DNA Results

One of our favorite gifts from Christmas were DNA kits. Each member of our family got one and we were excited to learn more about our ancestry. In particular, the kids wanted to learn what part of Africa they are from.

We had to spit in a tube. For some reason, I had a really hard time generating enough spit. 

We then sealed up the tube and the package and sent it back to Ancestry.com.

After several weeks, we got our results back. It was so exciting! I was not too surprised about mine. I knew my mother's mother was 100% Welsh, so I expected to be at least a quarter Welsh. I didn't know I had such a high percentage of Scottish ancestry and the Norway ancestry was a complete surprise. I'm a little bit Viking! 

David also knew most of his ancestry. We didn't know he had any Welsh ancestry and we thought his Irish number would be higher.

Jalen's ancestry is quite the mix. He is mostly from western Africa with the highest percentage being from Nigeria. He also has some Welsh. We want to learn more. Of course, we all wonder the exact role slavery has to play in this heritage.

Baylie's ancestry was the biggest surprise. She is over 70% Nigerian! That was the biggest percentage of any of us. She is fair skinned with light eyes and thought her Caucasian heritage would be higher. We are curious to know why her numbers are so different from Jalen. Were her ancestors enslaved people or did they come over later? We can't wait to learn more.

We are blessed to have a new member of our ward who is from Nigeria. We are going to have him over to speak to us and teach us more. We are excited to learn!

Christmas Eve and Morning

We all really loved our Christmas jammies this year. They were cute and comfy. Even Tashi had a matching neck scarf, but getting her to pose is a challenge.

The guys

The gals

Lots of stripes!

We decided that Santa would be getting enough cookies so we left him a healthier option.

The kids had never had brand new bikes before. Every bike they've had has been a hand me down. But this year, Santa brought them brand new bikes! 

The kids were surprised and excited on Christmas morning!

Jalen got a Gi because he is starting martial arts. He was so excited to get it!

He also got a suit since he is turning 12, will get the priesthood, and will start passing the sacrament.

He got a poster of himself.

Baylie also got some fun presents.

She always gets books for Christmas. This is a children's book, but it's so good.

She collects Monopoly games and I custom made her a game of Baylie Anneopoly.

She loved it.

Jalen's favorite present was a PS4. He has wanted one for a very long time.

Christmas morning is always a happy crazy.

Dianne made me and David fleece jackets. I've worn a red one she made me for over 30 years. I guess it was time for a new one!

Tashi got a Wonder Woman collar. Very stylish!

She's such a cutie pie.

Sadly, the first time Baylie took her bike for a spin, she crashed and burned. In Argentina, we say she "compró tierra." She bent up her bike and she was pretty devastated. The bike will still work, but it's a little wonky now.

All fixed! (Sort of.)

Tashi was pooped!

We went to the discount theater and saw Dune. It was really well done.

Baylie tried out her new hair straightener. She loves wearing her hair straight. (I prefer it curly.)

A few days later, we tried out the new curl enhancer product she got. I love it!

We had a fantastic Christmas. God has been very good to us this year. It has been a blessing for me to stay home and have us still make ends meet. We are grateful to be a family and to be working together to make our family better.

Pecan Harvesting

Pecans are expensive! We are so grateful that the Giles familiy lets us harvest some of their pecans. They have sooo many! This year, it was a bit chilly.

We each picked a grocery bag full. When you consider that they sell for over $5 for a tiny bag, that's worth a lot of money.

Once we get home, I husk off the outer shell and rinse them off.

Then we boil them for about 10 minutes. This makes it easier to crack them and get the meat out.

Then we freeze them until we need them. They last longer if we keep them in the shell while freezing. This year Baylie learned how to make pecan pies. Yummy!!

Irmo High School Band and Chorus

 Baylie is in both band and choir at Irmo High School. This year they had a joint Christmas concert. That made things a little crazy for her.

First was the band. She plays the flute.

Next was the chorus.

It was a combined choir  with Irmo Middle and Elementary school.

Some of her friends came to support her. 

Alexa Alsup

Olivia Chorey and Belle Adams