I have finally gotten a chance to upload pictures from December. The week before Christmas we spent a couple nights in downtown SLC at the Grand America Hotel. My camera batteries died right after taking this picture of Sam and the kids in the stroller. So that's all we have to show from our little mini vacation. My parents came and took the kids for one of the nights and it was so nice to sleep in for the first time in forever! It was my very first time away from the kids ever! We went to dinner at P.F. Changs thanks to opening a Christmas present gift card early....Shhh....don't tell Natalie.
Then we went to my parents house for a little family christmas party with my parents and my brother's family.
The kids got new PJ's and were so cooperative to model....not.
We dont have too many holiday traditions from growing up that have stuck. But we always got out the race car track and play for hours. It has been in hiding for several years but this summer my mom and I found this set at a yard sell for $2!!!! We bought it without even thinking and set it up that day and then again over Christmas.
Pepper dumped out a whole box of cereal so the kids all willingly pitched in and helped clean up the mess.
Pepper and Brock are ready for prayers.
Another try at getting all 4 kids to pose for a picture.
Christmas Eve....
.....before Jett got to open his new boots and gloves! likewise with Pep's coat. Got to love the plastic bags over their wimpy gloves and shoes. But they did stay dry!
When we got home we pumped up the inner tube that we bought the kids for Christmas. (yes we used it before Christmas but get over it)We had SOOO much fun. Jett wants to go everyday we can. And we have.
She likes to give weird faces....
When we got home we read and watched a little Luke 2 clip and then attempted to make a nativity scene out of ginger bread.
Pepper liked the frosting!
Here is about the only successful part of the whole shebang....baby Jesus and one lone sheep (who had to lean on the manger cause he was way too face heavy)
With a little help of holding everything together it all works out...
By this time it was way past bed time and the kids got to open more new PJ's....
Christmas morning!
Notice how Pepper is not wearing her new PJ's....she woke up to a diaper explosion that required a change of clothes before pictures.
Our tree.....first tree we've ever actually gotten since we've been married! Isn't it beautiful? And it's not fake!
Sam's big suprise was a garage door opener.....
He went out side to find that it opened up our neighbors garage and inside was....
this chair. He's wanted it ever since we got our sectional, but I convinced him that it wouldn't fit. Then somehow I rearranged the room to fit the gigantic tree and no longer had an excuse. But I was able to pull off a suprise! I think that's a first for me.
Jett got his most special favorite present ever!!!! He LOVES these little Cars2 cars. We also got him an alphabet DVD and new snow boots. And several other things from his cousins and grandparents.
Pepper got a new coat, shopping cart with felt play food (atleast what I had finished making at that point....still working on that), and a kid music CD that she LOVES to dance to. She also got other things from cousins and grandparents as shown in the picture.
I'm the one who got COMPLETELY spoiled this year! I got a Kitchen Aid! How have a survived this long without? I've used it a ton! I got a few books I've wanted, a palm sander, a rolling pin and perfume!
The kids love this inner tube!
Then church....and we had our neighbors over for dinner. It was a great day!
Then on Monday we went tubing again.
Thumbs up!
Lyvi and Pepper.....
Nick trying to get air....
Sam landing.....these jumps weren't the best.
