Christmas Break

 Alice started off the holiday break with some Yoga. Peter and Kendal got to spend some time with friends at the start of the break. 

On Wednesday we made gingerbread cookies. That evening we went out to find some lights! First we went to a botanical garden place in Twin falls. We got to go on a winding path along around the grounds and enjoy all of the plants / tree's lit up. After that we went out to Hansen to the Rock Creek Station and did their little walk that was covered in figures, blow up things, and antique Christmas items. The kids got to see Santa and got a candy cane (Alice cowered in Dad's arms). 

Kendal finished her Harry Potter Advent Calendar just before Christmas. She had a blast and loved opening a door each day to discover what was there and make it! She and Peter have played a lot of Harry Potter Lego play this past month because of it! 

We celebrated Christmas Eve by going to Gemstone Climbing gym (Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa D for the kids' passes). Peter had so much courage that day and made it to the top three times! Along with climbing to the top of the big boulder a few times. We've spent years trying to get him to climb to the top and we were so proud of him for getting there! Casey joined in climbing as well. Kendal loved it all as usual! Alice wouldn't climb anything till the end, when she made a few silly attempts. That night instead of our typical dinner with Brett and Vanessa we stayed home and ate dinner and watched a show together. 

Peter may have come out a few times through the night, but Santa came nonetheless ; ). Peter and Kendal were up and out just before 7. We made them wait in our room till Alice woke up. They were pretty good listening to a story podcast and waiting. Alice came out around 7:40; we listened to the first Christmas story and then went in to see what we got! All three kids were so happy with their gifts. We had a very easy going day playing with presents and just enjoying family time. We got to video message Casey's parents and my family as well! Late afternoon Casey took Kendal and Peter to go shoot arrows with Brett, David, and Becca. The girls mostly played in the car while the boys shot arrows. Casey got a couple of bullseyes! I stayed back with Alice to play dolls : ) 

Peter got a remote control car, and an edible chemistry set from Santa. We gave him a bike, books from his sisters, shirt, sheets, and a few other fun things. He was so very excited to have his much anticipated car and rode it all around the presents the rest of the day. Peter was also very happy to get a set of athletic under clothes. He's worn them endlessly since! He and Casey did some edible chemistry in the afternoon (he liked some things and was grossed out by a couple). 

Kendal got a book lover's set from Santa, a new bike from us, a comforter, books from Peter and Alice, and, and some other fun things. She's so excited to get her library all set, stamped, and recorded! She also got a yoyo that she's been attempting tricks with since then! Kendal also got her "promised" pineapple that we enjoyed. 

Alice received her much anticipated barbie doll from Santa along with some barbie clothes, and doll clothes. She got some dress up from us (that she spent the whole day in : D ), some books from her siblings, and some other fun things. She played the day away with her dolls, and was very happy with all that she got! 

Our family gift this year was an outing to go sledding at Magic Mountain. So off we went Saturday to enjoy some time on the mountain. Alice surprised us and loved sledding. She was overjoyed with it all, had the biggest smile on her face, and just wanted to go over and over again. One of the workers recognized that she had a continuous grin and commented on how happy she was, to which she replied with arms out wide saying "I love it!" . She also ate endless amounts of snow and went through a few pairs of gloves  - but not caring - just loving it all! Kendal had a great time sledding and even went down by herself the last bit we were there. Peter started out fine, but the big drop on the hill put him in a nervous state (actually gave me a start a few times). He let jitters get to him a few times, but he made it through with some courage from Dad. He claims flat sledding  (at Grandpa's shop) is his much preferred way to go. We were so happy with this outing together, and even with some snow coming at us for part of the time we had such a great time together! 

We headed to Logan after church last Sunday. The kids got to open gifts from family and we had a nice meal together. Kendal got headphones, earrings, a build a bear outfit, gloves, shirt,     Peter got a puzzle, headphones, a mandalorian Lego set, build a bear outfits,    Alice got a dress up booklet, gloves, a Tinker Bell costume, and a cute cuddly lama.    Casey got a new tortilla press, a book and we got some goodies, I got new shoes, and the best present - a journal Book of Mormon that my Mom marked with favorite / personal scriptures. We were spoiled as usual, and so grateful for our gifts! We also got a new game Splendor that we enjoyed a lot during the week! Everyone got into the game at some point and we really enjoyed playing it! Below is Alice's favorite part of the week - dancing to music from Grandma's peanuts gang figures. 

Andy and Campbell came up Monday and we had a nice family dinner together. I got to take some dinner up to David and Anica; see their new finished basement, and gush over our sweet nephews (mostly Emmet ; ). 

My mom bought the kids gingerbread so the girls and I made cookies on Tuesday morning and decorated them. I put together some houses that we saved and made with Peter when he came back with Grandpa from the job site where David and Casey were working and my Dad was helping. That night we got to have pinacolada's and watch a Christmas show! 

Wednesday Grandpa took Peter to work (play) with the big boys in Richmond. So all of the girls and I went out to see Nana. Kendal got to see and spend time with Emma while we were there. Linda, Clint, and Tayson also stopped in as well. It was great to see them (haven't seen Clint / Tayson in years). They brought their sweet little yorkie which terrified Alice to no end (she crawled onto my lap and was insistent she stay there all nerves over a little dog that did nothing - mostly sat next to Clint on the couch). Billie came over with Maggie and after a bit Alice was persuaded to join in and play. We needed to head out so Billie offered to bring Alice along later. Alice was spoiled with Maggie and got a build a pet unicorn stuffie. 

Thursday was a very low key New Years Eve. In the afternoon the kids went out to play in the snow. I joined them and we attempted to make a snow hill / slide, which turned into a snow sculpture of a turtle. That night we had pizza and a game night with the kids. No one stayed up till midnight, but sometimes that's just fine and this year it was. 

Friday afternoon we took the kids sledding down at the shop. David, Elliot, and Isaac joined us and the kids had so much fun going around in the sleds. Peter was very happy to whip around behind the four wheeler and took to casting snow balls at us as he passed. Alice was nothing but smiles and stealing snow now and then to lick. Kendal had so much fun and got to drive a bit in the end! Grandpa brought cocoa for a break that the kids happily enjoyed! It was a great time together! That evening we celebrated Auntie Katherine's birthday early with a nice dinner and cake and ended the evening with a movie. 

Saturday was an easy going morning at my parents house. After lunch we got a brief visit by the cousins and got to gush over Baby Emmet again! We went out to Nana's for a bit (poor sweet Nana had fallen a couple days before without us knowing). Breaks my heart to see her down, but I'm grateful her pain isn't too bad. We were very blessed to be healthy and get to see and spend quality time with family over the break, as well as having some good down time at home enjoying our little family! 

We came home Saturday evening. Casey was over the broadcast on Sunday and I had Young Women visits to make. Kendal is an official Young Women now!! It's crazy, yet so awesome! I'm so excited that I get to be her first Young Women's leader. She's coming in with 7 other girls! She's been anticipating this for the past year, and her time has finally come! Peter gets to start basketball this week, and Casey's back in the grind of school and basketball as well.