Christmas Vacation

We decided to go to Utah after Christmas this year.  It was a lot of fun and I think this is going to be a new tradition for us. 

The very day we drove out there we had a Harward family reunion with my grandma and cousins and their kids and everyone.  We haven't seen a lot of them in a few years to we made sure to get there.  It was a very long day but worth it.  The great grandkids sang a song and Ben was roped into conducting them.  It was really cute (the kids not Ben!!!)

The best part was seeing my grandma Harward.  The kids are so lucky to be able to visit with their great grandma. 

It was also nice to be able to open lots more presents from grandmas and grandpas.  Thanks guys!!!

Ben and I decided that this year we would get a hotel room in Salt Lake and just have some fun with the kids.  They were so excited.  When we got into the room the first thing they did was run to the window and look at the view.

Next they discovered the closet.  They had so much fun playing in there.  They locked each other in and made their beds in their and just had a great time.

Then it was off to dinner.  We decided on Olive Garden.  I know I know we should be adventurous when we are visiting other places but we like to go places that we know and love.  We all had a great meal of salad, breadsticks, and pasta.  Now I'm craving Olive Garden again!!!

After our dinner we walked to Temple Square.  On the way we found these cool benches that they kids love playing on. 

At Temple Square the lights were amazing as always.  The kids really enjoyed seeing the lights and the beautiful temple.  It was actually really warm that night too considering it was December and since we went after Christmas the crowd wasn't too bad either.

After the lights we headed back home (walking again) to our hotel.  This was the moment the kids had been waiting for ever since they knew about the trip... SWIMMING.  There was a swimming pool and a hot tub.  Kyle kept going from one to the other having so much fun.  Poor Ben had to keep following him and after the hot tub the swimming pool was freezing.  Makayla loved showing off her swimming skills to everyone.  It was a really nice little getaway.  We are already thinking of doing the same thing next year.

After Salt Lake we came back to my parents house.  (We had been staying with Ben's parents previous to this.)  Take a closer look of who is holding Kyle.  I think the older we get the more alike my sister and I look.  Some people think we are twins.  That is an awesome compliment to me since I am eight years older than her!

Our last nigth Addie and Zoe (the kids' cousins) were nice enough to let Kyle and Makayla use their room.  Kyle loved his bed.  He wouldn't even let me snuggle with him that night.  He wanted to be all by himself!!!

Makayla has to read every night before she can go to bed just like her mommy.  The funny thing is I got that from my mom too!

We had a great trip with everyone but it was really nice to get home.  I think Kyle was the most ready to be back in his house and his bed. 

Christmas 2011

This year we decided to spend Christmas here in Fallon.  The kids were so excited to get everything ready for our party on Christmas Eve.  It was just the four of us but it was perfect!!!  We started off with a dinner of appetizers.  Next we read the story of the birth of Jesus from the bible.  The kids got to play with the Little People nativity set while Ben read the story.  Afterward we watched an awesome video about Jesus that our church put out.  Next it was time for Christmas eve presents.  The kids went on a little treasure hunt to find their gifts.  They each got pj's and slippers which they loved.  After they both put them on we played Mario Kart on the Nintendo Wii.  It was a great night.  They kids both went to bed really well considering how excited they were.  It was nice to see that we really could do it on our own!!!  We are excited to start our own little family traditions at Christmastime. 

The next morning was amazing.  The kids were so excited to see if Santa came.  We had put up sheets all around the tree and told the kids they couldn't peek until we all woke up.  We went out and daddy went to turn on the Christmas tree lights and see if Santa came.  He did!!!

Makayla got her Cinderella play set and was so happy.  She immediately started playing with it.

Kyle got tons of train tracks for his Thomas trains and a cool airplane.  He and daddy had a lot of fun putting them all together.

After opening lots of presents and eating a yummy breakfast we were able to go to church.  It was a wonderful day.  We are so blessed to have such a wonderful little family.  That night we had a great dinner of ham and potatoes and then it was time to pack and get ready to go to UTAH!!!  Stay tuned...

Meeting Santa

Yes, I am a little behind on my blogging but I really didn't want to leave out this post.  We went to our church Christmas party in December and at the end of the party we had a special visitor.  The kids were so excited to see Santa.  They had already sent letters to him about what they wanted for Christmas but it was nice to let him know again just to make sure.  

  First we started off with a yummy dinner.  Usually the kids don't eat very much because they just want to play but this night they were starving and ate every last morsel!

Next it was time for the program.  Makayla was chosen to be an angel and she was beautiful!!!  She sang all the songs perfectly and we were so proud of her!!!

Then the time finally arrived.  Santa entered the room and all the kids started following him.  It was so cute.  They all lined up on the stage for their turn.  Makayla and Kyle held hands while they were waiting.  Makayla went first.  She got right up there and told him she wanted a Cinderella Playset. 

Next it was Kyle's turn.  I really thought that he would be too scared but I was wrong.  He jumped right up there and just stared at Santa.  Santa kept asking him what he wanted but Kyle didn't really know.  Finally he told him a sword.  It was adorable.  We all had a great time at the party!!!