Holidays/visiting family

Before I posted about Florida, I should have explained that James set up a surgery rotation in SL from November 25- December 20. The kids and I went with him and we all stayed with the Browns for the month and through the holidays. James really enjoyed his rotation, by the way. I have a feeling that he will decide to go into surgery, but right now he's in the mode of guilt tripping himself for leaning toward such a demanding field. We'll see if my prediction is right in the next few months though.
Back to the trip though, ya, we were gone for a long time! But, we did have a blast visiting the family and spending the holidays with them...even if we did out-stay our welcome. Here are a bunch of pics that probably won't be in the correct order.


First off, our Christmas card. Unfortunately I definitely didn't order enough:(. So consider yourself lucky if you got one:)  None of our AZ friends did-we didn't even get one for us. It's hard having so many friends- haha!

This was Eden's first taste of the snow that season, and what she thought of it. Benson wasn't much better. 

Building a snowman in powder. This was the best we could do. 

James put us to shame later that night by building this. 

Ice skating at the Gallivan Center, and reliving our dating days

Festival of Trees- visiting our friend's tree they made for their baby. 

Eden was obviously ready to leave.

 

The cousins loved the train

Hogle Zoo lights

James's baby cousin is getting so tall!

Phelps family Christmas party

Fun in the snow...(or what was left of it)

Christmas Eve at Ann and Peter's 

Benson & Yaya ie Mary & Joseph

Christmas morning

James must have been really good this year, because he was spoiled rotten (by me and Santa) for Christmas!

The kids, esp. Eden, loved their camping chairs and sat in them the whole time we opened presents

'Building on the rock' sweatshirts from Grandma and Grandpa. Based on our family scripture of Helaman 5:12. 

On Christmas day, after opening presents and hanging around the house, we went to Ben's church and played volleyball with Ben's, Ann's, Katie's, Ali's and my families. Jason and some friends also came, as well as some of the Chases. Like always, it was really fun, and, like always, mom took the kids so we could play.  

 

We did our big party the day after Christmas, because not everyone could come on Christmas Day.  We went skating at Deleta, then did dinner and a program that night.

Trying to go sledding at Soldier Hollow. Unfortunately, they were already sold out so we didn't get to sled for very long. So disappointing, because it was such a beautiful day!

Opening presents with the Browns

Benson must have been pooped!