Christmas Eve

We had the whole family, both sides, over for Christmas Eve again this year.  Part of my Christmas was that Dan did almost all of the cooking, including three batches of home made rolls.  This year was especially nice because Scott and his family were here before they move to Germany.

 Pre dinner festivities, including appetizers.  Janet's brothers Jimmy and Mark

 Kyle and Robby

 Allie with baby Liam

 The kids table is always more fun than the adult

 Ogilvie Clan

Stapleton clan

 The junior version of BINGO was actually a quick roll of the dice

BINGO is definitely intense.  Kudos to Allie's boyfriend for daring to meet all of us.

December

 We had a mini Christmas when my manager's son cleaned out his closet and we inherited these awesome remote control cars.  Seth was jumping up at down for about an hour, he was so excited.

 We ate dinner at Gateway, had a short TRAX ride and looked at the lights.

 This is a very typical picture, I just never post them- the boys not cooperating and Dan looking annoyed that I am making him have this photo op.

 The boys had their preschool Christmas Program today.  They did really well on their speaking parts as well as doing the actions for the songs.  Thanks to both Grandma's for coming to support them.  I recorded most of the program and we watched it with Dan tonight (he had his knee scoped and couldn't make it).  They were so proud to watch themselves and tell their daddy how well they'd done.

The boys said they weren't supposed to wear jeans, so here are my handsome boys with untucked shirts.

Family Fun Week

 I started a new work schedule this month and I now have a full week off, meaning we have five days of family fun together.  Part of those days Dan taught the boys how to use the real vacuum cleaner.  Apparently we will no longer be needing the toy vacuum cleaner if you have a child who would like it.

 We went to see Puss In Boots in 3-D.  I looked over at one point and Seth wasn't wearing his glasses, so I don't know if they understood the concept of 3D, but they liked the movie and loved the popcorn.

My cousin had me come speak as part of a panel for women interested in the sciences and we made a day trip of it to Logan.  This is their very small, but quaint zoo.

Halloween

 Trick or Treating at Grandma Browns assisted living with the cousins.  They almost got as much candy there as they did going door to door.

 Luckily/sadly their costumes from last year still fit.  I asked if they wanted to trade, but they stayed the same.

The haul.  They went to a lot more houses this year and got to take turns with mom, grandma, and dad who was able to get off work early.  The weather was perfect, which added to the fun.

October

 I kind of like it when Dan works the weekend because we do better planning a day of family fun on a Thursday then we do on a weekend.  

 Dan's co-workers had their annual Halloween Party

 Our other family day this month was bowling.  Kudos to Dan for a great idea.

 Watching the ball return was almost as exciting as the actual bowling.

The boys fighting with their lightsabers.  Every Tuesday the boys ask Dan to watch a Star Wars, so they know a lot about the series, and unfortunately the library has a Star Wars section and I'm starting to learn way more about the series than I ever wanted.

Fehr Lake

 We went for an overnight backpacking trip to Fehr Lake in the Uintas Friday night with the Stapleton grandparents and cousins Maya and Sofia.  It was chilly, but that meant no mosquitos, which was awesome.  Activities included our usual of digging in the dirt, throwing rocks in the water, mini hikes with the cousins, playing in the tent, and fishing.

 The adults would cast out and then the kids would reel back in.  Sophie won the prize for the most seaweed caught, which is all that anyone caught.

 Those are some pretty awesome dance moves.

Fishing

Park City Weekend

This weekend we took a mini vacation to Park City.  A big thank you to Aunt Joan and Uncle John for use of their condo!  

We went to the Olympic Training Park and got to watch aerial practice; it was awesome.

 The boys playing pinball at the museum.  It was fun to see the Tristan Gale memorabilia since I actually know her from high school.  We were going to go on a tour, but figured the boys attention span wouldn't be able to handle it.

 We ate out dinner both nights.  Drinking soda is serious business, and also serious bathroom stops.

 Park City Main Street

 We spent plenty of time cuddling and watching TV

 We took the gondola and chair lift up at the Canyons and then hiked up there.  Who doesn't love a hike that has chairs to rest in half way through? 

 The boys thought the gondola and chairlifts were awesome!

 On the verge of being the highlight of the trip were the killer deals we found at Kindersport which was going out of business.  I got ski helmets and goggles and sunglasses and gloves for 80% off.  For once, we are actually excited for winter to come.  Snowmobiling here we come!

We hit the outlet malls as well, but didn't have much success except for these sweatshirts.

 Chairlift up to the Alpine Slide

 The alpine slide was fun, but the roller coaster was by far my favorite.  Next time we go I'm going to skip the slide and just buy an all day pass to the roller coaster, and then stay there all day long.  I haven't had that much fun or rush for a long time.

Labor Day

 These are our tomato plants.  I have learned my lesson not to plant them so close together because we have a mini jungle.

 Wheeler Farm, riding the tractor

 At the farm with our friend Owen.

 For Labor Day I hiked Lake Mary with my mom.  The boys were so excited to go.  I'm unsure if the excitement is from liking to hike or the bottle of gatorade I give them.

They sure do love their grandma!