Christmas Break

Every year Jason's family gets together, either for Thanksgiving or Christmas.  They rent a place and we all go and hang out.  This year we went to the Victor/Driggs area and rented a cabin there. 

 Jason's Dad is buried in the Darby cemetery not far from where our cabin was.

 The first day there we took a trip to visit his grave.

 Then Jason hooked up some sleds to the back of the car.

 The kids took turns flying around the cemetary.  We had a ton of fun, some of us adults even tried it.

 It was so funny to watch, Jason's dad would have enjoyed it.  He would have laughed very hard.  It is difficult for all of us not having him there.

 Dillon and Josh are best friend cousins.  When they are together it is like they only have one brain. 

 They kept trying all sorts of stunts and falling off.  It got to the point we wouldn't even stop if they fell off, they had to run and jump back on.

 We blazed quite the trail around the cemetery.  No one was going to get stuck visiting there loved ones graves.  Well, I may have gotten stuck, but just once.

 At the cabin we ate, played games.....

 watched movies, soaked in the hot tub and we slept a little too. 

 We had gorgious whether while we were there.  Beckett and I went for a walk.

 We went cross country skiing which was awesome.  I had never tried it before and found it was actually quite a bit like my nordic trec. 

 The kids went sleding.

 This I did not try.

 Possibly because it went from this.

To this.

We had a good time.  It was nice to be able to spend time as a family.  It was relaxing for me after such a hectic Christmas.  I am thankful for Jason's wonderful family.  I am grateful that they get together so often and could not ask for better people in my life!

Christmas 2014

We spent Christmas Eve here at home.  It was supposed to be a nice evening with our family......

 I started the day making waseal.  I have never in my life attempted to make it, but was told it would make my house smell good.  So I gave it a whirl.  I did not make my house smell good, and Jason said it was a waste of good apple cidar, but I thought is was tasty. 

 The kids wanted to do something special, so we set the table all fancy.  Then Jason called and said he had invited a family of 6 to spend the evening with us.  What?  Change of plans.  We had to clean the house and come up with extra table settings, and food.  Then after the kids had waited for 45 minutes from when they were suposed to be here.  They showed up, and had already eaten.  Lets just say that was about how the rest of the night was and leave it at that. 

Here are the kids in there jammies.  I made them all pretend that they were sleeping, because Beckett really did fall asleep. 

The Big Day.  We opened presents, Truman got a train set.  I think this the only picture I got where Jason wasn't in it too.  Jason loves himself a train set!

Dillon got a tablet.  He was pretty happy about that.  You can see the carnage in the background.

Beckett got a scooter..the picture is blurry, because I never could get him to sit still with it.

Elleree got a Barbie Doll house, that is bigger than she is.

Christmas is always hard for me.  I worry that the kids will be disappointed with what they got.  I anticipation is always out of control.  I think we did pretty good.

These are my bird house and bird feeder.  They are so cute.  I also got a treadmill, love it!  Jason got a universal remote that works through walls.  If you have been to our house you know why.

This was my favorite present though.  Elleree made this huge poster it is so cute!  

After we opened our presents we packed up and headed to Victor/Driggs where Jason's family rented a cabin for us.

Pre Christmas 2013

Christmas time around here was crazy.  I know it is for everyone, but it is getting to the point where I am not enjoying Christmas at all.  There just seems like too many things to do.

Too many traditions? 

 I have an advent calendar that we do something for every day for 25 days.  I only got one picture, because truthfully Jason was gone for like 90 % of the things we did and it was too hard to wrangle the kids and get pictures.  This picture, is of the thankful chain we made for the tree.  We did things like watch Christmas movies, shopping for each other, making Christmas treats, putting together a Christmas surprise for some a family in need ect..

Too many Christmas Concerts?

 

I had to go to three separate concerts this year and am not such a big fan.  Excuse the bad photography when you are like on the 100th row it is difficult to get good pictures.

 I did circle Dillon since, I don't think in the coming years I will be able to pick him out of these pictures.  The fifth graders do a recorder concert, no singing.

 This is Elleree we were a little closer for her, but not much.

 Then Truman did his singing and dancing amazingness. 

 He was very proud only certain people got to wear the elf hats.

Too many treats to make?

 I am up to like 10 batches of toffee when all is said and done.  I have to make it for the kids teachers,  Jason's employees, and friends. 

 I also had to make neighborhood gifts (being one of the 25 days of Christmas) for the kids to hand out. 

Too much running around?

I just was not able to get into the spirit this year.  I think I was just to stressed. I know I need to let things go, but I am not sure what.  I hope I figure it out next year!

Beckett Turns Three

I am super far behind on this blogging thing.  I am just trying to get things caught up so I can do Christmas.

On November 30th my baby turned 3. I know it went by soooo fast!

 This was my little muffin when he was only a months old.  Love those cheeks and that mouth!

 He was very specific about his cake.  He wanted a Thomas the train Oreo cake.  What? Yeah....this is how it turned out.

 We celebrated at my parents, because we were there already.

 He was so excited about the cake he could hardly stand it. 

 Just goes to prove that no matter how terrible the cake turns out the kids don't care.

 He got lots of trains for this birthday.  He is really into them right now. 

He also got this cool "Cars" race track.  You charge the cars and they zoom around the track.  It makes him frustrated so that didn't stay out for long.  

I love you Mr. Beckett.  You are such a wonderful little boy.  I enjoy watching you grow, probably more than I should.  You are such a monster and so spoiled rotten.  You are super smart, too smart for me.  I love your smile and the way you talk.  We so blessed to have you in our lives, and I thank Heavenly Father for you everyday!

Christmas Tree Hunting

It is now a tradition, as it was in my childhood, to go hunting for a tree from the Mackay Mine Hill.

 On the way up the hill Beckett and Elleree both fell asleep.  I wanted to sleep too.  It is tough work looking for a tree.

 Truman and Dillon both decided they wanted to ride the four wheelers up the trail.

No snow making it possible to go places that would otherwise not be.  Dillon wanted to have a sage brush for our tree this year.  Heaven knows there are always plenty to pick from.

I have never really enjoyed this process, and really don't love the end result either, but the kids and Jason really love it.

It's a good way to spend time as a family, I guess.  It is also a lot cheaper than buying tree, I think that is the biggest reason Jason likes it so much.

On the way back we saw tons of deer.  This area is sooo beautiful, even when it is all gray!

We then went back to Grandma's house for a craft.  My kids love themselves a good craft.  And that folks, is how you spend the day hunting for a tree.

Thanksgiving 2013

Thanksgiving this year was spent with my family.  We ended up going to my parents house the day of Thanksgiving and stayed until Saturday night.

 

 Both Heath and Ivan and their families were there.  Dakota became Beckett's best friend by the end of the trip.  She was willing to do whatever he wanted and that is always the way to his heart. 

 The highlight was the four wheeling. 

 It had not snowed in Mackay yet, so the kids just cruised around.

 My parents got a smaller four wheeler that Dillon and Truman can handle with no problem.

I was in charge of the pies so I made one apple, one cherry, and two chocolate.

We had my aunt and uncle come, and my grandpa Vaden came too. As always not pictures. It was nice to see them.

It was so great to be with my family.  I missed Allison and her family, when don't I.  

I am thankful to have both of my parents.  I am thankful for my mom for doing all the cooking and baking and Emilee for all the salads.  I am thankful for my crazy kids, and my even crazier husband.  I am thankful for my brothers and their families, for making me laugh and have a good time.  Isn't Thanksgiving wonderful!