Happy 50th Anniversary to Kathleen and Darrel

My in laws celebrated their 50th anniversary on December 20th, 2013.   Matt and I are so grateful that they got married and for their example in our life.

We are excited to be able to go and visit them next week---I guess we are a week later for the big celebration, but we are grateful for their strong, happy marriage. 

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Happy Birthday Mom
On this day I want you to know of my love for you--my gratitude for being your daughter. You set the standard and we are trying to reach it. Someday I will feel your hugs again and hear your voice. I will wait.....  

My mom was born on December 21, 1941--she would have been 72 today!   I love you mom and I am so grateful that you gave me life. 

Pictures from Kara and Meli

 Above is Kara and the crew of Footloose in a school parade.

 This year's theme at Bingham is called, "On the Fly."

 Kara went on a hike with her improv group.  There are 12 students in all.

 Meli got her permit this month.  She passed the driver's test on the first try.  Which is amazing considering English isn't her 1st language.  She is one smart cookie.

One of the fun boxes that Meli got from family and friends with yummy treats from home. 

The improv team goes out to dinner each night after their performances. Above is a shot from that. 

Kara in her costume being the mom on Footloose!

Our Christmas card and letter

         December 2013

Dear Family and friends~

Merry Christmas!!! We wanted to send our heartfelt wishes to you and your family. Below   are some highlights of 2013. 

Coby graduated from BYU in  April.  He lives in Istanbul, Turkey and is teaching English full time and learning Turkish.  He is the Elder’s Quorum President and Ward Mission Leader. 

Spencer works at Discover Card and  is in college.  He is  busy usually working out, with his girlfriend Anne or hanging out with his dog Gracie or making some yummy food!  

Colton works full time and is taking classes to be a Computer programer.  He is usually at     the Institute building,  hanging out with friends  or writing. 

Kara is a junior at Bingham. She is usually in a musical and she is on the NHS, Improv Team, Choir, serves on the Stake Youth Committe,  and in her Laurel Presidency.  

Meli is our foreign exchange student for this school year from Germany.  She attends Highland and is an amazing student. We have enjoyed having her in our home.

Cami started working full time at IDS as a Mortgage Software/Client Relationship    Specialist.  Mostly she is available for her families when they need her. 

Matt is  still working at Exeter. He is busy making sure things run smoothly and following the Dave Ramsey program perfectly.  

May you and your family realize “it REALLY  IS A WONDERFUlLife” and be    blessed with peace, love and joy during this season and always!!! 

Love,

The Vails   If you want to read more about our family:  http://cami-and-matt.blogspot.com

 

December--scenes of Christmas

I haven't done that well with pictures this month.   However, here are pictures that others took at events we were able to go to.  The theme at our work party was ugly sweaters.  Hopefully, you can tell that by the pictures.    Matt and I were able to go to two ugly sweater parties.  


For my work party we went to Thanksgiving point, for dinner, games and fun.  Afterwards we took a trolley ride around the beautiful lights they have displayed.  It was a fun party!  Some of the people at our work Christmas party

 The table we sat on.

 Below is a picture of Matt's work party.   It was fun to visit with all the people who work with him and their spouses.

 Kara did an improv show that went almost four hours. They were raising money for the children like they do each year.  At her improve after one hour of performing they said the show would go on if we could raise $75 and it kept going that way until they had raised $1000.00  It was  fun show.

 If you want to watch the video of some of our employees doing the Harlem Shake just go to the link below.  I am the Statue of Liberty. :)   http://idsdoc.com/more/


Below is a picture from our neighborhood ornament exchange party.  A very fun tradition.

Putting up Christmas!

 One of my favorite things to do is to have a Christmas tree in our room.  It is a small tree and it looks pretty sparse, but we call it our angel tree in honor of all the angels (family members who have died) that are part of our family.

 Our Christmas tree in our family room seen from upstairs.  With Meli's one present under the tree from her family. 

Meli's family sent a fun package. In the package were fun  Christmas advent calendars and they also sent this cute advent calendar for Meli and Kara. What a fun treat each day and a great tradition!     The rest of the pictures below are from decorating this year!

         

 One of the fun advent calendars that Meli's family sent with delicious Lindt's chocolate!   Merry Christmas!  It was fun to decorate with Meli; she was very helpful.  She was excited to help.   On Friday Kara and I went shopping on Black Friday.  I had them pick out things that they would like.

For the last month I have been doing Insanity.  Until I thought I would nearly die from pulling/snapping sounds  from my lower back.  It is a hard workout, but I love how good I feel after doing it.  Now, I think I am done,  so sad, but after not being able to move, I think it is time to STOP!   I guess I will just have to go back to other forms of exercise! :(

November according to our cameras

 November has been a busy month.  Kara performed in her play "Footloose."  Many of her days were filled with practices and even more practices.   She did a fantastic job being a mom to Ren! Above is a picture of some of her friends who came and saw her. 

 

 

Kara, Meli and Tianna at a play!

 

 Another night after Kara's play.  Matt and I went and saw it 3 out of the 4 days. 

 

Kara's perfect report card.  

Kara being very silly!

 Thanksgiving day--=-apparently Matt was taking pictures

 We had two tables.  One table for 16 and younger and the other table for the adults.  One table sure seems to be having more fun than the other.    I finally made something I saw on pinterest.  The little Oreo turkeys on the table.   The flowers were some Kara got after her play.

 The adult table.

 Preparing the food!   This was a very relaxing Thanksgiving.   Everyone helped and did a fabulous job!   It was Meli's first time celebrating Thanksgiving. She said she had never seen so much food for one meal.  

 

For Thanksgiving we had my brother Matthew's family, our family (minus Coby) and Anne.

 We had a lot of pies.  Suzanne made some yummy pies and so did Anne and Spencer.

 Hanging out after dinner!

After we cleaned up and had pie our family, Anne and Matthew's family went to see the movie Frozen.  I will have to say it was a terrific well done movie!!!  

We are grateful Kara was in a car accident and came out unharmed. We had a lot of fun bills this month that came up as everything seemed to break.   $1500 dollars in repairs (it is actually probably more), but we are so grateful it wasn't more.  

We hope you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving!   We are grateful for our family and friends!