Christmas Holiday

Christmas comes and goes so quickly anymore I feel like there's hardly time to enjoy it!  I tried to be as organized as possible but no matter how much I do ahead of time, I think it's just inevitable that stress automatically comes this time of year, mo matter how much you prepare.  Of course, when you combined the stress and feeling run down, with a holiday break,  one usually gets sick. So that was me, I've been pretty healthy all year but this last month, I've been sick twice.  Still really trying to shake it.  Thankfully, there are still a few more days before everything starts up again. 

Anyway, we were able to enjoy a few days of fun. Christmas was delightful, kids enjoyed it. After a long 14 train ride G-man made it to Utah to snowboard with his cousin.    Here are the few pictures I took during Christmas. 

 Christmas baking!

 Spent all weekend baking and dipping.  Finally after 20 plates and 10+ bags of Chocolate, caramel dipped pretzels I was done!!!

 A day at the Snow!

Liv's first snow angel.

 

 Little A's first time at the snow ever!

 After a few runs Little A was ready to go home.

 

 There was lots of fresh snow and we had to make our own runs.

 Sweet Pea chillin'

 A beautiful day!

The Aftermath!

 The Kiddos!

Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's!

The favorite Christmas gifts this year would have to be Pogo Sticks!  Mr. E and Sweet Pea both got them and they love them!!!  The family was excited to get our Wii replaced. (It's been broken for awhile) and a Blue Ray player (our VHS/DVD combo broke too) I love that we can stream our Netflix through it, airsoft guns and some fun board games.  Hopefully, enough to keep everyone entertained for awhile. 

Rare Opportunity

 G-man had a unexpected Christmas gift this year.  He works for a couple in our ward that have their own business and he does odd jobs for them around their house.  The husband loves flying and apparently they would talk about planes and flying at work.   Well, for Christmas they gave him a flying lesson. (they asked us first)  So after two canceled flights, because of weather, he hit the skies on Tuesday.  What an amazing opportunity for him.  (Hubby is SO Jealous!)  The picture above is him with his instructor.

Inside the cockpit.

 Checking stuff.

A Cessna 172

 Take Off!

 Flying over his school and our house!

 

Coming in for a Landing.

We totally missed his landing because we were all freezing we went inside to wait.  He did great and he loved it.  And I am so grateful for a safe flight!

Snow Camping

 Now that Mr. E is an 11 year old scout that means that he can go on camp outs with the Boy Scouts. 
Over Thanksgiving break, the Scouts went to Yosemite to do some snow camping.  So glad I get to pass that off to Hubby.  I'm not a big fan of regular camping, there is no way I would intentionally go snow camping but that's exactly what these scouts did.  And you know what??  They had a great time!

 The boys standing next to (it's a bit hard to see) the (our) tent that collapsed under the weight of the snow!  Luckily they weren't in it at the time.  It was so cold one morning when they woke up, there were icicles inside the tent.  BBRRRRRRR!!!!!!

 Their campsite

 It sure is beautiful.

Mr. E trying to get warm and dry.

Life is Good....

Wow! I don't know about you but I'm having a hard time believing it's December already!!  Now that Thanksgiving is over I can totally immerse myself in the spirit of Christmas.  Everyone in my house knows no Christmas music until AFTER Thanksgiving.  I just can't wrap my brain around more than one holiday at a time. My goal for this month is to be more prepared.  I'm really going to try not to wait until the last minute to do my shopping, baking, etc.  That's my plan anyway. (hope  you don't mind listening to some of my favorite Christmas songs)

To recap a bit.  We had a lovely Thanksgiving.  Hubby's parents and sister's family all came up.  It was so very nice to get together.  It has been too long, considering we only live 30 minutes away, however, when we do get together, it's always a great time.  We watched a great movie I'd never heard of before.  If you're in the mood for a good cry, watch Taking Chance.  A movie that documents the body of a soldier after he has died until he's buried.  Very moving.  Unfortunately, I have no pictures to post of our great feast but it all went well and I'm told it was delicious!


 Here are just some random pics that the kids and I took at the temple one Sunday after church.

Little A, always ready for a picture.

 Someone always has to be looking in the wrong direction.

 

tired of the photo shoot

Sisters!

What to do when your bored.

 

waiting their turn...

Who needs to go to Disneyland when you have a plastic bucket and stairs????

Last but certainly not least.

 

Mr. E gets his Arrow of Light award!

An Eagle Scout in the making!