Here is a totally-out-of-order picture tour of some of our activities this month:
A few days before Christmas, we had cousin Kylie come with us to see Despicable Me 2 at the Dollar Theater. She is here from Russia with her family so we have to make the most of our time together!
Possibly a new tradition?! We went caroling with all of Devin's family to a bunch of houses in his parent's neighborhood. I failed to take many pictures, but I do have this one. Jace got to ride on the sled the whole time (lucky boy). I have no idea how this picture is making itself snow. I swear, I had nothing to do with it. WEIRD. After caroling, we went back to Devin's parents' house for donuts and hot chocolate. YUM! Oh, and while we are speaking of them, they just opened their 3rd mission call (but I failed to take pictures)-- they are going to the San Francisco/Oakland California Mission and leave March 10! We are excited that they will be so close this time-- maybe a visit is in our future?!
Christmas Eve we went to Che's house to make and decorate cookies for Santa! Christmas would not be complete without making our Aunt Linda' sugar cookies at least once. We had a
Contrary to what many of our photos show, we did talk about Christ and the true meaning of Christmas often throughout the month. We also did a nativity (on our own for the first time ever!) on Christmas Eve. The kids costumes were rather lacking if I do say so myself---we had to improvise with Devin's shirts and fireman hats. It's the thought that counts, right?! Jace is a wiseman, Hallie- Mary, and Flor- an angel in case anyone was really curious. I know you can't tell from the costumes...
Quickly becoming a favorite tradition of ours. It is oh-so-cold, but it is so much fun to ride through and see all the amazing light displays while riding on a horse drawn wagon. We always meet up with Che' and Landon and kids and load up on hot chocolate before the ride. It is only a 15-20 minute jaunt, but it is really quite fun. The only improvement we suggest is adding music. :) You hear that, Thanksgiving Point people?
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| This pictures so awesomely shows that I do in fact have the biggest nose in the world....But Jovi was so cute bundled up that it is going on anyway. |
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| 0/1 on family pictures... |
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| 0/2 on family pictures....at least it appears that I had fun here. Not sure about the rest of them... |
Yes, yes, the Provo River has it's very own Christmas Cruise!! Who knew?! This was by far the most freezing event of the year. The kids were in snowsuits from top to bottom, plus they had to wear a lifejacket. HA! That alone made the trip worth it-- to see them waddling around was classic. Flor cried the whole time because she was so mad at me for dragging her out there. The boat cruises up and down the river to another amazing light display and then Santa arrives in his canoe to greet the kids and to give them a candy cane. We went with my sister and her York in-laws, who are always so awesome to include me in every family event they have, even though I am not family. Pseudo in-laws....they are awesome.
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| Jennifer and girls stayed the night here after and we had a good laugh about the girls' sleeping bags (presents from my mom last year for Christmas). Caroline and Aubrey look happy though, don't they?! |
We wrote letters to Santa again this year. Hallie requested a gumball machine and princess rollerskates. (???) and Jace requested a blue sucker, Mickey rollerskates, a train, a dinosaur, and a monster. Flor didn't know what to request, so mom helped her a little.
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| Did you know that Santa has an actual address?? Well, he does, so the kids and I mailed their letters off and lo and behold, Santa wrote back!! The only thing is that he forgot that Jace's letter actually told him that he has been naughty instead of nice and Flor didn't get a letter from Santa at all. How sad. The other two were thrilled, though. |
HA! Me, decorating? I know. I did make my first craft ever though, with the help of my friend Jill and these humongous rice crispy treats that we had to get us through the night. It only took me 4 hours, but I came out with this fantastic wreath. I was quite proud of it myself...
We have honestly not had that many opportunities to just play in the snow. Flor hasn't been out to play in it at all this season (she hates it), but Hallie and Jace went out a few times. We have not been sledding at all. Sad, I know.
We made a weekend trip to Idaho for my cousin Houston's mission homecoming. He came home from the Ohio Colombus mission and we were so happy to see him and for him to meet Flor. They hit it off right away, as you can tell. Houston is just adorable with my kids. He came and stayed with us the weekend before Christmas too and we had a blast. Welcome home, Houie!!
While in Idaho, we got to participate in my mom's annual Gingerbread House extravaganza. I SUCK at making gingerbread houses...it is true. Steve had to build the walls for me after it kept collapsing on me and my mom really did most of the decorating. I just don't have it in me. So sad. Devin was unable to come on this trip, thus you will not see any pictures of him. We missed him immensely though.
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| I mean just check out that hideous door and window--my work, right there. |
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| Thanks Lara for the pictures!! Good thing I have a sister in law who blogs her pictures for me to steal. :) |
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| Verrrrrry professional. |
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| Cute girls!! Love Sadie's face in this one... |
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| Lara and Claire with all the pretty finished houses. |
I finished my 2nd semester at school!! Proof that I went-- here is a picture of me with my group members Ali, Faeiza, Aaron, and Michelle. Fantastic group that made the semester that much better. We had a group project spanning the entire last two semesters that was basically the bulk of the class, so we spent a lot of time together. Glad I got a good group!! They all knew each other since they just graduated from the BSW program together, so I tagged myself on to the group and boy am I glad that I got a good one!
We have been lucky enough to go to the MOTAB concert every year for the past few. We went to Salt Lake to Hudson's birthday party the weekend of the 14th, then walked to Temple Square from our hotel to the concert. My grandma and Doyle had seen it the night before but jumped at the chance to go again since they had loved it so much. I loved, loved, loved spending that time with my grandma. She was so funny that night! It was almost like I saw glimpses of quirks that I have in her. She was tad giddy at the end and it totally reminded me of myself. We had to do a bit of walking, but she did fantastic in her 83 year old body with two fake knees. This was a highlight of the season for me. The concert was incredible, but the time with my Grandma was extra special. Even though I see her a lot, this was more one-on-one time and I loved it. Thanks to Hailie, Che, Mari Ann, and Carlie for watching my kids. Yes, it took that many of them and they were brave enough to take them swimming while we were gone too! We stayed that night in a hotel downtown because the next morning was sweet Jovi's blessing. I failed to take any pictures of that for some odd reason...but suffice it to say that it was a very special day.
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| My grandma adores Devin. I though it was so cute that he was holding her hand and helping her along the whole time. What a darling husband I have. |
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