New Years Eve!

We had a really fun time on New Years Eve. After we went Geocaching, we went back home for lunch, then Jess and I went to the store to get stuff to make dips, cookies, and all kinds of treats for our little "New Year's Eve" party. It was just going to be our two little families, but I think we made enough food for our families, our extended families and half the neighborhood. When we got back (and while we were mixing and cooking) our hubbys and kiddos decided to get in the hot tub in the back yard. Hayden and Syd were asleep, and we decided to just let them keep sleeping, but everyone else hopped in. They had a great time... and they even dared eachother to get in the pool for a quick "polar bear" dip. Daytime temps were really warm, but evening temps are quite a bit cooler... definitely not swimming temperatures. The water was pretty cold, but all who dared to jump in got bragging rights. The only one who didn't get in was Eryn, and that's because she had to keep her cast dry, so she just sat in the hot tub.. (She was the smart one in my opinion). After they came in and dried off, the kids got in their jammies, and played video games for a little while. We ate all the yummy party foods that we made (well, actually we barely made a dent in it all) and Jared and Math enjoyed their shrimp platter. Then at midnight, the kids went outside and banged pots and pans to ring in the New Year. They thought that was GREAT! We came back inside and made S'mores! Jared and Math cooked marshmallows over candles for us. They were YUMMY! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hanging out playing video games!

Banging pots and pans

Time for S'mores!

Treasure Hunt

Have you ever heard of Geocaching? I had NEVER heard of it, but my sister thought it sounded like a fun adventure. Here's what it is... someone (literally any random person) hides a "treasure" (usually a small box with something hidden inside) and then using the coordinates (found on the Geocaching web site) anyone can use their GPS device to find it! Once you find the treasure, you get to keep what's inside... however, you must replace it. So early in the day on New Year's Eve, we got on the Geocache website and found that there were several "Caches" hidden not far from Jess and Math's home! We printed out the coordinates (along with a little encrypted clue to help us find it). Then we ran to the dollar store to pick up some little items that we'd replace the treasure we found with. The kids were SO excited. We followed the GPS directions to a little parking lot, where we got out of our vehicles and started hiking. It was fun looking at the GPS and trying to figure out which direction to walk, and if we needed to go up or down. At one point, the kids stopped to rest in the shade, and Jared headed up a hill to see if he could figure out where it was. He found it, but wanted the kids to find it. We headed up, and after much searching, Eryn finally spotted it. They were SO EXCITED! They had found a buried treasure. It was kind of hidden inside a little pile of rocks. They opened it up, and found some fun little items. There was a My Little Pony, a pocket knife, a bouncy ball, and some other things. We had to sign a log book to say that we found it, then we put the prizes that we bought inside and hid it again so someone else could find it. One rule is that you must be stealth! You can't let people see you finding it, or it may get taken by someone not playing by the rules, and possibly not replaced, which would be a bit disappointing to the next person trying to find it. We told the kids we had to be like spies, and that added even more fun to the hunt. We actually went hunting for another Cache, but it was in a residential area, and in the spirit of being sneaky, we didn't take any pictures of that one - plus the treasure was soaking wet! It was still fun to find it, and if we hadn't been hungry for lunch, we may have searched for more. It was really fun, and our kids want to do it again. Apparently there are caches hidden all over the world. Even near our home! We are going to do it again sometime.

Sledding... Arizona style!

We decided to go "sledding" at a little grassy area just through the block and across the street from Jess and Math's house. We took the Radio Flyer wagon (I mean sled) and took turns going down the hill in it. The kids laughed and laughed. They rode bikes and rolled down the hill too. We had fun just being silly and goofing around!

Phoenix Zoo

Tuesday, December 30, we went to the Phoenix Zoo. We had such a great time seeing all the animals and enjoying the warm Arizona weather. One of the fun things to do is go into the monkey enclosure. You can actually go in and the monkeys jump and climb over your head! The kids thought it was pretty cool. It was fun to get up close to the giraffes, and see the elephants, lions, tigers and all the other animals.

Ghost Town!

We decided that it would be fun to go check out a ghost town. The kids were picturing what you see on the movies - old and abandoned, tumbleweeds blowing by, and GHOSTS! They were confused when we got there and saw tons of people. We went to the Goldfield Gold Mine. It's a really cool old town near the Superstition Mountains. We didn't go inside any of the old buildings (they've turned them into shops and restaurants and things like that), but we wandered around outside where they have tons of old rusty machines. The kids climbed all over them and pulled levers and turned wheels. They had a great time. The weather was so awesome. Sunny and warm! You can take mine tours and pan for gold, but we decided to just keep this little outing a freebie. There was still plenty to see, and it was so fun watching the kids. Afterward, we went out for ice cream cones. Mmmm!

Arizona!!!

After Christmas, we took a little trip down to Arizona. My sister, Jessica, and her family live down in Mesa. We've been wanting to go for such a long time... we were so excited that we finally had a good time to go. That was until Kaitlyn decided to get SICK the night before we were supposed to leave. Everyone was afraid we were going to have to cancel (or go later) - Jess was especially depressed. But the next morning, Kaitlyn was fine! We left a little later than we had hoped, but after a LONG drive and a quite long detour (HEHE) we finally got there. It was really late, but everyone was up waiting for us! We had an awesome trip and did tons of fun things. Every couple of days I'll have a new post. Saturday the 27th was our driving day. We never realized how long 12-13 hours could be! Thank goodness for a portable DVD player. Poor Hayden was asking if we were almost there when we were barely passing through Nephi, so we KNEW it would be a long day. Sunday we got up and went to church, and then later we decided we'd go see the Christmas lights at the Mesa Temple. So beautiful! There were tons of people there, and we actually got separated from Jess and Math and their family for a little while, but we enjoyed our time there. Here are some of the fun things we saw!

Random Christmas Stuff

So I guess I forgot to add a few pictures and things from before Christmas. I love Christmas time... especially when I get to hear my kids singing Christmas songs. Each year the school does a "Christmas Sing." I remember doing that when I was in elementary school too. So fun! Bryson got to participate for the first time this year. They were SO cute! We ended up getting there a teeny bit late, so we ended up CLEAR in the back of the gym... and I forgot to grab my camera (but even if I had it, we wouldn't have been able to get any good pictures). So when we got home, I made him pose outside for a minute. They wore these CUTEST reindeer hats. They sang "Rudolf" of course! He was SO cute. He could see us, and waved at us before he sang. They sang another song too. Dang it! I sure wish I could remember what it was. What kind of mother am I, anyway?



I also wanted to try taking a neat picture of our tree. Since Eryn was willing to help me, and I knew she'd stand still enough, I busted out the tripod and set up this fun picture.

Christmas Morning

The kids got up bright and early (actually, it was definitely not bright, but it was early). They were so excited! Kids make Christmas so much fun. Before we went into the living room, we read the Christmas story from the bible so we could remember what Christmas is really about and what the greatest gift truly is. We have done it ever since Eryn was really little, so I guess it's our own little family tradition. Then we headed into the living room, and Santa had definitely been there. The cookies and milk we left him were gone. So was the carrot we left for the reindeer. In their place was a little letter from Santa. We always take turns opening gifts (atleast the first few). Here are the favorites:

The girls both got digital cameras and MP3 players... and both also got Webkinz, and a few other items. The boys both got Handy Manny, and Bryson got a remote control car and a Dr. Kit, and Hayden got some new Thomas tracks and trains, etc. Jared and I got a new light for over the kitchen table (bye-bye 80's ceiling fan!) and some DVDs, and Jared's favorite, Mayberryopoly!

We went to my parents for breakfast and gift exchange, and hung out there for a bit, then headed over to Grandpa Grace's for a visit. We had a GREAT Christmas!

Christmas Eve!

We had a tradition when I was little... we always got to open ONE present from my Grandma on Christmas Eve. And can you guess what it was every year? New pajamas! We loved that tradition, and my mom has taken over since my sisters and I have had kids. We go over to my parents house each year for dinner on Christmas Eve... sometimes we play games, sometimes we just hang out, but always the kids get to open up ONE present from Grandma - NEW PAJAMAS! They love it. I'm so glad the tradition keeps going. Hopefully someday I can carry it on with my own grandkids.

After dinner and opening presents, we played Rockband. The kids thought that was the most fun thing ever! They loved it. I must say, I had fun too (although it took me a minute to catch on to playing the guitar - I missed the initial instructions, so at first I thought I was just really bad, but I figured it out... my fave was drums, though!) We played for a long time, then we headed home so we could get to bed in time for Santa to arrive!

Grace Family Party

One of my favorite Christmas traditions from my childhood was the annual "Grace Family Christmas Party." I remember having it sometimes at Aunt Anita's house, Grandpa Grace's house, or mostly at Grandpa's Church. Every year we had yummy food to eat (I sure miss Grandma's hot rolls!), gifts from Grandpa (and sometimes Cousin exchanges), and ALWAYS there was a talent show. I remember every year preparing something to perform on the piano. I was the designated participant from my family. (I know my sisters participated atleast once or twice - but I had to every year!) I enjoyed it. Cousins sang, danced, played instruments... but the best part was when Uncle Kent and Uncle Cliff sang O Holy Night. To this day it is my favorite Christmas song (people may wonder why when they hear the special rendition we are treated to each year).
Well, this year did not disappoint. The talent show was BACK full force! Kaitlyn played the piano, and Eryn played the recorder (her broken wrist made piano playing a bit difficult). Some of my cousins kids also performed. More piano... a couple of vocal solos... and of course Uncle Kent was my favorite part. He was missing his duet partner (on a mission in Puerto Rico) but I believe it was truly his shining moment. He deserves some sort of a reward, I swear!! We also did the nativity. There seem to be more kids and less costumes each year, but I always love to hear Grandpa Grace read the Christmas Story straight from the scriptures.

Oh, and if you wonder why Hayden isn't in a single picture... he has a mind of his own, and decided that the toys in the nursery were way better than standing up on the stage for anything. He refused to wear a costume and participate. That little stubborn streak is inherited, by the way!

All Dressed Up

Every Christmas, when I was a little girl, my mom would make me and my sisters new Christmas dresses. Sometimes she was even up late on Christmas Eve still sewing. I loved all those beautiful Christmas dresses she made us. It was a tradition that I treasure. She is a very talented seamstress. I hope she knows how much I STILL appreciate all the work she put in each year. Although I did not inherit that sewing talent, I still love making sure my kids have new church clothes for Christmas each year. When my girls were little, they loved the fancy, "dressy" dresses... they have since outgrown the "princess" phase, and would rather be a little less fancy. Target always seems to come through for me... the girls loved these "more casual" dresses this year, and the boys thought their sweaters with "reindeer" on them were super cool. They were sweet to let me do a little photo session after church on the Sunday before Christmas. It was really chilly out on our front porch, but they were troopers, and I thought they looked so cute. They sand with the primary in the ward Christmas program, and Eryn even sang with the "grown up" ward choir - I played the piano. Jared got to sit down with the kids for the program, which is always a special treat for them - and for me!

SNOW SNOW SNOW!

Well, I will now attempt to BEGIN catching up on blogging. December 22 (Eryn's birthday... and if you missed that post, it's just two below this one) we got hit by a MAJOR snow storm! Of course there was no school, so the kids hurried and got on their gear and headed outside! Eryn chose to enjoy her birthday from the warmth of the house (playing with her new Webkinz on the computer). But I decided to join the other three outside! As I put my snowboots and snow pants on, Bryson said, "Mom... YOU have BOOTS?" He was excited that I was coming outside. We built a great snowman. We made him taller than ME and the kids thought that was great. It didn't take long for me to be ready to go in, but Kaitlyn, Bryson and Hayden stayed out and played for a long time! I even caught them pulling eachother in the sled at one point. They played so well together and had the best time. Isn't snow fun?



I have TONS of pictures of our Christmas adventures - I have only begun to go through them, so stay tuned for many posts over the next couple of weeks as I catch up. I'm going to try to post every two or three days!