16 Days of Christmas

Living away from family during the Holidays is hard for us... way more for me than for Mike.  Last Christmas seemed stressful and somewhat chaotic.  We ended up coming home with a car load of gifts that forced me to fly home with two kids, just from the lack of room, while Mike drove the 600 miles to Spokane alone.  So we decided that the next year would be spent in our own home with visits to family for the New Year.  Then... I'm not sure what happened.  Mike mentioned at the beginning of December of returning to UT for Christmas.   (I found out he had alterior motives... which I'll explain in a later post.)  But, those few words were all it took for me to refuse any other option.  

We started our drive to UT... and it was a miracle we made it out of Spokane.  We were hit with a 30 hour snow storm which covered everything in 28 inches of new snowy powder.  So we stayed halfway in Dillon for the night.  Oh, and why is it that hotels are always more exciting for kids...

When we first arrived, Grandpa Hyer had reconstructed his old electric train set... just for Aidan.  Later we came to find out how much work had actually taken place in order to have this ready by the time we arrived.  I think my dad may have even lost sleep over this... but only due to pure excitement.  

We also spent time before Christmas... fourwheeling, sledding, building snow forts, and snowmobiling.  However, all our snow wear was borrowed, EXCEPT for Mike's beanie. 

We had a great Christmas.  There was lots of family, food, music, and gifts.  Some fun memories:  Aidan loves, loves, loves "Imagination Movers."  His favorite Mover, Scott, wears red Woggle Goggles.  They let him see all sorts of neat things, and even light up.  We found some online... but of course, no lights.  Aidan put them on Christmas morning AND, was he excited?  Well, he just took them off and said, "These are just fake ones, Mom."   And seriously, it was probably the gift I was most excited to give him.  But he was grateful and excited about everything.  Jack... ate dry fruit loops all morning.    

The New Year was spent with the Sampson family.  His brother and sisters came with their families for good food and lots of games.  Mike's Mom, despite her recent surgery, ventured out with me and kids for a visit to the Book Table.  For any of you not familiar with this store in Logan, it is the absolutely best place to buy any Melissa & Doug toys.  

We had such a wonderful Christmas.  We always feel so welcome at home... we hope to see you soon.

This is how you put on your coat

This is the easiest way Aidan could figure to put on his coat.  We've worked on in - but it always seems like we're in a hurry to leave and I end up putting it on for him.  So after preschool, he showed me how he taught himself.

                   

                       Smart kid, huh?