Holidays in a nutshell

Ever since Thanksgiving, my life seems like a tornado. Not a whirlwind people, a tornado!! Here are some of the activities we have done as a family over the past month or so.

Abigail's first official ponytails (official = code word for left them in.)

This picture might not look like much but see the Zion's Bank logo? The prophet was sitting in the booth just above that. This was at one of the Jazz games. Matt and I were able to go with my parents to watch the game in the NuSkin suite. Pretty sweet eh? We had a good time.


Ashley's dance recital. She was SO fun to watch this year! I'm excited for her spring recital.


Ashley made this card for her Kindergarten teacher this year. She made it ALL by herself. Even down to Rudolph's nose. Very cute. However, I did cut out the flower for a Primary sharing time a did a couple of years ago... My cutting skills are impeccable, I know.

The annual making of the gingerbread houses. The kids had fun slathering their graham crackers with as much candy as the eye could see.

Our ward Christmas party. Katie was beside herself excited when Santa came through the door. It was like the scene in "Polar Express" when the main character boy (What's his name?!) couldn't see Santa in the town square. She was completely thrilled to see and talk to him.

Random cute pic.

These are all from Christmas morning. Jacob woke up at 5:30 and woke up Ash and Katie. They all came upstairs and amidst the excitement of finding Santa toys, I told them to go back to bed because we couldn't open presents until Abbie was awake. Mean, I know.... Anywhoo, Ashley and Katie were able to go back to sleep but Jacob was just too darn excited. He stayed up and watched Bear Grylls and Jake the American Dragon until it was time to open presents.



Jacob and Ashley now have matching mouths. Grandpa Nelson came over with his famous teeth-puller pliers and pulled their loose teeth. We could not get Ashley to smile so we could see her tooth-less smile. Her picture was really the best we could get!

Matt took Jacob snowboarding with his new snowboard the week after Christmas. They had a ball and stayed right up until it closed. The lower picture is to show the downside of learning to snowboard......falling down in powder! AAAAAAHHHHHH!!! That is enough to tucker out a little boy.

The result of the day? See for yourself!

This is how the kids spent the nights during school break. They had a ball doing sleepovers. I love that my kids enjoy each other, for the most part.

We spent the morning on Saturday building this next beaut. And no, I'm not talking about my un-showered self. I'm talking about the man standing behind us! (Silly people...) The 3 older kids helped roll the balls around the yard and Matt and I stacked. It was a fun time had by all. Our wonderful neighbor, Brother Parker, came over at the best time possible and was able to capture a family photo.


Here was Abbie's entertainment.



The whole time we were outside, Katie was waiting ever patiently to be buried in the snow. So here is the final outcome of her play outside.

So there you have it. Holidays in a nutshell, or so goes the title! There were other things sprinkled in there of course but you get the gist. We really did have a fun time as a family during the holidays. I am so thankful that I have a wonderful husband and 4 beautiful children. I couldn't ask for anything more. Happy New Year everyone!!!