More snow!

After a day of doing nothing yesterday, we were ready for another snow day.  Although we couldn't get the 4 wheeler to run last time, so we had to spend some time digging the car out of the driveway so we could drive to a hill.  We found a fun place in South Ogden, and no one else was there.  All this perfect fluffly snow just for us,  It took the kids a couple times down the hill to make a trail, but after that they were flying down. 

Now this is winter

What an awesome storm!  And it is still snowing at midnight.  We may have used all the snow playing today, but with the new snow, maybe we can play again tomorrow!  Dave, Sheila, Lu and Krissy and her kids came up today to have a snow day.  The kids had a great time.  Even if we couldn't get the dang 4 wheeler to start and stay running.  They got a few times around the yard in, than Dave just brought the car out back and the sledding continued.  To warm everyone up we made hot chocolate, and broke out my new fryer and made home made french fries.  Yummy!  Fries just may need to be a regular thing with sledding. 

Before opening gifts

While we were waiting on Christmas Eve for everyone to get up to Stewarts, I was playing with my camera.  I have been trying to learn how to shoot in different modes instead of just using auto.  I like how these ones turned out, but it took forever to get to this.   My kids just don't sit still long enough for me to fiddle with the settings on my camera.   That is why I just use auto,  most the time I can get the shot I want and they are on their merry way.  Most of the time......

Christmas Pictures

We kept with tradition and visited Farr's for a treat before we headed to Kaysville for our Christmas Eve party. 

Christmas Eve was at Grandma and Grandpa Jones'.  There was so much going on, I hardly even got my camera out.  No nut this year, but Gator still got money.  Spoiled kid.  They are all spoiled, and very loved. 

When we were done there we headed to Stewarts. Gator has been wanting a dream lite so bad, and that was what she got from Grammy and Bahkey. A unicorn one no less, the girl was over the moon. The boys could see their gift, but couldn't get to it. They were given money, but it was in a plastic container and to open the lock, they had to get a marble through a maze. It kept them entertained for awhile. But at this point they were tired from everything, and they just weren't very patient.

We got home at about 11:00.  The boys went right to sleep, but Gator was wired!!  She refused to go to bed until after midnight.  She was watching santa on the santa tracker, lucky she finally fell asleep when santa was leaving South Dakota.  She was cutting it a little close.  But that means it was an even later night for Clark and I.  And the boys were up bright and early ready to go downstairs.  No sleep on Christmas, too much to do.....

We spent the afternoon at Carries, eating and playing games and opening gifts.  It was a perfect Christmas, thank you everyone. 

More Christmas Activities

We got together with family last weekend at Sheila's house to make gingerbread houses.  Try as I might, I just finally turned it over to the boys to put their eyeballs and horns on the dang thing.  I wanted a cute fence and the roof lined with Christmas lights, but I lost.  They were proud of their house, and I need to learn to relax about certain things. 

 We have been getting the 12 twelve days of Christmas done to us.  For one of the days we got a story book with a CD.  Well, the only CD player we have is in the car, so we went for a drive with hot chocolate to listen to the story and songs. 

 There are some very amazing people around us.  I hope my kids are feeling the giving spirit this year and learning what Christmas is all about.  Along with the fabulous twelve days of Christmas, we also got a secret santa.  What a humbling year.  I'm trying to let go of my pride, it's so hard.  But I am very grateful for people that love my family and think of us during this trial.  I hope I can teach my kids to pay it forward.  When things settle down and we are back on our feet, I want to be the one giving.  I hope I can help bring such happiness to others. 

 

Hurry up Christmas

This is Gators way of thinking she can control when Christmas gets here.  She turned the blocks to 0 days, and took all the ornaments out on the advent calendar and placed them on the tree already.  She is an impatient/excited little girl. 

We need more snow!!

Last time that it snowed, we got in trouble for using all the snow sledding and not building a snowman.  So this morning when we woke up to some fresh snow, we knew it would be a snowman day!  These little storms are fun, but we really want a big storm.  One that dumps a whole foot of snow would be great!

Dreaming of Christmas

 

Fantasy at the Bay

Davis had a basketball practice cancelled tonight and I had a primary meeting cancelled tonight, so it was the perfect night to go see some Christmas Lights.  We went out to Willard Bay, and on a horse & wagon ride around the camp ground.  I think Willard Bay is my favorite light display.  When it came time to visit with Santa, Owen tried to stay back and just enjoy his deep fried oreos, but Gator and Davis made sure he didn't miss out on the chance to sit by Santa for a picture.  Too bad I ruined the evening by thinking I had brought my phone and lost it when it was home sitting on the couch the whole time.