Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Christmas


Our neighborhood had a fun thing where volunteers prepared and put out luminaries along all of the streets one evening and then many were out driving their golf carts or out in their yard waving.
It was pretty neat.
I had never heard of this before, must be a Georgia thing?




Christmas morning we had fun watching the kids unwrap a few gifts then eating cinnamon rolls. 










 After that the plan was to load up and head to Florida to see the Hostetler clan.
We had a minor delay when, while in the process of loading up, there was an accident resulting in a shattered back window on the Expedition.
So we were classy and drove down with a black garbage bag taped over the opening and got it fixed the next day.
 


 






Unusual for me, but I didn't pull out the big camera the whole time so there's a lack of good quality pictures. 
I regret missing the pajama family portrait in front of the Christmas tree and getting one of everyone in their fancy clothes after church.
Oh well, here's a sampling of the (phone) pictures that I did get:

{of course grandma's candy cane stash is immediately raided}



{blue tongue from yet another candy cane}







{lots of baby holding went on}




{Des came to me and exclaimed "Look mom, I wrote a Christmas song". It does kind of look like music, cute.}

{sorry Shauna, I didn't warn you I was taking a picture, but McKay looked so snuggly with grandma}

 
{hanging with uncle Andrew}


{great grandma patiently teaching card games}

{family gathering}


The kids had presents on Christmas morning, some Christmas evening in Florida, and then they even had another package waiting at home.



Granny Janny made some beautiful and comfy blankets.




We are so thankful for the season of giving and family and remembering Christ.


Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Utah trip


We stayed in Utah a week, and for a change of pace Curt was with us the entire week, not just the weekends.
This post will cover everything except for the baby blessing.

Our family has grown enough that we don't fit in anyone's car to be picked up, so we rented a van.
It was a good decision.

waiting at the rental car place in the salt lake airport, anything is a jungle gym




baby cousins meeting for the first time

mom with her newest grandbabies

a typical kid meal in mom's kitchen




mom had all the Christmas decorations up
 




my grandma crocheted this and then did all the bead detailing, a true work of art









We went to go see the 'tree of life' in Draper, and drove past the Draper temple on the way home.














Mom's view has been inhibited slightly by the homes being built around her, but it is still beautiful.
Especially for sunrise or sunset.




Curt, Desmond, Mom, Shane, Lane, and our friend Helaman went to a BYU game.


McKay started getting really smiley this week




Curt went running several days, and had beautiful views like this:



We went up into the mountains so that Des could play in some snow (there wasn't any in the valley at the time).



I sure do miss these mountains







We went to dinner (and had breakfast foods) with Dad and Jann.









We went to Cafe Rio on the way from the airport to mom's and in the airport before we left.


And then we came home...to inches of water in our house and garage, but that is a story for another post.
We loved our Utah visit. So good to visit family. So many friends we didn't get to see, we'll try next time.




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