Christmas lights

Lights on the reflection pool

Nativity in the middle of the reflection pool

So Scott's work closed for over a week and wouldn't let him in. And the kids have a 2 week break. I was a little worried about what we would do with all that family time. Besides kill each other, of course. We've had a good time, though. We got to have dinner and play games with our friends from AZ, the Henlines. We had dinner and went up to Salt Lake Temple Square to see the lights with the Massengales. It was so crowded. I forget how big of a city that place is getting to be. We were also able to take the kids to see the Joseph Smith movie. It was as good as I remembered. I was hoping the kids would recognize some of the places we went and visited this summer, but not so much. We went mini-golfing and to Pizza Pie Cafe with Ben and Cami and kids. And I am finally catching up on my blog and my new calling as music leader for the Primary! But as it snowed about 10 inches yesterday and the temperature dropped down to the teens, we are hibernating now. So here come the movies and Wii time!

Christmas

Soran loves her new Princess couch

Cracker hats

Kylee helping Soran with her massive sucker from Grandma

Gingerbread houses

We had a really good Christmas this year. Although getting ready was very hectic. I haven't been able to post for awhile because I got a seasonal job taking phone orders and was working full time. When that was over I had a week and half to get everything ready. I never realized how much work it is until I had a limited time to do it!
I lucked out this year and got a gingerbread village, so each kid (plus Scott) got their own house to decorate. They turned out pretty cute, I think. We went to the annual Thompson Mexican dinner and white elephant gift exchange. We walked away with some books and a slightly used glass bowl. My family did an unpracticed nativity with all the grandkids on Christmas Eve which turned out cute and chaotic at the same time. Then we went to Thompsons where the kids were completely spoiled, as usual. We went home and had our English crackers and got ready for bed. This was the first year the kids woke up before us. They were up at 5:50! And I think this is the first year I could have slept in rather than waking them up. Then we went to Aunt Julie's house for crepes. Then to Tangled, which Soran let me sit most of the way through. And then NAPS and then Christmas dinner at Grandma's. It was a nice day and I think our kids are totally spoiled. But I am glad for the season and the spirit it brings and the remembrance of our Savior and his earthly life.

Aquarium

Lobster dinner, anyone?

Amazing variety

Lyssa petting the stingray

Can you see the frog under all those kids?

Soran and the ghost fish


I have wanted to take the kids to the aquarium for a long time but it's expensive. So when my friend told me they were having a free day, we went. Even though the line wrapped around three sides of the building outside in December. Actually, the weather was nice and they were handing out smoothies while we waited so it wasn't too bad. And I was really glad we took the time. It was fun and interesting. They had starfish, crabs and stingrays to pet. Although Christian wouldn't touch the stingrays despite really wanting to. He would beg me to help him, and I would take his hand and hold it into the water, but as soon as a ray got close, he was outta there. Soran loved the kids place where there were lots of aquariums on her eye level. Lyssa and Amber liked seeing the sharks and petting the stingrays. We saw an electric eel that was connected to a Christmas tree and when it would move the lights would light up. And we saw an octopus all scrunched up. They are really smart! They can unscrew the top and get out of their tanks. And I think the pictures say the rest!

Thanksgiving 2010

One of the really great perks of being by both our families is I don't have to cook much for holidays. It's awesome. This year we were able to squeeze in two Thanksgiving feasts and I got away with making jell-o salad, rolls and a relish tray.

We have had so much to be grateful for this year. Scott graduated with his MBA and got a job--with insurance, thank goodness. My health has been a lot better and I was able to run a 5k. Alyssa discovered the joy of ballroom dancing. Christian got baptized and found he loves piano. Amber got more time for art projects and dance. Livi loves her preschool and "prins." And Soran, well, Soran is grateful to still be alive after the year she's had. We are grateful for the many blessings we have and the life we enjoy.

Hiking the Y

The kids mastering chopsticks

View from the top

We made it!!! (finally)

Ever since we moved to Utah, Alivia has been in love with the mountains. Almost every day when we drive she looks up and says, "Mom, those are big, big mountains." Then one day she started telling me that she had a house on the mountain with the Y. She was quite insistent and pointed at the same spot every time. We have been meaning to climb up to see it, but haven't had the time until recently. We had the most amazing fall and the weather was beautiful clear into November.
I have hiked this particular trail before, and told Scott that when we parked and the Y looked so close it was an illusion. You think it will take about 20 minutes, but it is a hard, uphill trail. The kids did very well, but it took us an hour and a half to get to the top. Going downhill was almost as hard to keep from slipping. Then we took them to a local Hawaiian favorite, and they had a good time.
We also hiked to the hot springs with the Massengales. It was probably the most beautiful path I have ever been on. The leaves were gold and pink (I forgot my camera of course), the weather was perfect and the hot springs were HOT. You couldn't even get in some of them. The hike took a little over an hour each way, and we were really tired by the end. I carried Liv most of the way back and Scott carried Soran there and back. Can't wait to do it again when they're older!

Daddy time

There's a Wocket in my Pocket

I love all the slack jaws while staring at the TV.

While I feel that most of the "activities" Scott does with the kids are a big waste of time, they love it. He lets them play a lot more electronics than I do and they are really excited when I have meetings or something to go to. I know, they love me, right?
But I understand that daddy time is different than it is with me. And sometimes I wish more of the time I spent with them was fun and not so much day-to-day stuff. He does little of the disciplining and that works out because he has a hard time being strict with them. I love having girls because they have him wrapped around their little fingers. But in the end I'm glad for the example he is for them and that he plays with them even when I think they could be doing something more constructive. One day they will realize they have such a great dad.