Christmas Tent

We got an awesome pop up tent for Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa Catmull. Our kids have been loving camping lately and couldn't wait to test out the new tent when we got home. I think Shawn was probably the most excited though.

Projects

The kids love doing projects and creating. Lately, a few of our favorites have been bath paint, slime, and the sensory bin. At least they are easy to please and it keeps them playing happy together.

Driving Home

We had a pretty uneventful trip home. Our car was a lot more packed with all the awesome Christmas presents we got. Iva ate lots of raw hot dogs, Henry slept, and Charlie watched Iva play with his car track. We were going to drive the whole way home, but with Henry being sick we decided to stop in Vegas. Before our stop in Vegas, we stopped in Parowan, UT to have dinner with the Iversons, who happened to be heading home from CA at the same time. It was fun to see them and nice to stretch our legs for a bit. Note to self: don't stop at Parowan Cafe if you are in a hurry.

Christmas Eve/ Christmas Day

Christmas Eve/ Christmas Day is all a bit of a blur to me. (I should have blogged earlier.) The kids were sick and not themselves. I was feeling really sick and very pregnant. But I did manage to take some pictures. We had a great Christmas spent with the Catmulls and at Great Grandma's. Iva and Charlie can hardly wait for next Christmas and ask me on a regular basis to name the holidays between now and Christmas.

Date Night

Shawn and I were super lucky that Grandma and Grandpa agreed to watch our kids overnight so Shawn and I could have a little date night and spend the night in a hotel (my Christmas present- I love hotels.) Thank you!

Shawn and I went to my favorite Chinese restaurant in Idaho Falls. It is right across the street from the furniture store. I used to "secretly" run over there when Shawn was working late at Verizon when we lived in the store. It was just as good as I remembered. Then we headed to the hotel which happened to be next door to Denny's. So we went to Denny's and got take out dessert and cuddled up watching TV in bed. I don't know the last time Shawn and I have been alone.

We got home in time to watch Iva and Charlie paint. They were in good hands while we were gone. We definitely got the better end of the deal because poor Henry was sick and did not sleep well which meant no one slept.

Snow Day

Iva was so so excited to go to Idaho for Christmas so she could play in the snow and go sledding. We were slightly worried that there would be no snow, but Idaho Falls did not disappoint and she got to play in the snow. Poor Arizona child didn't have the best gear, but that didn't stop her. She would have stayed outside all day if we let her. She really loved having her cousins, the Garlicks, come over to sled. She sure is one lucky girl to have such an amazing dad who would sled with her. He definitely wins dad of the year award.

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Road Trip

For Christmas we planned to go to Idaho Falls and spend it with the Catmulls. Being 36 weeks, we weren't sure if I was going to be able to make the trip. I had a doctor's appointment a couple days before and was given the green light. We had an uneventful trip to Idaho Falls. The roads were clear until we took the exit to Shawn's house. There wasn't much sleeping, but there wasn't any tears or fighting either so we can't complain. We took a little pit stop and saw Meg at Cafe Rio. We had debated spending the night there, but decided to just go the whole way in one day.

 

Winter Dance Recital

Iva has continued her dance lessons and is coming right along. I can't believe how much she has improved, both physically and socially. She still may not smile and is so serious, but she did all the moves and knew what she was doing. We could not be more proud of her.

The dance recital was held in her teacher's backyard. Only in Arizona is the winter dance recital held in the evening outside. 

McDonalds

We love our lunch trips to McDonalds and the playplace. Although this time, I was glad to have Shawn there when Henry got stuck at the top and couldn't make his way down. Shawn to the rescue!

Ward Christmas Party

We had a great ward Christmas party. Dinner was delicious. (And I got to test out the instant pot and make mashed potatoes.) Our table won second in the trivia game and got lots of chocolate. The kids had fun doing Christmas crafts waiting to meet Santa. And then we met Santa. Henry still was not a fan.

We stopped for a quick photo on the way out the door.