Noel, Benja, Park, Aubrey

And of course we played some crazy games of Duck, Duck, Goose for the activity.

We also enjoyed playing my new card game, Survivor.

Sunday nights over the holidays are fun because the big cousins are home. It changes things up. Lauron and her boyfriend were in town before Christmas, and the Sunday after Christmas, Jake and Charity stopped by. It was fun to hear about all of the new happenings in their lives. (Charity and Jake are buying a house. Charity's adventures as a nurse. Lauron's plans for cosmetology, etc.)

Hud and Aub were happy to be back together. They are good friends even though they are over three years apart.

Aub 19, Hud 15 1/2

The older cousins started showing off their strength by doing squats while holding the younger cousins, and it reminded me of this Sunday night picture from 2017! Benja and Parker were pressing Tanner and Hudson.

The cousins then moved to the garage to see how much they could max on bench press. A lot of nights, we all just kind of hang out and talk. I love it when there is a little more action.

In preparation for his move to New Mexico, Parker cooked one billion eggs and made breakfast burritos.

He also stopped by to say goodbye to Gram and Grandpa.

It was fun to celebrate Aubrey's birthday before she headed back to school. I always double-shop for her at Christmas, and it's ready to go when her birthday rolls around on January 9th.

We took her b-day fruit pizza 8 houses over so we could share in the fun with Grandpa Vore.

The next night, we headed to Mamacitas for a dinner celebration.

Then everybody was off to school...including Erin to nursing school at Texas Tech, and Kaide to his first day Pre-K!

FHE-Bring on the Good Times

January 2026

A couple of times this month, out of the blue, Kaide will look around at everyone hanging out in the living room and say, "So, do you want to have Family Home Evening?" 

It is the sweetest thing. And of course, I say "Yes! Let's do it." (There may be a side eye or two from Parker and Tanner...)

I remember when our kids were young and would ask to do FHE during the middle of the day, and I would do it with them. (Bri was at work.)  It still makes my momma heart happy remembering.

This is what Family Home Evening currently looks like. Kaide usually says at least one of the prayers and picks one of the songs. The lesson portion last 3-5 minutes max. One of us will share a short story from the Friend magazine or do an activity lesson like fishing. 

Our fancy ruler fishing pole...

Lastly, Kaide gets to choose the activity.  That is a definite bonus of being the only child. This month his activity of choice has been either Duck, Duck, Goose or Hide and Seek. 

It's a party. The best kind of family party, and it makes me so happy that he wants to do it. 

Picture from December FHE. Tanner (hat), Benjamin, Parker, Kaide, Erin Noel, & Aubrey