Our Christmas

The tree that cost me a ticket and almost broke my back putting it up!

So...we decided last minute to pack up and go ahead to Utah. It was a really good decision and the kids had a blast!

Here the fam is making a gingerbread house at Tori's.

We started out in Layton, where Ty's parents live and played in the snow. We built a snowman and had snow fights the first day we were there. We then stayed over at Tori's (Ty's sister's) house in Mantua (city between Brigham and Logan) - that place had so much snow! Mountains surround the houses in Mantua and there is so much to do. The kids played out in it everyday, sledding and Brock even got the chance to go snowmobiling down the street. I would love to live out there one day! On Christmas eve, poor Sidnee broke 2 bones in her lower leg, taking our Brock down the hill on a sled. She stopped with her legs as they were going fast toward some trees. We feel really bad for her and hope she gets better soon! What a sad vacation for her. (though Trey loved his time with her snuggling in bed since she had no place to go:) Christmas was fun, and the boys got all they asked for Christmas (we used quality control on what Santa can really afford).

(poor Sid...on the couch...with a broken leg:(

The Sunday after Christmas, Kade was blessed in Layton. He was a little big for the blessing outfit his older brothers wore, so we went out and bought him this one:)

One of us was happy!

We got to meet my sweet nephew Benson and spend some time with Lori and Allen in Provo. It has become a little tradition to eat with them at Los Hermanos! Yum:) We then got to see my brother, Jeff, in Draper and hang at their house for a while. Those kids are growing too fast!

On the way home, we actually stayed in a hotel instead of driving straight through:0). There was a storm on our way out and it followed us so we had to hurry. The hotel was in Albuquerque, and it had a waterslide! We all took turns sliding down it.

There was a scary incident when Brock saved Trey from drowning in the hot tub...nice one Mom. I was in the middle of switching with Ty and taking the baby when we heard Brock scream "Trey!" He jumped in and hung on with one hand on Trey, the other on the step. By the time I got to them, they were both looking up at me with big eyes. I wanted to cry, but jumped on top of Brock (as he later puts it) to pull them both out. I am so proud of Brock for not letting go, when he could have easily just saved himself.

All in all, we had a blast-but we are happy to be back to the reality of a messy home and all the responsibilities of life...sigh.