Christmas on the Fly

Plans changed this year for Christmas..My parents were expected up here for Christmas Eve but instead we drove down to them....Dad ended up in the hospital with a very long blood clot..He must have thought that was a better and more relaxing way to spend the holidays...He is doing much better now and is home at last...

This trip was a great excuse to check out the new house my parents just built..In fact they are still in the process of unpacking boxes..Love the house...

Their builders ran out and bought a Christmas tree since you can't have Christmas without it...It is very cute and perfect for our presents...

Santa did come for the kids and he left a letter for Anna-Maria..She was so excited to finally have proof...

Overall it was a great vacation, time spent with the ones we love, and happy endings...Happy New Year.....

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

We braved the 20degree weather to hunt for this year Christmas Tree at our favorite spot..Home Depot....We love going there...they tie the tree to the roof of the car while we stay nice and toasty in the car...Anna-Maria and I are the big fans of decorating the tree while Peter and Alex watch....now it's time to place some presents underneath..

Thanksgiving Escape

We started a tradition about 6 years ago and have only broken it once..Which was a nice change....We head to Vancouver Bc for Thanksgiving..It's a mini vacation for us...We stay in a nice hotel with an indoor pool and enjoy shopping in a city that never closes...This year my sister Kristi and her hubby Yale and their baby monty joined us...We had some awesome Greek food and didn't miss the turkey..

We always stop at the Science World where the kids go wild..They love the different activities..such as virtual hockey and mind games...Do they have any brain waves?

Belgian fries..do I need to say more....

Dressed like a Princess

I love it when Anna-Maria and her Friend Zoe use their imagination....Princesses in the making..

Happy Halloween

We dressed up this year for the Ward Halloween Party..I went as a baby...Alpha and Peter was an old man...Omega....I think the party was a success and the comments I've gotten were positive..Now I can sit back and relax...It was time consuming to get this party together.....The kids are now trick or treated out and sugared up for the upcoming year....

Teeth sinking into my money

Anna-Maria lost another tooth..This one on top..She was so excited to try the "Tie to the door" approach...I guess that's the only way this family pulls teeth out..She is so cute in her new hat that Aunt Kristi made..Thanks...

Salmon Days

Every year now it's tradition for Peter to take the kids to the Issaquah Salmon Days...They look forward to this for weeks...Every year it rains too but not this one...There is a huge parade down the main street and then off to the booths and rides..They always do the pony rides and Peter tried to convince them to try new ones but they chickened out....Love our Salmon....

Love Fall

Everyone should celebrate the first day of Fall..with a swim in the lake in 90degree weather...This has been a very strange summer for us in the Northwest but we aren't complaining..too much....

This is Lauren and Nash..I have watched Nash for two years now and now Lauren,his neighbor, has joined our afternoon posse...So much fun...

First Day of School....

Off they go...They were ready way too early...I walked them to school but they pretended I wasn't with them...I don't think there will be any issues of adjustment..

A Day in Salt Lake

Off we went to Salt Lake to be tourist...Mom wanted photos of the Salt Lake temple and I delivered....We toured the new Conference Center and parts of the Square..

After the temple we headed to the zoo..It was hot so thank goodness they have mist blowing....The kids were able to see all their relatives in one spot....

I've never done a planterium before..it was interesting..Alex of course loved it..We saw a dome IMax movie that made my stomach revolt....

Cascade Springs

Love the drive in the mountains...We went the back way..ie dirt road...to Cascade Springs...beautiful, flowing water..with lots of signs of "do not fish"...The kids were tempted though.....

Midway

This is our resort...love it......
local flair...reminds us of parts of Europe...

Crater....there are a ton here...We didn't know what they were for till we looked it up...The hot water in the ground pushed up and formed these craters...The kids love looking in each...

One can scuba dive in this one...the water is warm...

Family Ties

Logan Temple...

Peter's ancestors from his mother's father's side are from Logan,UT....On our way down to Midway we stopped at the local family restaurant for some fantastic shakes and then off to see the old homestead....Peter's mom was born in this house...Her great grandfather built this house..beautiful.....We snapped a photo while no one was home...fast......