Christmas Fun

 My all time favorite activity during the Christmas Season is to go to a Messiah Sing-a-Long.  I really LOVE the Messiah.  It just stirs my soul for some reason.  I remember going to it once as a little girl at BYU Hawaii and it just makes my Christmas to go.  We don't always make it every year, but if I am on my game, I try to make it happen.  Lauren alerted me to the performance at Abravenal Hall this year and we got tickets early :)  Loved it!

Walking through Temple Square on our way to the Messiah.

Lauren and Pierce in their own winter wonderland ;)

I have a weird smile, but I was just so excited to attend the Messiah!!!

The orchestra and choir--they were awesome!

Another must during the Christmas season--telling Santa if you've been good or bad!  

Since I work at the Springville Library, I was able to call Jeff to bring the kids down when the lines weren't long.

A new family tradition--Wendy has the family over to her ward building for dinner of soups and warm bread and then Santa visits.  It is fun to still get together even after Grandma and Grandpa Bird can no longer host us all.  Look what Santa brought Jeff at our Clarke Christmas Eve dinner!! Lobster Bisque anyone?

Merry Christmas 2013

It typical Barrett fashion, we decided to take our Christmas Picture in December on the spur of the moment.  Literally, at church I said to the older girls, "Let's take our pictures after church.  What colors could we do?  Blues and grays?  Ok!"  We grabbed one of Alli's cute friends, Mariah, and went to the hill above our neighborhood and the Art Museum.  In about 45 minutes we were good!  Jeff set up the shots and Mariah snapped a bunch of shots.  We were soo happy when a couple turned out ok!

Love my family!!!

Ok, this one was for the 'awkward family photo' section...
We couldn't resist!

My kids are growing up so quickly!  Yikes!!!

Soo glad this guy still likes me after all these years!

Calvin's First Temple Trip

It was really great to go to the Provo Temple as a family with Calvin for his first time.  Lauren's boyfriend, Pierce Bennett, offered to help show Calvin the ropes, so he wouldn't be nervous.  Pierce even baptized Lauren, Alli and Calvin.  Jeff and I were upstairs, when we were finished we still made it down in time to witness everyone being baptized since the wait at the baptismal font was so long!  Provo is always really busy--isn't it great!  What a sweet time to spend together.  It was really nice to spend the afternoon with almost our whole family--a couple more years until Lindsay gets to join us!  I love my family and I'm so happy we have the gospel that teaches us that Families are Forever!

To School Again!

Here we are at the beginning of another school year!  First Day of School for...

 Alli--now a Sophomore at SHS!!!

 Calvin--a Seventh Grader at MJHS!!!  And Lindsay a Second Grader at Hobble Creek Elementary!!!

 Checking out Cal's locker at the junior high.

Waiting for the bus at the elementary school bus stop!  Oh Boy!  Have a great day kids!  I love you!

Happy Birthday at Aspen Grove

Happy Birthday, Calvin!  Cal turned 12 when we were at Aspen Grove.

We are excited for him to become a Deacon and hold the Aaronic Priesthood!  How did he get this big?

 Eating a famous Aspen Grove Huge Breakfast!  We had a lot of fun being up there again and watching Lauren work.  Lauren was a Romper counselor this summer.  It was fun to be all together again for a few days!

Lindsay was a Cougar playing with her group at the Pioneer Village!

The Kong Cone Challenge!!!

Be advised... Items are larger than they appear!

The kids wanted to take the Kong Kone Challenge at Macey's.  We've never actually bought them for the kids and it sounded like fun.  Lindsay got the medium, Alli got the large and Calvin got the Kong!

This is what the Kong looks like as they make it...then they put it in a cup for you...

"I think I can.."

He did it!  We are all amazed! He's a stud!

SHS Graduation

My how time flies...

 Graduation Day with Grandma and Grandpa Barrett

 Grandpa and Grandma Clarke

 Playing in the orchestra--final time!

 Cute kids!

The exciting Senior poster for the house!  Awesome!

What a great accomplishment!  Lauren worked so hard all through school.  She got accepted to BYU where she really wanted to go, and got scholarships and saved her hard earned money so she could make it all a reality!  Way to go, Lauren!  The sky's the limit for you!  We love you!

Hobble Creek Graduation

I know, I know.... We never thought this day would come.  He did it!  Calvin actually graduated from 6th Grade!  Amazing! 

We love you, Cal!

Thanks for being a great son!

Track 2013

Alli ran with the Springville High School Track Team this year.  She did really well!  She is now a hurdler--running the 100 and 300 hurdles!  Here she is in action!

 On your marks...

 Get set...

Go! Go! Go!

She had a great season and nearly qualified for state...except for a "clerical" error, she would have made it!  There's always next year!  You're awesome, Alli!

Take me out to the ball game!

Calvin and Jeff went with Grandpa Barrett and all of the "Barrett Boys" (minus Uncle Mark's Family) to a Major League Baseball game at Candlestick Park.  This was a really fun Christmas Gift from Grandma Barrett.  So much fun!

 Fisherman's Warf

 Crazy chocolate shakes at Ghiradeli's

 Taking a tour of Alcatraz

 In line to get into the park!

Thanks for a fun trip Grandpa and Grandma!  Awesome!

BYU Bound...

We got the long awaited email....

 Lauren got in to BYU for Fall Semester 2013!!!!!

Out to Los Hermanos to celebrate!  Good job, Lauren!  All the hard work has paid off!

Go Cougars!