December Happenings

A few of you asked for it so here is the very long review of our December :-)

The Christmas decorations have come down and our schedule is back to normal so I guess it's time I post about our great 3 week Christmas Vacation!!! This was a really good Christmas. Every year I'm determined to have all our shopping done, presents wrapped and decorations up before December first. I got very close this year and I just love how it takes any of the distractions and stress out of what is already a packed month. So we were able to focus on our fun activities as a family. We went to Temple Square and stayed a night in SLC, visited my brother in Tooele, had a party in Logan, went caroling, had a few parties here, a lot of company-(I think I counted 20 people stayed with us within the space of 10 days.) and continued with traditions and memories in our little family of 5.
Let's start with the bad though, haha...We have been SICK! Here's a little peek into our month...
Thomas, Grace and I got Strep Throat. All five of us got the flu, unfortunately mine visited me on Christmas Eve!

Grace got a bladder infection which landed her in an Urgent Care one Sunday. I felt the worst about that one. I just did not catch it for a long time. The Dr. said it was pretty sever and next time act quicker! Woops.  Emma got pink eye, and an ear infection. So if you weren't keeping track that was 5 visits to the Dr., 5 prescriptions filled, and many a trips to the bathroom. Not fun and I really think we have to be over this!!!

  
Now onto better things...we got quite a bit of snow before Christmas. The kids had a lot of fun, and I did too. We built snow caves, and a hill to sled down. It's nice having quite a lot of land to do what we want all over.

So onto the good. Even though I was under the weather Christmas Eve, it was still a great day. My 2 sisters and their families came and my dad.

They were a huge help with all the food and things I wanted to do. We played games, sang songs and got the kids to bed early for our visit from Santa. The kids woke up at 7.

 After brushing teeth and making beds and getting Grandpa out of bed we were ready to run up the stairs and see what we got. Thomas got quite the rokenbox set and Grace got a big dollhouse. It was pretty funny when Thomas saw his pile and said "It wasn't what I wanted, but I am still going to be happy." Silly boy. Maybe next year he'll get that skateboard. haha! The big gift was a new trampoline that was all set up in the shop. Santa had left the kids a not and they were pretty excited to see what was there.

We opened presents for a few hours and had a delicious breakfast made by my newly married sister Kimberly.

Then the boys all went out on a snowmobile ride for a few hours while us girls chatted, played with the kids and made a Turkey dinner.

 I was feeling much better now and was able to enjoy the yummy dinner.  That night we played some games, jumped on the tramp and stayed up way to late talking!

For the next few days Nolan decided to work on making headboards and footboards for Thomas a Grace. He really got them done so quickly and I love how they look. They still need painted and then I will take a picture. It's amazing to me what he can do!  The weekend after Christmas it was Harper Family time. Nolan's two sisters and their families came out. His brother also was there. We missed his one sister who lives in Tennessee. Darn residency! :-) We had a lot of fun together as a group. I feel really lucky to feel so close with them. We are very similar, and enjoy the same things, much like my sisters and I. It's so easy to talk with them.  Here is our cheesy high school dance picture...Nolan's 2 sisters on the left, and brother next to us.

My kids were in heaven with so many cousins. 12 in total were there and it is always fun seeing them get together and who connects with who. The boys migrate to the wii of course.

 And the girls...

 We spent a few nights at Nolan's parents house and the party never stops there. New Years Eve included a menu full of appetizers only, the best idea! We played games and danced the night away. For the countdown we pulled out Susy's box of hats and Martinellis. I'm trying to show off my bracelet that jingles :-)

 The next few days we went sledding, saw Les Mes which I loved and continued playing games and talking, my 2 favorite things.

 It was sad saying goodbye to family both times, but I'm so happy we live so close to mine, and we'll be seeing all the girls on Nolan's side soon for a girls weekend. So important to stay connected and close to each other I think. It was a perfect few weeks. So many fun memories were made and our family grew closer with our time together. Now to get healthy and have a good 2013!!!