UTAH!

Christmas day we loaded everyone into the car in the afternoon, and headed to the tri-cities. We stayed with Brandon's sister Alisa and her husband Steve that night (thanks guys!) before leaving to drive the rest of the way to Utah the next morning. As a side note, I wouldn't recommend leaving for a 1 week trip on Christmas day, it was a bit nuts trying to get ready for a trip, and have an enjoyable Christmas. But once we got there it was all worth it. We had such a great week with family.
On the Monday after we arrived we all went to Temple Square to see the lights. It was soooo cold, but everyone enjoyed it. (Oh, and as a disclaimer, all of these photos in Utah were taken with Kaden's point and shoot camera he got for Christmas. They really aren't too bad though for a $75 camera!)


Poor Brandon had to carry my purse. I had Bennett in his Moby wrap, and he was just too heavy to carry on top of the purse. Good thing he's such a good sport about it.
Later in the week Sherri and I took the kids ice skating. It was loads of fun, and I even tried out a jump (Whitney said I looked like a pony trying to take it's first jump!, guess I'm not very good 15 years after taking lessons!)


Kaden thought he should take a photo of Sherri with the lovely Chicken Enchiladas we made for a get together with my grandparents, and my Aunt Maryanne, Uncle Randy, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Jeanie. It's always interesting to see what kids will take pictures of!
Also here is a not so great shot of my kids with my grandparents. It's the best we've got!On New Years Eve we took the kids sledding before the big new years eve party started. It was great other than the stream running throught the middle of the ravine that the kids were sledding down, and the fact that the top of the hill wasn't flat, so the kids could barely make it on their sleds without them or the sled flying down the hill unintentionally. Brandon looks so happy to be there, doens't he?!



I really was considering sneaking Abby into my suitcase and taking her home. Love this girl.


Nothing like some serious snow to the face.
Carter building his tiny snowman.

And apparantly he hasn't been told that you shouldn't launch an attack on an opponant who is bigger and stronger than you!
About this time we decided it was time to head home. After 1 kid going in the creek and another near concussion from a sledding wipeout, we didn't want to push our luck!


We also got to do many other fun things on our trip. All the ladies went out to Cafe Rio and a movie for girls night. I was able to go out to lunch with my best friend from High School, Cami. And she was sweet enough to hang out at my mom's house and watch my baby for us while we went sledding. It was great to see her and her adorable 3 year old son. I wish we had taken pictures of more of these things, but you know how it gets some times. All in all we had a blast on this trip. Thanks mom and dad for putting up with all the chaos! We love you!!