CHRISTMAS IN UTAH

My goodness, I can't believe Christmas 2010 has come and gone.  Anyone who knows me well knows that I LOVE Christmas and start getting excited in October...  This year we spent the week (8 glorious nights to be exact) in Heber City, Utah at my Mom and Dad's mountain house.  It's beautiful there anytime, but especially if you're wanting some snow, or more like 4 straight days of snow.  It was snowing when we got there late Friday night and didn't stop until Wednesday.  It was beautiful and really puts you in the Christmas mood!  Craig joined us there too and we had a wonderful time.  The yummy meals, naps, scenic drives, tubing, games, Wii playing, skiing, and much much more were amazing!!!  I apologize in advance for the many, many pictures but as I've said before this will be my kids scrapbook so I try to document everything!!!  

Nice kissy lips, having a hard time getting "real-smiles"...

 Hot Tub Time!!!

 A herd of 60 plus Elk...  We saw them 4 times while we were there.  We also saw a few moose scattered in the mountains on our drives. 

 I love my Mimi!

 First day of Grady's ski lessons... lots and lots of snow

 Coach Brian

 Doing a happy dance... for "french fries" and "pizza" !!!

 Snow angels

 A mouthful of snow, and up to my waist!!!

Shoveling snow... he actually enjoyed it for more than 5 minutes.

 The only bump picture you will get... this was actually a joke but I thought I'd add it in anyway.  I feel/look like I am 9 months pregnant here... not the 7 months preggo I actually am.  Not sure how that is possible considering I have only gained 9 pounds total so far.  The great news about the large bump this year was that I wasn't cold at all and it was very cold here! 

 Mimi and Papa have perfect driveway for sledding!

 Making a snowman with Daddy and Mimi

We went on a North Pole Train ride to see Santa.  There was lots of singing, which you can tell the boys really enjoyed.  They also served hot chocolate and cookies and each kid got to see Santa and get a gift... a blue top!  Grady made Santa a card and put a Candy cane inside.  He was so excited about giving Santa a gift too! 

 Snowball fight with Craig, encouraged by Papa

Daddy looking thrilled...

 Papa and Craig were as well...

 This was one of about 100 deer we saw outside the breakfast window at Mimi and Papa's house.  Mimi feeds them but they come each day anyway!

Hot-tub time with beverages...

 Going on the "magic chair" with Papa, Craig and Daddy.  Mommy didn't get to ski this time because of "BOY" ... (Grady's name for baby) 

 Grady did so great with his first lessons.  He took 3 hour long lessons with Coach Brian and they had bunches of fun!  Brian was awesome... those ski instructors must be paid well or really love what they do because they are as patient as they come!!!

 The beautiful view from Mom and Dad's place...

 Deer Valley Ski Lodge

 I LOVE this picture.  These 2 really adore each other!

 Santa was skiing too!

 Great picture of Uncle Craig and Grady

Cookie Baking time with Mimi!!!

 Papa loves cookies too!

 Deep concentration with the icing... and surprise... it's blue!

 The beautiful tree

 Ta-Da!  We're done!

 YUMMY!!!

Here is "Bill" ... Papa Bill, my Grandpa, got this buck many, many years ago.  He watched us eat dinner every night and Grady loved it.  One morning, we even found Smitty (Grady's Elf) sitting on top of Bill!

 Presents were super fun!  Grady was excited for each and every one.  Some of them were... a remote control car, remote control Mater, dinosaurs (a recent obsession), Whack a Mole (a game), books, Transformers, Monster Trucks, Batman and Helicopter, a Lightning McQueen shirt, gator slippers, zebra PJ's, Toy Story 3, Mater's Tall Tales and the big one was from Santa a Wii and lots of games (which is a gift for the whole family too)! 

Grady got Papa golf balls that say, "Papa starts with PP" which is an inside joke for the family...

 Craig and Richard got each other the exact same gifts! 

 The book we made Mimi and Papa... it was a hit!

 On Christmas Day we went tubing at Soldier Hollow.  It was really foggy but the boys had a wonderful time!

 Playing Whack-a-Mole with Mimi!

    It was also our 7th Wedding Anniversary on the 20th so Mimi, Papa and Craig babysat while Richard and I went out for a yummy dinner at The Blue Boar Inn.   (I LOVE you babe!  Here's to many more!)  We had 5 courses and enjoyed each second of our long, quiet dinner!  We are cherishing any quiet time we have left because in another few months our house won't be quiet for a long, long time.  You know it's funny.  All my friends with little kids always say they can't wait for peace and quiet and my Mom is always telling me how she would kill to have a loud house again.  It's amazing how years can change things and perspective.  God willing we will have a very loud house for a long, long time!  

Christmas 2010 was FANTASTIC!  Mimi and Papa are the very best hosts and we always have bunches of fun with them whether we are doing stuff or just hanging out.   

Christmas is very special for so many reasons.... the presents are great but being with family and remembering the true meaning of Christmas makes it even more special. 

JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD HAS COME!   

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!