Time To Travel

Morgan's baptism was coming up and I promised Reganne if the flights looked good her and I would go and take Grandma along with us.  We made all our flights with minutes to spare and arrived at Emily & Ryans' by 4:30 pm.  Reganne was done traveling by this time since we had to get up at 5:00 am to get to the airport in time for our first flight.

After the first 1/2 hour the girls became inseparable.  Everyone was headed over to a local hotel for dinner, swimming, and visiting with more family.  Oops I didn't bring a swimsuit who knew we would even need one in the winter?  The kids played for a couple of hours in the pool and with a lot of coaxing we got everyone into the cars to go home and get ready for bed.  I am so glad that Mom wanted to drive since I was so turned around and confused about were we were going or how to get there.    

Saturday morning dawned early getting ready for Morgan's special day.  

Two Peas in a Pod.

Morgan in her Baptism Dress

Cousin's vegging out playing games.

Lake Michigan

Ryan asked us if we wanted to do a little sight seeing and we replied sure, but it is so cold.  That doesn't stop them from wanting to share their favorite spots with us.

Wow!!! the most amazing sandy beach and it was on lake and not the ocean.  Ryan warned me that we would find sand in our clothes days after our trip.  He was right, it makes me laugh when more appears and reminds me how much fun we had.

Josh & Gracie showing Reganne how to climb on the rocks at the pier.  Poor Reganne was freezing to death our St George coats were not match for the Michigan weather.

Hunting for seashells

Beach, Water, Sand, and Snow

A very interesting combination, but these three kids loved running around playing, collecting shells, and wondering if there was enough snow to build a snowman.

It was a great trip that ended to soon. Trying to get home soon became the task of the day.  We sent Grandma home on the only available seat Sunday morning.  Reganne and I continued to wait.  Many thanks to a very patient Ryan & Emily in picking us back up in Grand Rapids and quickly taking us to Kalamazoo for a flight that kept jumping out at me to take.  After a stop in Detroit we finally made it to Salt Lake City at 7:30 pm.  Lucky for us Grandma still liked us and picked us up and took us home with her.  Monday morning dawned with snow showers and slick roads.  Dave agreed to meet us half way in Fillmore.  Off we went through the snow, ice, and wind.  There were so many cars off the road we almost turned back.  We made it home by 1:00 on New Years Eve.  I was greeted with mountains of laundry so much for celebrating the new year.

The kids made it to midnight, but I was done by 10:30.  Thank heavens Dave stayed up with the kids.

Christmas Jammies...

This year the Christmas Jammies came in the final hours of shopping.  There were Angry Bird Pajama Bottoms in everyone's size except Ryder.  Instead of red he got blue ones.  Everyone was all snugly and warm time for one more round of pictures before bed.  We also needed a family picture by the tree so let's kill two angry birds with one picture.

The kids

The whole family.  Dave's out of breath racing to group after pressing the button on the camera.

Not a bad picture while waiting and waiting for the flash to go off.

Maybe this should be our family picture for next year?

Sugar photo...Will they ever go to sleep?

Or should this one be the picture?

Check it Out...I couldn't have planned this picture any better.

Crazy Kids...Oops Ryder didn't even have his Angry Bird jammies on.

It was a great day!!!!  Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!!!

Merry Christmas

Who knew that the night would last so long?  The kids all slept in until 7:00 finally Rylee came in and asked if  she could wake everyone up because Santa had come.  They had to wait until Dave and I came out...

This was the site that greeted me...How patient could they be and for how long?

Not very long...Paper began to fly.

Rylee... American Girl Doll Mini

Reganne & her American Girl Doll Mini

Shawn with his iTouch

Christiana with her iTouch

Ryder and clothes... Where are my toys???

Thanks Mom for the pants.

He was amazing stopping after each gift and thanking everyone for that present.  He took about 20 minutes longer than the rest of the kids.  Yet I think he enjoyed is the most.

It's official I am a soccer mom.  I know have an umbrella that will shade us & keep us dry.  I also have a collapsible wagon to put all the gear in to get the fields.    

Wait a minute...Dad's playing with the toys.  His present was outside in the garage.  Slide over Ryder and let Dad have a turn.

After dinner at Black Bear  Diner where the water main broke shortly before we got there.  Amazingly enough they kept it together and had service with a smile.  It was time for more presents with the Wheelers.

Be careful of what you say.  At Thanksgiving while cooking dinner I mentioned I needed to get married again  to get new stuff for my kitchen.  Who knew as I opened my present it would be full of new cooking stuff.  the kids looked at me like I was crazy, but I loved all of it.

What a day months of planning and secrets all ended with smiles.  365 more days until next year.  

Twas the Night Before Christmas....

Instead our activities started in the morning with a quick trip to the Rec Center to work out and get ready for the stress of the day.  Then it was off to get the last minute gifts and oops who forgot to get batteries.  The kids kept asking about presents under the tree.  Are you sure we really need those?  The kids were really worried and I was dragging my feet since I don't really like wrapping, but it must be done. 

The presents are all wrapped and under the tree.  Time to start baking treats to enjoy and to share.  This year there wasn't time for our official Cookie Party instead we did it just with the kids.  

Trying to frost the cookies...Was there more frosting on the cookies or the table?

They look pretty good.  Will Santa enjoy them or have a bellyache?

After dinner of spaghetti & meatballs it was off to temple square to enjoy the lights and enjoy the Christmas Spirit.

Good picture with my simple camera.  It doesn't show how cold it was that night.

Nativity Scene

Time to go home, get warm, and get ready for bed so Santa can visit.

Our Little Elf

Reganne's class this year had parents read their child's favorite Christmas story to the class.  Reganne came home with this project she had done after one of the stories.  If I had to guess it was Elf On A Shelf.  She really wanted to keep this project, but I convinced her that I would take a picture of it so she could keep it forever.  It was harder to get her to put it on for the picture.  Finally I was able to snap this picture and it is now priceless.

Christmas Vacation: Day 1 Tuacahn

Trying to fit in all our Christmas Activities has seemed hard than usual this year.  Time is running out too.  We are off to Tuacahn for Christmas in Dixie.  It was a little warmer but everyone needed to bundle up.  First order of business was dinner at the Pasta Factory.  Where but in St George can you eat outside on the patio with only heaters in December.  Full bellies and Christmas Music everyone jumped in the cars and we were off.

Look at the lights

Tuacahn's Christmas Tree with 6 smiling kids.

Look at those big green eyes.

Oops!!! Who broke their zipper at dinner.  We can't be to mad this coat is 3 years old and he is only 5.  Time for a new one.  He is requesting blue.

What a crazy family..Is everyone looking at Blake???

Warming up by the campfire.

This is one thing we missed from out camping trip due to the rain.

Everyone was freezing and with Hot Chocolate $3 a cup I promised everyone hot chocolate at our house even with marshmallows.  Everyone was tired and ready for bed.  To bad showers were still in the plans since tomorrow is Sunday.

3 days until Christmas......

Christmas Vacation...Day 1

Christmas Vacation started with a lot of excitement and dread.  The kids are excited for presents and I dread the fighting, arguing, and boredom that will soon set in.  

Lucky for me Star Nursery was holding its Kid Club Activity and we were off to have fun with plants.  However, I forgot how cold the Cotton Mill can be in the winter.  It never really is warm but today it was really cold.  Painting pots and planting winter flowers.

Let the creative juices flow...

and flow.

Miss Speedy and how careful with the plant.

Still painting...Oops to much water in the paint leads to a lot of drips and smears.

Under protest.....planting a flower.

Crazy me thinking that everyone would have fun and enjoy playing with dirt.  Oh Well everyone survived and we came home with 5 different plants in hand painted pots.  Now let's see if we can keep them alive until Spring.  Due to all the grumbling it was time to go home, do chores, and clean the house.  Maybe tonight will be better.