Christmas was very low key and relaxing this year. We stayed at home and had Christmas with just our little family. It was really nice.
Here are a few pictures:
This is how Ty spent Christmas morning -- laying on the floor. He liked the wrapping paper!
Attempting to play with his present from Santa.
Santa brought Jack the helicopter and ambulance he asked for.
Santa brought Kate the nutcracker she asked for, and he took the liberty of bringing her a few more rooms for her dollhouse instead of the polly pocket she requested. She didn't mind that he brought something else.
CHRISTMAS EVE
Kate played Jingle Bells for us on Christmas Eve.
The kids got to open a present on Christmas Eve. I'm pretty sure Christmas Eve was a really long day for Kate. She just wanted to go to bed so Santa could come.New pjs and slipper
Cake recipe by Kate found in A Holiday Cookbook, Mouth-Watering Holiday Foods by Mrs. Hopkins' Class
1 cup of flour 2 cups of sugar 1 egg 3 cups of vanilla 1 cup of oil
Mix it together. Put it in the oven. The oven is at 2 degrees. Cook the cake for 15 minutes.
***Kate's class has been making gifts for family and friends the last few weeks. Kate was so excited to give me her gift that she didn't want to wait until Christmas. She gave me her class cookbook. She knows I love reading cookbooks!
We took a really quick trip to Geoff & Annelisa's house this weekend to see their new babies. It takes us about 5 hours to get to their house. It's nice to have family semi-close. Now if someone would just move to Los Alamos...
Saturday the kids and Geoff and Dave went out and sledded down the street and built a snowman. Geoff & Annelisa watched Kate and Jack for us so we could go Christmas shopping. It was so nice to get it done w/out kids.
Dave taught Haley, Jack and Katelyn how to do the stick pull (?) like Joseph Smith. Haley was the winner!
It was so fun to see their new little twins. I've never held a baby so small before. They are so sweet! And the kids always love playing with their cousins.
Kate holding Cameron -- he's just her size.
Thanks Geoff & Annelisa for letting us come! We love visiting you guys.
Kate wrote the kids letter to Santa this year. (They were really upset after they figured out they were holding the wrong letters in this picture. We tried to take another picture with the right letters, but it didn't turn out so well.)
"Dear Santa. I want a Polly Pocket and a nutcracker. Love Kate"
"Dear Santa. I want a bus or an ambulance. Love Jack."
We had a snow day last week. I think we got about 14" of snow total from the storm. It was really cold and windy, but the kids still played outside for a while. I went out while Ty was napping to help Dave shovel the rest of the sidewalks. I guess this picture shoes how windy it is. Check out the pine trees.
November 11, 2009 --Jack wanted me to take a picture of him with his "best buddy." December 1, 2009 -- It took us a few nights to get the Christmas tree in the stand and decorated. Here are the kids starting to decorate it. December 4, 2009 -- Jack has a really hard time staying in his chair, so we tried belting him in. It worked for a little while.
We made a quick trip to Utah during Thanksgiving week. We spent a few days at my parents' house and a few days at Dave's parents' house.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009-- The Day We Finally Blessed Ty
We finally got around to blessing Ty. Yes, he was 4 and 1/2 months old, but better late than never I guess. We did it at my parent's house on Wednesday evening. Thanks to everyone for getting dressed up on a weekday!
Melinda & Norm and Derek & Meagan and all their kids came to my parents house a few hours before we were going to bless Ty. My dad got out Ginger, one of his horses, and everyone took turns riding up and down the road.
This was the first time Jack has ever ridden a horse. Last year he cried when I only fed the horse a carrot.
Cowgirl Kate
Grandma and Ty
Yep, I even got on the horse too. Didn't last long. But I did it. (I am not a cowgirl.)
Jack trying to hold Anders' hand.
Grandpa and Ty before his blessingFamily pictureThe whole crew that was there for the blessing (except Norm who was taking the picture and I guess my parent's bishop had already left)My side of the family (wish Lis could have been there...) Dave's parentsTy taking a little snooze in the corner of the couch while we ate dinner together.
Ty and Grandma
Thursday, November 26, 2009 -- Thanksgiving
We had Thanksgiving with my family. My mom and I whipped together a great spread. Oh, my dad helped a bit too.
Lovely turkey
Kate and her cute Thanksgiving placemat that she made in school.
Emmy and KateAfter dinner we went to the baseball fields and played football with my cousins. Jack was in heaven playing in a "real" football game.
Taking down Uncle StevenFriday, November 27, 2009 Christmas Tree Hunting
Every year that we've been married we cut down a Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. This year we got a tree in Utah and strapped it to the top of our van and brought it home. Here are some pictures of our tree hunt.
The kids loved riding in the back of Grandpa's truck
Showing off their sticks -- Jack, Kate, Ethan, Brooklyn, Anders
Ty slept almost the whole time
The kids with our tree. This is by far the biggest tree we've ever brought home.
Riding in the back of the truck is still fun, right?
Saturday, November 28, 2009 -- Indian Pool Hike and The Wedge
We went on a hike in the desert to the Indian Pools. It was a beautiful day and nice to get out and get a little exercise to work off all that Thanksgiving pie.
Dave went down to the last pool to save Emma's binkie.
After the hike we went to The Wedge and had a picnic lunch. The Wedge is beautiful -- it's like a mini Grand Canyon.Jack working on his tree climbing skills.Derek and Meagan blessed Emma at church on Sunday. They snapped a picture of the 3 baby cousins before we headed home. (Ben 7 months, Emma 4 months, Ty 4 1/2 months)It was a great trip. Nice to see everyone. Now it's everyone's turn to come visit us!
Attempting to play with his present from Santa.
Santa brought Jack the helicopter and ambulance he asked for.
Santa brought Kate the nutcracker she asked for, and he took the liberty of bringing her a few more rooms for her dollhouse instead of the polly pocket she requested. She didn't mind that he brought something else.
CHRISTMAS EVE
The kids got to open a present on Christmas Eve. I'm pretty sure Christmas Eve was a really long day for Kate. She just wanted to go to bed so Santa could come.
New pjs and slipper
all the kids ready for bed
