Merry Christmas

I'm not sure what happens in the month of December. Instead of enjoying a relaxing season, life gets crazy. My goal next year is to get cards and shopping done earlier so that I can spend more time enjoying the important parts of Christmas. Luckily Zane is taking some vacation time for the next two weeks, and we are living up enjoying spending time as a family.

We had a great start to our Christmas season by seeing the lights at Temple Square before we left Utah. I haven't seen these in many, many years, so I enjoyed the music, lights, and spirit immensely.

Merry Christmas to one and all. I hope everyone enjoys spending time with friends and family while celebrating the birth of our Savior.

Silly and Sweet

My dad started calling Dallin the little terror in a joking way. What he means is he is a very active kid. He will never be one to sit quietly on the sidelines and just watch.

Dallin at his cousin Drew's soccer game finding something to do and trying to join in

Besides the running, jumping and silly side, he also has a very sweet side. How else would he get his grandpa to run him around on his shoulders over and over again? All Dallin has to do is smile, say more, and do his sign language. Hearts melt and he gets more.

When grandpa gets too tired, daddy is there to start again.

You really see the sweet side when he is around his cousins. There is the occasional fighting, but they are such good friends.

I think Dallin's favorite part of our vacation was waking up every morning in the pack-n-play and seeing his cousin Drew sleeping in the same room. Through the monitor we heard the cutest conversations between the two of them. Drew would start asking Dallin questions and Dallin would say his random words back. It could go on for awhile. One morning we heard Drew trying to lift Dallin out of the pack-n-play so they could go play. Too bad he isn't quite strong enough yet. The best moment was when we heard Drew say to Dallin, "Dallin, I love you. You are the best cousin." So sweet.

Luckily the kids are so sweet because every morning grandma and grandpa got their wake up call by little boys jumping on them. My parents slept on the sofa bed in the living room, so as the kids walked out of their room, the first thing they saw was grandma and grandpa. You can imagine the shouts for joy and smiles. I doubt my parents minded being woken up by these cute kids.

Sledding

After the snowfall Sunday night, we begged and borrowed snow gear from extended family in order to go sledding. Our clothing was actually pretty funny since we made sure the little kids had all the proper snow gear (thank you Nikki), but the adults just wore whatever was warmest from our suitcases. I'm sure the other people sledding thought we were really weird because we were so hyped up about sledding and the snow. There really wasn't tons of snow and by that afternoon, I'm sure this hill was melted.

Dallin enjoyed playing in the snow all week of our trip, but sledding wasn't his favorite. He was extremely tried this day and hated the snow that got in his face when the sled hit the bottom. He still was a good sport and made a few runs with each of us.

A tired boy

The big boys decided to go sledding their own way. We soon learned which of the borrowed sleds were better than others. My little brother Clayton is on the left, Zane on the right, and my dad wiping out in the middle.

Zane's turn to wipe it!

What a fun morning!

I just wanted to compare the snow in Utah to our first snowfall here. If you look closely, you can see the snow on the fence and the ground. Can you see it? You might have to squint, but its there!

"If all the snowflakes were candy bars and milkshakes, oh what a snow it would be. Standing outside with my mouth open wide. Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah , Ah." Dallin's singing the Ah's trying to catch some snow! Thanks Barney!

Snowball Fight

We arrived in Utah (our vacation over Thanksgiving for my brother's wedding) the Friday before Thanksgiving. By Sunday night, it snowed! We were all sitting around playing games and getting to know our soon to be new sister-in-law when my dad announces that it is snowing. Although almost all of us went to BYU (and of course Zane grew up in Utah), it had been awhile since we had seen snow like this. We jumped up and ran outside still in our church clothes and grabbing whatever shoes we could find (notice my attire) to see the snow. Like most families, it wasn't good enough to just watch the snow. Instead, a snow ball fight started...me against Matt, Zane, and Jared. Luckily Zane took pity on me and joined my side. If you have seen me throw, you know why I needed help!

Jared, Matt and Me

Matt discovered that he could be a lot more effective if he just poured snow over me using the snow shovel. (Zane is in the corner)

Yep, snow shovel was very effective. Too bad I couldn't get my hands on it! Can you tell who is losing!

Dallin came out in the middle of the snow fight (luckily with a coat.) He loved the snow and tried to help his parents. (My brother Clayton is in the right corner, Zane is in the back.)

A picture of all the fighters.

Taking a picture with Jared "getting me" one more time. (He's shoving snow in my face.) This is typical behavior of my older brother. He has always loved teasing me, making fun of me, and well just terrorizing me!

Drying by the fire place with wild hair

Wedding

We went to Utah over Thanksgiving week for this couple.

My little brother Clayton got married to a wonderful girl named Kara. We flew in the Friday before Thanksgiving and met her the next day for the first time. I'm sure we overwhelmed her with our loudness especially the kids. She married my brother anyways!

The wedding took place on November 27 at the Draper Utah Temple. It was a cold, windy day, but the happy couple didn't seem to mind. My sister, sister-in-law, and I all bought matching outfits for our boys.

Don't they look so reverent and handsome!

The colors were black, white, and yellow, so of course we dressed the princess Sam (the only grand daughter) in yellow so she stood out. My mom made her dress.

The boys cheering for Clayton and Kara. Apparently Sam wasn't so happy about the wedding.

My brother sang "Amazed" by Lonestar for his new wife. Don't we all wish we could be serenaded?

This is Dallin with his Aunt Lindsey who is on a mission. She sent a flat Lindsey so that she could be part of the celebration too.

Family picture at the wedding. Dallin will smile for any picture unless its a family one. So stubborn.

Drew taking care of Dallin. He is always looking out for the younger cousins. Sometimes he might get a little bossy with his role as the oldest, but most of the time, he does a great job watching over his cousins.