Hint hint.....

Gator was dropping a not so subtle hint that she was missing her favorite summer activity.  She wore her swim suit around for 2 days.  So off to the pool we went yesterday to spend an afternoon together swimming.   We all had a great time, thanks for joining us Collin, Ty, Blake, Andrea, Connor and Parker. 

Grandpa & Grandma Christmas

Dad and Dianne came up last night.  The church worked so well on Christmas Eve, that we decided to do that again.  We had fun visiting and playing.  The kids played basketball and hide and seek and some red rover.  Dad also brought up a box of toys that he has made out of his pecan wood.  The kids all loved the tops and yo yo's.  Thanks everyone, it was a fun relaxing night. 

 Time out for root beer floats!

Wonderful Christmas

Starting our Christmas Eve with a treat from Farrs.  We are 3 years into this tradition, and it's such a yummy way to spend some time together.  For the Christmas Eve party this year, Grandma Jones reserved a church.  The family is just getting way too big to meet in her house anymore.  It was nice to have the extra space and it was a wonderful evening.  Our Christmas is usually pretty routine and after we were done at the church, we headed up to Stewarts to continue the party. 

Owen-Joseph, Davis-Shepherd, Ally-Angel

Hoping for the nut.  Not this year, dang it!

After finally getting into bed, Ally came in my room at 2:15 asking if it was Christmas.  I told her yes, but not yet.  I pulled her into my bed and we fell asleep and didn't get woken up by the boys till 7:45.  They didn't listen when I said "not yet". 

 My side of the family gathered at our house this year.  We are going to have to start reserving a church also for our soup party.  We keep growing every year and we will have 2 new members next year. 

Ice skating

Tonight we took the front runner down to Farmington Station.  I love this tradition of ice skating outside on the little skating pond.  The Station was packed, but luckily everyone was last minute shopping because the skating wasn't that crowded even though it was the night before Christmas Eve.  I skated all the time as a kid, so it makes me happy that all my kids enjoy it so much.  I remember one year for Christmas I even got my own ice skates.  We went to Ponds Park a lot.  The thought of skating on an open pond now scares me to death, but as a kid you don't think about things like how thick the ice is or falling through the ice.  A solid ice skating rink is good for me now. 

 And dinner at Habit Burger.  I thought the kids would want hot chocolate to warm up, but nope they chose milk shakes.  Ice Cream trumps any treat in our house!

Hot Chocolate Bar

Tonights treat, lots of sugar in the way of a Hot Chocolate Bar.  And we watched The Polar Express.  It was our last Christmas treat/movie night.  Merry Christmas!!

Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

Ally is constantly singing the song from Frozen, "Do you want to build a snowman"?    She waits for snow all year long so she can build a snowman.  The snow today was not very cooperative, but we were able to get a little friend out of the dry powder. 

Temple Square

Despite the millions of people, and the train being 40 minutes late in the freezing cold, we had a fun start of our Christmas Vacation tonight in Salt Lake.  Thank you Collin and Ty for joining us.

 I told my kids I wanted a picture of each of them in a spot of their choice.  They were all so sick of me taking pictures, they all just blurted out "I pick this spot" right then and there.  So despite the "we hate your camera" attitude I got a cute picture of each of them at the temple lights. 

 I love having others come with us, I have someone else to take pictures, so I can be in one with my kids.  Thank you Collin for being my photographer. 

 A rare moment where they were sitting down and being quiet.  We walked around City Creek to warm up.  Ally liked the Christmas stories that Owen was surprisingly willing to read her. 

 I want this big fireplace in my yard.  I love fireplaces. 

 We were all exhausted, and after waiting for the late train poor Davis just couldn't stay awake any longer.  Ty was a good sport having a lap buddy all the way home.