SNOW!!

Let's be honest, we had all been hoping for some snow on Christmas Day, but mother nature didn't come through.  The day after Christmas was a completely different story.  It snowed all day the day after Christmas and the next day as well.  The boys were in heaven helping shovel snow, having snowball fights and playing in it.  After two full days of snow it then turned bitterly cold.  We did not have a day over 30 degrees for two weeks, and much of the time the highs were only in the teens.  FRIGID!!  Lucky for us we didn't have too many places to go, so we got to say inside by the fire and look at the beautiful snow all around us. 

Finally....Christmas!

The boys woke up Christmas morning and were so excited to see their stockings and open their presents.  Luckily they slept until about 7:30, so we were able to "sleep in" just a little.  The boys played with all the fun things in their stockings and we had cinnamon rolls for breakfast, and then started on the presents.  I, of course, had the flu but tried to act like everything was just fine so we could enjoy opening presents together.  I made it through the vast majority of the presents and was able to take some pictures before retreating to the couch. 

Luckily I had forced myself to make a Christmas Eve dinner of ham, funeral potatoes and all the fixings the night before, so Ryon and the boys just had leftovers on Christmas day.  I was so happy that I didn't have to cook.  I don't think there's anything worse than mom being sick on Christmas Day!

 

Christmas Boys

The Sunday before Christmas I was able to get a few quick shots of the boys before we had to head out the door for church.  I was singing in the choir for Sacrament meeting, had to teach a primary lesson, and Bigler's had left that morning after breakfast, so it was a little bit of a crazy day! 

After Sacrament meeting I told Ryon that I wasn't feeling very well, and by the end of  church I had the chills, a fever, and was miserable.  I came down with the worst flu that lasted.....wait for it....two weeks.  My worst day, by far, was Christmas day with a 103 fever, aches and pains, etc.  Our poor neighbor had to come over and help Ryon give me a blessing.  Not exactly what you hope Christmas Day is like, but at least I made it through most of the presents before I had to lay on the couch.  Definitely a Christmas I will remember!!

Santa!

Our ward had a Christmas breakfast this year the Saturday morning before Christmas.  We were lucky enough to have Bigler's here visiting for a few days so they got to go with us.  The bishopric cooked and served all sorts of yummy pancakes (I had pumpkin with cinnamon chips) bacon, eggs, hash browns, etc.  Even though the breakfast was great, the highlight had to be Santa.  I wish I had a picture of when Hoyt walked in and saw him....priceless!

We were at the breakfast pretty early so Hoyt got to spend about 5 minutes on Santa's lap.  They talked, laughed, told each other stories, it was great.  Hoyt could hardly believe that he got to spend that much time talking to Santa!  Jett, on the other hand, didn't want to spend too much time with Santa but at least he didn't cry.  He did say, "Santa, Santa...Ho, Ho, Ho!"  (Pretty cute - I'm not sure what I'll do when I don't have little ones at Christmas)

Annual Christmas Light FHE

Every year we try to take the boys out for Family Home Evening to look at Christmas lights.  This year we went to a rural neighborhood in Twin that is famous for its Christmas lights.  The boys loved it so much we drove down twice, just so they could make sure and see every scene!  We know a family on the road, and they say that the lights start going up in early October so they can be ready to "light the street" the day after Thanksgiving.  Hoyt especially loved the Nativities and asked me to take a picture of each one!

After our light seeing adventure we had to stop by McDonald's for ice cream.  The boys thought it was a pretty great night!

Fun in the Kitchen

Both boys love to help in the kitchen, but Hoyt is at an age where helping in the kitchen is usually not too much of a hindrance!  For his preschool Christmas party this year we decided to make chocolate dipped pretzels with all sorts of fun sprinkles on top.  Hoyt loved helping!  In fact, the pretzels were so fun and easy to make that we decided to make lots more to take as home teaching and visiting teaching gifts.  This holiday season we are certainly having lots of fun in the kitchen!!

Birthday Present

For his birthday present this year, Ryon asked if his dad would come over and spend a few days helping him put up a round pen behind the barn and tackle a few other projects around the house.  Ron was kind enough to bring Landon along, so the big guys were able to get some work done, while the little guys played. 

The day they put up the panels behind the barn was pretty chilly, so I only made it out once to snap some pictures before I retreated to the house with Jett.  We enjoyed staying warm inside!!

Just One?

The boys ask at least 10 times per day if they can open just ONE present under the tree.....it's going to be a long two weeks until Christmas!!

Dad's Birthday!

Ryon's birthday usually begins with his favorite breakfast, and this year it was no different.  The boys and I (OK...just me, the boys watched cartoons!) got up and made waffles with fruit and cream, bacon, eggs and hash browns before Ryon made it down the stairs.  After a big breakfast we let Ryon open a few gifts - some new shirts and a wool coat I thought  he would like; however, he informed me that the wool made his neck itch so it looks like that present is going to be returned!

Later that night we celebrated with a little cake that the boys couldn't wait to dig into.  A few nights later we went out for a birthday dinner with some friends at the restaurant of Ryon's choice - SIZZLER!  He likes to joke that it's the only time each year that I'll go to Sizzler and he just may be right.  Happy 38th to our favorite guy!