Snow Day at the Cabin

The day after Christmas, we went down to Gunnison to spend time with Grandpa.  He took us to the cabin and we drove the snowmobiles around and around the same simple loop.  I actually liked that better than going up on top of the mountain or going west on them to the main road.  I stress out when the path isn't as easy because my snowmobile skills are next to none.  The kids had a fun time being pulled on sleds.  And I got to drive the Elan - a 1978 "vintage" snowmobile that's been in our family for 40 years...

Laynie is super proud of herself for going solo.  After every loop, I'd yell back, "Are you thirsty for more?" and she'd give me the thumbs up.

Gavin forgot his hat, so he got to wear my old one!  If you turn it inside out, it'll be mostly dark pink with a light pink pom pom on top.  Yeah... I was super stylish back in the day...

The Elan - isn't she a beaut?

 

Christmas Eve/Day 2023

We had a lovely Christmas at home this year.  The kids decorated cookies for Santa then in the evening time, we went to eat out at La Costa Mexican Restaurant with Grandma/pa Anderson, Ryan and Misti's family.  Afterward, we went to a movie, Puss in Boots, at the movie theater.  It was cute.  We got home and the kids went right to bed.  Matt and I stayed up a little late, making sure the house was ready for Santa too.  ;)

Making cookies for Santa.

Sugar plums to soon dance in this boy's head.

A little assembling may have been required.

Ah... but it was worth it.

I had time to squeeze in a quick workout.  Then we to began to dream of sugar plums.

The kids woke up around 8 a.m.

Laynie was surprised to see a gigantic bear from Santa amongst her loot.

(For at least a year, mom had been telling her she didn't have room in her bedroom for one...)

Gavin received an electronic chess set.

Dad gave Laynie some jerky.  (She had written it on her list.)

I gave Matt some sheet straps so he wouldn't have to sigh each night when he'd pull his side of the sheet back up and around the corner of the mattress.

Laynie got a box of little elastics to make bracelets out of.

Brittney gave the kids a children's book written by HERSELF!

We all had a fun time frantically pulling out the tissue paper!  LOL!  Dad may have started the trend.

To which we all repeated it!

Laynie is a gift giver!  She made dad his own sock monkey (with help from mom) and stitchery.  The monkey is affectionately named "Oochey Mama" because that is what I called out a handful of times every time the needle pricked me in the making of it...

Gavin got some Legos

The kids got a rock tumbler/polisher.  Once the snow clears, I look forward to some rockhounding!!

Gavin gave Laynie a stuffed animal he bought at a yard sale that she had been coveting for many months...

Laynie gave Gavvy these army guys.  Gavin and his friend, Michael, love to play with them in the sand.

What's a Christmas without a picture of brand spankin' new UNDEROOS?!?!

Just when the kids thought Christmas was over, they went into the other room to find a few more gifts!  An office chair for dad and an exercise bike.

Sharon gave the kids cute bird houses to make.

All the stocking goodies!

These stockings are a tradition in Matt's family.  He still has his from when he was a little boy and his Aunt Bobbie made matching ones for the rest of us as we joined the family.  They have our names and birth year stitched on them, as well as some shiny jingle bells.

We then went to sacrament meeting at 10:30 am and spent the rest of the afternoon playing with our new toys and enjoying one another's company.  Around 4 pm, we went to Grandma/pa Anderson's house for a crab and steak dinner, games and more presents.  

I hope our kids know how much they are loved.  Christmas is for them.  And Christmas is also for our Savior Jesus Christ, who was miraculously born a baby in Bethlehem destined to perform the atonement for all mankind and then to give his life and be resurrected.  All of that was done so we could return to be with God again.  Oh how I'm so thankful for Christ and His mission here on earth.  I'm glad we can celebrate it each year and know that Christmas is for you and me.

 

Family Newsletter 2022

 

Having a Cup of Cheer! Pt. 2 - Because can we really ever get enough of it?!?

Our family went to the Museum of Art on BYU campus o see Tissot's gouche pairings of the Old Testament.  It was so fun to walk through the exhibit and remember all the stories we had learned throughout the year while studying the Old Testament.

We also went to an outdoor nativity at an animal rescue in Eagle Mountain City Center.  We gave a small donation and were able to feed the animals.

This cow loved bananas!

As did the yaks as well!

On December 19th, we had Carly's family and Brittney come to our house for our annual Jesus Dinner.  We ate lentil soup and flat bread.  Gavin dressed as a shepherd to introduced the kids to a scavenger hunt to find the baby Jesus, at each station, they had to solve clues and riddles to know where to go next.  And then, if my memory serves well, we watched a short Nativity video.

 

Having a Cup of Cheer!

What a fun (and busy) month this has been!  I love the Christmas season.  It never disappoints.  Here are a few things that have happened this month:

Gavin's cub scout pack sang Christmas carols for residents at a memory care center.

Grandma/pa Anderson hosted a family party.  We ate Hawaiian haystacks, the kids had to unwrap a saran wrapped ball with oven mitts, we played Minute to Win It games, played a fun gift exchange game, and watched the Nativity.

Uncle Jeremy thinks of fun ways to decorate this old truck for every season.

We've gotten quite the snow fall so far this year.  I hope it continues so we our reservoirs can be adequately filled this summer.

My preschool class put on a circus performance and a Christmas concert.

And I had to beg my kids to get a picture with Santa this year.  But then again... have they ever wanted to?  I really don't think so! lol!  If you think about it, it IS kind of creepy!