Home for the Holidays

We were able to spend a few days visiting my parents after Christmas.  We all had a wonderful time!

The kids loved going for sled rides behind the ATVs.



Emily, Megan, Tyler and Kyle



Megan and Tyler



Darrell driving with Emily on the back



One day Darrell took our van so he could go exercise at the Y.  He got a little ways down the road before it died on him.  It turns out it was a broken timing belt, and possible bent rods.  I was really "sad" to hear that.  ;)  It's been a great van for us the past 5 1/2 years, but it was nice to have a valid excuse to look for a new one. 



Of course there was lots of yummy food to be had!



We celebrated Olivia's birthday and she had this adorable unicorn cake that Kimberly made.





My dad, Tyler and Greg helping cut out math centers for me while they watched bowl games.



Emily



A fort

We had a "show"

Megan, Olivia and Alex



Megan, Emily and Olivia



Olivia, Megan and Emily



Tyler and his jokes



Derek and Tansy arranged to have Hadley blessed at my parents house.  Tansy's parents were able to come up and it was a wonderful occasion.







The crazy Christmas present exchange



Bringing in the New Year (at 10:00 p.m.)



Tyler



Emily



Megan

Th

Post Christmas

I had to smile as I put away our Christmas decorations.  I always set up the nativities so that the "characters" face forward like this:



The girls, however, put baby Jesus in the center and have all of the "characters" face Him.  (Which is probably the best way to display a nativity!)





The snow from Christmas Day made for some great sledding at the nearby hill.



Megan



Tyler





Emily



Darrell



Unfortunately all of our sleds broke--must have been from being in our hot garage all summer and so the plastic deteriorated, maybe?


The kids came home and enjoyed the snow in the yard.

Tyler



Megan



Emily





We made it to Temple Square for Family Home Evening on December 26.  It was beautiful, as usual!








The kids had to get a picture at the spot where Darrell proposed 12 years ago.





Emily, Tyler, Megan

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Our traditional Christmas Eve dinner--ham, potatoes, rolls and jello parfaits.





We acted out the nativity.  Emily was Mary and Darrell was Joseph this year.  (We have to take turns).



Megan was the angel.



And Tyler was a wiseman presenting gifts to the baby.



The kids were able to open up one present.  Since they have lots of jammies and got new robes last year, they got new pillows this year.  (Tyler, Emily and Megan)





The kids wrote their notes to Santa and left cookies and 9 carrots for the reindeer.



Christmas morning--so exciting!  (Tyler, Emily and Megan)



What Santa brought Megan



What Santa brought Emily



What Santa brought Tyler



Christmas was on a Sunday so after seeing what Santa brought and having breakfast, we headed to church.  (Megan, Tyler and Emily)



We woke up to a white Christmas!



After church and a quick lunch, it was FINALLY time to open up the presents!

Megan



Emily



Tyler



Then it was time to play with the gifts.

Emily with her own Build A Bear animal stuffing machine.





Megan with Fashion Plates.  (I had that when I was young too.)





Tyler creamed us all on his air hockey



Operation (another oldy, but goody, from my childhood)



It was a good, blessed day.

Tyler



Megan



Emily



Brenda sent us matching socks.  (The girls both wanted the pink pair so they had to split them up.)



A fun game of Headbanz