Waltons

Again, another fun outing......New Years Eve day we went bowling with everyone. It was a lot of fun. We had two groups. Our first game, I had my best score of 179. I don't think I've ever broke 130, so it was a good game. The next game we decided to play against the other team and sadly, I didn't bowl as well. It was still a lot of fun and the young girls had a blast bumper bowling. Molly even got to wear the fashionable shoes.

Molly and Dad

The ball weighed almost as much as her ;-)

The champion bowlers.

Proof of my high score of 179! It's gotta be recorded somewhere!

We drove to downtown Vancouver to go ice skating at Robson Square. It was so much fun. It was a small outdoor ice skating rink. I haven't been ice skating in probably 8 yrs. In fact, it was one of Scott and I's first encounters in Denver. It brought back so many memories. It was fun taking Molly and even better having grandma and grandpa watch Fos. Unfortunately for David, Fos was all about exploring and going up and down the stairs.

Getting ready

We only got like 4 pictures of us and these were the best 2. Visit Dan and Sarah's blog for more and better ice skating photos.

After ice skating, David and Mary treated us to dinner at the Cactus Club downtown Vancouver. It was great food, fun atmosphere and good company!

We woke up one morning to snow. We hadn't planned on it snowing so we didn't really have "snow clothes", but we made due. We decided to just put one what we had and see how long the kids would last. They loved it. Only a few hands got really cold. They actually lasted longer than I expected. Next time, we will pack the extra bag of snow stuff just in case!

I love this kid and his fun little personality. Just so easy going for the most part.

Sister and brother bonding time.

The sledding crew. Sarah had to miss out due to sick baby James. Next time Sarah!

I think we could've fit one more on this thing!

Oh so brave Molly

Look, no hands!

I think they are having fun! I love their smiles!

After church, some took pictures. Fos and I missed out on this one because he fell asleep on the way home from church and when we got home, I wanted him to stay asleep so I layed down with him. But they got some really good pictures.

Molly and her daddy. Too cute!

We were missing a few members of the Walton family. The Johnsons, who live in Germany, and Elder Walton who is serving his mission in AZ. They were truly missed. But, we did have a great Christmas. We were able to skype the Johnsons for their Christmas which was about 10 p.m. Vancouver time on Christmas Eve and talk on the phone Christmas morning with Elder Walton. So it was almost like they were right there. I truly am blessed to have married into such a great family. It's fun sharing time with them and doing their Christmas traditions. We make sure everyone is woke up, line up youngest to oldest, then walk down the stairs with no peeking into the front room where Santa has left lots of gifts. Play with Santa gifts, open stockings, then one by one open presents. Take a break for breakfast then resume opening presents. This process is an all day thing, which is great because Christmas only comes once a year and we might as well enjoy it. The kids start getting a little tired by the end, but stick in one of their new movies and they are good to go. Bring them back every once in a while if we find another present for them. It's actually quite funny and quite enjoyable. Thanks David and Mary for hosting and being such great hosts. We love Christmas in Canada!!!!!!

Santa came...

I love this one......some are not peeking and some are looking around others to be able to see....

The sick boys.....Scott's brother Dan and baby James

Scott's sister, Amy

Scott's mom, Grandma Mary

......and Mike (Scott's brother)

Santa brought Fos these trucks.....Loved them until he got the one from Grandma and Grandpa that had "buttons"

Molly got her Doll

Nothing like a good piece of chocolate for breakfast. Hey, it's Christmas!

Wish I came up with these. Every one of my siblings kids got a pillow pet. It was fun how these 4 got one and we didn't even coordinate to not get the same ones. We had them all open them at the same time. They loved them!

And they really work for pillows. Who knew?

You can't tell, but Fos is laying on all his GI Joe men to protect them from Mike.

Fos had to be held back a lot from taking other peoples presents.

David and Mary got me the first part of my new collection of Willow Tree Nativity. I LOVE IT! I've always wanted to start this collection, so thank you SOOO VERY much!

Fos lovin' the "button" tractor front loader. He played with this forever. Thanks grandma and grandpa.

He'll grow into his hat. The boys and their new ski hats.

Scott was so surprised with his new skis. I think he liked them ;-). Mike, David and I made Scott follow a string around the house, outside, under furniture, up the stairs and back down again and into the crawl space to find his treasure. I'm good with surprising gifts for a few years now because this was a HUGE surprise!

Molly and her cute sweater from grandma.

It's waaaayyyy past my bedtime, but I am bound and determined to finish Christmas posts before Valentines Day.

Christmas was in Canada this year. We left Wednesday before Christmas and were able to stay at my mom's in Nampa cutting 5 hours off our drive. Got up the next morning and left for Canada. So glad we had only wet roads the entire way.....no snow to slow us down. It was a bit uncomfortable with my back, but a few pills helped with that :-). The kids did great considering they were confined to a 5 point harness for 10 hours. LOVE DVD players and incentives (i.e, candy). Friday, Christmas Eve, was spent wrapping presents, decorating cookies, preparing Christmas dinner and, of course, acting out the CHRISTmas story.

Fos enjoyed "decorating" cookies. He was in heaven with so many candy options.

This truly is one of Molly's favorite things to do. Thank goodness we have cookie cutters for almost every holiday!

Even the parents got to join in the fun....

Don't be fooled......they aren't always this lovey

Grandma and granddaughters........the baker with her helpers.

This was hilarious........who knew that 6 and under would be playing with cell phones....

The adult table

The kid table. Yes, those are licorice appetizers.

Annie, aka angel Gabriel, telling the shepherds of the birth of Jesus.

The happy Mary with baby Jesus.

Opening Christmas p.j.'s. Foster's reaction only got better with each gift. He was so fun this Christmas......one of the best ages.

Sarah with sick baby James (this kid is so happy, even when he's got a fever and cold)

Uh-Oh.....caught!

Traditional Christmas p.j.'s in front of the Christmas tree picture.