Christmas Lights at Temple Square

Ryan's family has a tradition of riding Trax and going to see the lights at Temple Square every year before Christmas. This year we went on December 23rd. We met at Applebees in Sandy for dinner and then rode the train to Salt Lake. The kids love that part. I put the baby in the snuggli because I remembered that Temple Square is super crowded and managing the stroller is always a challenge. I also hoped it would keep both of us a little warmer.

The nativity

Aunt Joy and Kalvin

There were a lot of people in our group this year.

It was cold and late but Evelyn did great. She didn't complain at all and loved looking at all the lights. She was still wide awake when we got home at 10:30 pm. I forsaw a long nap in her future.

Two Places At Once

The last few days before Christmas break are full of class parties, teacher's gifts, crafts and extra things. One of those extra things turned out to be a presentation on Russian culture for the sixth graders. Fortunately, Ryan had just finished scanning in all of my pictures from my time in Russia and I was able to put together a really cool slideshow. The problem came when I realized the presentation was going to be at the same time as Eden's Polar Express Parade. So I called in backup. Ryan's mom came to watch Austin and the baby. And Ryan came to help me set up my laptop and then headed over to Eden's parade. It went something like this..

My presentation

Then Ryan running to catch Eden's Polar Express Parade (we spent the better part of Sunday afternoon working on her train car)

Then Ryan coming back and taking pictures of my presentation. They actually had the music from the parade playing on the sound system throughout the whole school. I tried to wait until the song was over to continue the slideshow but it was a long song so I finally just talked over it.

 After the parade Ryan snuck into the gym to get a picture of Eden before the movie started.

Just as I was walking out of the Little Theater we noticed Eden's class lined up outside the doors to the gym and were able to snag this last picture. It was hectic but I was so glad I got to see her all cute in her pj's.

That was one crazy morning but it all worked out great.

Birthday Party Part 2

It was Dallin's year for a friend birthday party so Saturday December 17th he went to Lowe's Extreme Air Sports with a bunch of buddies. They did an hour and a half session on the trampolines and then came back to our house for pizza and cake.

(Cameron may kill me one day but I just have to point out how nice she looks. She had been wearing sweats all day but just before the boys got back she ran upstairs to change. She's even wearing a necklace. I never said anything to her but I did notice.)

Dallin is a Teenager!

Dallin's birthday started early Friday December 16th. We had him open his presents just after a yummy pancake breakfast. There was a sneaky reason for this.

See if you can guess what we had planned for Dallin that day...

Ryan took the day off work and we checked Dallin out of school. Then they headed up to Sundance to go snowboarding with Dallin's new gear. They tried the bunny hill for a while but decided it wasn't steep enough for snowboarding. Then Ryan remembered that a buddy at work had invited him to a free day of skiing at Sundance that day. He went up to the ticket counter and asked if they had a Novell special that day. The lady said No. He thought for a second and then said, "how about The Chamber of Commerce?" She said Yep and handed him two lift tickets for the day! The boys spent the rest of the day riding the lifts and skiing (Ryan) or boarding (Dallin). Ryan said Dallin did really well for his second time being on a board. Dallin was happier that night than I've ever seen him. Just wait till he gets his Christmas present!

Getting Ready For Bed

Sometimes, as I'm updating my blog, I come across little surprises like this. Eden loves taking pictures with her camera. She took this picture while they were getting ready for bed on December 15th.

I imagine Ryan took this next picture. He usually tucks the kids in. He gives Evelyn her bottle and puts her to bed first. Then he snuggles with the girls and kisses them goodnight.

Cameron reads as she patiently waits for Ryan to tuck her in.  Eden's supposed to be reading too but I guess tonight she was busy snuggling.

Cameron's Orchestra Christmas Concert

Cameron has been learning to play the Viola this year as part of a combined school sixth grade orchestra. She goes to another elementary school three mornings a week for practice. The mom's worked out a carpool so I drive all the girls there at 7:10 am on wednesday and friday and other moms picks up the girls and takes them all to their school in time for school to start at 8:30 am. It has made for some crazy mornings but Cameron really enjoys it.

On December 14th she performed for the 5th and 6th grades of both schools. Our school walked to their school at 9 am and then walked back after the performance. Cameron got to play a song with her friend Emily on the violin and another girl on the cello. 

That night the orchestra performed again for all the parents. I'm really impressed with how much the students have learned in just a couple of months.

After the performance the conductor had the students play an encore and invited the parents to come up and take pictures. Cameron is so cute.

Christmas Sing Along

We had the annual Christmas sing along at Jacque's house this year. It was nice and cozy and lots of fun. This picture is kind of a Where's Waldo. See if you can find all the Smith kids.