Powder sledding

Today Kurt, Thomas,Felix, Natalie, Bella (Natalie's friend), Dima, and I went powder sledding on Old Main hill. It was fun.

As a side note to the previous pictures of Natalie and Parker hugging under the Christmas tree, the tree is actually the same tree. We bought it just before the first picture in Okinawa (not many real spruces in the East China Sea). It still works even though we bought a real one this year for the front room.

Natalie still gives better hugs than Parker.

Who needs toys?

Why is Dad putting together that childs toy when there is this perfectly good drill right here to play with?

Or this paper? It tastes great. I can't figure out why they keep pulling it out of my mouth.

This pen is also a great toy - and I didn't even need to unwrap it.

Sisters are even better than toys (or drills, or paper or pens). Merry Christmas!

Christmas in Hyde Park

We had a nice Christmas here. There was snow, a little rain, and a blizzard tonight. We started out opening presents. After a couple minutes Parker had to run to the the bathroom and threw up. He has not been feeling good all day since. We have a great time with Kurt, Betsy, Thomas, Grandpa, and Grandma when they cam for dinner. One thing that Kurt learned well from Granny is how to cook palachinta.

Band Concert

Isaac was in his first band concert last week. He was great!! He also was chosen to lead the Pledge of Allegence in his school assembly with Thurl Bailey. Sorry I could get the picture to load. We are still on dial-up. It is not very picture friendly. Imagine.

Fun Designs

Here are the four completed quilted wall hangings made for Humanitarian Services. They are such fun designs. We will have to do it again some time.

Christmas clothes II

Here is a photo of our Christmas clothes. The girls found a gift on the breakfast table this morning that they could open early. In it was a red Christmas dress for everyone. Oh, the joys of having all girls. How long will they let me dress them in matching dresses?

Christmas clothes

Not least among the Christmas traditions is the "Christmas outfit". For us, this has been provided faithfully every year by Molly's grandma Phyllis. A few days ago, the package arrived and we let each of the kids open up their package from "Noni". When they tore off the wrapping paper and saw the sweaters, you might think that they would be disappointed. Not these kids! "A Sweater!!" yelled Quinn. "I love a sweater." "Can I wear it now, ma?" This morning, the first thing out of his mouth (when he remembered it was Sunday) was "Ma, I get to wear my sweater!!". Who knows how they would react if we gave them socks...or new underwear.

Humanitarian Wall Hanging I

Here is the first of three wall hangings the grandchildren help make for donation to Humanitarian Services for use in orphanages.

North Idaho Christmas

You've got to love North Idaho. We were deciding between buying a $5 Forest Service permit to cut down our own Christmas tree in the mountains, or spending $35 for an already cut and less Charley Brown looking tree at the local nursery. That's when we stopped by the church for tithing settlement. When we mentioned that we were headed out to get our tree after meeting with the Bishop, he suggested we stop by the Davis's (Paige's former primary teacher). They grow Christmas trees along the side of their lakeside field. We stopped by, paid $10, hiked a whole 100 yards, cut down a fresh tree and took it a few miles home. Only in North Idaho!

I thought you might all enjoy seeing our 'Granny Tree'. This year I pulled out Granny's ornaments for the first time. It was so fun opening the boxes, going through each ornament and thinking about all of the great memories I have from Christmas time in Granny's house. It made me want to make Kolach and wrap gifts like a professional.

Sugar High

Thanksgiving from my perspective

Here are some pictures from the princess party at our house. The girls had fun. But I also had to participate.

It's great to get a glimpse of Thanksgiving back in Utah. I was thinking of everyone on Thanksgiving afternoon and wishing we could be there to walk down the road, snack on leftovers and pick up some sort of improvised instrument and sing along. We had a good time with our good friends the Gassins (went to medical school with Ryan) and one of their friends (whose husband is an anesthesiologist and on call on Thanksgiving). Despite the intimidating responsibility of cooking all the food ourselves, things turned out great. It makes all those years of enormous family Thanksgiving dinners very impressive in retrospect. Bravo Mom! Here are a few picture of our little Thanksgiving party.

Ryan and I put on not-so-tough faces to show the pie and the creme brule who's boss.

We all sit down to feast.

Needless to say, we're very thankful to have good friends, a happy and healthy family and good family who seem close even when we're far away.

Withdrawal

Our girls had such a wonderful time with their cousins over Thanksgiving. They will especially miss Tia, Natalie and Sadie. Here is a photo of them at the the Nutcracker. Our last night in Nibley Paige couldn't get to sleep. She was in tears because 'I miss Natalie' and because 'I won't see Natalie again'. I'm thankful my girls are close enough to their cousins that they go into withdrawals when they are away from them.