Annual SLC Lights Trip

We did our annual trip to SLC to see the lights. We planned on getting down there early and beating the rush. It didn't happen. :) Well we were down there early, but our events just took longer than expected and we ended up eating during rush hour. However, walking around to see the lights was not too crazy, so I'm grateful for that. RB bought an early Christmas present for MJ, Lil and I. We got to go to Newsies! It was fantastic! I even drove there, found parking, and drove back without getting lost! Well, I couldn't find the parking for a minute but we got it figured out. hehe. We LOVED the show. While we were doing that, RB had the three youngest and they went to the Joseph Smith History Museum. They also went to an hour long play, and the kids LOVED playing and exploring all the things that they had there. By the time they went over to the play area in the food court, we were just leaving Newsies, and they only had to wait for about 15 min. til we arrived. It was good planning, for not planning it. After dinner, we walked around to see the lights. We would have done the #LightTheWorld donation vending machines but the line was barely moving and it was forever long. We will do it the next time we are down there. It was a great day, we got some shopping done, good laughs, and the weather was not TOO cold. I love my family! 

Christmas Time

I love the Christmas Season! So much fun and exciting things to do. The district had their annual art fair. So glad they put it in Dec. because we definitely don't have enough to do already in this month. Anyways, Buddy was the only one who's art was picked my his teacher. Granted, she had the kids do group projects so everyone got to go. The one on the top that he is pointing too was done by him and two other people. I liked how his teacher bucked the system and I'm thinking about doing the same thing next year. Ms M's wasn't shown that night, but I got a pic of her with it when she brought it home. 

Snapchating with my niece is so fun. She is so beautiful!

MJ did her first concert with the guitar. I'm so proud of her! She was nervous, but did a FABULOUS JOB! Her teacher, and our friend, Janet played with her. This movie doesn't show it but at the end she starts laughing a little because the microphone starts sliding down and almost hits her guitar. She just kept on playing though and it was beautiful. I'm so glad she did it! 

Random pictures. 

We love the city lights! We've gone twice already as a family, and I can't wait to go back. Ms M wants to stay through the whole rotation of songs one of these days. I have no idea how long that will take so we will have to block out a chunk of time, but I'm excited. 

More tree pictures. 

Tree Hunting

We had our annual tree hunt again this year. The only difference is we went after Thanksgiving instead of before. The Aggies had a big football game that we went too instead the week before. This year, everybody was able to come, and everybody cut a tree (except mom). We did have our Griswold moments this year too. First, tree hunting with five kids is kind of crazy. RB and I found ourselves watching out for the kids more than we were looking for a tree. Making sure Ms M wasn't wondering off, or the Em-A-Nator was staying in the sled. We got to the point where we had found maybe two trees and we had been out for awhile. So we took the kids back to camp and set out again with some adult reinforcements to help us locate a good tree. Those reinforcements did a great job! We found a tree that I love. The branches are not extending into our whole living room and the fit is perfect. I know RB likes a bigger/fuller tree but he's good to go with what I like too. One downer side was we lost moms pocket saw. It was in the sled, the sled tipped over, and the saw was gone. We searched and searched the area it had to be in. But to no avail, no saw. So we got a different one when we got back to camp and left the kids. We will get a new one for mom! The other down side was a brother was missing for about 2 hours. We all got back to camp with our trees, eating and have a merry time. The boys went out on a search party to find him. RB came back and we decided if the other two did too then we would have to go down the canyon and call for help. Luckily, it didn't come to that. They found him pulling a cut tree behind him. He had just gone further than we usually do. Whew, no lost brother-in-law. The kids had a great time tromping around the forest, sledding, and eating by the fire. It was a perfect day! Til next year tree hunt! 

Oh, sledding. How we love you every year. You're always good for a laugh!