Christmas in Utah

Cory decided to force me to go home for Christmas... and oh, what fun we had!

We drove halfway on the 23rd and stopped for lunch with our Northern Crew.

 We met sweet, Piper Ann in person!

 Traveling is rough.

American Girl Dolls brought joy to all, but the stars of the show... the girls' first electronic devices.

 Their very own Samsung Galaxy Tablets.

 Fischer's "Tablet" or otherwise known as the Leapster.

 Their first time seeing their first cousin on the Christiansen side.

 We got a little SNOW!!

 Fischer loves it so much. I feel like he enjoys the freedom of destroying and not getting in trouble.

 Snow angels and many snowball fights.

 We had a fun Minute-to-Win-it Night with my cousin, his family and a few friends.

Lots of fun and laughs!

 Of course wrestling always ensues,

 And Gwaming.

 Tessa is such a little Mother, and an all-around helper.

 The Macy's Candy Windows and Temple Square are a must. 

It was clear and frigid, but beautiful all the same.

 We made our Traditional REAL Gingerbread Houses. 

There's always a competition.

It's all in the details.

And the highlight of the trip...

Leading up to Christmas

Holiday's at the Capitol.

The school choir, the Sumpter Singrays, sang in the rotunda of the Oregon State Capitol. Emory is front and center. 

(Who knew she had little vermin crawling all over in her hair, at that time!!)

Winter Ballet Preview

These are some dedicated ballerinas!

Fischer takes playing at OMSI seriously. Soaked from head to toe!

 Tessa finally lost her first tooth. That thing had a root to the center of the earth!

 Someone else needed some de-snaggle-fication.

  

 Christmas class party making gingerbread houses.

Thanksgiving

Grandma Hulse flew in the day we drove home from Seattle so we picked her up and headed home.

It was a nice relaxing holiday. We ate at the Larsons with the Tanners and it was super yummy!

The view of a child during Thanksgiving Prep.

 Afraid of a tiny frog.

 The Spread.

 Right before the Thanksgiving break, Emory and the 4th grade got to go to the Food Bank and sort their school's donations for the month of November. Very humbling experience.