We got to spend the Christmas vacation in Utah. I am only going to write about the good things that happened, the fun we had with family and the outings we went on. There was a lot of adoption drama that occurred while we were there, but that is for another day, when I have a happy ending to tell.
This trip to Utah we got to stay at Stephanie and Glen's house. The kids had such a great time with their family. They were so gracious to give up bedrooms and make us so comfortable. It was lovely to be with family!
The best thing about Utah is Sunday dinner at Papa's house. Everyone gets together and the cousins play and entertain each other, the adults get to talk to each other, and everyone has a good time!
(Left to right - clockwise - Sophia, Kate, McKenzie, Emma, Helena, Lily, Shiloh )
(Nellie, Jake, Blake, Daniel, Gabe, Joshua, Colton, Nate)
Papa and Mimi preparing an amazing dinner!
( Nate, James, Chase, Kayden, Emma )
I am not naming all of these people because many of them are Whitlock relatives and I don't know many of their names... But Papa's house is always this full and always lots of fun!
I didn't do a great job of taking pictures while we were in Utah. I always wish I took more!
Hank and Ann BVK... some of my favorite people ever!
Christmas Eve... Papa reads Twas the Night Before Christmas to all of the Grand kids
(minus Brittany and Cameron)
This is Christmas morning! Sterling and Helena were taking a bit of a nap.
So cute exactly the same pose.
Grandma Robison brought some fun fuzzy art for the kids to do. The girls were in HEAVEN! The boys eventually warmed up to it and loved to do it too! Grandma had lots of fun designs! The girls couldn't get enough of it!
Christmas morning at Stephanie's house!
(Emma, Shelli, and Mom)
I probably shouldn't have but we went to Shelli's house to play games and to SKYPE with Cameron. It was so cool to see him and talk with him. He is doing amazing on his mission! I hope my boys follow his example and go on missions too!
Stephanie's house has a really cool bath tub/swimming pool! The girls were in Heaven! Sophia got a swimming Barbie and her swimming dog for Christmas and they loved making her swim around the pool! Such cute girls!
Playing trains at Shelli's house! The girls knew we had treats!
We went to the Church History Museum. It was fun to show the kids some of the things we have been reading about. At night before bed I have been reading them a church history book and they have had lots of questions. We went with an agenda to find answers to their questions. I think we covered them all! (This picture is the kids in a mock cabin aboard a ship bound for America.)
James having his turn pulling the handcart.
"Anything you can do we can do better!" That is the motto my little ones live by!
This isn't a great picture because if he knows I am taking his picture he gets upset, but I love that he cuddles with her! He is a good brother to his baby sister!
Upstairs in the museum they had a whole section about Mexico. They had a dance video that you could follow and do a Spanish dance. They had cute skirts to wear to do the dances in. The girls loved them. Even Sterling wanted to play! He looks dashing in his skirt!
The girls loved these skirts so much that we took a picture of them to Grandma Packer, who in her amazing sewing talent, was able to reproduce them. She had all the materials she needed in her magic sewing room. We went over to play at her house and with a little help from Sterling, Grandma was able to get the skirts cut out. Grandma made super cute skirts for the girls and they love them!!!
We were clearing the ice off of Papa's driveway. Steve got out the 4 Wheeler to help clear all the ice... oh and to play with! Nellie loved riding on the back! It was a pretty warm day. Most everyone was going to go sledding, but Nellie, Sophia, and Helena were sick so they didn't get to go.
Steve was very brave and let James have a turn driving the 4 Wheeler.
James thought it was pretty great!
Ashley playing with Nellie. Stephanie wore this hat on New Years Eve and Nellie loved it!
We took the kids out to Hollywood Connection. We did lots of things there but the biggest hit was going roller skating. The kids did such a great job of figuring it out (thanks to the lovely pipe walkers with wheels!) Even Helena had it figured out by the time we left. They didn't have skates small enough for Nellie so she didn't skate, but she got to go out on the floor in her stroller, which made her happy!
Sterling figured out it was much safer to help Helena without skates on. Sophia and I had a huge fall because I was trying to hold her up while wearing skates. Sterling had a better idea!
The kids had a great time riding all the rides. Daddy was a great sport to go over and over again!
Helena got her hair cut. Sophia and I did to, but we just got a trim. Helena was so excited for her new hair cut "just like Dora" she said! It is so cute! Thanks Cherie!
The night before we left we went over to Papa's for game night! The girls convinced Steve he could give them a ride! So cute! (Nellie, Helena, Lexi, and Lily)
We had a great time in Utah seeing family and enjoying time with them!
I am so grateful my kids got to spend almost a full month there and catch up with everyone.
I love that Nellie knows everyone's name and can name them when we point to them on our wall.
My family really does mean everything to me!
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