Kenz

Kenzie had her first Youth Conference.

Her pictures were few, but her excitement was abundant!  When asked about her most favorite part, she replied, "Dancing with Uncle Kirk!"  :)

She even brushed her teeth... thank goodness!  :)

And speaking of teeth, guess what McKenzie got for Christmas?

Braces!

For one of Kenzie's personal progress projects - she searched for recipes, planned a menu and grocery list, went shopping, and cooked for a whole week.  She even cleaned the kitchen after every meal!  She made some super yummy food for us!  You can now find Kenzie in the kitchen trying new things or wanting to make this or that.  What a great experience - for her and me! 

YUM!  :)

  

More "firsts"

Kyler got his first GRAND SLAM!

And his first buck!

Aaaaaand.... Terry got his first pair of Elmo jammies!  :)

Teeth

Kavan had finally lost his first tooth - almost a year ago.

By Christmas, he was asking for his two front teeth.

This picture of Kavan and Laney makes me laugh!  :)

Bee success!

2011 brought many "firsts" for the Mitchell family...

Kyler was able to harvest his first batch of honey from his very own bees.

Kyler ready to collect the honey.

Look at the mass of bees on the outside of the hive (toward the bottom).

Layne helping to "uncap" the honey.

Kyler spinning the honey.

Mmmm...honey.

The finished product.

It wasn't a huge batch of honey, but it was yummy.  The bees have definitely been quite the learning experience for Kyler (and Layne).  We are all hoping for continued "bee success" in 2012!  :)

Happy New Year!

So, it's the New year - Happy New Year! -

 and I was thinking about one of the things in life that has slowed down a lot, since the end of high school football season!

From the sweltering heat of July...

right through the "chilliness" of November.

Kenzie has really enjoyed band this school year. And - despite the crazy hours - marching band was a great way for her to get acquainted with high school!

Christmas continued...

with a visit from Santa,

excited kids,

oohs and aahs,

lots of smiles

and hugs,

and lots of good mess!

The day continued with a beautiful program at church, and an afternoon full of family fun and lots of good food!

Christmas decorations are now put away and the memories have been made.  I love this time of year when even through the craziness there are still so many smiles!  I would like to have lots of "happiness and giving" through the whole year.  Maybe I will make that my goal - to be a little happier and more giving through the craziness of life... and I would like a clean refrigerator!  :)

Christmas began...

with decorations and memories,

I love this picture!

Kavan was very excited to get the "honor" of putting on the star!

He was very careful! :)

with parties,

Kenzie had some friends over for cookie decorating, white elephant,

and dancing!

Aunt Jana's party...

with friends and family.

It looks like Kirk was in charge of the meatballs!

We loved the games!

Well, until Kavan got the can of boiled peanuts!  :)  Still funny to everyone but Kavan! 

with sweet and funny moments,

 with a visit to Santa,

and a night of Lights of the South!

We had Christmas Eve "Eve" with my parents,

Kenzie got a new flute and was very "touched!"

Kyler was given my brother's shotgun.

with decorating gingerbread men and Christmas trees at Aunt Jana's,

and with dinner and a talent show!

Dinner was super yummy with ham, green beans,
mac & cheese, mashed potatoes,
egg rolls, pineapple casserole, strawberry pretzel salad, and rolls.

Karlee and Kavan wrote and performed a play under the direction of  Layne.

My dad can yo-yo!

Bryant can hand-stand!

My mom can tie amazing knots!

Kavan played the piano.

Karlee played the piano.

Kyler (bassoon) and Kenzie (piano) played Silent Night.

Mary sang and Zach played.

We had a quartet.

Zach and Kenzie played a duet.

Paul can almost head-stand! :)

Layne and I played a duet.

I love playing duets with my mom!

We had 8 hands playing Jingle Bells on the piano!

Paul set himself on fire this year so a fire extinguisher he received!

We had Christmas Eve with our traditional 

"Mitchell Christmas Party!"

Pizza!

Gifts!

and the Christmas story!

It was busy, it was super fun, and so many new memories were made!  I love how the kids act out the Christmas story!  It is always a special moment for me!  I am so thankful for our Savior!  For His birth, His atoning sacrifice, and the love He has for each one of us!