Our Fun-filled Christmas

Just a warning before you start reading this: it will be extremely long because we had more than a week long vacation with something new planned every day.

The Monday before we left we tried to make gingerbread houses out of graham crackers and icing, until the icing wasn't setting up fast enough, and then we tried peanut butter. Needless to say we were able to get them to stand long enough for the kids to decorate them, but not much longer.

Before we left Las Vegas to head to Utah for the holidays so we had Cory and Lindsey over for dinner and to exchange the gifts we had for each other. We also let each of the kids open one present (presents that we had for them that we didn't want to take with us). They each also got to open a present that some friends had given them too (hats for the boys and a sweater for Ashley).

Cory and Lindsey gave us a huge gift basket with movies, treats, and toys. It was totally awesome. And Jordon had to get in his Avery loves before we left.

We left Friday night after Ethan got home from school and Jordon got home from work. We went to Salina to spend the weekend with my parents and sister. My brother and sister-in-law (and family) were there to visit too so we were able to spend some time with them for a little bit before they left Saturday. My parents let us open our presents from them on Saturday afternoon. The boys got a race car set and Ashley got a princess book with a playmat and princess pieces. Jordon and I got some kitchen supplies we have been wanting. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Saturday night we also went driving around looking at Christmas lights. We had a great time.

Afterwards the kids helped Grandma find some costumes and acted out the nativity for us. Sam was a sheep and we even got him to say "Baa". It was so cute.

Sunday morning we loaded up and headed on our way to Brigham City. For our long car rides I had packed some presents for the kids (books and movies) for them to open along the way as we needed.

We stopped at Grandma and Grandpa Felts house that night for Sunday dinner. It was great to see everyone again. After dinner Grandma had some reindeer cookies for the kids to make. Ethan and Ashley made theirs (Sam was being a stinker so Ethan made his) and then they were done. The rest of the kids there kept making cookies for everyone.

Monday we dropped the kids off with Grandma Armitstead and Jordon and I were able to finish our Christmas shopping. Sadly though while there Fergus was let out to go potty and he ran away. We are pretty sure he was the dog that was later taken to the vet after being hit by a truck. He ended up with a broken pelvis and the lady that brought him in said to fix him and if no one claimed him she would take him home. We are hoping he is now being taken care of very well and we miss him terribly.

Tuesday evening we spent at Grandpa and Grandma Hunter's house playing their Wii and just having a good time. Later that night (and I mean way later), I was able to go into Thermo Fisher and see all my friends there. It was so fun to see them all again and catch up on the things going on in their lives. (This picture was from before our trip. The kids put a blanket on Fergus while he was laying on the couch.)

Wednesday night we drove down to Clearfield for a Christmas party with my family. It was such a blast. We first had dinner, then decorated cookies, had a nativity skit, did a white elephant gift exchange, and then finished the night with Christmas bingo.

For the nativity Ashley and Sam were angels while Ethan played the part of the sheep.

Christmas Eve was spent at the Felt's house again for the traditional party. We started the evening out with pictures of the grandkids with the grandparents. Ashley was throwing a fit.

Then we had a good dinner followed with presents from grandparents and the gift exchange. Santa also came for everyone to have a turn sitting on his lap. Sam wasn't too sure about Santa, Ashley cried and wouldn't let Grandma go, and Ethan was so excited to get to sit on his lap he could hardly wait for his turn.

After the party there we went over to Grandma and Grandpa Armitstead's house to open one more present.

Grandma made pajamas for each of the kids.

Christmas morning we went to Grandpa and Grandma Hunter's house where Santa had left lots of fun presents for us. Grandpa and Grandma also gave us a Wii which has been much enjoyed by all (I will post some pictures of that in a later post). Thank you Grandpa and Grandma!

After opening all the presents and playing for a little, we headed back down to Armitstead's for Christmas lunch. While we were there we got to see Jake and Alisa (Dave's son and daughter-in-law) and their cute family and catch up with them. Their oldest is 3 years old so Sam and Ashley had a hayday playing with their new friend.

On Saturday night we had tickets to the Jazz game and we were lucky enough to have Jake and Alisa and Eric and Melanie go with us. We had such a fun time.

Sunday evening we went to Avery's baby blessing and enjoyed seeing even more family there. We headed home Monday morning and are glad to be home. We are now planning on lots of fun for New Year's Eve tonight and will post pictures from that.

New news

It seems as though lots has happened since I last posted and it has only be a week. I guess that's the way December always seems, so busy. First of all, Ethan came home with a note after Thanksgiving saying he had failed his vision screening at school so we needed to take him in to have his eyes checked. I was not too thrilled since he is only 6 (almost 7) and I was thinking he was going to need glasses. I got my first glasses in Middle School and Jordon just got his first pair last year so I thought the genes were starting even earlier. Ethan had his dr. appointment on Friday and I was quite relieved to hear that although his vision isn't quite 20/20 he really didn't need glasses. The dr. said it was up to us, if he had been complaining about eye problems then to get them, if not then not to get them. Of course, we decided to go without them (for now, pretty sure he will eventually need them). I was very relieved that we wouldn't have to deal with that right now.

Yesterday we celebrated Jordon's birthday. He spent the day getting new tires on the van (fun birthday activity huh?) so that we can be safe when we go up next weekend and then spent the other half of the day working on a wood bunk bed set that was given to us. I'm so thankful to have a handy husband! But a few days before his birthday he got a birthday present early. He got a male Min Pin dog. Fergus (Ethan picked the name) was given to us by a guy that had Fergus show up at his house. He couldn't find the owner so we got Fergus. The kids were a little hesitant at first (especially Ashley), but they all love him so much now. Ashley for the first few days wouldn't get of furniture because she was afraid of Fergus, but even she now has gotten over her fear (and I mean scream bloody murder fear) and loves letting Fergus lay on her blankets. Fergus is such a good dog. He is a total lover although he craves attention. If you sit down anywhere he will try to sit by you and cuddle up next to you licking your hands until you pet him. Sam loves letting him lick his hands and tells him "good boy" almost constantly. Fergus is pretty good with sitting when told and we love making him jump for his biscuits. And I love that the floors are cleaner (as can be expected with a house dog). Here is our Fergus:

I was also able to get a picture from Thanksgiving so here it is too:

We are all getting excited to head back to Utah for our Christmas visits with everyone. The kids have made chains to countdown to Christmas and they are counting down days to the 18th when we leave to our first Grandma and Grandpa's house. Looking forward to snow too. Only rain at our house so far.

Our latest happenings

I totally slacked off and didn't take any pictures at Thanksgiving this year, but I'm hoping to bum some off of the others that didn't slack off and actually took some. This year we spent Thanksgiving here in Las Vegas with Jordon's sister, Lindsey, and her family and his Mom and Step Dad. It was a quiet dinner for the most part since Sam fell asleep on the way to Lindsey's and stayed asleep once we got there. After dinner we hung out and watched football and then later watched "Four Christmases" which was hilarious.

The weekend before Thanksgiving though we actually had some family pictures taken. Here are a few of my favorites for you all to enjoy!

I was pretty happy with our pictures especially since a few of the kids gave us some trouble in the beginning.

Also last night the kids and I spent some time decorating some Christmas cookies. I think this is the kids' favorite activity since they always request it if I give them an option of which kind of cookies to make. Here are some pictures from that activity.

We are looking forward to heading back to Utah to visit all of our families during the Christmas break and will post pictures all along the way.