Lordy Lordy, look who's 40!

Happy 40th Mike! Andrew planned a great party at the bowling alley with grandma and grandpa Barlow and Daniel. We bowled, had cake and sodas, and Mike opened presents. Everyone had a nice time. We all love Daddy!

Staying with a pretty Great Grandma

We stayed a night in Mesquite with Grandma Jaussi and Aunt Darlene. It was so nice to catch up and enjoy the company of some great women. While we were there Andrew asked grandma some family history questions. He learned some fun stories from her childhood. We all loved the amazing artwork all through the house. Darlene makes beautiful pieces and grandma's are all classics.

St George weekend

Mikes golf men's association goes on a weekend trip to Saint George every winter. This year the kids and I tagged along. While Mike golfed we went to the dinosaur museum and the children's museum.


Check out those amazing Dino tracks.



Little explorers



The Holsteins museum was amazing. We spent hours there and could have stayed longer. So much fun!



That's Peter underneath



Little diva

Science fair

Andrew put together a great science fair project. He grew bacteria from the toilet and then tested different cleaners to determine which one works the best at killing germs.



Bleach was the clear winner. It was really fun for us to work on this project together. I guess Barlows are just science nerds. That's a compliment at our house.


Good job on second place overall at the science fair.

Look who's 4!

Happy birthday Peter! You are growing up so fast and quickly becoming a little boy rather than a toddler. We love your exuberance and intelligence, and most especially your passion.


Cars cake. Peter is going through a race car phase. He recently switched over from Thomas the tank engine. The cast is a result of a broken pinky from jumping on the couch.



Ever intense- even when candle blowing.



What a great day to be 4!

A few random pics

Peter and me. Both looking a little shabby, but happy to be together.



Slumber party reading time at cousins house.



Liking the new haircut.



Dinner served on the turntable Daniel made for us for Christmas.

New van. Thanks Rudolph

Christmas night is a really lousy time to hit a deer! Luckily everyone was belted and we are all fine. The van on the other hand was not. It took a week of stressing and shuffling but we managed to sell the old red one for a small amount and buy ourselves a shiny new black van a few model years newer.


Mike made some modifications to the entertainment system and now we are riding in style once again. I am grateful to have a nice vehicle to drive.

Christmas morning

Christmas morning was as fun as ever. Caitlin got a doll house bigger than her. Andre got that iPad he had been begging for. Peter got all kinds of fun toddler gifts and josh for a drone.


Santa even remembered me! A shiny box with a Bosch mixer.


Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Eve pageant

Mikes family has reenacted the Christmas story on Christmas Eve since he was a little boy. It is a very solid tradition. It's always silly, a touch sacreligeous, and at times poignant and touching. We love being part of it.


Shepherds and a black sheep



Mary



Joseph



A shepherd



The holy family



The innkeeper and the angel of the lord



The traditional annual photo. Always fuzzy and underexposed.