Testing out the snowshoes that Santa brought us

Today we hiked into Eternal Flame Falls. It was a fun and beautiful hike. On a hot summer day it would even be fun to play in the stream and falls on the hike.

Jeremy trying to find the hidden flame

The eternal flame is made up of natural gas that naturally comes out of a place in a rock cliff. The flame is lit and feeds off of natural gas and never goes out.

The kids enjoyed hiking up the river bed.

Jeremy and Rachel at the Waterfall

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

The Elders arrived early for Christmas breakfast. We had a wonderful day playing games, eating, and enjoying the company of the Missionaries. Lillian and I were definitely outnumbered! At times it got a little bit crazy, but we escaped with only one bloody lip. The Elders are such good sports!

Barbie Car

I have kept my Elvis Doll in a box for about 16 years. I didn't open it when I got it because it was a collectors doll and I wanted to keep it nice. It didn't last long, when Lilly discovered it. Lillian is excited that Elvis and Barbie finally got their drivers licenses. They are lucky to be driving in their brand new car.

Snow Shoes!

The kids were excited to get some of their very own snow shoes! We can't wait to test them out in the snow.

Monte Found The Dill!

Santa Clause likes to hide this green dill pickle in our Christmas tree. Tradition has it that whoever finds the green dill pickle gets to open the first present. For the second year in a row, Monte has found the dill. This year the pickle was a little more difficult to find.

Spotting the Dill

In the letter Santa told us that the reindeer enjoyed eating the carrots. Santa reminded us to continue to be good.

Too Early!!!

It seemed as if we had just went to bed, when all of a sudden I heard Jeremy say,"There Up!" It was 4:30 a.m.! I told them to go back into there rooms and see if Santa left them a stocking. That distracted them until about 5:00 a.m. I remember being a kid and knew the suspense was killing them so we headed downstairs. Needless to say Jeremy and I are very tired!

Visions of Sugar Plums

Sweet Dreams, Santa will be here soon!
We love you!!!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE!

I love Christmas Eve. It still is so exciting to me. For about an hour the kids kept getting out of their beds and telling me they think they hear Santa.

Meaning of the Ornaments

Jeremy telling the kids the meaning of our ornaments. The candy cane is also the letter J standing for "Jesus." It also represents the Shepherd's crook for bringing lambs back to the fold. The wreath symbolizes Eternal love, no beginning, no end. Love comes full circle. The candle represents the light of Christ. The tree represents the evergreen of everlasting life, pointing heavenward, and of course the Bethlehem star, a sign of prophecy, the light of the world.

I Believe in Santa Clause

This is a wonderful story that helps us remember the true meaning of Christmas. Thanks Mom we love this story!

A Child Is Born

Another one of our traditions is to read the Christmas Story from the scriptures. This year the Missionaries took turns reading it for us.

The Nativity

One of our family traditions is to watch the Nativity on Christmas Eve. This year a few Elders were able to join us.

I Hope They Call Me On A Mission

It was nice to be able to have some of the Elders over for dinner. They look so young!

One thing Jeremy and I love about the holidays is the cooking. Every Christmas Eve we have a ham. Jeremy made a delicious honey glazed ham. He is very particular when he sets the table.

Christmas Eve

Paper Barn

I realized again today that I am not in Utah. I have driven past this store countless times. It is called the Paper Barn. I was so excited to have a scrapbook store by us!! So today Lillian and I went in to check it out. Well I opened the door and it was a store full of wall paper. I walked out very disappointed!

Winter Wonderland!

We were beginning to wonder when we would get all that snow that everyone has talked about. It started snowing yesterday and is supposed to snow until 3:00 p.m. tomorrow! We actually all got sent home after Sacrament today. Jeremy has shoveled the driveway twice today, as soon as he gets a strip shoveled it is covered again. This morning we had frozen rain. Needless to say our cars are covered with a thin layer of ice and a thick layer of snow!

Exploring

Monte was totally content to walk around pulling his sled. However, he wasn't very content pulling Lillian up the hill. The 18 degree temperature didn't seem to bother the kids. Brrrrrr!!!!

Snow is falling all around....

Monte getting ready to come in after playing in the snow. I love the snow, but absolutely hate what is about to happen. The snowy mess!

Grant and Monte were being crazy rolling down the hill. I don't think that kids can feel the cold!

I love her face, it is as if she afraid to get snow in her face.

Monte thinking about where he wants to build Frosty

So Sweet

Grant Monte and Lillian were so excited to make their house this year. Compared to last years it looks great! Jeremy did a wonderful job making the frosting like glue, so good in fact I am having a hard time getting it off of our kitchen table.

Thumbs Up

We had a great plan this year to build the house as big as the cookie sheet. Unfortunately, that didn't go over to well. We decided this was the perfect size. The kids love decorating these little houses. I had to keep telling the kids not to eat the frosting because it was mainly egg whites and cream of tartar.

Gingerbread Houses

Adding the finishing touches to our Gingerbread house.

Frosties

I found this snowman garland idea on Family Fun's website. I thought oh that looks like fun and very easy. Well it is easy, but I don't know if it was worth it, it took the kids and I forever! However it is now on our Christmas tree and looks pretty cute!

Once There Was A Snowman...

Snowball

Lillian was so funny to watch. She was chasing her brothers and trying to hit them with her snowball.

Pink

Lillian was so excited to see a little snow on the ground.

Taking a Nap

Monte got tired of playing in the snow and decided to have a little nap.

Coloring Jalepeno's

Lillian is busy coloring her blue jalepeno pepper.

December Crafts

Lillian and Monte had fun making some December crafts to put around our home.

Oh Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree

Every year Grant, Monte and Lillian love pulling out their Christmas ornaments and remembering what one they got in what year of their lives. Monte is pointing to the one he got this year it is an Iguana in remembrance of Iggie. I have to say I like Iggie better on the tree.

Thank You!

Thank You for the book, we look forward to reading it! What a fun tradition this is!!

Decorating the Tree

I thought a 2 year old was bad. They actually have rearranged the ornaments on this tree 13 times and it hasn't even been up that long! If you notice the whole middle section of my tree no longer lights up. We have checked the bulbs and everything, and yes it is plugged in. I guess I will keep looking for that one bulb!!

Grant and Lillian

Lillian loves his big brother Grant! It is funny Grant will ask Lillian if he can carry her; as if she were this little baby.

Lillian Eating her Cookie

Belly Busters

Grant loves dad's belly buster cookies.

Sunday Night

As if we didn't have enough sugar in the house from Thanksgiving, we decided to make more! The kids love making cookies with their dad.

Making Cookies with Dad

Jeremy and the kids decided to make some chocolate mint chip cookies. Yummy!