Christmas With Papa

We spent this Christmas at home in Provo this year, so my Dad decided to fly out and join in on the festivities! The day he got here Provo got hit with a huge snow storm, so what did we do? We busted out our snow pants and sled and hit the hills for some fun in the snow! Also, I love Link in his little snow outfits. He seems to be having a good time, no?

He does love being pulled in the sled though!

We hiked to the top of the hill, and Reid was my brave little boy and went down all by himself!

I took Link down, (and Reid kindly gave us a push!) and he LOVED it until we plowed through like a foot of snow and Link got totally buried-I had to dig him out! That's when he didn't love it quite as much.

Poor Papa had to hike up and sled down with Reid multiple times. We all got a great work out!

Linkers had much more fun diving in the snow and rubbing his face in it (he also does this with sand).

We also all went to one of our favorite winter hang outs; the Lehi indoor pool! I'm so lucky that I have two little boys who love to swim!

Reid coming down the slide

Even though we have lived in Utah for over three years we have never gone to Temple Square to see the lights, and I have always wanted to go, so we packed up the fam. and headed up to SLC. What I didn't know was that it would be unbelievably crowded and super cold. At least I can say I have been!

We had dinner at a local restaurant, and Nate had to get documentation of just how much damage two little boys and one grandpa can do...

On Christmas Eve we made some cookies for Santa, although I think the kiddos ate more cookies than Santa did...

The finished product! With a cup of milk and a carrot for the reindeer, of course!

Although Link doesn't look super excited, I got the boys matching Christmas jammies for Christmas eve. I'm pretty sure this will become a tradition at our house!

Then Papa read The Night Before Christmas, and Daddy read Luke:2. These might also become traditions at our house. Can you tell I am loving having the Holidays at home? I love having family traditions!


On Christmas morning Reid was super excited when he discovered a train table awaiting him downstairs, and Link was just excited to get candy canes for breakfast.

Reindeer antlers were not as much of a hit as I was hoping...

Both boys got waaay too spoiled this year, and Nate and I decided that we need to be better Christmas budgeters (is that a word?) next year...

Enjoying the Thomas train table! A dream come true for two little boys!

And this is how I felt by the end of the Holidays. I made lots of meals and desserts, decorated, wrapped presents, shopped, (all things that I do not love by the way...) but I love my family and I love doing things for them!

When we dropped Papa off at the airport Reid was VERY sad. He cried the whole way home, and begged to go back to Washington with him. We'll have to make a trip home soon!