Jolly Holiday

"Ain't it a glorious day? Right as a morin' in May?"

(Well it almost is May, but the days couldn't be nicer here in Provo, Utah!)

I guess back when the "days were gray and ordinary" we let this blog slip. But believe it or not we did celebrate the "holidays" and they were "jolly!"

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving we drove down to my mom's house. My mom had just moved into a new house that was really big and nice. (Plus there was a basketball hoop arcade game in the basement that all three of my boys loved!)

While we were there, besides cooking and eating :), we taught my mom how to be obsessed with 7 Wonders, our new favorite board game. Also Joseph filmed the kids (Joseph (my brother), Katie, Melissa and David, a college student living with my mom for a few weeks) and help them make a movie.

Our Thanksgiving Table (I sat next to the cheese puffs and ate plenty of them)

My sister, Katie

My sister, Melissa

Gordon, getting caught being naughty

Christmas

Love the matching PJs my brother-in-law, Lyal, made for the WHOLE family :)

For Christmas in 2011 we traveled to my Dad's house in California. The next day after we got there my sister, Rachael, and her family arrived. We had a lot of fun. This time we tried to not schedule so many things and make it a more of a hang-around-and-do-whatever kind of trip.

Christmas Eve Eve: Our 2nd Annual Polar Express party! For our Polar Express party we start off by reading the book and then the kids make snowmen treats to eat while we watch the movie. It is growing to be a great tradition.

Me and Davey showing off our snowman treat

Jared and Jeremy (my two little brothers) and their snowmen

The boys getting read to watch the movie

On Christmas Eve we ordered Thai food for dinner. It is a new tradition that Susan, my step-mom and my sister, Rachael, are starting. Joseph and I have never had Thai food before, so that was fun! (and yummy, of course). After, all the kids painted cookies for Santa. Then we walked around outside throwing "reindeer chow" for the reindeer, of course. We ended with a nativity acted out by all the kids. Perfect Christmas Eve Fun!

Jarom
Jeremy

Jordyn

Jacob (he just turned 12, can you tell?)

Gordon

Davey

Christmas Day started off bright and early. We did stockings and presents. I think that we made good time considering all the people there. Next we went to church. Afterwards my brother, Michael, came over for games and a nice Christmas dinner. I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful family to spend time with. Also we all got such amazing gifts. It was such a wonderful day! :)

Waiting to go downstairs

Playing with toys in their stocking

Showing off Gordon's new soccer ball blanket and pillow. (Davey got a set, too, made by their Grandma Chase.)

On the day after Christmas we went for a morning hike as a family. We all had a good time, but learned that Davey needs some walking practice. :) After that we all got ready to take some family pictures. I was really excited because we've never gotten family pictures with everyone on my Dad's side of the family. Also, it had been awhile since my little family had gotten nice pictures taken. Due to technical difficulties I haven't gotten my digital copies of the pictures, but here is one that Susan posted on facebook of the whole family.

January, February, March

Yep! ONE picture in three months. Aren't we awesome?

This winter has been really mild and we had plenty of days were the boys could go play outside without getting bundled up.

On March 1st Davey was in diapers 100% of the time. On March 31st Davey was in underwear 100% of the time. We are so excited to have Davey potty trained.

Gordon has officially taken over the Curious George obsession in the house. Davey has moved on to Finn McMissile (from Cars 2).

Joseph and I have been busy with school and work. We are looking forward to the summer. :)