Grandparents...

make the world a little softer, a little kinder, a little warmer.

The Fun Continues...

More sledding, bowling at a small town alley (Jane thinks bowling balls are loud), peek-a-boo with sweet new baby cousins, and hot chocolate at temple square...

The static hair and chapped lips haven't stopped us from having a wonderful time together.

I'm so glad we made it to SLC this year to share with the kids the beauty and spirit of temple square. I'm feeling very grateful.

12-9

The kids beat the adults today in our annual soccer extravaganza, 12 to 9. We reserved the indoor field at the rec center and played all morning. Then we headed back to the house for sledding and playing and laughing at some old home movies Margaret just had transferred to DVDs. We watched Dolphins 2 after dinner for an indoor movie night.

Steve and Stacy took the red eye around midnight last night to go pick up Murphy. We got news that they arrived safely. So excited to see him in a few days.

I'm Dreaming..

of a white Christmas!

This was definitely the favorite Christmas present of the day, although Mary's violin was a close second.

All the cousins and siblings arrived and we had a hallway lined with children's snow boots and a kitchen filled with tasty aromas.

The Christmas program was beautiful and the kids performed their talents so well.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

We started off with Grammie's yummy breakfast, train rides, and motorcycling before AnnDee and Taylor arrived. They went skiing while we went ice skating at Midway's outdoor rink. Then we headed back for our typical Christmas Eve breakfast dinner before a special message from Grandpa.

There was lots of reacquainting and playing and fun conversation.

So glad to be here.

Our PB

11 hours......

Central Point, OR to Bountiful, UT

...where we met up with Kelly and Adam for dinner and some playtime. We got to eat at the Higginson's restaurant Pizza Pie Cafe, which was super tasty. Notice Cameron who found his spot as close as possible to Uncle Adam. Then we drove back to their place before finishing the final leg of our drive to Heber, about one more hour.

Since there was no snow at all we went through Klamath, our usual summer route, which shaves off a good hour going through Susanville, our typical winter trip. But because the roads were so empty and there was no road construction anywhere we made it in our family's personal best (I think).

The kids were amazing. We watched five Red Box movies. And I slept through most of the drive. Poor Aaron. I'm an awful road companion. I just couldn't keep my eyes open. So, I guess I should say it was Aaron's personal best.

Packing Up

Aaron found a snow outfit at Goodwill today. I got the calendar ordered, laundry done, clothes packed, and shopping done thanks to my mom and a play date at Christine's. I'm at the Christmas homestretch now and we give that a thumbs up.