Our Bubble World

This snow season has been kind of a bummer in the snow department, at least for the kids.  Me?  Well I've personally liked the lack of snow and the clear roads.  However, there have been a couple of times when there was enough snow to go out and play and since they've been few going out had been an occasion to celebrate.  At least the children celebrated.  I stayed in the warm house.

Lex, Ev, Peter and Chris all ready to go out and play in the snow.

First snowman attempt.  Peter could have taken him down.

Snowman Kisses

Brrrrrrrrr!

Second snowman attempt with Christopher's help this time.

A little taller

There was a third snowman but I didn't get a picture.

They had fun and for me the counts for something even if I'd rather summer was here instead of winter.

With Christmas being on a Sunday this year we were kinda pressed for time when it came to presents.  We got up early and went through our stockings and then quickly passed out the gifts.  Traditionally the kids get to help daddy pass out the gifts youngest to oldest.  So Peter started us off.  The pic is blurry but I love his huge smile and happiness at being able to help.

Then he stole Evan's axe.  Not a good combo.

Another blurry shot, but I had to keep it.  Ben is so happy with his donut maker.

Chris is in love with his remote controlled helicopter.

Lex got two remote controll cars and it is a battle to keep them out of Peter's hands.

After church we came home changed and packed up to go to grandpa's house for more gifts and more family.

Evan is helping grandpa hand out gifts

Lex got some new gloves and a hat which she is so proud of

Then there was time to just sit back and relax with Allyson

Really a low keyed event, but enjoyable all the same.  We tried really hard this year to not just buy junk to buy junk.  We wanted to give gifts to our children that really match their interests and abilities.  I think that is why it was so enjoyable to me.  And after seeing the reaction of some children to gifts given to others, I now know what to get them next year.

Chris

Doug - I couldn't get a good pic because his mom kept trying to do rabbit ears on him and he was fending her off :)

Evan

Granny

Lex

Sheilah

Peter

Spencer

William

With each gift from Granny there was a balloon.  Probably the best ever thing you could give my children for theirs sakes, but the worst for me.  The kids have sooo much fun hitting the balloons around and playing with them.  However, it gets to a point when I'm done with all the objects flying around the house and then there is the fighting over which balloon belongs to whom.  Anyway, the children loved them, Peter most of all.  He got right to work and tried to blow one up.

He didn't get very far, but it sure was fun watching him.

My little girl is growing up too fast.  As I was making Monster Cookies the other day she decided that she wanted to help and since Mommy was in an apron she wanted one too.  Then she had to use the scoop herself.  Next she'll want the car keys.

I'm so proud of my little throw pillow.  I ended up giving it to my mother-in-law for Christmas and she likes it.  Thanks Carol for teaching me.

At the conclusion of our singing we sang one last song to welcome a special visitor.  Can you guess who it was?  Santa, of course.

Even Ben went up to sit on his lap

Chris

Evan

Peter really wasn't in to Ol' St. Nick.  You know....strange old man with a fluffy beard and you're suppose to sit on his lap.  Didn't work for him.

I got Lex to smile though.  I did have to stick my tongue out at her though.

Our finished balloon.  I didn't have the right size bottle, mine was smaller, so the inside of the balloon filled quickly with yeasty bubbles and became too heavy to hold itself.  The boys were amazed at the change regardless.  I'm sure they would like to do it again.

Even Peter helped, sort of.  He really didn't want to get close and touch it.

The kids and the tree that they decorated.  Not a bad job, really.

Finished tree unless you count the un-decorating that Peter tries to do every day.

Let me just say that I am thankful for my children and the simple things in life.

Lexie got this princess dress for Easter and lately I can't keep it off of her.  I'm really loving how she accessoried with the belt, winter themed hat, pj's underneath and not to be forgotten the Buzz Lightyear slippers.

For Chris this picture can and probably will be used as leverage.  Loving the shorts, name shirt, belt and dopey look. 

I promise that I try to not let my children out of the house looking like this but please forgive me if I've had a hard day and they slip by.

While driving between Lehi and Provo on the back roads, being led on a crazy drive by Roy and Sierra, Doug happened to see a park and really wanted to try and go to it.  So we set out to find it again.  We drove the back roads to American Fork to see the temple and then continued south hoping we would be able to spot it again and we did.  This is the most amazing park set up I've ever seen and really wish we had one here like it.  It is all about discovery and learning while playing.  I took tons of pictures in the hope of one day getting one built here or just copying parts for our own backyard.

The areas were separated for smaller and bigger children, but Lex and Peter were really not into the size segregation and as such spent most of the time with their older brothers.  However, I did get a few shots from their area.

Here they had these beehives that the kids could play around and sit in.  Lex was all about hamming it up

but Peter wore his grumpy pants.

Just a few shots of the place so you can try to see what was there.

Ben on a chain bridge.

Lex on a tire bridge/swing.

The tire swing.  If only you could see the video of the adventures had on this swing.  Everyone loved riding on it until the very end when Doug and Chris took a spin and literally puked.  Chris did anyway.  In the car.  Not pleasant.  But we did have a throw up bowl for such emergencies.  And we stopped for burgers and ice cream shortly thereafter.

Peter did finally find his happy pants and enjoyed playing on all the toys and swinging with daddy.

Yep, we are a hardy bunch.  Not ones to let a little puking upset our ice cream plans.  This was one great vacation for us.  Pretty sure the older boys enjoyed not going to school since they took a week off to travel, but I wouldn't accuse them outright of it.  Even before we left they were asking when we could return.  Who knows?  It's fun to dream though.