December in Review

Wow!! Did the month of December fly by or was it just me? Although time did go too quickly for me, we had a great month and a great holiday. I think the month really started when Kim finished the semester on 12th. We had a nice relaxing three and a half weeks. We were able to get a few more projects done on the house however, not as many as I would have liked. But I am grateful for what we did accomplish. We had plans to go see the lights at Temple Square but never made it down to Salt Lake due to the crazy weather. Nonetheless, we were able to enjoy our break by hanging out with family and friends, going to see Twilight (I would have been completely fine with just watching the movie and not reading the book...plus I really felt like I was at a tween movie....I know, I know that is how it is suppose to be...I guess I am just not a big fan!!), snowmobiling, shopping, watching movies at home, eating, etc.

Our friends, the McDonald's, came into town on the 15th and we were able to spend almost the whole day with them. It was good to be reunited with them again and for Jason and Lola to play together. We had received a good amount of snow a day before their arrival so Jason and Lola had fun playing on the sled.

Lola in her pink snowsuit. Kim thought she looked like a little marshmallow! Under all that stuffing is a tiny little girl! So cute!!

I thought this was a cute picture!

Here is a picture of the "sledding" crew. Shannon was such a sport. She would drag Jason and Lola up and down the sidewalk...running in high heels! What a woman!

Jason was laughing so hard and it was making us all laugh. He absolutely loved being pulled on the sled.

Christmas Eve was a little unusual for us this year because usually we head to my parents for a big party with my family, but this year my brother who lives in St. George, UT was to arrive in Idaho on Christmas Day, so we decided to hold off on the party and wait to hold it until Cody and his family arrived. However, due to the threat of the weather Cody and his family left Utah on Christmas Eve and made it to Idaho before the terrible storm that hit. So on Christmas Eve we went to dinner with Kim's parents to Texas Roadhouse and then headed to my parents for secret Santa. Secret Santa has been a tradition in my family for years and we all love doing it. So of course we had a good time despite the cold and windy weather. We finished our activity around 11:30pm and Kim, Jason and I headed for home. We made a bed on the living room floor and all slept by the tree with the Christmas lights still on. Right before I fell asleep I said, "Merry Christmas Kim. Merry Christmas Jason." And Jason responded without skipping a beat, "Merry Christmas mom."

Christmas morning Kim and I woke up at 6:00am (Kim is like a seven year-old at Christmas time and I tease him of it and his only reply is "You can't hear the bell!!" I am grateful that Kim is still young at heart because it keeps things fun!) and exchanged gifts. Jason didn't wake up until 9:00am so Kim and I put in a Christmas movie and watched that to pass the time. At 9:30am we received a call from my mom telling us that her road was completely blocked off due to snow drifts. I was hoping that would happen and it did!! We were able to ride our snowmobile out to see our parents. It was a nasty day to be on a snowmobile but, nonetheless, it was fun. After stopping at my parents we headed to Kim's parents. Then at four we met back at my parent's for a Christmas dinner and the party. We had a great time and it was fun for Jason to play with his cousins. They sort of made him the spotlight and he was eating it up. We taught him the first couple lines of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. He put his own spin on it and his cousins thought it was hilarious!! It was fun watching them play together. We all wish they lived closer so Jason could have more family members his age to play with. Here are some pictures from our adventures.

Jason and I during our Christmas party at my parents. Caleb is the cute little boy with the Binky in his mouth. Caleb and I share the same birthday....only 28 years apart!!

My dad trying to help Jason get Elmo Live out of the box. This was probably his favorite gift, or at least the one he plays with the most.

Jason trying to put his new Elmo slippers on. Can you tell what character is popular at our house? Oh yea, the toothbrush...Santa left that for Jason and he wouldn't put it down most of the morning.

Can you see the enthusiasm? I think Jason was too young to really understand the whole Christmas and gifts thing. I guess we didn't really help the situation because we didn't take the time to teach him about Santa. I figure he will learn soon enough.

Jason and Jessica in their new Christmas PJs. Thanks Grandma Howells for sharing. They really came in handy!! Jason and Jessica are only four months apart in age. They had a great time playing together.

Jason as Joseph.

Mary, Joseph and an angel.

Mary and the angel.

My brother Cody and his family.

My brother Ryan, his wife Jan, their daughter Tallie and our niece Anna.

My sister-in-law, Chandra, playing us some Christmas songs.

Kim and Jason after riding the snowmobile.

My parents on Christmas day.